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 ====== Pirate Common European Election Programme 2024 (CEEP 2024) ======
-The drafting process for the 2024 CEEP has taken place on [[https://discourse.european-pirateparty.eu/c/common-european-election-program/|the European Pirate Party discourse]].
+The drafting process for the 2024 CEEP took place on [[https://discourse.european-pirateparty.eu/c/common-european-election-program/|the European Pirate Party discourse]], with input added at the CEEP workshop that took place on April 15th 20223 in connection with the [[:12th_council_meeting_2023|12th Council meeting]] in Strasbourg.
-Based on the contributions there, as well as the input from the CEEP workshop that took place on April 15th 20223 in connection with the [[:12th_council_meeting_2023|12th Council meeting]] in Strasbourg, the Board decided to put forward the text below as the Board proposal for the CEEP 2024, at the [[:13th_council_meeting_2023|13th Council meeting]]. The proposals for changes submitted by the Member parties before July 1st is presented at the bottom of this page, and was voted on during the Council meeting, together with [[https://discourse.european-pirateparty.eu/t/motion-amendments-thread/440|other proposals for changes tabled on the Pirate Discourse]].
+Based on the works on Discourse and in Strasborg, the Board decided to put forward a proposal for the CEEP 2024 at the [[:13th_council_meeting_2023|13th Council meeting]]. The member parties [[https://discourse.european-pirateparty.eu/t/motion-amendments-thread/440|made proposals for changes]]. to the draft presented by the board. Most of these changes were approved by the Council meeting. The text that was approved at the Council meeting has been [[https://discourse.european-pirateparty.eu/t/vote-ratification-process/514|subject to grammatical and stylistic review by a professional linguistic expert]], and it is now ready to be ratified by the Member parties.
-The final text will be [[https://discourse.european-pirateparty.eu/t/vote-ratification-process/514|subject to grammatical and stylistic review by a professional linguistic expert]], before being presented to the Member parties for ratification. As soon as the review has been finalized it will be presented on this wiki.
+[[https://discourse.european-pirateparty.eu/t/ceep-2024-final-version-full-text|The final text can be found here]].
-----
-===== Board proposal for a Common European Election Programme 2024  =====
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-==== Preamble ====
-Today’s European Union (EU) as a supranational institution is a project of its member states rather than of its citizens. Pirates believe that Europe should be organised in the common interest of all European citizens, as well as the interests of member states.
-Pirates in the European Union have adopted this election programme and strive together to make our vision for the Union a reality.
-The democratic deficit within the European Union has existed since its formation and has not been sufficiently addressed in the course of the integration process.
-An important goal of all Pirates is to build a solid democratic foundation for the Union. In order to achieve that goal it is crucial to ensure that political processes are more citizen-friendly. Together we must encourage the development of a common European space for culture, politics and society to protect the existing rich and diverse cultures that exist within the Union.
-The EU must live up to its own principles on subsidiarity. Decisions should not be taken at EU level if they can be better resolved at national, regional or local level. Equal and easy access to communication and an informed citizenry are basic requirements in legitimate democratic decision making. Political decisions at the European level need to be preceded by Europe-wide debate and allow for the adequate participation of all.
-Pirates strongly believe that all people must have the right to fair and equal treatment. It is essential that society respects the rights of minorities. We will stand against discrimination of any kind and oppose movements that act against Human Rights.
-The Internet as a medium of communication offers tremendous opportunities for political development, overcoming top-down, one-way communication. Pirates will therefore defend the freedom of the Internet with fierce determination at European level as well as on a global scale.
-[[https://european-pirateparty.eu/programme/|The board opted to suggest to reuse the preamble from the 2019 CEEP]]
-----
-==== Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Animal Welfare ====
-=== Towards a Sustainable Europe and a Sustainable Planet ===
-As we are part of nature, our quality of life depends on natural resources like unpolluted water, air, soil and food at our homes. We need to achieve a sustainable and healthy food production for all, now and tomorrow.
-We advocate a strong role of the ENVI, AGRI, PECH and REGI committees, provided that lessons are learnt from past mistakes in EU agricultural policies. It is their duty in order to protect our natural resources and change nature’s exploitation into nature prospering.
-Pirates demand upholding (and wherever possible, exceeding) ambitious environmental promises and plans made on EU and international level. Both regarding conservation and support of biodiversity in agroecosystems as well as greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.
-Urban and suburban agriculture and gardening need to be encouraged to reduce transport, supply nutrition, spread knowledge, satisfy human needs.
-In trade agreements with third countries, the EU shall avoid unfair trade practices based on its trade power. Exports of a European surplus food products into third countries must be reassessed, if they may damage the markets for local food.
-=== Subsidies only for the public good ===
-We want a Common Agriculture Policy that supports natural and cultural diversity. We are convinced that multiplicity of food production which is locally adapted and in the hands of many independent and self-determined actors will grant food security and quality of life in the countryside and cities as well.
-CAP should encourage farmers to adapt to climate change in terms of technologies and choice of crops or breeds. The CAP must provide the frame which stipulates equal rights, opportunities and commitments.
-The role of subsidies in European agricultural politics must change towards a greater focus on diversity and equality. Financial support must be granted according to sustainability criteria and not based on the land area or production.
-As agriculture of the EU provides high overproduction and as production can be marketed by standard market means, subsidies should only support common public good. Ecosystem degradation should not be part of agricultural policy as an excuse for social issues.
-To enhance resilience, Pirates want to preserve and support small scale farming and subsistence agriculture.
-=== Use of technology and digital solutions ===
-The baseline ‘no patents on life’ must be strictly realized.
-The EU shall establish the frame for open access to digital applications and open interfaces.
-Publicly funded data on, for example, climate, weather, soil, and water must be easily accessible for the public. The EU must ensure that any such datasets which have been obtained by using proprietary technologies will not pass into private hands.
-=== Forestry ===
-EU should do more to incentivize practices leading to preservation and restoration of biodiversity, water retention and capture of carbon in forests, both in terms of regulation and funding. But we have to learn from mistakes of the Common Agricultural Policy. The goal is to help the development of a sustainable industry, both in economical and environmental sense.
-EU has to enforce strict protection of old-growth forests as well as old trees in all other parts of the landscape.
-=== Animal welfare ===
-All animals deserve to be treated humanely. Pirates support strengthening measures ensuring appropriate care and management and less painful slaughter, such as phase-out of cage farming as soon as possible, introducing species-specific standards for all farmed animals, ban on export of live animals to third countries and reduction of long journeys of live animals by introducing strict absolute time limits.
-Lack of transparency on farming conditions and of education on the welfare of animals in modern farming systems needs to be addressed, e.g. by a method-of-production plus label for animal products.
-Pirates support further development of alternatives to meat and incentives to a shift towards a more plant-based diets.
-=== Sustainable fisheries ===
-Fishing quotas must be revamped in order to adapt to the scientifically evident sustainability and to protect small scale fisheries. The EU should expand policies combating illegal fisheries. Marine protected areas should be granted an appropriate and harmonized level of protection by forbidding unsustainable practices harmful to biodiversity such as bottom trawling or extractive activities.
-Large scale development of aquaculture should also be closely monitored in order to provide animal welfare, equilibrium between feeding and fishing, better integration in the environment and ecosystem while ensuring traceability.
-EU should push for enabling fish migration in rivers, especially unnecessary dams removal.
-[[https://discourse.european-pirateparty.eu/t/final-text-agriculture-forestry-fisheries-and-animal-welfare|Discourse link to the text on Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Animal Welfare]]
-----
-==== Civil Society ====
-Civil society is a crucial component of any democratic society, as it plays a vital role in ensuring that the voices of individuals and communities are heard and represented in the political process. As the European Pirate Party, we recognize the importance of civil society in the European Union and its member states, and we are committed to strengthening the values that underpin it.
-At the heart of our mission is a commitment to the fundamental values of the European Union, as outlined in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union. We believe that the respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities like LGBT, are non-negotiable principles that must be upheld and defended at all times.
-To achieve this goal, we call on the EU to work closely with civil society organizations across Europe and beyond, to ensure that these fundamental values are respected and promoted in all aspects of EU policymaking and decision-making. We believe that civil society should have a meaningful say in shaping EU policies, and that the EU should actively seek out and listen to the voices of individuals and communities that are traditionally underrepresented in the political process.
-Furthermore, we believe that the EU has a responsibility to promote these values not only within its own institutions and member states, but also in its interactions with other countries and international organizations. We believe that the EU should lead by example, demonstrating its commitment to these values in its external policies and working to promote them in countries and regions where they are under threat.
-=== Citizen Participation and Open Government - Democracy Add-On for Europe ===
-Pirates advocate a directly elected citizens’ convention tasked with drafting a new EU treaty to clarify and replace current treaties and address the need for democratic reform within the Union, provided it is accepted by the citizens of the Union through a referendum.
-The present EU legislative process is dominated by the executive branch (the European Commission) at the expense of the legislative branch (the European Parliament). Pirates seek an adjustment to the balance of power in European Institutions to favour the legislative branch.
-Direct democracy at EU level, i.e. pan-EU referendums on constitutional revisions and citizen-initiated legislative referendums, should be part of the new constitution. Citizens shall have the right both to repeal existing legislation and to initiate new legislation.
-=== Citizenship Add-on for Europe ===
-We, european Pirates, consider ourselves as european citizens. But, at this point the european citizenship is only an idea. Pirates want to promote this idea to reality. With this European Citizenship, we will be able to be more than French, German, Swedish but citizens with a bundle of common rights on every country of the union. We will be able to emit european passports, permetting to any european citizen to be recognize as a part of a bigger thing than their own countries, in the ideal of a without border world.
-Pirates want that discussions and workshop might be open to fullfill these goals.
-Alternative
-The European Pirate Party believes that all people living in the European Union should have the right to a real EU citizenship. This citizenship should come with an EU passport, as well as physical and digital documents that are recognized all over the EU as European citizenship.
-We believe that a real EU citizenship is essential for ensuring that all people in the EU have equal rights and opportunities, regardless of their country of origin. It is also a vital step towards creating a more united and cohesive Europe, where everyone feels like they belong and are valued members of the community.
-=== Innovating Political Participation ===
-Pirates want citizens to be able to have a more direct and larger impact in the policy debate and decision making process, both individually and collectively.
-The European Parliament should set up an e-participation tool. Citizens should be able to publicly discuss legislative proposals, to propose amendments and to support (or vote against) proposed amendments online.
