Mannequins are the author’s very personal creations, symbolising human nature with its bright and dark sides. But her mannequins’ world is not black-and-white, it is a world full of colours, which give them specific beauty and aura of secretiveness.

Form and technique used by the author is very time-consuming. Thanks to it, she can make beautiful glass sculptures, made in a unique way, using the old Tiffany method. The inventiveness and the outstanding quality of Katarzyna Czajka’s stained glass are most of all noticeable due to the fact that she started to make three-dimensional, spacious and luminous works.

“My mannequin collection was a chance to release the sadness, the disappointment inside me, a kind of despair caused by helplessness. I went through a period of locking myself away from people and the world. They let me down when I needed them the most. I’ve always found the strength inside to think that there is still hope for people to show a different face, to make everything right, hope for a different humanity.” – says Katarzyna Czajka. “A breakthrough came with the creation of the first mannequin, symbolizing my rebirth, my opening to the world, constituted a breakthrough in my career. I look at it from afar and I see windows, a light getting brighter, but also the dark sides of life, hidden behind the veil of hypocrisy.”

“A man consists of such small, fragile pieces, and each piece is so important that there is no chance to exist without even one of them. Us, humans, we are also one, but why are we like those mannequins?” – asks Czajka.

Display’s organiser – Ryszard Czarnecki, MEP, said: “These works are an example of innovative art, so I am very glad that we can host such an incredible artist in the European Parliament. I am sure that for Mrs. Katarzyna Czajka it is just the beginning of her worldwide career. The more I am pleased, that such a talented artist will be hosted in Brussels”.

Katarzyna Czajka has been the author of socially conscious art for two years now with her sensitivity to the problems she touches upon resulting from her personal experiences. She began her artistic path after turning 50 and starting her second life. With a talent for fine arts, she did not begin studies in this field due to family issues; therefore she treated fine arts as a hobby, something unattainable to herself. Her professional career went in another direction – for several years she found success and fulfilment as a logistics specialist. One day, following a series of hurtful impulses, she experienced the burnout syndrome and hid in the security of her privacy, with her thoughts, her sorrow and her disillusionment, with the solitude apparently the result of her own choice, isolating herself from the world.
This state was interrupted by her children, who drew her into the world of Art, of which she always dreamt of, temporarily leaving their own concerns and careers aside. The artist receives numerous exhibition offers; however she treats them very selectively. The works of Katarzyna Czajka may also be seen on TVP and TVN, as part of the coverage of the French TV5MONDE, the Russian Rossiya Kultura and the German Deutsche Welle TV stations as well as on Kazakh and Czech TV.

The new Capital Requirements Regulation Directive sets out minimum levels of capital and liquidity which a bank must hold.

ECR negotiator on the legislation Vicky Ford MEP has consistently opposed efforts to water down the international G20 agreements which the EU entered into.

Amendments which she submitted beef up the quality of capital, improve transparency and allow national governments the opportunity to go further (for example, with the Vickers reforms in the UK which would ring-fence retail arms from investment banking).

In a key vote, Mrs Ford and fellow ECR MEPs won the right for national governments to adopt stricter controls than the EU minimums.

Her amendments will also let banks free up capacity for lending to small businesses, for trading finance and for infrastructure funding.

A part of the proposal which could have forced UK banks to take early repossession of homes where mortgage holders have run into arrears was changed thanks to a Ford amendment.

The committee passed key amendments to protect industrial companies which would otherwise face a steep rise in the cost of hedging true business activities and cause them severe competitive disadvantage in managing interest-rate and exchange-rate risks.

The new proposals also deal with corporate responsibility and bankers’ bonuses. Mrs Ford wants further tightening of bonuses but believes that a 1:1 maximum ratio for bonuses (i.e. a maximum bonus of one year’s salary) could push up general pay for bankers – making it harder for a bank to reduce its most substantial overhead in a downturn. Therefore she has said that paying above this cap could be allowed but only following an annual shareholder vote on the level.

