Learn from the European Union
Danish refelctions: The EAC will come across obstacles and create heated debate. That's why it is so important to make EAC a popular union, says Danish politicians.
By Jann Sjursen, former member of the Danish Parliament and chairman of the Foreign Committee in parliament10. April 2005
What has Denmark benefited from the EU and what benefits do you expect the three East African countries would gain from a single market/trade union?
Membership of the EU has not been without obstacles for Denmark. However, Denmark has benefited in many ways. We have benefited from the positive social, political and economical changes created by EU law and agreements. Furthermore, Denmark’s position on the international market has been strengthened due to the protection of Danish products by the single market.
My expectations to the EAC relate especially to the economical aspect. The Danish economy would have had less of a chance on the world market was it not for EU. It is my hope that the East African countries through a coming together similarly will achieve a stronger position on the market. An initiative like the EAC is most needed as inspiration for strengthening of the African countries.
If you were to give one recommendation to the leaders of the East African Community, what would it be?
I would emphasise the importance of public support for the project. My advice to the leaders is to be open about the process. Be open about the benefits and obstacles of being member of the union. Openness and popular debate is a precondition for public ownership.
Steen Gade, member of the Danish Parliament, Chairman of ‘New Europe ’, a Danish NGO
Based on the EU-experiences what are the challenges moving from a trade union to a political union?
In Europe some have experienced the process of moving from a free trade area to a political union as a loss of public influence – even though this sentiment does not reflect reality. Quite to the contrary, the new political union is actually a new possibility for fighting back public and democratic influence on the overall economic development. It is important to make clear from the outset that an East African single market serves the political purpose of achieving better economies for the citizens, and of giving them more influence on the social development. The opportunities are there partly because the communities have already experienced the dark sides of globalization. A single market should be a component of a political project in order to gain positively from globalization.
Unions are political projects. What is needed for them to become “People’s Projects” relevant for the ordinary citizen?
The East African Community has to be, and be understood as, a political project from the start. People have to be convinced that it is about raising the living standards of the many, create sustainable development and secure peace. In a situation with enormous domination from the rich countries it should be possible to make it a “People’s Project”. The crucial matter will be whether it can deliver real results. To be realistic, in the world of today, the degree of success also depends on whether heavy donors are able to see the political perspectives of the project and are willing to support the process.
The interviews were made by Dorthe Skovgaard Mortensen. She is MS Kenya's information officer
