Philipp Jauernik Appointed New Federal Chairman of Paneuropa-Jugend
Philipp Jauernik Appointed New Federal Chairman of Paneuropa-Jugend
Change of leadership in the youth wing of the oldest European unification movement – Europe needs freedom, Paneuropa, and responsibility
After 8 years at the helm of Paneuropa-Jugend Austria, the outgoing Federal Chairman Stefan Haböck (31) is stepping down and handing over to his successor, Philipp Jauernik (28). “It has been exciting to fight for our ideals alongside young Paneuropeans from across the continent – but now it is time to make room for new ideas,” said Haböck, a native of Upper Austria, who has been tasked by Paneuropa President Karl von Habsburg with managing international relations.
A trained historian, Philipp Jauernik lives in Vienna and has worked for many years in the media and communications industry, maintaining an excellent international network. As a member of the Presidium, he is responsible for leading the organisation’s communications in Austria. He is joined by two new deputies in his team: art historian Katharina Koja and English scholar Stefanie Dolenc.
Jauernik identifies three priorities for his term: firstly, strengthening awareness of fundamental values and freedoms; secondly, the international networking of young, constructive individuals from across Europe; and thirdly, strengthening the regional organisations of Paneuropa-Jugend.
Jauernik intends to be more vocal than his predecessors in highlighting failures and addressing critical issues, such as necessary reforms in Europe. “We need less centralism, but that applies above all to the nation states,” he emphasises, adding: “Freedom and responsibility go hand in hand; they are to be expected of both citizens and administrative units. The principle of ‘as much freedom as possible, as much state as necessary’ must apply from Brussels down to the smallest rural municipality.”
At the same time, the new youth chairman stresses the importance of a common foreign and security policy. “Europe’s states can no longer play the global role they once held. The USA, Russia, China, India – these are currently the global superpowers. Europe must stop being an appendage and instead act with self-confidence. To achieve this, however, we do not need to regulate every detail, whether it be light bulbs at the European level or rental agreement fees in Austria.”
Paneuropa-Jugend is the Austrian youth organisation of the Paneuropa Union, which was founded in 1922 by Richard Coudenhove-Kalergi. Based on the principles of freedom, subsidiarity, and responsibility, Paneuropa campaigns for a united Europe with organisations in 25 countries.
Its primary concerns are subsidiarity, the strengthening of civil liberties and citizens’ rights, and a common foreign and security policy for Europe.
Caption: l.t.r. Stefan HABÖCK, Karl von HABSBURG, Philipp JAUERNIK
Photo credit: © DI Andrea Schiffl/Paneuropa Austria