-We wish to reform the EU citizens’ initiative. Data requirements shall be reduced. The European Commission should deal even with unsuccessful but interesting initiatives.
-Petitioners with a significant number of supporters shall have the right to be heard in person. The European Parliament should open its doors to citizens on a regular basis in order to provide them with the opportunity to directly submit their proposals and concerns to a joint plenary session with Members of the European Parliament and Members of the European Commission. These sessions should also be open to citizens participating remotely via the internet or through social media.
-The european citizens need to able to search, use and exchange the available information given by the different processes in the Europe governance. They, by this way, be able to understand and participate to the life of our european democracy. The social cost to participate need to be minimized.
-**Open Government**
-The European Union shall join the Open Government Partnership, a multilateral initiative that aims to promote open government, empower citizens, fight corruption, and harness new technologies to strengthen governance.
-**Promoting Civil Society Participation**
-We believe that civil society participation is crucial for a healthy and vibrant democracy. Therefore, we are committed to promoting and supporting the work of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) across the EU. To achieve this, we propose increasing public awareness of the importance of civil society participation and encouraging greater participation through education and outreach programs.
-**Clear Regulation of NGOs**
-We propose advocating for clear and fair regulations for NGOs operating in the EU, focusing on transparency and accountability. We also suggest making it easier for NGOs to establish and finance themselves within the EU.
-**Tax Incentives for Donations**
-To encourage more organizations to engage in social and environmental causes, we believe that donations towards NGOs working for the common good should receive a special tax status throughout all EU member states.
-**Effective Interaction with European Institutions**
-NGOs need access to information about upcoming legislation to effectively interact with European institutions. We propose that NGOs registered in the EU get access to the actual text and prepared information to put the legislation into context. This will ensure that all stakeholders have a place at the table and access to the latest developments.
-**Promotion of Good Work by NGOs**
-We will work to promote and showcase the important work that NGOs are already doing across the EU. By highlighting their successes, we aim to encourage more people to get involved and support their efforts. We recognize the critical role that NGOs play in areas such as environmental protection, social justice, and human rights. Therefore, we are committed to supporting their efforts and working together to build a more just and sustainable society.
-=== Anti-corruption and Containing Corporate Lobbyism ===
-The influence of money on politics is one of the key corruption risks in the EU and a threat to its democratic foundation. Political decisions will not be made in the best interests of all citizens when corporate interests are allowed to dominate.
-Disclosure and Containment of External Influence on Political Decisions
-To protect the democratic process and to make the basis of decisions transparent, Pirates call for the disclosure of the influence of interest groups and lobbyists on political decisions. Lobbying activities shall be as transparent as possible. That can be helped by making the existing lobby register mandatory, linked to a transparent calendar on the Internet. Every EU citizen should have a chance to look up with whom the elected representative met, what was the purpose of the meeting and what happened there. The whole process brings demanded multi-level controlling system needed for a reliable democracy. In addition, a legislative footprint shall be published: everyone involved in policy making shall publish their meetings with lobbyists and written input they receive. All draft bills and amendments shall be traceable to their original author.
-Enforceable ethics rules and an oversight mechanism for lobbyists shall be introduced. They should prevent lobbyists from exercising undue influence.
-=== Preventing Conflicts of Interest ===
-Public officials (including Commission Special Advisers) and elected representatives (including Rapporteurs) shall not be unduly influenced by private interests in the performance of their public duties. Conflicts of interest can occur with outside activities and previous jobs, but also through revolving door cases of members of parliament, Commissioners or civil servants taking up new jobs in the private sector.
-Proper rules must be put in place to ensure that relevant office holders do not have any conflicts of interest, that interests are being declared and that misbehavior is sanctioned. The European Parliament as well as the European Commission Codes of Conduct need to be reformed. Effective transparency and ethics rules are needed for Intergroups and other cross-party groups involving MEPs and lobbyists. An independent body should oversee compliance and impose sanctions where necessary. Comprehensive rules limiting the revolving-doors phenomenon shall be adopted.
-=== Re-democratising the Input Process ===
-Business interests shall no longer dominate policy expertise. The Commission shall introduce effective safeguards against corporate capture of expert and advisory groups, technology platforms and EU agencies. Because a vastly disproportionate number of meetings with EU officials is dedicated to big business, these meetings should be reduced and more time should be devoted to actively seeking input from citizens, SMEs and other currently under-represented interest groups.
-=== Political Campaign Financing ===
-All European political parties shall provide public insight into their bank accounts for campaign funds. The Authority overseeing European political parties shall be given effective auditing and sanctioning tools.
-=== Transparency and Whistleblower Protection ===
-Transparency gives the powerless the power to monitor the powerful. Pirates believe that transparency is needed to allow the public to make democratic decisions.
-=== Whistleblower Protection ===
-Pirates advocate for general and comprehensive whistleblower legislation to protect any person who exposes issues that are in the public interest, including abuse of law, unlawful activities as well as wrongdoings. We strongly believe whistleblowers must be able to equally report internally, to a competent authority or to the media in order to guarantee the freedom of expression as well as the citizens’ right to information.
-=== Transparency of the Public Sector ===
-The public sector, including private entities carrying out work on behalf of a public body, must be transparent and publish information as open data by default, without applying restrictions on their re-use. Better legislative transparency is needed, particularly in the Council and in trilogues. Public authorities should have a duty to document information concerning decision-making processes. Public authorities and representatives should be obliged to keep records and proactively publish information such as their agendas, minutes of meetings, third-party documents such as lobbyist input and information justifying decisions taken.
-The principle of transparency should apply to all public bodies, including the Court of Justice, the permanent representations of member states and the rotating national presidencies of the Council.
-Pirates believe that it is a fundamental right of citizens to inspect, without the need for any specific justification, all contracts or financial benefits related to the delivery of public sector or government projects and services.
-[[https://discourse.european-pirateparty.eu/t/final-text-civil-society/419/|Discourse link to the text on Civil Society]]
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-==== Defense Policy & Cybersecurity ====
-The European Union must be empowered to defend its security interests and in doing so, make a greater contribution to global security. To achieve this, the EU must articulate common guidelines and build up the necessary capabilities. Any need for military autonomy of Member States should not be misused against the common European spirit of cooperation. Pirates support an integration of currently separate national armed forces, with the long-term goal of creating a common European army under sufficient democratic control.
-Our goal is the stabilisation of fragile states and the mitigation of conflict outbreaks, as this instability is a security issue for the entire international community. Due to the increasingly unstable global security landscape, Pirates support a capable domestic defence industry. This goes with a strive for better information sharing on arms export licence decisions and denials, to ensure a coherent EU arms export policy as well as an increased support for countries that share the core values of the The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
-Pirates follow an interdisciplinary approach, ensuring more than one perspective in countering hybrid threats and adjusting to disruptive geopolitical shifts. We aim to strengthen European resilience against current and future threats of hybrid warfare, disinformation, cyber attacks and economic coercion. Our current dependencies on fragile and often hostile authoritarian nations in the fields of energy supply, critical raw materials and general supply chains must be sustainably reduced. Pirates want clear and transparent criteria and selection procedures for evaluating suppliers and their adherence to international law and human rights.
-Pirates reject the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and support the reduction of global arsenals of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. Pirates support initiatives to ban the use of lethal autonomous weapon systems in kinetic and digital warfare, while preserving our European capacity to research and develop emerging technologies.
-[[https://discourse.european-pirateparty.eu/t/final-text-defense-policy-and-cybersecurtiy/418/2|Discourse link to the text on Defense Policy & Cybersecurity]]
-----
-==== Drug and Addiction Policy ====
-The “War on Drugs” has failed. Prohibition ties up resources and causes immense costs. The unnecessary prosecution and conviction of users of psychoactive substances not only harms society through ever-increasing costs for the police and judiciary but also pushes marginalised people into illegality and to the margins of society, instead of regulating substance use outside a black market. This promotes the black market and organised crime. Many EU member states are planning a reassessment, legalisation, or decriminalisation of cannabis, which can only be a first step towards a “New Drug and Addiction Policy”. Drug policy should first and foremost be health policy, taking into account the social and economic factors that promote drug use and addiction. A life without drugs in complete abstinence is inconceivable for most people, and freedom of the individual means being able to decide whether and which substances to consume. The state should only intervene in a regulatory way, depending on scientific findings about the danger of the substance/addiction.
-The European Pirate Party believes that drug and addiction policies should be grounded in scientific evidence, prioritise individual autonomy and public health, and take into account the social and economic factors that drive drug use and addiction. The party supports a revision of the UN Conventions on Drugs and their implementation into EU law to create evidence-based drug policies that prioritise public health and harm reduction. The party believes that policies aimed at reducing the negative consequences of drug use should be prioritised over punitive approaches. These policies could include measures such as decriminalising drug use and possession, expanding access to evidence-based treatment, and regulating drugs to ensure safety and quality.
-Pirates therefore advocate that the EU:
-work towards a rewrite and, if necessary, a termination of the UN conventions on psychoactive substances in the direction of a science-based view and have cannabis and other substances removed from the list of illicit drugs.
-creates a framework that facilitates the scientific approach within which, among other things, information can be exchanged and a contribution made to research on psychoactive substances, and thus therapies with these substances can be researched and implemented ( e.g., cancer treatment, ADHD, LongCovid).
-create a framework that encourages member states to decriminalise, legalise and regulate cannabis and other substances in order to limit the black market and better ensure consumer and youth protection, as well as respect the philosophy of the free EU single market.
-takes measures to regulate legal substances that are particularly harmful to health, such as alcohol and tobacco, and to ensure health, youth and consumer protection, for example by banning advertising and restricting lobbying.
-One of their key priorities is harm reduction policies for drug users, and they believe that the European Union should encourage the introduction of harm reduction services such as drug-checking services, drug consumption rooms, and substitution therapy programs. The party argues that these services are an essential tool for reducing the harms associated with drug use, such as overdose deaths and the spread of blood-borne diseases. They also argue that these services can help to reduce the stigma associated with drug use and provide support for individuals who want to seek help for their drug use.
-The European Pirate Party supports the regulation of cannabis for personal use in the EU. The party believes that criminalising personal use of cannabis is ineffective, disproportionately harms marginalised communities, and diverts resources from more urgent public health needs. The party advocates for evidence-based cannabis policies that prioritise harm reduction, including regulation of the production, distribution, and sale of cannabis to ensure safety and quality.
