50 years since the death of Luxembourg's "Father of Europe"

(MSS/LW) September 4 marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Robert Schuman, who today is regarded as one of the founders of the European Union.

Born in Clausen, Luxembourg, in 1886, Robert Schuman grew up to become a true European. His mother tongue was Luxembourgish and until the First World War broke out he served as a German-educated lawyer in the Lorraine region.

During the war, he worked for the German government, but became French after the separation of Lorraine. He joined the French resistance against the Nazi forces during the Second World War, but was captured by the Germans – luckily he managed to escape in 1942.

Five years later he became French Foreign Minister, and pushed for reconciliation with Germany and European integration.

Because of the Nazi occupation of France during the First World War, the French production of coal and steel had decreased drastically, and women, children and the elderly had to replace the eight million men that were recruited for war.

Together with Jean Monnet, Robert Schuman presented the so-called Schuman Plan for the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in 1950, which aimed to prevent further war between France and Germany.

The ECSC was the first international organisation where power was delegated to governments of member states, and ultimately led to the founding of the European Union.

In a role that fitted Schuman's commitment and hard work, he became the first president of the European Parliament (1958-1960) and was dubbed the “Father of Europe”.