special EU-Digest report on Citizens Consultations leading up to the 2009 European elections
POWER TO THE PEOPLE - The European Citizens’ Consultations 2009 (ECC 2009)
In the run-up to the 2009 Euro-elections, the European Citizens’ Consultations 2009 (ECC 2009) will give citizens a voice in the debate over how to respond to the current economic and financial crisis by providing a platform for a pan-European dialogue on the future of Europe.
The ECC 2009 will give all European citizens an opportunity to join in the discussion on how the EU can shape our economic and social future in a globalized world, by taking part in an on-line debate on national websites launched on the 3rd of December in every EU member state – the first stage in a process which will culminate in a European Citizens’ Summit in May 2009.
The national websites will give everyone the chance to discuss and share their views on this crucial issue, and help develop recommendations for national and European policy-makers. Their ideas will be fed into national consultations which will be held in all 27 EU member states in March next year, involving some 1500 citizens from all walks of life. The outcome of all these deliberations will be handed over to policy-makers at the European Citizens’ Summit in May.
ECC 2009 is co-funded by the European Commission under its “Debate Europe” programme. Speaking at the launch, Commission Vice-President Margot Wallström said: “This project sets a new standard for citizen participation by working on the national and European levels, and by combining online and offline dialogue.” The European Citizens' Consultations are run by a consortium of more than 40 European partner organisations, led by the King Baudouin Foundation (KBF), and is co-funded by foundations including the KBF, Compagnia di San Paolo and the Robert Bosch Foundation, and funders at national level.
It is also possible to join the dedicated Facebook group “European Citizens’ Consultation 2009”.
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