-The European Pirate Party advocates for the legalisation of psychedelic-assisted therapy. The party believes that patients should have the right to access these therapies under medical supervision, and that they should be regulated to ensure safety and efficacy. The party supports the development of evidence-based policies aimed at expanding access to psychedelic-assisted therapy and promoting research into the therapeutic potential of these substances.
-The European Pirate Party supports a joint European alcohol and tobacco policy focused on harm reduction. The party believes that public health should be a priority, and policies should be evidence-based and aimed at reducing harm to individuals and communities. The party advocates for measures such as education campaigns to promote responsible use of alcohol and tobacco, discourage excessive consumption, and prohibit advertising and marketing.
-The European Pirate Party advocates for rational regulation of gambling in the EU. This includes the principle of informed choice, where players should be provided with information on how each game works, the house advantage, the risk of loss and the cost of the game.
-[[https://discourse.european-pirateparty.eu/t/final-text-drug-and-addiction-policy|Discourse link to the text on Drug and Addiction Policy]]
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-==== Education, Culture, Research & Free Knowledge ====
-Expanded public availability of information, knowledge and culture is a prerequisite for the social, technological and economic development of our society. However, it has been hindered by artificial information monopolies, which are supposedly designed to motivate creators and inventors to produce more works, while in reality the only beneficiaries of the monopolies are huge corporations, and the system as a whole is failing to meet the claimed objectives. This failure manifests itself in many forms, including the frequent bullying of individuals and small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) by collecting societies, privatization of profits from publicly funded works, or the loss of orphan works to society. We face attempts to create new copyright restrictions on AI generated content.
-Our goal is to create an environment where the motivation to create goes hand in hand with freedom of information. All of those challenges require a thorough copyright reform and also systemic changes in public sector.
-=== Culture ===
-=== Promotion of the Commons and Free Culture ===
-We will work towards adopting provisions in trade agreements, which support the use and development of open formats and Free/Libre Open Source Software and promote the mutual recognition of licence models like Creative Commons.
-The creation of commons, such as Free Software, free cultural goods, open patent tools and free and open educational material, must be promoted and legally protected.
-Existing cultural heritage shall be to the largest possible extent digitized and made available to the public free of charge.
-Free culture is an important base for the education and creativity of society. We strive to promote artistic activity and cultural diversity to ensure a rich educational and artistic environment for current and future generations.
-=== Copyright Reform ===
-The European Pirate Party is advocating for a copyright reform that is inclusive and fair. We strive towards a copyright system that reflects the changing landscape of the digital age and promotes a more equitable society.
-We believe in creating a fair system that enables creators to receive compensation for their work, while also ensuring that the public has access to valuable resources. We strive for the abolition of information monopolies, which were supposedly designed to motivate authors to produce more works. In reality, only a handful benefit while the market as a whole is failing. Our goal is to create an environment where the motivation to create goes hand in hand with freedom of information.
-Copying, storing, using, and providing access to literary and artistic works for non-commercial purposes must not only be legalized but protected by law. Everyone shall be able to enjoy and share our cultural heritage free from the threat of legal action or censorship.
-The time-span of a commercial monopoly given by copyright should be further shortened. Derivative works shall always be permitted, with exceptions that are very specifically enumerated in law with minimal room for interpretation. Freedom of information must be safeguarded by safeguarding the right to link: Hyperlinks are a fundamental building block of the World Wide Web and must never constitute a copyright infringement. Remixing, parodies, quotes, and sampling shall be exempt from the exclusive right of commercial copyright monopoly. Non-commercial file sharing should be allowed.
-Monopolies in the sectors of information and culture have to be prevented. Pirates strictly oppose creation of additional layers of copyright restriction for AI generated outputs – such as AI generates texts, paintings and others. By law, the State should only allow or maintain exclusive rights for intangible goods if these are in the public interest. Any exclusive rights must be temporally limited, neither their time-span nor their scope may be expanded retrospectively.
-European collecting societies must ensure comprehensive transparency, fair participatory rights for their members, and fair contract terms for artists.
-=== Free Knowledge and Education ===
-An educated and critically thinking population is a necessary condition for sustaining functional democracy, welfare and social cohesion. We strive for universal access to high quality education across the EU that enables people’s personal development, unhindered by their social and economic background.
-The education system must offer citizens all the basic skills for independent and creative life in the information society. Through education we wish to improve people’s critical thinking.
-The European Pirate Party aims to create a system that encourages cross-border education and makes it accessible to all students and worker in education in the European Union. Students and teachers mobility is an extremely useful way to spread the educational know-how across Europe and to fight the underdevelopment of national education systems.
-Free access to knowledge and information is essential and must be promoted and guaranteed in education. Educational institutions should increasingly use learning resources available under free licenses without any restrictions on copying. The availability of educational media under free licenses to all is essential for barrier-free access to education, both within and beyond the borders of the EU.
-We support the digitisation of educational institutions and publication of documents stored in public libraries and archives across the EU.
-We see innovation as the key to the development of our cultural and intellectual wealth. We support educating citizens and students about their right to information and about free formats and Free Software in all types of educational facilities and we oppose maintaining vendor lock-in realities favouring leading digital solutions producers.
-=== Media Freedom and Pluralism ===
-Free and independent media are the foundation of healthy and well-functioning democracies. Yet, we have observed in recent years attempts to paralyse free media by state authorities, attacks and cases of spying on journalists and mergers of media houses hindering European media landscape. Citizens of the EU have the right to receive impartial and pluralistic media content.
-We support the effort to harmonise minimum rules and safeguards to protect media freedom and pluralism in the EU. We see strong rules on ownership structures and promoted content as a key to prevent unfair allocation of state economic resources. We are in need of tools to assess media market concentration and evaluate risks rising from economic transactions having further impact on pluralism in the media market.
-=== Patents ===
-=== Patents in the Information Age ===
-Patents are often an obstacle to innovation rather than an incentive. The patenting of knowledge in areas like genetics and biotechnology, as well as software, renders it a tangible threat to the future of our society.
-Monopolies on plants and seeds and costly legal disputes about often trivial patents already demonstrate how it is both innovators and consumers who have to pay the price. Patent law needs to be reformed or replaced with an approach that enables a shared economy, more accessible and sustainable markets instead of continuing to further stifle innovation.
-=== Rebalancing Patents with the Common Good ===
-Patents do not exist to allow big businesses to stifle competition with an ever-growing tide of trivial and overreaching patents. We therefore want to halt the continued and increasing abuse of patents.
-=== Patents in the Information Society ===
-A success in the information society is no longer dependent only on technological inventions, but on the development of knowledge and sharing of information. The effort to regulate these factors, now, via the patent system is diametrically opposed to our demand for freedom of knowledge and culture.
-Patents should never be granted for “inventions” that are trivial, non-substantial, computer programs, business models or works of nature. These types of patent impede the development of an information society and result in the privatisation of the commons.Innovation must be fairly rewarded, but this does not necessarily require the granting of monopolistic privileges that stifle innovation and negatively affect the access to essential goods.
-The EU, its Member States and other industrialised countries should not force less developed countries to accept patent provisions that are likely to be detrimental to their essential needs, health, education or development opportunities.
-=== Patents, Medicines and Health ===
-We oppose the frequent abuses of patent privileges, such as introducing spurious changes to medicines with expiring patent protection. Uncompetitive practices such as paying competitors in order to delay the marketing of generics should be actively prevented.
-We support the establishment and funding of alternative methods to incentivise pharmaceutical innovation, to progressively replace patents in this area. . It is our aim to break the direct link between the reward for advances and the price of the end product to ensure medicines are affordable for all.
-Universities and research institutes should be able to carry out scientific research for health and medicine without being encumbered by patents.
-=== International Regulation of Intellectual Monopolies ===
-Pirates strive for a revision of the TRIPS Agreement in favour of restricting exclusive rights on intangible goods. We would aim for similar restrictions to apply to all trade agreements which may include similar or even more far-reaching regulations on patents and copyright.
-[[https://discourse.european-pirateparty.eu/t/final-text-education-culture-media-research-free-knowledge/400|Discourse link to the text on Education, Culture, Research & Free Knowledge]]
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-==== Environment, Climate and Energy ====
-=== Goals ===
-We want to ensure that future generations will have a base for a life in freedom and dignity. A healthy environment, biodiversity, sustainable use of resources, and equal and fair access to energy, food, and water are fundamental requirements for this. To ensure a safe future we want a fast transition to a clean, circular economy that reduces its environmental impact to net zero.
-Environment and climate do not stop at borders. Energy also crosses borders in EU’s internal energy market. Suggestion: We need to strenghten European coordination in order to overcome both the energy and climate crisis. We want to establish EU wide standards that take transparency and auditability into account to ensure effective implementation and prevent greenwashing.
-=== Environment - Sustainability ===
-The PIRATES support the aims and principles declared by the EU to safeguard our water, air, soil, and natural environment for the sake of everyone’s well-being including the future generations.
-Emissions must be minimised, existing pollution cleaned up, and natural habitats preserved and restored wherever possible. Voluntary measures by potential polluters are a prefered method but must be monitored closely, as they often fail to reach the targets.
-A strict “polluter pays” policy has to be implemented to increase the pressure to implement more precaution and prevention. Environmental problems must be addressed at the source and not as an afterthought.
-=== Environment - Biodiversity ===
-The loss of biodiversity is an emergency that is connected to but not only caused by climate emergency. Biodiversity is lost at a pace unprecedented in our geological era and still it does not get the adequate attention.
-This dramatic loss is not only tragic by itself, but can potentially cause a collapse of the world wide food production and other negative effects.
-We appreciate ambitious goals set on EU and UN levels (namely EU Nature Restoration Law, UN Ocean treaty and COP15 Montreal goals and targets) regarding species’ habitat protection and restoration, relevant funding, prescribed measures, and transparency of enactment.
-=== Environment - Transparent data ===
-The public has the right for easy, timely, and reliable access to environmental data and the decisions based on it. This information should also include methods of monitoring and investigations.
-Scientific advice and specifications that form the basis for administrative and legal decisions need to be sourced from independent experts. Participation in decision-making processes needs to be inclusive.
-=== Environment - Consistent and effective rules ===
-All environmental laws have to have a proper impact assessment and must only require minimum bureaucracy. Implementation needs to be tightly checked.