Mrs Ford said: “This is crucial package of reforms for banking. We have fought all along to make sure it delivers a robust and reliable system that works across Europe but also allows Britain flexibility. If London and Edinburgh wish to set even more-exacting standards than Paris or Frankfurt do, if that is what investors seek, then they should be allowed to.

“Not all my suggestions were followed, and the package is weaker than the Basel agreement in some areas. Typically, a number of amendments were passed which allow some French banks to follow different rules from the rest of us, something I would not be comfortable with in their position.

“However, in balance I believe we have come out with proposals that work.”

MEPs are required to grant discharge (effectively signing off) the annual budget: a process which began with the auditors’ report last November. For the 17th year in a row they found the budget to be affected by material error with an estimated 3.7 percent of the €122 billion of spending affected by error. Despite this, the parliament has agreed to give a stamp of approval to almost every area of spending.

Commission and parliament
The parliament’s report on the commission’s spending did criticise high error rates in cohesion spending (7.7 percent) and agriculture (2.3 percent). It also contains ECR proposals to create a dedicated budgetary control commissioner and new steps to promote ‘whistle blowers’. A separate report is also critical of some areas of European Parliament expenditure, including the House of European History, the Washington liaison office, and the costs of European Parliament prizes (such as the Lux film prize).

Council
MEPs voted to postpone discharge of the council’s accounts – which Mr Czarnecki first proposed when he was rapporteur in 2009. This is because the council is unwilling to play a full role in the discharge process. At this stage in the discharge process, the only options available to the parliament are to grant or postpone discharge. Following the postponement, a second report will be brought forward with a recommendation to either grant or refuse discharge.

EU agencies
MEPs postponed discharge on the environment, food safety and medicines agencies following concerns over weaknesses such as potential conflicts of interest, weak recruitment procedures and high budgetary carryovers.

In the council vote in February, the UK, Netherlands and Sweden refused to sign off the accounts.

Following the vote, Mr Czarnecki said:

“MEPs are rightly critical of many areas of EU spending but they will never send a clear message by grumbling about the accounts and then signing them off regardless.

“The commission and governments are not giving this issue the sense of urgency it requires. If it had been dragging on for a few years then it would still be unacceptable, but to fail to achieve a satisfactory auditors report for 17 years is beyond farce.

“The commission needs to crack the whip with national governments that refuse to certify how they are spending EU taxpayers’ money.

“The annual budgetary discharge only serves to reinforce the view that the EU budget is marked by waste and error. The European Parliament should follow the ECR in sending a strong signal to the commission and national governments that this must end.”

Contact: Mateusz Kochanowski +32 489 582781 or James Holtum on +32 473 861762

Mr Bradbourn, MEP for the West Midlands region of the UK, is pushing for a range of measures to tackle economic barriers to regional aviation and make local airports easier to use.

His report was approved today at a plenary session of the European parliament in Brussels, which means the European Commission must now draft proposed legislation to address the issues raised.

Mr Bradbourn believes regional airports can play a key role in easing congestion at bigger national air-transport hubs and in driving economic growth – but at present they are an underused resource.

The Parliament backed his call for better price-transparency and an end to extra charges for passengers paying by credit or debit card, which at present can cost as much as £15 with some carriers. His report also calls for a Europe-wide system of through ticketing to allow customers to plan and purchase their complete journey in one simple transaction – including train or coach to and from the airport at either end.

The report also demands an end to the so-called one-bag rule which some carriers use to stop passengers taking aboard purchases made in airport shops.

Mr Bradbourn said: “The great potential of our regional airports is being sadly underplayed. They could be the key to reducing the congestion that is choking airports in our capital cities and they could make travel much easier for millions.

“At the same time they can become catalyst for regional growth, if only they could be freed from come of the restrictions this report seeks to tackle.

“Passengers need crystal-clear ticketing – with all costs included upfront – that covers rail and coach links from their neighbourhood.

