"Wanting Europe, knowing its problems, acting to achieve it"

 

“In the twentieth century there will be an extraordinary nation. It will be a large nation, which will not prevent it from being free. It will be illustrious, wealthy, rational, peace-loving, on cordial terms with the rest of humanity ... It will be called Europe in the twentieth century and, in the centuries that follow, further transformed, it will be called Humanity.”     (Victor Hugo)

 

 

After nearly half a century the Fondation du Mérite européen’s motto is still particularly relevant today.


Through this principle it combines in every area – political, cultural, social and humanistic – the intuition of the founders with the everyday boldness of the architects of European integration, thus contributing to strengthening – in the interests of Europe’s citizens – this bastion of universal values that is Europe.


The Fondation du Mérite européen has always promoted European awareness by honouring those who are leading our history in the right direction, the creators of a community of noble destinies.

I congratulate and thank the Fondation du Mérite européen, which remains true to its European vocation and that of Luxembourg, to which it is a credit.

 

Xavier Bettel, Prime Minister, Minister of State, Honorary President of the Fondation du Mérite européen
(re-elected for a second 5 year mandate from December 2018)

 
Owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Fondation has been unable to hold any meetings or ceremonies since March 2020.
It is  unlikely that there will be any activities during the remainder of the cuurrent year.

 

 
It is with regret that we announce death of our Italian Member of the Board of Directors, Signor Arnaldo Ferragni.
He lived in Milan and despite the distance and his great age, he regularly attended our meetings and events in Luxembourg.
Signor Arnaldo Ferragni also put forward some excellent candidates for our Gold Medal.
He was a senior official of the European Parliament and a devoted member of the EPP political group.
As yet, we have no funeral notice.
 		  

 

The Fondation is a Luxembourg non-profit making association whose Président d'Honneur is the Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy, Monsieur Xavier BETTEL. The President of the Board of Directors is Monsieur Jacques SANTER, former Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy, former President of the European Commission and Ministre d’État. The object of the Fondation is to recognise the achievements of individuals, or occasionally organisations, for their outstanding contribution to the advancement of the European ideal or for particular achievements of a transnational nature, over and above their strict professional achievements.
 

The Fondation has awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze medals, to nationals of European Union (EU) countries over many years and recently has added a higher award of The Collier.

 

Many countries have instituted an Order of Merit to honour their citizens but the Fondation du Mérite européen is the only recognised Order of Merit on a Pan-European basis. The rôle of the Fondation is to be expanded to respond to Europe’s current challenges by organising and participating in University and other conferences which promote the European ideal, especially amongst the younger members of society. The Fondation has recently entered into a partnership agreement with the Centre Virtuel de la Connaissance sur l’Europe (CVCE) and has concluded a cooperation agreement with the University of Luxembourg. The Fondation also works closely with the European Union institutions, especially the European Commission in Luxembourg. In 2015, the Fondation created  an Association of Medallists (those who have already been awarded Gold or Silver medals) in order to involve them and make use of their talents and expertise further to promote the European ideal.

 

For further information, please contact us via the Contact page.