-Regulations must not require registrations in every single EU country, a central registration should be sufficient so as not to obstruct access to the common market for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).
-Currently, diverging national rules complicate sustainability work. EU should aim for a common system of labeling and recycling products.
-=== Environment - Circular economy ===
-Preserving and reusing resources by recycling is key to a sustainable economy. To ensure the long term availability of materials it is necessary to implement a circular economy based on the cradle-to-cradle principle, which considers the whole life-cycle of a product and makes the reduction, reuse and recycling of materials a part of the design.
-Export of waste (sometimes disguised as used products) to third countries for substandard recyling or disposal must be effectively restricted to make sure materials are not lost or destroyed.
-=== Climate ===
-The policies which are being adopted under the European Green Deal strategy must be in line and go beyond the original European and international climate commitments.
-=== Climate - No time to lose ===
-Most necessary technologies for achieving the climate protection goals have been developed and are already in use, it is necessary to roll them out in large scale.
-The PIRATES want to provide the legal tools for these technologies to be deployed as fast as possible, by incentives for using technology that is climate neutral and elimination of incentives for technologies that harm the climate.
-All subsidies for activities impacting the climate negatively must be phased out, this includes financing or providing securities for financing climate damaging projects abroad.
-=== Climate - Stop carbon leakage effectively ===
-Emissions of greenhouse gases for imported goods, (i.e. resulting from power generation at the production location) should be attributed to the importing countries. Imported goods must be taxed to account for carbon leakage, to stimulate more climate friendly production for goods imported to the EU.
-=== Climate - Not just CO2 ===
-CO2 is the largest part of greenhouse gas emissions, but other emissions have to be controlled too. Gases with high climate impact have to be reduced, replaced, and contained. All emissions of climate active gases have to be controlled and reduced.
-=== Climate - Reverse emissions ===
-The greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere are already too high and must be reduced. We want to stimulate projects that capture greenhouse gases and use them as base materials for products and chemicals. The use of such projects for greenwashing must be prevented, they must not produce certificates that allow emissions at another place.
-The expansion of natural carbon sinks should also be considered.
-=== Climate - Get prepared ===
-Even if we were able to stop greenhouse gas emissions right now the climate crisis would not stop immediately. We will have to face changes in weather patterns, precipitation, and sea level increase. Critical infrastructures like food supply, transport and energy will be negatively impacted, heavy weather can cause catastrophes. To mitigate those effects, we have to prepare our infrastructure, cities, coastlines, agriculture and forestry for the ongoing change.
-=== Energy ===
-We want to establish a sustainable and reliable energy infrastructure that offers as much participation and transparency as possible.
-With the increasing imperative role of renewables the number of privately owned electricity generation is exploding, former consumers become a mix of consumer and producer, energy cooperatives take the local supply in their own hands. The legal framework has to be adapted for this new situation where no longer only a few large companies make up the energy market.
-Our future development, including building a circular economy, depends on energy. We have to make sure that we have clean, reliable, and abundant energy available.
-=== Energy - Becoming sustainable ===
-The transition from fossil resources to sustainable and clean energy sources is necessary. Energy sourcing must not be in conflict with other environmental objectives or agriculture for food production.
-The technologies with the lowest environmental impact must be prioritized and their construction supported.
-=== Energy - Becoming resilient ===
-Recent events have shown the negative impact of being dependent on the import of energy resources in times of crisis. The EU has all the necessary technology and resources available domestically to build an energy system without critical dependencies on outside countries. We want to build and maintain European production capacities for all components necessary for a transition to a green economy.
-=== Energy - Becoming efficient ===
-The “energy efficiency first” principle must be in the heart of all European policies. For this goal we want to support energy efficient technologies and the transition of energy sectors to electricity as the primary energy form. By eliminating energy transformation steps a lot of losses are eliminated too. By electrifying transport, heating, and many industrial processes the required primary energy is dropping, though the need for electricity is going to rise.
-=== Energy - As local as possible, as central as necessary ===
-The European electricity grid is efficient in compensating temporary fluctuation in demand and supply and preventing regions from getting into trouble in case of local supply problems. However, it is not efficient in transporting major parts of the energy for a whole country across the continent and would produce bottlenecks that can lead to major failures.
-Primarily production and demand should be matched locally as much as possible and the European grid should act as a safety net.
-[[https://discourse.european-pirateparty.eu/t/final-text-environment-climate-and-energy/401|Discourse link to the text on Environment, Climate and Energy]]
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-==== Economy and Finances ====
-Our economic program aims to support sustainable long-term development, broad improvements in quality of life, and fostering a competitive, fair, and inventive economic environment. In this regard, we believe it is necessary to consider a broader set of economic metrics besides immediate gross productivity. Such measures must capture the development of long-term economic opportunities, well-being, environmental and social sustainability, and successful collaboration across the whole EU.
-=== Competitive Economic Environment ===
-The environment of all economic activity needs to facilitate resilience and competition and stimulate and enforce transparency. This incentivizes social progress in a sustainable, fair, and democratic way. Pirates aim to protect individuals, preserve opportunities, and promote individual autonomy and well-being by dispersing and de-concentrating public and private power. Competitive markets provide a fertile ground for entrepreneurship. Competition policy should aim to prevent excessive market concentration and monopolistic practices which pose barriers for new businesses to enter markets. Facilitating opportunities for entrepreneurship, including SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) and start-ups, leads to job creation, innovation, and economic dynamism, contributing to overall prosperity. An effective competition standard should look beyond consumer welfare and be science-based. Rather than needing to sanction the abuse of a dominant position, competition policy should focus more on the prevention of market power. Competition enforcement agencies should be adequately resourced, and get institutional support, and a legal mandate. Ideally, the competition authority must be independent and shielded from direct political interference.
-=== Trade ===
-Pirates believe that trade and cooperation are a way towards development and shared wealth. However, we see a lot of challenges in the current trade environment. At the same time, trade agreements have been abused in the past to empower private entities at the expense of public courts, exploit communities and promote nepotism and cronyism.
-We propose basic principles that we will uphold regarding international trade. Considering trade treaties, the European Parliament must ratify the treaty and the treaty must be negotiated as transparently as possible, including public hearings and comprehensive access to information. Trade should be enlarging our markets and allowing more competition, therefore trade agreements should not give out more or less hidden special favours. The ultimate goal of international trade agreements is the positive development of all involved parties. Therefore, we need to always ask for at least the most basic working standards to be upheld by our trade partners and enforce paying up for common externalities damaging us all through carbon border adjustment mechanisms and similar tools.
-Trade is also an economic and political tool. We support economic sanctions against authoritarian regimes, especially the regimes that are actively undermining European security and committing crimes against humanity. These sanctions should be precisely targeted to damage the wealth of the government elites, hinder the offensive and persecuting capacities of those regimes and avoid the suffering of the common citizens as much as possible. We should not supply weapons and surveillance technologies to authoritarian regimes.
-Last years have also seen a surge in protectionism and the closing of free trade in critical technological areas like microchips or renewable energy technologies. We do believe that Europe should attain the highest possible level of strategic autonomy concerning these and the need to reduce our overdependence on authoritarian regimes. The way to get that autonomy and prosperity is through trade with new partners, research, technological excellence, and cooperation. Trade wars have repeatedly proven themselves detrimental.
-=== Taxation ===
-The tax mix should be based on establishing an environment of fully internalized externalities of economic activities to cultivate an entrepreneurial environment and a long-term well-developing society.
-To achieve this, we propose the following points: Moving a larger part of the tax burden from labour to capital. To facilitate this, tax harmonization across European jurisdictions should be further developed. This should include targeting strategic capital allocation for tax avoidance, and intentional obscuring of corporate structure (incl. public entities). We should focus on empowering local communities’ decision-making and interests regarding their local tax structure together with establishing an all-European harmonization framework (yet not unification of tax rates or tax base definitions, only framework of the shared approach). We will support global coordination on taxation, particularly in questions of international corporations.
-=== Financial Markets and Multinational Corporations ===
-Regulation, supervision, and taxation of the financial markets should encourage investment into long-term development strategies which are environmentally and socially sustainable. The environment should deter financial dominance, capital concentration, and for-profit short-term reallocation (e.g., stock buybacks). Speculative investments should bear heighten disincentives and should be more transparent.
-=== European Budgetary Rules ===
-Budgetary policy is an essential tool of economic policy. The current budgetary rules are targeted at preventing budgetary deficits and preventing member states to react in times of crisis.
-We propose to discard and replace them with long-term budget sustainability assessments, and to prevent excessive budgetary imbalances.
-This will allow member states to implement investment policies in spite of the defence, environmental and social challenges of our time, as well as encourage the balancing of their savings and consumption which will foster a dynamic internal market.
-=== European Economic Integration ===
-The next steps of European economic integration should support labour mobility, equality, and broad economic development of all European regions. Further, there should be continued support for the economic development of physical and institutional infrastructure, particularly of cross-border regions.
-=== Cryptocurrency ===
-We as Pirates see the potential of crypto assets and that they may have a positive role in economic development. We want to protect cash for its anonymity including digital cash.
-[[https://discourse.european-pirateparty.eu/t/final-text-economy-and-finance/402/|Discourse link to the text on Economy and Finances]]
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-==== Foreign Affairs ====
-=== General Principles ===
-Pirates build on the basic values of democratic decision-making, non-discriminatory protection of human rights around the world and the free dissemination of information, together with freedom of the Internet. Pirates support everyone’s right to participate in public and political life and to free and fair elections. Pirates reject foreign interference in another country’s elections.
-The basis of Pirate foreign policy is an orientation towards alliances in the Euro-Atlantic area, with an emphasis on membership in the European Union and NATO.
-Pirates want to establish and develop relationships with democratic partners everywhere in the world, and support democracy and cooperation as a source of sustainable peace in the world. Pirates prefer cooperation over pursuing our own interests.
-Pirates must defend the Internet as a means of free sharing and obtaining information about the real world, but also as a tool for greater human connection.
-Pirates strive for ecological sustainability in accordance with international agreements, given the current world demographic and economic development.
-=== European Politics ===
-Pirates support the active role of the EU to promote peace and stability in the world, as well as the deepening of the common security and defense policy. Pirates promote changes leading to the strengthening of the elements of direct democracy. Pirates want to improve the transparency and democratic control of EU institutions.
