A REGION COMMENDED
Commendation Day in Europeia
Written by Pichtonia
16 out of 24800. That's about 0.065 % of regions on NationStates. These sixteen regions all vary in size, and theme, in ideology, and history. But they all have one thing in common: They were commended by the Security Council of the World Assembly. Since October 22, 2017 Europeia has been one of them.
The story of how we got there and why we celebrate this day officially began on September 17 of the year 2017, when famous raider and General of The Black Hawks, Ever-Wandering Souls, brought forward a draft in the Security Council forums on NationStates to Commend Europeia, saying it had been "well overdue". The draft saw some discussion, but it was widely agreed to be a good draft, even by those who would ideologically not be willing to vote for it, such as noted defender Benevolent Thomas from the Order of the Grey Wardens. Commend Europeia was submitted to the Security Council about a month after the first draft. It got approval in what could be considered lightning speed, with the vote starting maybe a day after Commend Europeia was submitted. It was a blowout success.
The Security Council,
Lauding Europeia's role at the forefront of the Independent ideology, notably including both being host to the pioneering Independent Convention and codifying the principles and values of Independentism in a landmark interregional document known as The Independent Manifesto;
Recognizing the region's history of military leadership, particularly via several Status of Forces Agreements wherein Europeia assisted allies including The United Kingdom, Merridel, and The Communist Bloc with the development of their own armies;
Specifically Recognizing Europeia's commitment to anti-fascist military efforts, particularly the forceful presence of the Europeian Republican Navy on numerous operations in regions such as Nazi Europe, Greater German Reich, and Anne Frank, as well as Europeia's creation of the Coalition Against the Ideology of Nazism to unite regions across the world in the combat of fascism;
Applauding the region for its impressive efforts to recruit nations to become a part of its territory, often using state-of-the-art technology that Europeia has developed, tested, and shared with other regions;
Complementing the exemplary levels of participation in recruitment efforts from many individual nations in the region, whose efforts are largely responsible for the region perennially being among the largest regions for over a decade, as well as the Europeia's formal recognition of such;
Noting that Europeia was host to the UCR-UCR Conference, which produced a widely-recognized standard for regional recruitment activities known as the Arnhelm Declaration of Recruitment Standards;
Admiring Europeia's extraordinary executive, legislative and judicial systems, in which more than 90 nations often participate, and which have produced a long history of democracy, a large body of legislation, and many a fair trial;
Further Admiring that Europeia has striven to share its expertise in these areas with other regions, notably having assisted The Allied Republic with the development of a regional legal system, in addition to supporting Balder through the development of its entire regional government;
Impressed by Europeia's record of profound cultural presence, including:
Praising Europeia's extensive efforts to collect, preserve, and catalog often irreplaceable regional and world history in one of the largest libraries in the world;
Believing that Europeia overall serves both as an exemplary role model for the world and as a force for positive change throughout it;
Hereby Commends Europeia.
Lauding Europeia's role at the forefront of the Independent ideology, notably including both being host to the pioneering Independent Convention and codifying the principles and values of Independentism in a landmark interregional document known as The Independent Manifesto;
Recognizing the region's history of military leadership, particularly via several Status of Forces Agreements wherein Europeia assisted allies including The United Kingdom, Merridel, and The Communist Bloc with the development of their own armies;
Specifically Recognizing Europeia's commitment to anti-fascist military efforts, particularly the forceful presence of the Europeian Republican Navy on numerous operations in regions such as Nazi Europe, Greater German Reich, and Anne Frank, as well as Europeia's creation of the Coalition Against the Ideology of Nazism to unite regions across the world in the combat of fascism;
Applauding the region for its impressive efforts to recruit nations to become a part of its territory, often using state-of-the-art technology that Europeia has developed, tested, and shared with other regions;
Complementing the exemplary levels of participation in recruitment efforts from many individual nations in the region, whose efforts are largely responsible for the region perennially being among the largest regions for over a decade, as well as the Europeia's formal recognition of such;
Noting that Europeia was host to the UCR-UCR Conference, which produced a widely-recognized standard for regional recruitment activities known as the Arnhelm Declaration of Recruitment Standards;
Admiring Europeia's extraordinary executive, legislative and judicial systems, in which more than 90 nations often participate, and which have produced a long history of democracy, a large body of legislation, and many a fair trial;
Further Admiring that Europeia has striven to share its expertise in these areas with other regions, notably having assisted The Allied Republic with the development of a regional legal system, in addition to supporting Balder through the development of its entire regional government;
Impressed by Europeia's record of profound cultural presence, including:
- Hosting the "Women in NS Symposium" to recognize female world leaders,
- Organizing a celebration of culture among many regions, known as the "Winter Ball,"
- Maintaining a vibrant regionally and privately owned media,
- Protecting the right of the fourth estate to be critical of the region,
- Supporting a world-renowned audio broadcasting organization, and
- Assisting other regions with the development of their own fourth estate with accords such as its Media Development and Distribution Agreement with The Britannian Kingdom;
Praising Europeia's extensive efforts to collect, preserve, and catalog often irreplaceable regional and world history in one of the largest libraries in the world;
Believing that Europeia overall serves both as an exemplary role model for the world and as a force for positive change throughout it;
Hereby Commends Europeia.
With 12,150 (82.1 percent) votes to 2,642 (17.9 percent), Europeia was commended.
The region rejoiced at the news of the successful commendation. After its passing, Minister of World Assembly Affairs Sanctaria thanked the citizens of Europeia and the nations of the world, stating that they hoped "Europeia’s Commendation [...] will encourage other regions to fight through the difficult times they may face, but always only with the best interests of [their] region-mates at heart. Your region can still become a haven of excellence with fantastic community spirit if you live by the idea that hard work will always pay off, and that taking care of your community will ensure its growth." Sopo, the multi-times President of Europeia, noted the emotional gravity of the commendation: "I am genuinely moved. I know it's just a little badge, but when I read the resolution... I was so proud to be a Europeian. [...] Europeia is a special corner of the internet and a home for so many. It may just be a badge, but it represents 10 years of dedication, community, and excellence."
It was in light of this festive mood that Sanctaria, not only Minister of World Assembly Affairs but also a Senator, suggested the inclusion of Commendation Day as a high holiday in Europeia's Holiday Act, to be recognized on October 22 of every year. Within a week, that too became law.
It has to be noted, however, that the event has since not been celebrated annually, as some citizens such as Skizzy Grey wished. Neither in 2018 nor in 2019 did the government celebrate or commemorate the event. This year's celebrations mark the first time since the successful passing of Commend Europeia. Whether that changes in the next few years remains to be seen. In the author's view, the commendation continues to be a reason to celebrate and to remind ourselves as Europeians that some of the things we take for granted, such as our anti-fascism, our media, our recruitment, and even our archives, are all but to be taken for granted in terms of NationStates overall. By celebrating the commendation of Europeia, we celebrate these achievements of ours; and by celebrating them, we are keeping them alive.
You can join the festivities here on the forums by sharing your Minecraft Commendation Memorial and on Radio with Calvin Coolidge and Sopo.