“Regional airports also need a fair deal commercially. At present many accept very meagre landing charges in return for the retail footfall that creates – but then they are undermined by low-cost carriers who stop passengers using terminal shops by counting their purchases as a second piece of hand-luggage – and charging them up to £30 to take it on board.

“Regional airports deserve a new deal and that is what my report aims to provide.”

European Conservatives and Reformists group leader Martin Callanan MEP said that the EU has failed to move with the times, offering 20th century solutions to 21st century problems. He warned that the EU’s greatest challenge today is to remain relevant in the world, and in the minds of EU voters who the EU has been taking ‘for granted’, and who are turning to ugly extremes.

Callanan warned of the EU’s big government mentality, which believes that only ‘more Europe’ can solve every challenge, makes it part of the problem. He called for the EU to roll back its frontiers.

He said (extracts from the speech):

“The world has moved on since the Schuman declaration was made 62 years ago. In many areas, the EU has not. Many of these 20th century solutions have now become a part of our 21st century problem.

“Our greatest challenge today is to remain relevant. The EU is not only becoming irrelevant in the world, but also in the minds of our own people. I have one simple explanation for this: the people don’t trust the EU because the EU does not trust the people.

“Democracy, the ‘rule of the people’ is the greatest Greek export in history, and it is under threat. The Euro, the fiscal compact, the impositions of the Troika, endless EU legislation, have stopped our electors’ from having the power to determine their own destinies. You cannot go on taking the people for granted. If you do, they will turn to ugly alternatives.

“We feel we have all the answers. But often our well-intentioned actions become part of the problem and lead to less personal or economic freedom for individuals.

“To paraphrase a famous quote of President Reagan: “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: ‘I’m from the EU and I’m here to help.’”

“I am a firm believer that small government works. When national governments have rolled back the frontiers of the state they have found that their people and their economies thrive.

“The EU has become a big government. It is time we rolled back its frontiers.

“It is not too late to face reality, to trust the people and to embrace small government in Brussels. But time is rapidly running out. Unless you change course, the world will keep turning – and Europe will fall further and further behind. You will have only yourselves to blame.”

ENDS

The full speech is below:

Schuman, Monet, Spinelli all lived in a very different World to today. In their Europe the continent had been ravaged by two wars. In their Europe the household challenge was putting food on the table, and the global challenge became symbolised by a wall across Berlin.

Their solutions were ever-closer union, the European social model, the CAP. In their day these policies helped to achieve some of their objectives. Enlargement to the east brought freedom to a people previously cloaked by an iron curtain.

But the world has moved on since the Schuman declaration was made 62 years ago. In many areas, the EU has not. Many of these 20th century solutions have now become a part of our 21st century problem.

Our greatest challenge today is to remain relevant.

The EU is not only becoming irrelevant in the world, but also in the minds of our own people. I have one simple explanation for this: the people don’t trust the EU because the EU does not trust the people.

Democracy, the ‘rule of the people’ is the greatest Greek export in history, and it is under threat.

The Euro, the fiscal compact, the impositions of the Troika, endless EU legislation, have stopped our electors’ from having the power to determine their own destinies.

We cannot go on taking the people for granted. If we do, they will turn to ugly alternatives. Communists and neo-Nazis who want to place landmines on the Greek border are now sadly a major part of the Hellenic parliament. Mrs Le Pen received a fifth of the vote in France.

Yet what was the commission’s response to the first round upset in France? More Europe is needed, a spokesman said. To me, nothing better sums up everything that is wrong with the EU than that reaction.

We feel we have all the answers (and the commission’s Schuman day statement just backs up that assumption). But often our well-intentioned actions become part of the problem and lead to less personal or economic freedom for individuals. To paraphrase a famous quote of President Reagan: “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: ‘I’m from the EU and I’m here to help.’”

I am a firm believer that small government works. When national governments have rolled back the frontiers of the state they have found that their people and their economies thrive.