-Pirates want to strengthen the role of the European Parliament, as the only directly elected EU institution, on decision-making on EU political matters. Pirates welcome the outcome of the Conference on the future of the EU and are in favor of its proper implementation. Pirates support the effort to acquire a right for the European Parliament to propose legislation, meaning acting as a true legislative body. Pirates seek to replace the current unanimous vote in the Council of the EU by introducing qualified majority voting, especially in the area of foreign and tax policies and matters related to the common budget. Vetoes posed by national states seriously undermine the ability of the EU to react swiftly and effectively to international challenges and threats.
-Decisions that can be better dealt with at the national, regional or local level should not be taken at the EU level. Equal and easy access to true and non-misleading information for all citizens is a basic prerequisite for legitimate democratic decision-making.
-The EU needs a functional and jointly implemented policy in a number of areas. The EU and its member states must support education, science and research more. In the EU, Pirates want to defend the free movement of people, goods, services and information and minimize bureaucracy and centralization. Pirates consider the promotion of digital freedoms to be at the heart of Pirate policy at the European level.
-Pirates support the enlargement of the European Union by other states that meet the conditions and criteria for entry. The EU should foster deeper relationships with countries interested in joining through increased economic, political, and cultural cooperation.
-=== International Affairs ===
-Pirates seek to reduce the financing of authoritarian regime, which is happening through mutual trade, and fight against trade linked to human rights abuses and forced and child labour.
-Pirates want to solve global environmental problems and disasters together at the international level. Pirates reject multilateral international treaties that enforce dysfunctional monopolies and patents at the expense of civil rights and human freedom. Pirates will advocate for the revision of international conventions, from which only negative consequences follow and which are upheld only for historical reasons.
-Pirates consider multinational corporations to be part of the international security environment and Pirates will hold them accountable for the impact of their actions on the security situation in the world.
-The European Union should be a political actor protecting European and international whistleblowers. They should be able to benefit from the right to political asylum in the EU.
-Pirates want to pay special attention to the stabilization of conflict outbreaks and fragile states, as their instability is a source of problems for the entire international community. Conflict resolution has to be based on respect for International Law.
-=== Migration ===
-Pirates recognize that immigration has always been an essential part of the European community and has contributed immensely to our shared cultural heritage and development of Europe. Migration is primarily a social affair and must respect the human dignity and rights of all migrants and asylum seekers.
-Pirates want to build a prosperous and dynamic Europe that is better prepared to meet future challenges and demands of the labour market. In light of Europe’s striking shortages of the labour force, an effective immigration system is inevitable to ensure the functioning of our communities and economies.
-Pirates call on all member states to receive refugees and asylum seekers according to their capacities. It is crucial to implement a European refugee and asylum policy based on solidarity that does not leave individual Member states alone with the financial, logistical, and administrative effort.
-Pirates are convinced that the most effective way to ensure safety of future asylum-seeker is an effective conflict prevention and fight with climate change.
-Following the emphasis on international cooperation, Pirates recognize that the migrant smuggling and trafficking must be tackled through a cooperation with the countries of recruitment of migrants and other trafficked persons. We refuse the criminalization of those providing humanitarian help to people in need.
-=== Ethical and effective immigration system ===
-Pirates are convinced that migration must be well managed to benefit all participating parties. We demand a comprehensive immigration system that recognizes the skills and talents of each individual. Any discrimination based on religion, ethnicity, race, gender and sexuality contradicts our core values.
-It is crucial to ensure fair and transparent recruitment of migrant workers and international students so that everyone is equally allowed to develop their full potential. In this regard, the cooperation with the sending states to ensure orderly migration is of the utmost importance.
-We acknowledge that immigration may pose challenges. We are committed to addressing them responsibly and effectively. We insist on that immigration must be dealt with holistically and with a commitment to foster a culture of inclusion, collaboration and respect European values.
-Pirates demand a common European immigration policy that:
-  * enables ways of legal migration to the European labour market while ensuring ethical and transparent recruitment of migrant workers and international students,
-  * protects rights of migrant workers and international students and enhances their participation in the daily life of receiving societies,
-  * ensures fair representation of interests of non-EU labour migrants under the temporary labour migration programmes,
-  * values language skills and other given skills of the applicants positively in the process,
-  * recognizes given certificates and professional qualifications in a simplified way,
-  * enables member states to adjust their requirements according to their situation and needs,
-  * is sensitive and non-discriminatory against migrants‘ religion, ethnicity, race, gender and sexuality.
-=== Asylum ===
-=== Asylum system ===
-Pirates are committed to a comprehensive revision of European refugee and asylum policy. We demand a reform of the asylum system based on public debate across the whole Europe (followed by a referendum as a part of our effort to strengthen elements of direct democracy). We need a thorough reform of the asylum system that will reflect not only the political interests but also the values of contemporary Europeans.
-Pirates firmly believe that Europe’s refugee and asylum policy must be based on respect for human rights and International law. All EU states have an obligation to support refugees and asylum seekers as they are legally binded to this responsibility by international treaties. All EU states must comply with the provisions of the Geneva Refugee Convention and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
-Pirates condemn the criminalization of all people and organizations assisting to those seeking protection. The criminalization of humanitarian aid is fundamentally undermining the principle of legal certainty and, thus Rule of Law in the EU.
-The EU border agency Frontex must comply with International Law in the same way as Member states. Frontex‘s allegations of the breach of the rule of non-refoulment must be taken seriously.
-We must work on non-discriminatory reform of the asylum system all Member states will respect.
-Pirates demand a common European Asylum Policy that implements the following:
-  * reconsiders the first safe country of asylum principle as decisive in determining where the asylum procedure takes place and where the asylum-seeker must stay,
-  * promotes the possibility of family reunification first for those whose application was approved;
-  * employs a system of mutual processing of asylum applications, allowing each application to be made directly to the EU, while leaving a discretion to the Member States to decide whether to admit asylum-seekers onto their territory,
-  * emphasizes the principle of solidarity among the Members States as a leading principle to face humanitarian crisis,
-  * avoids dehumanizing detention of asylum seekers and fast-track procedures at land borders and airports,
-  * ensures that applications for asylum can be done from any location on the planet, so that refugees can be transported to the host country in humane and safe ways.
-[[https://discourse.european-pirateparty.eu/t/final-text-foreign-affairs/420/1|Discourse link to the text on Foreign Affairs]]
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-==== Free software and open data ====
-Pirates support the promotion of software that can be used, analyzed, disseminated and modified by anyone. Free/Libre Open Source Software is essential for users’ control of their own technical systems and provides a significant contribution to strengthening the autonomy and privacy of all users.
-=== Free Software, Formats, and Protocols in Public Administration ===
-Citizens’ data must be processed, managed and secured with Free Software tools wherever possible. Proprietary software may only be used as long as Free Software cannot effectively be used for that specific purpose, and the option of creating such a piece of software is not viable.
-Free Software reduces administrative costs, promotes local technical support and significantly strengthens security - for example, by allowing anyone to easily check for malicious, vulnerable or backdoored code embedded within software. We will drive the migration of the public sector to Free Software so that there is no longer a dependency on specific suppliers.
-Citizens and businesses must never be forced to use proprietary software when dealing with public administration or any other communication with their government. It must never be based on proprietary forms of communication designed to only work with specific, usually non-free software. Instead, it must use open, interoperable, vendor-neutral protocols and formats.
-=== Free software funding and development ===
-Free software, a lot of which powers critical infrastructure, is often maintained by a few volunteers in their spare time. We want to provide funding to innovative open source projects, as well as contribute to existing free software development. This can, for example, include direct funding and organized hackathons.
-We also plan to encourage member states’ governments to set up their own Open Source Program Offices (OSPOs). This will greatly enhance the ability to create and collaborate on free software that can be (re)used across the Union.
-Finally, free and open source software development must never be held to the same obligations that proprietary software development is, and its developers cannot be held liable for damage linked to the free usage of their work.
-=== Government-provided Software ===
-Government-provided software, such as mobile ID cards, must be made functional on free and open source operating systems, including those not installed by default or officially supported by device vendors, wherever it is technically feasible. No artificial restrictions should be placed on this functionality. Furthermore, versions of the software should be made available for all major mobile platforms.
-Software developed using public funds must be open source - “public money, public code.” However, if there is a valid reason for not disclosing the source code at a given time - such as a potential threat to national security - the code must be made public as soon as the reason no longer applies. We also suggest that the source code for such software be hosted by the corresponding country’s OSPO using Git or other similar software repositories.
-To ensure broadest possible use and accessibility, we also recommend that governments license their software with a copyleft license. The software should also be compatible with all major operating systems on the platform it was designed for. Additionally, web-based programs should be designed to be portable and compatible with all major free and open source browsers, preferably respecting web standards as defined by the W3C.
-=== Open data ===
-Data are driving every decision in our society and there is now a huge asymmetry between governments, large companies and individuals.
-We strive for a Freedom of Information Act at the European level that stands for an open and free access to all public data, fully anonymised in order to respect individual’s privacy, shared using an open and standard format, free of any charges and easily accessible to everyone.
-[[https://discourse.european-pirateparty.eu/t/final-text-free-software-and-open-data/412|Discourse link to the text on Free software and open data]]
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-==== Human Rights in the Digital Age ====
-The European Pirate Party stands for the protection of fundamental rights both in the physical and digital world. We stand against measures targeted to undermine the personal liberties and freedoms of individuals. The protection of fundamental freedoms has always played a vital role within the legal order of the Union. Whereas significant progress had been made to extend the freedoms of Union citizens, the protection of fundamental rights in the digital world requires further scrutiny.
-=== The Right to Internet Access ===
-The respect for fundamental freedoms and liberties should naturally flow to the digital world. Internet access allows us to participate in an increasingly digitally-driven society. Whereas access to the internet has rapidly become a standard within the European Union, there are still many that have not been able to enjoy its potential.
-We believe that the right to internet access should be effectively guaranteed across the EU, both in terms of coverage and quality. Digital transformation and progress should not leave anybody behind. Everyone should be able to enjoy access to affordable high-speed internet under favorable conditions. In keeping with current standards, the quality of internet access should be sufficient to allow persons to be able to sufficiently partake in digital affairs.
-Access should be provided without unreasonable difficulties, burdens, or costs.
-=== The Right to Privacy ===
-Everyone should have the right to privacy, which includes the right of individuals to control their personal information and to be free from pervasive surveillance. As a fundamental human right, respect for privacy is essential to safeguard the interests of individuals and prevent abuse. Privacy includes the right to discretion and the right to remain anonymous, both online and offline. Anonymity does not relieve any person of responsibility for their actions.
