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1960 Starting point: As a Swiss citizen and convinced European, I came to the conclusion, during my studies in the early 1960s, after
reading the works of the Swiss political philosopher, writer and pioneer for a unification of Europe, Denis de Rougemont, that only a democratic, federal, diverse, multilingual,
subsidiary, a bit more "Swiss" Europe can have a sustainable success!
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In 1967-1974, after my studies at ETH Zurich (Dipl.ing.chem., chemical engineer, then Dr.sc.techn. in business administration and operations research), I
worked for 2 years in the Swiss chemical industry, then 5 years in Algeria as a consultant for the state oil and gas company
SONATRACH.
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From 1974 to 2004, I spent 15 years in the Federal Department of Energy to create
and then another 15 years to implement energy and CO2 scenarios: The partnership programs "Energy 2000" and then "EnergySwitzerland", set up by the Federal Council and led by
me, were intended - in voluntary cooperation between business, environmental organizations, cantons, municipalities and the relevant federal agencies - to make the greatest possible
contribution to achieving Switzerland's energy and climate goals - with 50 million francs per year (!) to promotr energy efficiency and renewable energies!
During this time, I had the chance, as a Swiss delegate to
the International Energy Agency (IEA) in Paris, to follow closely the developments of international and European energy policies. - The completely undemocratic
introduction - from a Swiss perspective - of an EU Constitution (2001-2009; 454 pages), prompted me to create a draft
Constitution for our new Europe (20 pages) that was understandable to the average citizen and inspired by the Swiss Federal Constitution.
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In 2004, after my retirement, I used my professional experience as a member of the
board of trustees of the Climate Cent Foundation to ensure that Switzerland actually achieved its Kyoto climate goals - thanks to a voluntary "climate cent"
on motor fuels to finance measures to reduce CO2 emissions at home and abroad.
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In 2014, I finally decided - in view of the EU being shaken by crises (euro,
refugees, Brexit, climate, pandemics, war in Ukraine...), - as a hobby, so to speak - to set up the online referendum "Our New Europe". - For the first time, all citizens in 51
European countries were thus given the opportunity to choose their Europe (Brussels+, Brexit+ or Citizens+) - and to decide how they want to deal with the threatening crises that will
determine the fate of humanity.
Motivation - Confidence - Vision
One of my most important "spiritual
fathers" is the world's probably best-known theologian,
psychoanalyst and writer Eugen Drewermann, of whom I read more than 100 books over the past 40 years, and of whom I excitedly followed
countless lectures, sermons and interviews, personally and in the media - especially also on his YouTube channel.
His long struggle with the Vatican, his critical examination of the other world religions and
of the natural sciences, his reinterpretation of the Bible, his uncompromising commitment to the preservation of the environment and of peace, his firm belief in the good in every
human being and in a merciful God, who lets the sun rise over "good" and "evil" men and women, as well as his unshakable proclamation of the stirring, not at all easily implementable message
of the man from Nazareth - especially in times of war - convinced me too: "Love your enemies!"
As a Swiss citizen and convinced European, my trust in us empowered citizens
throughout Europe and in direct democracy is, however, just as strong! - Only we, many
millions of Europeans, must and still can now save Europe - together - armed with our sword of Damocles referenda, since nobody else will do it for us, least of all our politicians! - That is how
we shall convince our politicians between Moscow, Kiev and Brussels to finally let common sense prevail and to create peace without weapons, in a
dialogue, with negotiations and with a fair compromise, in order to be able to
build our new Common European House, where all European countries and peoples shall cooperate and live together in peace and for the good of all!
Together we shall do it!
- With the ballot sheet!