Speeches that have made Europe: Louise Weiss (1979): Full speech

Powerful. Moving. Visionary. There were speeches in the history of the European Union that have made Europe the way it is today. Here is an abstract from Louise Weiss' speech delivered in the European Parliament in 1979. Born in 1893, Louise Weiss was a peace activist, writer and film-maker, as well as a prominent journalist on European affairs and a champion of women’s rights. The year 1979 was pivotal for the European Parliament: it was no longer Member States, but citizens, who chose their representatives. On 17 July 1979, the first directly-elected European Parliament – as we know it today – held its inaugural session. It was chaired by its eldest member, Louise Weiss. Take a look at the dedicated YouTube playlist, where we will be uploading the full speeches that have made Europe:    • Speeches that have made Europe   📲 Or see our publications on our EPRS app: • iOS: http://epyoutube.eu/q57W • Android: http://epyoutube.eu/q57X CONTENT: 00:00:00 Louise Weiss portrait 00:00:44 Opening of the first directly-elected European Parliament 00:03:00 European heritage of the past centuries. 00:16:26 Twentieth century European founding figures 00:29:01 First steps in the European integration 00:41:14 Looking ahead 00:42:00 Identity, self-perception 00:46:56 Demography 00:52:22 Rule of law, human rights 00:59:50 Closing