People's Europe
A proposal from the Adonnino group in the mid-eighties. It aimed to encourage Europeans to develop a common identity through common citizenship and the adoption of European symbols such as an EU flag, anthem, passport, car registration plates, symphony orchestra, sports events etc.The group was named after its chair, an Italian Christian Democrat MEP.
It also made proposals for wider European co-operation on education, health, drugs, terrorism and other popular “social” topics that went outside the primarily economic concerns of the traditional common “market”. These were thought likely to engage the interests of citizens more and encourage them to develop loyalty and affection towards the EU similar to how many feel towards their own nation states.
Most of the group’s proposals have now been implemented.
