As the US is now facing a conservative backlash with the implementation of Project 2025, you might be interested in a parallel initiative which has been underway in Europe over the last decade.
If you just casually looked through the Vision Network website, you wouldn’t know that it’s a front for Europe’s largest ultra-conservative propaganda machine. The site describes it as a informal network ran by ‘a small team’ of volunteers without remuneration. Their vision is described in most general terms:
a society grounded in the respect of the dignity of every person, in the family as an essential institution, and in human rights and fundamental freedoms.
As you read on, you start understand what this means: hardline conservatist agenda targeting women’s rights, LGBT+ rights, and most progressive socio-cultural gains of the last decades.
It is ironic that the Right has been using the word ‘agenda’ to demonise LGBT+, gender equality, or racial justice efforts on the political Left, because Vision Network is a direct descendant of Agenda Europe, described by Wikipedia as
a European umbrella organization of more than 100 organizations that “casts gay marriage, trans rights, reproductive freedom, and LGBTQI anti-discrimination efforts as assaults on Christianity” and seeks to promote conservative extremist positions.
Oddly enough, Wikipedia does not have an entry on the Vision Network. Fortunately, we know a lot about them through the European Parliamentary Forum on Population & Development (EPF) reports from 2018 and 2020. But it does seem like after their release, they got a bit better at hiding.
The Agenda/Vision has been quietly gaining momentum in Europe, supporting the anti-progressive backlash and reshaping the landscape of human rights and social policies. In a series of articles, I will explore the intricate workings and far-reaching implications of this movement.
Agenda Europe and the start of a conservative backlash in Europe
The EPF 2018 report is titled Restoring the natural order. The religious extremists’ vision to mobilize European societies against human rights on sexuality and reproduction. It analyses the structure and objectives of then Agenda Europe. It traces its history as follows:
In 2013, an anonymous blog appeared in the ‘Brussels Bubble’ entitled ‘Agenda Europe’, which covered news and developments in European politics by critiquing legal and political advances in human rights in relation to sexuality and reproduction. Agenda Europe quickly became a go-to point for traditionalist perspectives on sexual and reproductive rights (SRR) and developed a reputation for its vitriolic language. In 2013 and 2014, various speeches from religious advocates herald the blog as a promising new initiative in the movement to preserve religious authority in the battle for sexual and reproductive rights. […]
In the summer of 2017, a number of documents [have been leaked, describing the founding of] ‘Agenda Europe’ and subsequent annual Agenda Europe ‘Summits’, a social media master list with participants’ names, as well as the common manifesto for the Agenda Europe network, entitled Restoring the Natural Order: an Agenda for Europe. These documents reveal the architects of Agenda Europe, its mission and its inner workings.
The picture which emerged from those documents shows a coalition of ultra-conservative and religious groups with a shared goal: to roll back human rights advancements, especially those related to sexuality and reproduction. The EPF report reveals that this network is not merely a loose collection of like-minded individuals but a well-organized, strategic alliance with a clear agenda.
The network’s strategy, detailed in the document “Restoring the Natural Order,” outlines a comprehensive plan to influence European policies and enact the conservative backlash. This plan includes opposing abortion, contraception, divorce, and LGBTQ+ rights – all seen as ‘unnatural’. The document highlights how these groups aim to reshape societal norms by leveraging political influence and public campaigns.
Key strategies and tactics
One of the most striking aspects of the Vision Network’s approach is its strategic depth. The network employs a variety of tactics to achieve its goals, including:
- Legislative Advocacy: By lobbying lawmakers and influencing legislation, the network seeks to enact laws that align with its conservative values. This includes efforts to ban abortion and restrict access to contraception.
- Public Campaigns: The network organizes public demonstrations and media campaigns to sway public opinion. These campaigns often frame their arguments in terms of protecting traditional family values and religious freedom.
- International Collaboration: The Vision Network collaborates with like-minded organizations across Europe and the United States, creating a transatlantic alliance that amplifies its influence.
The Vision Network’s efforts have already led to a conservative backlash which has borne fruit in several European countries. For instance, the network played a significant role in the 2016 Polish bill to ban abortion, which sparked widespread protests and international condemnation. Similar initiatives have been observed in other countries, such as bans on equal marriage in Central European nations.
The network’s influence extends beyond national borders, affecting policies at the European Union level. By positioning itself as a defender of traditional values, the Vision Network has managed to gain a foothold in various EU institutions, where it continues to push its agenda.
Broader Implications
The rise of Agenda Europe / Vision Network is tightly related to the conservative backlash. As Europe has been spearheading liberalism and human rights, undermining its position will likely affect the rest of the world. While the network frames its actions as a defense of traditional values, its agenda undermines fundamental rights and freedoms and could lead to significant setbacks in the fight for gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights. Its activities highlight the growing influence of ultra-conservative movements in Europe. As these groups gain traction, they pose a formidable challenge to progressive policies and the protection of human rights.
By understanding the network’s strategies and objectives, we can better appreciate the challenges it poses to human rights and social progress. In the next articles of this series, we will delve deeper into the specific objectives, campaigns and legislative efforts spearheaded by the Vision Network. Stay tuned as we continue to uncover the intricate workings of this influential and dangerous movement.
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