-Individuals who constantly feel watched and under surveillance cannot freely and effectively exercise their rights and stand against abuses. Surveillance, distrust, and fear risk transforming our society into a community susceptible to the erosion of rights. We do not want to live in such a society. We believe in accountability in the collection and use of personal data and advocate for robust data protection laws that give individuals control over their personal information.
-To preserve our rights and freedoms, and to ensure the effectiveness of law enforcement, Pirates demand that the retention of personal data be limited to persons who are suspected of committing or preparing a crime (targeted investigations). Pirates wish to abolish the practice of routine, automated, and untargeted data processing. We advocate for a moratorium on new legislation for mass surveillance or systematic data collection of the population, be it on our communication, movement, internet use, biometrics, or other data.
-Specifically, we defend the right to privacy of digital data against policies that generally and indiscriminately search private chats, messages, emails, or photos automatically for suspicious content (Chat Control). We defend the right to communicate anonymously against mandatory age verification policies. Publicly accessible spaces should be free from biometric mass surveillance, including biometric identification and automated behavioral monitoring. Pirates oppose the automated profiling of people to divide them into risk categories. We reject the blanket and indiscriminate collection of traffic data (Data Retention). Every person should have the right to use the internet without being pervasively tracked.
-Pirates oppose the exchange of personal data with countries that lack effective safeguards. Such transfers may be permitted only under exceptional circumstances, where this is done in an emergency and subject to appropriate safeguards and limitations.
-Adequate protection against crime is an important responsibility of the state. We must ensure this responsibility is fulfilled through an intelligent, rational, and evidence-based security policy. We, therefore, want the European Fundamental Rights Agency to systematically examine all current and future surveillance powers and programs as to their effectiveness, cost, adverse side effects, alternatives, and compatibility with our fundamental rights.
-Pirates support the funding of research through the EU, however, the frequent funding of surveillance and control technologies (such as iBorderCtrl) demonstrates a clear intention to use such technologies in a way that dismantles civil rights. We, therefore, argue that the EU must not fund technologies that interfere with fundamental rights, that human rights-defending bodies and NGOs should be involved in drafting tenders and selecting applicants, and that all publicly funded project results be fully disclosed.
-Everyone should be entitled to access key public services in the EU. The EU digital identity proposal provides a gateway to easily access services and authorities under a single digital pass. Such a system should provide for the independent processing of personal data and ensure that strict technical measures are in place to prevent tampering and abuse by states or 3rd parties. Such a system should respect the personal integrity of Union subjects.
-=== Freedom of Expression ===
-Individuals shall have the right to express themselves on the internet without fear of censorship or retribution. The freedom of expression shall be safeguarded without restrictions to the extent to which it does not encroach on the rights and liberties of others. Large online platforms should respect legitimate online discourse and provide an open space for persons to express themselves.
-It has become the case that states mandate the censorship of dissent expressed online in order to curtail protests and whistleblowing against restrictive policies. The use of such measures should only be permissible in extreme circumstances, where there is a particular risk of causing adverse effects to the personal integrity of other persons as long as these measures are proportional and necessary to avoid legitimate harm, and not as a means of pursuing government policy or to curtail rights. Online platforms shall take proportional measures to tackle illegal content published online while paying due regard to societal interest and the rights of others.
-We advocate for the use of open-source software, decentralized platforms, and other software that helps to facilitate the utilization of the freedom of expression. We advocate for greater protection of whistleblowers, and for laws that protect the freedom of the press and information.
-=== Personal Integrity ===
-Individual interests shall be safeguarded from interference by public authorities or corporations. Personal identity should not be used as a tool for political or economic propagation. Discriminatory algorithms and unreasonable disclosure of personal data shall be prohibited. Personal data shall not be used for profiling purposes in circumstances where clear behavioral and personal attributes of persons can be ascertained. Public authorities shall not retain or request personal information that is not essential or incompatible with the mandated purpose.
-Developments in AI in recent years have resulted in increased reliance on the technology. Whereas AI serves as a useful tool for humanity, it should not work to undermine the freedoms and privileges of individuals. AI development should respect the highest ethical standards and preclude discriminatory biases or profiling. Artificial intelligence should not curtail the capacity to make individual choices.
-=== The Right to Self-Determination ===
-We consider the people’s right to responsible self-empowerment and self-determination as self-evident. We advocate for using digital infrastructure to enhance citizen participation in decision-making processes.
-In order to safeguard the freedom of self-determination, states shall ensure that sufficient respect is paid to the transparency and legitimacy of the voting process. Sufficient safeguards must be in place to ensure ballot secrecy. The influence of foreign actors in the voting process is unacceptable.
-[[https://discourse.european-pirateparty.eu/t/final-text-human-rights-in-the-digital-age/403|Discourse link to the text on Human Rights in the Digital Age]]
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-==== Net Policy ====
-The digital revolution has changed social and economic structures throughout Europe; free and equal access to the Internet is now a basic requirement for participation in civil society. Citizens should have the option to access the Internet anonymously.
-Pirates wish to include the right of “digital participation” in the European Charter of Fundamental Rights. We will support measures which seek to ensure the capacity of representative civil society to participate in multi-stakeholder forums. We will oppose any attempts by corporate, governmental or intergovernmental agencies to take control of Internet governance. The Internet is global and attempts to splitting it up into disconnected parts are detrimental to fundamental rights.
-=== Protecting Freedom of Expression Online ===
-Freedom of speech is the cornerstone of a democratic society. It must not be placed in the hands of private corporations or algorithms. Very large on-line platform providers must not remove content from their platforms solely as a result of their own decision, with the exception of cases of manifestly illegal or fraudulent content. The decision to remove content shall be reserved to an independent public body such as a judge.
-Online intermediaries should not be liable for actions of their users. The use of automated upload filters to block content online should be banned, because they frequently lead to the deletion of legal content, including documentation of human rights violations.
-=== Net Neutrality ===
-Net Neutrality is crucial for keeping the Internet free for everybody. We will not allow any traffic restrictions. Especially, restriction or prioritization based on the nature of the content/service must be banned. Traffic management measures shall only be allowed for technical reasons and operated in a clear and transparent manner.
-=== Upgrading of Net Infrastructure ===
-Pirates strongly support the Europe-wide development of state of the art communications infrastructure. Our goal is to provide access to broadband for everyone in the EU.
-While networks are improved and modernized, any monopoly over infrastructure must be avoided.
-=== Unlocking the Net: A Right to Interoperability ===
-Commercial social and messaging platforms are well known to spy on their users, to help advertisers manipulate them and to censor online communications. When leaving such platforms, Pirates want users to have the right to take their contacts to an alternative service and keep in touch with them. Interoperability obligation for messaging services under the Digital Markets Act shall be extended to social networks.
-=== Security in the Digital Era ===
-With the Internet of things, computers affect our world in a direct and physical manner (e.g. car or hospital technology). Devices and tools that are insecure and vulnerable to integrity and availability threats increasingly risk our lives and property. We can afford security disasters happening regularly.
-Pirates want to oblige commercial manufacturers of devices to provide regular security updates for a reasonable period of time. If fixes of critical security vulnerabilities aren’t provided within a reasonable timeframe after their discovery, commercial manufacturers shall be held liable. When a manufacturer decides to abandon a product that is still in widespread use, the source code and development tools must be made public to allow the community to maintain it.
-Public authorities shall be obliged to disclose vulnerabilities they find or acquire. There shall be no backdoors in encryption technology as that would weaken and threaten the integrity and security of all systems.
-[[https://discourse.european-pirateparty.eu/t/final-text-net-policy/404|Discourse link to the text on Net Policy]]
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-==== Regional Development ====
-We believe regional development is crucial in promoting economic growth and improving citizen’s quality of life. Regional policy has a direct impact on people’s lives, especially since there are still large social and economic imbalances between European regions, both in the EU and non-EU countries. To create a more just and united Europe, regional development should be a priority, based on principles of equity, participation, and ecological responsibility.
-Regions, and even more so border-regions, often face very specific challenges, such as environmental damages due to climate change, de-industrialisation due to economic crisis, difficulty to access healthcare and education, as well as demographic changes.
-Regional development should help European regions with the green transition. In order to ensure policies are sustainable and environmentally responsible, we support the financing of projects that promote the transition to a low-carbon economy, respecting climate targets.
-In the same spirit, the goals of a successful regional development is also a ever increasing cohesion of Europe’s various regions. Only if all regions receive the support that is adequate to their challenges can large scale projects like the Green Transition succeed.
-=== Digital Transition ===
-We also recognize the importance of the digital transition of European regions. The emphasis should be on promoting digital innovation in regional development. We therefore support connectivity projects, which provide access to digital infrastructure, such as high-speed internet and telecommunication networks, across all regions.
-Those policies should be promoted in activities designed for specific types of regions, in which the EU should intensively cooperate with member states. Strong urban agenda should help European cities and metropolitan regions to become greener and smarter, as well as to strengthen housing capacities and quality of urban life. Special attention should be paid to transnational coordination of policies focused on development of rural areas.
-=== Transportation ===
-Because European regions are often spreading across borders, we also believe regional policies play an important role in the development of regional transport projects. Therefore, we support the deployment of transnational transport projects that improve connections to and in less development regions, such as high-speed railways.
-=== Cross-border Cooperation ===
-To achieve this, we call for an increase in the EU budget for regional development to help regions reduce disparities and foster cross-border cooperation. Supporting sustainable economic and social growth of European regions should be the EU’s main investment area. The funds intended for regional development should be primarily used for long-term investments, whereas separate crisis management funds should provide timely short-term crisis support in times of need.
-=== Decentralisation and Empowerment ===
-To allow for bottom up decision making in our societies, regional authorities should be more empowered to develop their own local policy strategies using on their unique strengths and resources. Regional authorities should also be more involved in the legislative process when it concerns their development. To this end, we encourage cooperation of local representatives through EU platforms dealing with regional policy. We also strive to direct public funds as much as possible to regional authorities for distribution to local-led initiatives.
-Given the limited administrative capacity of regional authorities, we understand the need to reduce the amount of bureaucracy needed for getting access to public funds and ask for additional financing to be allocated for technical assistance to develop and report on large-scale and innovative projects. The funds and their allocation to projects should be based on concrete data to provide evidence-based decision-making.