The EU has become a big government. It is time we rolled back its frontiers.

President Schulz and Mr Swoboda, your suggestion that pro-austerity politicians are now being replaced by pro-growth ones is of course nonsense. Everybody wants growth; this is a battle over means, not ends. Sustainable growth requires profitably producing and selling more goods and services. Getting the government to borrow and spend even more money to create fake demand at a time when national debts are already rocketing is not pro-growth – it is stupid and unsustainable, and will bring national bankruptcy a step closer.

The ECR offers an alternative vision for the future of the EU based on liberty, national democracy and proper entrepreneur-led growth:

- We believe that free trade is the best way to promote our products and our values across the globe;

- We believe that the EU budget should be better focused, smaller and reprioritised to 21st century challenges such as research;

- We believe that the Single Market should be the jewel in the crown of the EU, promoting deregulation and competition rather than red tape and harmonisation.

Seven years ago in this chamber, following the French and Dutch rejections of the European Constitution, one of my North East constituents at the time, Prime Minister Tony Blair, told this chamber, “The people are blowing the trumpets round the city walls. Are we listening?”

I think we know the answer to his question.

But the trumpets are sounding far louder today than they were in 2005.

Will you listen now? Will you act now?

The EU faces clear choices:

- continue to pass legislation and ten-year economic plans, or cut red tape and lift the burden on business;

- continue to believe we know best, or trust the people to do what’s right;

- continue to build an ever-closer union, or build an effective union that does less but does it better.

It is not too late to face reality, to trust the people and to embrace small government in Brussels. But time is rapidly running out. Unless you change course, the world will keep turning – and Europe will fall further and further down the international league table. You will have only yourselves to blame.

“Democratisation of the Middle East does not bring relief to the people who live there; it is a very bitter truth a year after the Arab Spring. The EU, if it wishes to remain credible as a defender of human rights, of which it is widely teaching the world, has to take a clear stance in defence of Christians in the Middle East. We demand reactions to every single act of discrimination and also expect that this problem is always present in political or trade talks between the EU and the Arab World”, said Konrad Szymański MEP of the ECR Group.

“The European Union, when cooperating with and supporting the democratic movements, shall condition its involvement upon the respect for democratic rules, such as religious freedom”, underlined Jan Olbrycht MEP, EPP Group Vice-Chairman responsible for intercultural relations.

Dr Joe Vella Gauci, from COMECE, said: “The Eastern Churches have coexisted with Islam for fourteen centuries notwithstanding the difficulties and challenges which have evolved over the centuries. Today, as in the past, difficulties and challenges are often linked to political problems and to the East-West conflict. The so-called ‘Arab Spring’ in the Maghreb and Mashreq countries in early 2011 must be considered as one of the most crucial historical turnarounds and paradigm shifts of the 21^st Century. The events that the region has been witnessing are very significant and indicative. In the context of these Arab Revolutions, young people have cried out for freedom, equality, the right to work, citizens’ rights and the dignity of the human person. They wish to explore how to live in dignity in their respective countries, searching for how to live in peace and prosperity.”

He continued: “However, the aforesaid events are occasionally (and unfortunately) overshadowed by barbarous incidents committed by several individuals associated with different political and religious beliefs.  As a consequence, the road that leads to the attainment of true democracy becomes unclear. The fundamental objective should be: respect for all citizens; the elimination of parallel societies; respect for diverse communities and cultures; and the creation of socio-political systems worthy of safeguarding human rights and democratic values.”

The basis for new political and social order should be the universal values that endorse respect for people and their legitimate rights. Furthermore, within the socio-religious context, one must take into account the religious dimension that is crucial for the social regulations at the social moral level and for certain behaviours that are based not only on human values, but also on spiritual ones “where the temporal remains charged with religious values” and to be seen to “participate in the same humanity”.

