EPA was
present at the annual event organised by the EESC to give an opportunity to
citizens and civil society organisations to have their voices heard. The
context of this year’s conference was set by three main factors: the recommendations
of the European Year of Citizens, the forthcoming European Parliament
elections and the first experiences of the European Citizens’ Initiatives, the
new tool for citizens to directly influence European institutions. There has
been some tension between EU institutions and European NGO’s about real
representation of the voice of citizens. Before presenting our readers with the
press release published by the EESC let me take this opportunity to ask all our
readers who consider themselves European parents to feel free to join the
conversation here or ont he social networks to help EPA to influence EU policy
in a way you want us to do.
Civil Society 2014: Europeans want fairness,
cooperation and solidarity
"Europe
needs more solidarity, a human economy and greater civil society
involvement." This is the main conclusion of yesterday's Civil Society Day
2014, where centre stage was given to what Europeans expect from Europe.
Civil Society Day is
an annual event organised by the European Economic and Social Committee. In
three workshops ("An economy for
Europeans, not Europeans for the economy", "A social Europe for
citizens", and "Active European citizenship"), more than 200
participants from a range of civil society organisations discussed what kind of
Europe we actually need.
Two months before the European elections and at a time where just 31%
- the lowest figure ever recorded - still believe in the European project,
civil society representatives set out their views on how they feel Europe has
to move forward. Input from this discussion will feed into the action plan for
Europe that the Committee is currently drafting. "We have five years to
save Europe", warned Cristian
Pirvulescu, a Romanian EESC member. "The answer cannot be nationalism or populism but a resource-efficient, sustainable and
inclusive policy that also takes on board the needs of an ageing and declining
European population."
Europeans' voices have to be
heard
"A
voice is much more than a vote," stressed MEP Jean Lambert
from the UK, who supports the inclusion of civil society in the political
processes. "Before decisions are made in Brussels, there have to be ample
discussions with the people concerned all over Europe. Civil society participation has to be
enhanced. The EESC is the right forum to deliver civil society requests, while
closely working with the European Parliament."
Resources have to be
redistributed fairly
"Inequality
within and among European Member States is so disappointing," said a representative of a student group. "This makes
the European project so unattractive for young people." While the EU funds
cattle to the tune of 12.7 euro per head, it invests just 1.26 euro per person
in Europe's younger generation. While businesses still pay huge sums to shareholders,
investments are put on hold.
A new action plan for Europe –
Creating a Europe that serves Europeans
Conny Reuter, co-chair of the Liaison Group[1] and Secretary General of SOLIDAR, called in the group's final statement for
investment in a sustainable economy, education and training instead of
austerity measures. "While 800 billion were invested in the bailout of the
banks, only 6 billion were provided for the fight against youth unemployment.
The balance sheet of this Commission is disappointing on the social and civil
side."
To
avoid another equally dreadful balance in five years' time, the EESC is
drafting an action plan for Europe, giving the European Commission
recommendations on what has to be changed for Europe to regain its status as
the driver of a sustainable economy, social justice and solidarity.
In its action plan, the EESC
proposes that 2015 should be designated the year of a European Convent on
participatory democracy and active citizenship.
[1] The
liaison group was set up to enable more structured interaction with European
civil society organisations and networks. It is chaired by President Malosse
and Conny Reuter.
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