-=== Just and transparent Funding for more Uplifted Regions ===
-However, this should not hamper the urgent need to improve transparency of end beneficiaries of public funds. This is crucial to avoid conflict of interests, fraud and corruption. At regional level, project evaluation criteria as well as the implementation requirements should be objective and transparent. EU funds under shared management by Member States are particularly at risk of being abused because of the lack of information shared between the regional, national and EU levels.
-That is why we suggest; making full use of interoperable digital tools used for budgetary control and publishing non-sensitive data on all public procurements, including the implementation reports on projects. Only full transparency will allow the public and the media investigators to follow the money in order to identify potential cases of abuse.
-We also believe that regional development policies must be guided by the principles of social justice and inclusivity. This means that rules for the distribution of EU funds to regions should always comply with the Charter of Fundamental rights, Rule of Law and the European code of conduct. All citizens should have equal access to the benefits of regional development policies, and that these policies should be designed to reduce inequality and promote territorial and social cohesion.
-=== Citizen Participation as the Guarantee of Progress ===
-Finally, regional development policies must be based on active citizen participation and democracy. This means involving citizens in the decision-making process and empowering them to shape the policies that affect their lives.
-[[https://discourse.european-pirateparty.eu/t/final-text-regional-developement|Discourse linkt to the text on Regional Development]]
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-==== Social Affairs and Healthcare ====
-All inhabitants of the EU have the right to the highest attainable standard of the quality of health care and health education, no matter how health systems have been structured (private, public or mixed).
-This includes preventive, curative and palliative health care, as well as mental health care. It also includes the underlying social determinants of health, such as safe food, potable water, basic sanitation and adequate housing, safe and healthy working conditions and a healthy environment.
-An adequate level of health care can only be provided if the health care workers are paid a decent wage and enough equipment and medicines are available. Training and employing enough medical professionals is necessary to reduce waiting lists and to keep medical professionals working in the field.
-The costs of Health care should either be paid for by public funds or public health insurance or a combination. Health insurance should be mandatory and affordable for all EU citizens regardless of their income level, and coordinated between EU countries.
-=== Availability & Comfort of the Patient ===
-Pirates want an equal access to health care for every inhabitant of the EU, irrespective of the resources available to a state, and support:
-  * No discrimination (direct or indirect) in access to health care, irrespective of the resources available to a state.
-  * Health goods and services should be accessible to everyone. States must ensure that no persons face barriers in accessing their right to health including the access to information about health and health services.
-  * Health goods and services affordable for everybody regardless of their income level.
-  * Health laws and policies designed and implemented in a transparent manner and with meaningful participation of persons affected by it. All health systems must include a framework for accountability, which should include access to effective judicial or other appropriate measures for violations of the right to health.
-  * Free access to prenatal care for all pregnant women, with focus on both physical and mental well being.
-  * Adequate perinatal care
-  * Free guidance by public health nurses and doctors, monitoring physical and mental health and development of children in their families.
-  * Preventing and fighting poverty. Poverty leads to poor health in children by e.g. poor diet, bad housing, stress, feelings of inferiority.
-  * To ensure mobility of nurses within the EU, all countries should conform to the same minimum academic standards in training.
-  * Easier cross-border care utilization: Improving opportunities to use health care systems abroad on the account of domestic health insurance companies.
-  * Cross-border care should not lead to the implementation of policies that violate privacy, nor against decentralization of data or patients control and consent over the use of their data.
-  * EU health card for the world: Negotiation of the validity of the European Health Insurance Card (Blue Card) in the non-EU countries.
-=== Patents and Technology ===
-Reducing the number and lifetime of patents for medicines or at least avoiding administrative prolongation of patents. Publicly funded medicines, including e.g COVID related vaccines, should be available under patent-free open-source license.
-Pirates demand that the Europe strengthens its sovereignty on active ingredient and medicines production.
-Pirates demand that Europe strengthens its sovereignty in production and development of biomedical equipment.
-Apps and equipment that measure biomedical data, including menstruation and firness apps, should fully comply to the GDPR and should never be used for Biometric Mass Surveillance.
-The European Pirate Party demands adequate data protection for the European Health Data Space. We understand that health data is useful for science, but it can be misused by e.g. insurance companies and employers.
-Health data must be anonymized and encrypted. To this end, it must be clearly defined where they are stored and when and by whom they may be used.
-=== Right to Bodily Autonomy ===
-The European Pirate Party considers bodily autonomy to be an important human right, therefor all medical procedures must be based on informed consent obtained without coercion.
-Bodily autonomy implies that safe and legal abortion be available to all, no matter the reason for their choice. We also demand free access to contraceptives, including both male and female sterilization.
-That all medical procedures must be based on informed consent obtained without coercion is particularly true for those related to sexual and reproductive health and rights. As such, we demand the criminalization of sex corrective procedures done on intersex infants unless it is absolutely medically neccesary.
-In addition, we demand an informed consent model for gender affirming care, that it is made affordable and also accessible. Neither legal gender recognition nor access to medical or surgical sex reassignment should be made conditional on abusive requirements such as psychiatric diagnosis, normative gender expression, or medical procedures.
-We will work towards creating a safe and inclusive environment where everyone can freely express their gender identity and sexual orientation, without fear of discrimination or violence.
-=== Free Movement of Workers ===
-EU nationals working in another EU country have to overcome dozens of administrative obstacles to work in and fully integrate into another EU country – especially different social security systems, different nature of the payment into these systems, registration to health care systems etc. Therefore the EU should encourage its Member states to continue in removing administrative barriers to the Free movement of Workers through the harmonisation of social security systems and public healthcare systems, especially the harmonisation of payments into these systems and sharing the information between the member states.
-=== Fighting Discrimination ===
-We propose policies that promote equal rights and opportunities for all individuals regardless of gender or sexual orientation. We prioritize mainstreaming gender equality and LGBTI rights. This would involve ending discrimination and violence against women and LGBTI individuals, promoting reproductive health and rights, and ensuring equal pay and employment opportunities. We believe that recognition of same-sex marriage and parenthood should be enshrined.
-=== Just transition ===
-As advocates of the digital and green transitions, we acknowledge the interconnectedness of social, digital, and environmental issues, especially in certain regions. We therefore promote adequate EU funding to the most impacted regions, and for the promotion of new required skills. We push for life-long learning via up-skilling and re-skilling for instance. Ensuring that science, technology, engineering and mathematics sectors are appropriately staffed, with a view of integrating underrepresented categories is a priority.
-As part of no one left behind policy, we do believe that providing funding to vulnerable persons/households for their transition regarding transport, heating, insulation, etc. is necessary.
-=== Social Standards ===
-Pirates defend the idea of universal access to education, knowledge, healthcare and adequate social protection. On the latter, we need to protect vulnerable groups from poverty and exclusion, including through policies that guarantee a minimum income and adequate social services.
-Workers shall be granted appropriate and good working conditions. Teleworking and platform work are becoming more and more prominent but are still facing regulatory gaps. We must ensure that new forms of work are not enhancing employees surveillance nor degrading their working conditions and rights.
-European countries shall ensure adequacy of wages for the employees working in European Economic Area. While we recognize impossibility to define it uniformly in current Europe, we believe the employees shall be provided with transparent access to information and proper legal protection to be able to negotiate fair wage. No double standard for refugees and other non-citizens working in Europe shall be allowed. Further research and pilot projects for universal basic income are welcomed.
-=== European Pension Fund ===
-Our goal is a truly social Europe with comparable social rules and comparable pension conditions for all Europeans.The pension regulations should not install an even fiercer race of the poor against the very poor!
-Multiple countries face crises of national pension schemes due to demographic changes and migration between European countries. Therefore Pirates propose foundation of common European pension fund. The fund shall not be considered a replacement of national pension schemes but rather additional complement to them to provide necessary minimum income where needed. No one in Europe shall face poverty in the elder-hood. The pensions shall be available fairly to everybody, without needless restrictions based on age or other criteria.
-[[https://discourse.european-pirateparty.eu/t/final-text-social-affairs-and-healthcare/432/15|Discourse link to the text on Social Affairs and Healthcare]]
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-==== Space Programme ====
-=== Space as a Vital Factor ===
-Satellite-based communication and navigation, Earth observation for weather forecast, disaster relief, pollution tracking, and orbital based research are normal parts of our life today. Space has become a commercial factor.
-The EU plays a vital, yet relatively small role in space technology. We want to stimulate this sector and open it up. This will generate a major push for technology as well as collaboration between EU member states and other partner nations.
-With the commercialization of space, new opportunities like space mining and colonisation of space arise which will generate large economical advances. The EU needs to make sure to get its share of this development.
-=== EU Space Vision for the Future ===
-Due to technology advancement and commercialization, activities in space are no longer topics for distant future interplanetary travel, planetary defense, space mining, production in space, colonisation of other planets, even early concepts for interstellar space probes are issues that need to be addressed today.
-The EU needs to define a clear vision, strategy, and objectives to ensure international cooperation, multilateral global governance and basic principles of rule of law, justice and democracy in the space domain. We need to ensure the continued development of the EU Space Programme Agency that is politically and financially accountable to the EU public through the EU Institutions and receives an adequate EU-wide mandate for space development.
-=== Industrial Space Policy ===
-World wide, the activities in space are shifting from government agencies to private and commercial entities.
-The EU Space Programme should concentrate on stimulating the development in the private sector. Public funded research should primarily use commercial launch services and concentrate on the high risk aspects where it can break ground for disruptive technologies, like light sails for long range missions and resource extration in space.
-Independent EU launch capacities with full reuseability have to be developed to ensure EU has sufficient access to space and can stay in a leading position technologically and economically.
-A legal framework is required to prevent abuse and weaponisation of space assets.
-=== Law in Space ===
-The Outer Space Treaty (OST) does not cover many important legal issues regarding the use and commercialization of space. The EU as a prime example of multiple nations working together for a common good should take a leading role in pushing to expand the OST to cover important issues like space mining, space debris, and environmental aspects.
-Space must be accessible and utilized for the good of all mankind.
-Environmental laws in space should address issues like pollution that can affect wide areas or reach inhabited or potentially inhabitable space objects, areas that can possibly be home for extraterrestrial life, and also protecting places that are of high importance to research, like the far side of the moon which has exceptionally low radio frequency interference which makes it a very important spot for radioastronomy.