During the conference, the following speakers delivered their presentations: Berthold Pelster (Aid to the Church in Need), Esther Kattenberg (Open Doors International), Dr Brian J Grim (Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life), Dr Cornelius Hulsman (Editor of the Arab-West Report), Mgr Pierbattista Pizzaballa (Custody of the Holy Land), Dr Dimyanos Kattar (Former Ministry of Financial Affairs, Lebanon), Mgr  Prof Piotr Mazurkiewicz (COMECE), and Mgr Youssef Soueif ( The Maronite Archbishop of Cyprus).

There was also the chance to listen to the testimonies given by witnesses concerning the practice of religious freedom in the Arab World and to become familiar with the content of the Lebanon Conference Report and other reports on Christians in the Arab World.

All speeches, presentations and photos are/ will be available under:

http://www.comece.eu/site /en/activities/events/article/4752.html

More information:

Mateusz Kochanowski, ECR group press officer: + 32 2 284 2894

Eduard Slootweg, EPP group press officer for religious affairs: + 32 475 721 280

Johanna Touzel, press officer & spokesperson COMECE: tel + 32 487104139

The conference is organised by the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) and MEPs: Konrad Szymański (ECR, PiS) and Jan Olbrycht (EPP, PO).

“One year after the Arab Spring, which aim was to bring freedom, we receive more and more signals that the democracy in the Middle East contributes to increase in repressions against Christians who have been living there since the beginning of Christianity. Europe has supported the democratic changes therefore today it shall take the responsibility for the Middle Eastern Christians. We cannot remain passive in front of religious cleansings in that region”- says MEP Konrad Szymański (ECR, PiS), the co-organizer of the seminar.

“The European Union, when cooperating with and supporting the democratic movements, shall condition its involvement upon the respect for democratic rules, such as religious freedom” – underlines MEP Jan Olbrycht (EPP, PO).

During the conference which starts at 16.30 in ASP 3E2 the following speakers will deliver their presentations: Berthold Pelster (Aid to the Church in need), Esther Kattenberg (Open Doors International), Dr Brian J Grim (Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life), Dr Cornelius Hulsman (Editor of the Arab-West Report), Mgr Pierbattista Pizzaballa (Custody of the Holy Land), Dr Dimyanos Kattar (Former Ministry of Financial Affairs Lebanon), Mgr Prof. Piotr Mazurkiewicz (COMECE), Mgr Youssef Soueif ( The Maronite Archbishop of Cyprus).

During the seminar there will be a chance to listen to the testimonies given by the witnesses concerning the practice of religious freedom in the Arab World and to become familiar with the content of the “Lebanon Conference Report” and other reports on Christians in the Arab World.

ENDS

Download : Invitation :: Program

Notes:
Translations will be available in German, English, French, Italian, Polish, and Spanish.

Short biographies of the speakers:
Berthold Pelster- an expert on relations between the Russian Orthodox and the Catholic Church in Russia and the relationship between Christianity and Islam in Africa, especially in Nigeria. Since 2001 he has been working in Church in need.
Esther Kattenberg – EU Advocacy Officer in Open Doors International, Master of International and European law.
Dr Brian J Grim- he specializes in the analysis of cross-national data on religion and on the generation of quantitative data from qualitative sources. Senior research fellow in religion and world affairs at the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.
Dr Dimyanos Kattar – the Finance, Economy and Trade Minister between April and July 2005. He was also the Chief of the first aid teams in the Lebanese Red Cross.
Mgr Pierbattista Pizzaballa- since 2004 The Custodian of the Holy Land.
Dr Cornelius Hulsman- sociologist, co-founder and Editor in Chief of Arab-West Report.
Mgr Youssef Soueif- since 2008 the Maronite Archbishop of Cyprus.
Mgr Prof Piotr Mazurkiewicz- General Secretary of COMECE, member of the Research Council of the Institute of Political Studies of the Polish Academy of Sciences, and a member of the Board of the European Society for Research in Ethics “Societas Ethica”.

Contact Mateusz Kochanowski on Mobile +32489582781