Resolution adopted by the Schiller Institute Conference in Bad Soden
November 26, 2017
At this conference, with the title “Fulfilling the Dream of Mankind,” we discussed the incredible transformation of the world catalyzed by the Chinese initiative of the New Silk Road. The Belt and Road Initiative, which is creating optimism in Asia, Africa, Latin America, more and more states in Europe, and after the state visit of President Trump in China, in several states within the United States.
The Belt and Road Initiative has the concrete perspective how poverty and underdevelopment can be overcome through investment in infrastructure, industry and agriculture, based on scientific and technological progress. The Chinese government which uplifted 700 million out of poverty in the last 30 years, has now proclaimed the goal to lift the remaining 42 million people living in poverty out of their condition, and create a decent living standard for the entire Chinese population by the year 2020.
Within the European Union, there are living approximately 120 million people below the poverty line, according to our own criteria characterizing the costs of life. Given the fact that Europe is still an economic powerhouse, there is no plausible reason why Europe cannot uplift these 120 million people out of poverty by the year 2020, as well. The best way to accomplish this, is for the EU, all European nations to accept the offer by China to cooperate with China in the Belt and Road Initiative on a “win-win” basis.
We, the participants of the Schiller Institute conference, call on all elected officials to join this appeal to the European governments. Should we in Europe not be proud enough to say, if the Chinese can do this, we can do it, too?