-=== Space Debris ===
-Derelict satellites, rocket stages and debris in orbit are threatening space travel. The EU must push for international treaties that mandate removing space debris, prevent new space junk by controlled deorbiting of spent rocket stages and end of life satellites. Activities that generate space debris, like tests of anti satellite systems, must be outlawed.
-Research programs for technologies to remove space debris have to receive additional funding.
-=== Planetary Defense ===
-An impact of a major object can cause immense damage on earth. Planetary defense against such events is of high importance. We want to increase the funding for projects to detect potentially dangerous near earth objects and for technologies to deflect dangerous objects.
-The activities for planetary defense have to be coordinated and integrated internationally.
-=== Near-Term Goals ===
-Expendable launch systems are becoming outdated fast, the economical benefit of reusable systems is significant. The EU needs its own reusable launch capability to stay competitive and enable larger scale projects.
-Also an independent crew transport capability initially to earth orbit is necessary.
-Developing these systems domestically will be necessary to keep up with the international development that currently is dominated by the USA and China.
-=== Long-Term Goals ===
-The EU space programme should also fund goals that are or seem to be out of reach today. Working on far-flung targets, like building an interstellar probe, space elevator or space hook, will stimulate the development of radically new technologies and materials. To ensure civilian use for humankinds benefit as well as effective scientific and economic collaboration, such large and powerful space technologies should be developed with international partners.
-=== Reaping Benefits of the Space Program ===
-The return on investment in space technologies is tenfold. PIRATES believe that investing in a large scale space program will produce research results that have the potential to improve the lives of everyone. We want open access principles for the research results to make them broadly available. The application of space technology should benefit everyday life of all people, like the already increasing internet coverage in remote areas and satellite based navigation.
-=== Tell the Story ===
-Space exploration is underrepresented in Media. A vital part of the EU Space Programme must be communication of the projects to the general public to raise awareness of the importance of space for the future of mankind.
-[[https://discourse.european-pirateparty.eu/t/final-text-space-programme/405|Discourse link to the text on Space Programme]]
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-==== Transport ====
-=== 0. Transportation for all ===
-Transport plays a crucial role in the European economy, ensuring the free movement of individuals and goods, but it is also responsible for a large part of our emissions and is a major source of air pollution in our cities.
-Decarbonising the transportation sector and achieving environmentally friendly, sustainable mobility is necessary for tackling the climate and energy crises, enhancing citizens’ quality of life, and making our cities more livable spaces. The fundamentals of our mobility concept stand on principles of sustainability, intermodality and interconnectedness. We believe that it is essential for all Europeans to have easy access to fast, reliable, and environmentally friendly transportation.
-We are committed to supporting public transport and rail networks. By investing in these modes of transportation, we aim to provide convenient, efficient, and sustainable mobility options for people across Europe. Enhancing public transport systems, such as buses, trams, and subways, will encourage more people to choose these alternatives over private vehicles, reducing congestion and emissions.
-Additionally, by expanding and improving rail networks, we can offer faster and more reliable intercity and regional connections, making train travel an attractive option for commuters and long-distance travellers. Our goal is to create a robust, multi-modal and interconnected transport network that meets the needs of all individuals and contributes to a greener and more accessible Europe.
-=== 1. Green cities ===
-Shared mobility and Energy Laziness
-Alternative fuels cannot save our planet while we continue to waste energy. We support a Shared Mobility Principles for Livable Cities initiative: where you can walk, you should not drive, and where you can drive together, you should not ride solo.
-These principles aim to increase public transportation usage, decrease the number of cars on the road, prioritize pedestrians and bicycles in green cities, and even save us billions of euros daily in productive time when commuters are stuck in traffic jams.
-=== Accessible and efficient public transportation ===
-Public transportation has to be affordable and accessible. Efficient public transportation systems, bicycle highways, and priority bus lanes reduce pollution and noise levels in cities.
-In the long term, we envisage the use of bikes and public transport to access transport hubs, trains for domestic travel inside the EU, and planes primarily to reach overseas destinations. Sharing is caring! Our priority here is adequacy: the total cost of any solution (including long-term maintenance) has to be proportional to the overall public benefit. We support innovative solutions like autonomous truck trains, smart roads and parking lots, freight trams or modular buses where appropriate.
-=== Open Data for Greener Cities ===
-To encourage cities to achieve the status of European Green Cities, we will measure pollution and noise levels in cities, and use this information to reward cities that demonstrate a commitment to environmental sustainability. We believe in an open data system for transportation that is accessible to all, with open data tools developed for companies and regional governments to easily link into. We will ensure the security and privacy of personal data while making transportation data accessible to all. We will use open standards to ensure the interoperability of transportation systems across all EU countries. This will make transportation in Europe function similarly within individual member states. We aim to promote the development of a transportation system that is efficient, accessible, and environmentally friendly.
-=== Supporting alternative fuels infrastructure ===
-Whilst individual cars remain the main source of air pollution in cities and should not be the preferred mode of transportation, we respect the freedom of choice of each individual. The automotive industry has the means to become a leader in the transition towards clean mobility. Enshrining the right to park and right to charge principles and fair access to install charging infrastructure on existing fossil fuels filling stations along the TEN-T network in European legislation will ensure smoother adoption of clean technologies and accelerate the decarbonisation of the European transportation sector.
-=== 2. Local Cross-border Travel ===
-We believe that efficient and accessible transportation can connect the various regions of Europe. We will expand and improve upon existing transnational connections, that will go beyond the traditional national transportation schemes. The EU should support and safeguard the development of fair transport solutions in border regions that allow efficient and organic movement across national borders. Utilizing both proven and sustainable transport modes such as rail as well as new dynamic options (bicycle and car sharing systems, on-demand public transport) we will strive towards boosting the peripheral regions of EU countries that are often the most underdeveloped and under-connected in their respective countries.
-=== European High-Speed rail network ===
-We believe that the future of transportation in Europe should prioritize modern, efficient, and sustainable systems that can connect us all. That is why we propose to support policies that prioritise the expansion of a high-speed rail network that would connect all EU capitals, utilizing new materials and technologies to make travel more silent and connect to existing rail networks.
-A high-speed rail network would greatly improve the efficiency of travel in Europe, reducing travel times and increasing productivity. This would have positive impacts on businesses reducing costs and improving productivity. It would also greatly improve the accessibility of remote regions, making it easier for people to travel to and from areas that may have previously been difficult to reach. This would have positive impacts on the local economies of these areas, making it easier for people to visit these regions for tourism or leisure.
-In addition to these benefits, an interconnected high-speed rail network will help to reduce traffic congestion on roads and highways, improving overall transportation efficiency and reducing travel times. By reducing the number of cars on the road, a high-speed rail network will also have a positive impact on the environment, reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable travel.
-=== 3. Simple rules and Smart technologies ===
-European transport rules are full of exceptions. To get these rules aligned, competitive salary and working conditions for all professional drivers across the continent must be implemented, including truck driving ban harmonization. We support progressive legislation for autonomous, driverless cars to settle liability issues and keep the EU on the top of the automotive innovation ladder. Different modes of transport should be made legally equal, have a transparent system of subsidies and their cost should reflect all applicable externalities.
-=== Big Brother on the Road ===
-We aim for a single, publicly controlled, easy-to-use toll satellite system for commercial transport on highways, allowing the use of open-source apps, enabling the processing of anonymized big data and thus improving both municipal and interstate traffic management. We insist that eCall and other similar movement recording devices remain optional and their data strictly anonymous so that participation in any such transport monitoring activity remains a transparent tool of choice with public benefits, rather than a compulsory means of government surveillance using outsourced contractors and opaque control mechanisms.
-=== Ride-hailing Legislation ===
-Large EU metropolitan areas are currently in legal limbo regarding the ride-hailing apps (e.g. Taxify, UBER), thereby hindering further research and development of those projects. We believe that the legislation has to reflect the current technology development and that one common framework for ride-hailing apps needs to exist on the EU level, allowing precise satellite navigation and similar technologies to be recognized as a certified system for the calculation of distances. Legalizing ride-hailing apps will be a great benefit for rural areas and less wealthy individuals, and offer more certainty to gig workers.
-[[https://discourse.european-pirateparty.eu/t/final-text-transport|Discourse link to text on Transport]]
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-===== Member parties proposals for changes to the CEEP 2024 draft  =====
-Any proposals for changes submitted by the Member parties before July 1st will be presented here as they are received by the Board, and voted on during the Council meeting.
-[[https://discourse.european-pirateparty.eu/t/motion-amendments-thread/440|Additional proposals can be found in Discourse]]
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-==== Proposal to replace the Preamble - Updated 2023-07-06  ====
-**Submitted by:** PPSE \\
-**Proposal:** to replace the entirety of the draft preamble in the Board proposal with the following text:\\
-=== Preamble ===
-=== A movement for the 21st-century ===
-Born of a vision of the free exchange of information and knowledge enabled by the Internet, the Pirate parties of Europe are truly a movement for the 21st century. As pirates we embrace this emerging culture of creativity, free sharing, communication and collaboration.
-The pirates want to build a solid democratic foundation for the EU and its member states, by making political processes more transparent and accessible, allowing for meaningful citizen participation.The EU must live up to its own principles on subsidiarity. Decisions should not be taken at EU level if they can be better resolved at national, regional or local level. Decisions at the EU level should be preceded by European-wide debate within member-states
-The EU tends to primarily see the internet as a new digital commercial market, overlooking the potential for a new creative culture of free knowledge and sharing. We want to promote the development of this potential and of digitalisation in general - a development that must be carried out with insight and care. The dominance of big tech companies should be reduced. The rapid development of AI must managed such that it benefits all of society. The EU and its member states must refrain from mass surveillance of their citizens. The Pirates will defend the freedom of the internet with fierce determination at both the EU and the global level.
-We want to see a free, fair and sustainable society, that embraces the protection of the fundamental human rights, integrity, dignity, the rule of law, justice, non-discrimination and rights of minorities, while promoting responsible self-empowerment in all areas of life and society.
-[[https://discourse.european-pirateparty.eu/t/motion-amendments-thread/440/6|Link to the proposal in Discourse]]
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-==== Proposal to replace sentence in Space Program - Updated 2023-07-07  ====
-**Submitted by:** Pirates.cat \\
-**Proposal:** adding 4 words:\\
-“ The EU Space Programme should concentrate on stimulating the development in the private sector.”
-into
-“In the current decade the EU Space Programme should concentrate on stimulating the development in the privat sector”
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