In this interview excerpt, Gérard Deprez, PhD in Sociology from the Université catholique de Louvain (UCL), leader of the Walloon Christian Social Party (PSC) from 1981 to 1996, Member of the European Parliament from 1984 to 1999 (European People’s Party (EPP)), from 1999 to 2004 (Citizens’ Movement for Change (MCC)), from 2004 to 2009 and since 2014 (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE)) and Delegate-General of the European Democratic Party (EDP) since 2004, explains how he first became interested in Europe in his youth following his experiences in the aftermath of the Second World War. He also describes his university and political career, mentioning his PhD thesis entitled ‘The Commission of the European Communities: a sociological essay on a captive organisation’, in which he analysed the Commission’s management methods and its role in the Community system.

In this interview excerpt, Gérard Deprez, PhD in Sociology from the Université catholique de Louvain (UCL), leader of the Walloon Christian Social Party (PSC) from 1981 to 1996, Member of the European Parliament from 1984 to 1999 (European People’s Party (EPP)), from 1999 to 2004 (Citizens’ Movement for Change (MCC)), from 2004 to 2009 and since 2014 (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE)) and Delegate-General of the European Democratic Party (EDP) since 2004, explains how common values can replace nationality and serve as a unifying factor for the European Union. He emphasises the fact that these European values still need to be defined.

In this interview excerpt, Gérard Deprez, political adviser to the Walloon Christian Social Party (PSC) with responsibility for international relations from 1974 to 1979, leader of the PSC from 1981 to 1996, Member of the European Parliament from 1984 to 1999 (European People’s Party (EPP)), from 1999 to 2004 (Citizens’ Movement for Change (MCC)), from 2004 to 2009 and since 2014 (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE)), explains the reasons for his affiliation to the PSC in the early 1970s and for his decision to pursue a career in politics. He emphasises the pro-European heritage of Christian democracy, particularly among the founding fathers of Europe.