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My Preamble
Stefan Wilkanowicz
www.Forum-znak.org.pl
23 June 2003
Observing the project of writing
a Preamble to the future Constitution of the European
Union has convinced me that such a document must be
based on honorable and hard truth, rather than on selective
memory and meaningless generalities.  This
is why I have written my own Preamble, for myself and
for those of a similar mindset. I plan on following
these tenets regardless of the decisions that will be
made by our respectable lawmakers.
Stefan Wilkanowicz, the editor-in-chief
of FORUM, wrote also a draft for the Polish Republic
constitution's preambula.
We, Europeans:
- aware of the richness of our heritage, drawing
from the wealth of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Greek
philosophy, Roman law, and humanism with both religious
and non-religious roots;
- aware of the values of Christian civilization, which
is the basic source of our identity;
- aware of the frequent betrayals of these values
by both Christians and non-Christians;
- aware of the good and the evil that we have spread
to the inhabitants of other continents;
- bemoaning the social catastrophe caused by the totalitarian
systems that have originated within our civilization
we would like to build our common future
- on the basis of profound respect for every man and
recognition of his inalienable dignity;
- convinced that every man is significant and indispensable;
that every man deserves to have his rights secured;
that every man should be expected to fulfill his social
responsibilities;
- conscious of the dangers created by disrespecting
his human dignity and his human rights through the
implementation of ideas and processes that reduce
his humanity;
- appreciating the wealth of diversity and convinced
of the necessity for developing a common set of values;
- convinced that every European is responsible for
both the development of his own national culture and
for the formation of a common European culture, which
is our collective obligation;
- aware of the particular responsibility that Europeans
have toward the future of humanity;
- aware of the menacing dangers that threaten this
future, especially disasters of famine, war, and the
degradation of entire societies
we commit ourselves to the creation of conditions that
will continue to advance every man, every community,
and all of humanity.
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