Report from the European Civic Days - "Mobility, Dialogue, Participation: Towards Active European Citizenship
European Civic Forum
© Forum Civique Europeen/Thierry Bouyer
- from: 06.09.2008
- to: 06.09.2008
- In: La Rochelle, Centre des congrès
The first European Civic Days, organised by the European Civic Forum, brought together almost a thousand citizens and association leaders from the 27 EU Member States on 4 to 6 September. Supported by the European Commission as a high-visibility event on the "Europe for Citizens" programme, it was the first debate after the summer recess in the "Paroles d'Européens!" public debate series backed by the French EU Presidency. The French Presidency wanted to stimulate a genuine process of public involvement by encouraging civil society to play its full part during this event.
What does it mean to be a European citizen today? How can we get citizens excited about Europe and encourage active European citizenship embodying the values of respect, tolerance, solidarity and diversity? How can citizens participate on a daily basis? How can we get the most from Europe?
These questions were at the heart of the debate and speeches that showed the importance of the commitment from all the association and government actors to promoting European citzenship and bearing the standard for European values. The workshop meetings and discussions, based on personal accounts and concrete examples of association members on the ground, helped to pool best practices and methods.
Gérard Onesta, Vice-President of the European Parliament, Roselyne Bachelot-Narquin, French Minister for Health, Youth, Sport and Community Activities, and Jean-Pierre Jouyet, Minister of State for European Affairs participated in the La Rochelle-based event.
Jean-Pierre Jouyet stressed the need for dialogue between civil society and European and national institutions to strengthen European citizenship, of which European Civic Days are an excellent example. The Minister of State also recalled his commitment to extending the mobility programmes to as many people as possible and making youth mobility in Europe the rule rather than the exception.
Roselyne Bachelot-Narquin also reiterated her support for the recommendation on the mobility of youth volunteers in Europe, which is on the agenda of the next Education, Youth and Culture Committee meeting. She announced the French Presidency's relaunch of the status of the European association that will respect the diversity of the Member States in this connection, particularly in relation to the associations working in social services in the public interest.
To find out more on the European Civic Days, visit the European Civic Forum website or the "Paroles d'Européens!" website.
For more information (Announcement)
- Updated: 29.10.2008
