Consultation Forum Concerning the Future Action Programme to Promote Active European Citizenship

Consultation Forum concerning the future action programme to promote active European Citizenship (Brussels, 3-4 February 2005) Thursday 3 February 2005 : Opening session - Mr Nikolaus van der Pas Director General, Directorate General for Education and Culture, European Commission It is my great pleasure to open this consultation about our activities for, and with, European citizens. In my professional life as Director General of the Directorate General for Education and Culture, I have noticed how important and difficult it is to carry out these activities. I am very grateful that so many of you have come to Brussels today to help us see how we can do more, how we can do things better and how we can innovate regarding the activities we have carried out so far, but which need to be renewed and given new life. Today’s speakers are very illustrious: we not only have Commissioner Ján Figel’, who is responsible for Education, Training, Culture and Multilingualism (and there are other things underlying those terms, such as youth and citizenship), we also have representatives of all of the European institutions – the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. Pascal Lamy will introduce the debate. He is President of Notre Europe and all of you know him as the former commissioner responsible for Trade. Our second speaker is Theodoor Adams, who is Director for International Policy in the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science in the Netherlands. We will then have comments from organisations representing civil society – the Council of European Municipalities and Regions, the European Trade Union Confederation and the Platform of European Social NGOs. Today, speakers represent the whole range of civil society, and I think the conditions have been met to allow this conference to be a success. I would now like to give the floor to Mr Figel’. Commissioner Ján Figel’ in charge of Education, Training, Culture and Multilingualism Distinguished Guests, Excellencies, Representatives of the many different parts of our European community, Ladies and Gentlemen, dear Friends, it is a pleasure for me to be here at this forum and at the town twinning exhibition. 1 The large portfolio described by the Director General (Education, Training, Culture and Multilingualism) has a long name, but there is one link among all these terms – citizenship. I think it is a very important goal for all of us. In the past we have spoken of a business, environment and investment-friendly Europe; I think a citizen-friendly Europe is an encompassing notion which is very important for individuals, societies and international relations and which could see Europe as a place of partnership, friendship, stability and responsibility. These fields of responsibility are very large. They need a lot of enthusiasm, but they also bring enthusiasm. They can communicate a Europe like few other actions and can help bring European institutions closer to the people. Why is this becoming so prominent at this stage in our integration process? The present period in our history is marked by what looks like a paradox: European integration is a success story – there has been more than half a century of peace and prosperity, with greater mutual understanding and tolerance. It is an attractive space for many countries to join, especially those countries that have escaped from communism. However, we know Europe’s history and we should never forget it; last week’s commemoration of Auschwitz is a telling reminder of our obligations towards the past. Sixty years ago, Europe witnessed a surge of intolerance and disrespect that led to the mass extermination of those people who were perceived as different. And only ten years ago, mass graves were still being dug in the Balkans. European integration is a success; we should learn from history and prepare for a better future. At the same time as we speak of an enlarged Union being more European, Europe has also become more complicated institutionally and geographically – the debate on Turkey’s membership clearly shows this. The everyday discussions about Europe and its future may obscure our impressive achievements. The low turnout at the parliamentary elections (including in some new Member States) seems to indicate that there is a gap between Europe and its citizens. Some call this an expression of euro-scepticism; others see something new – euro-apathy. Whatever the diagnosis, one thing is clear: we must inject new life into our vision of what Europe stands for, what its purpose is, and what the steps are that will lead us to our goal. Yesterday in the European Parliament, President Barroso outlined what to do to revitalise the Lisbon strategy – more growth, more and better jobs, and more investment in education, research and innovation. In his words, we must make Europe a more attractive place to work and live in. A week ago the Commission adopted a strategy for the coming years. The main message is summarised in three key priorities – prosperity, solidarity and security. If we act together we can make a difference, and there is no better way to rekindle interest in a united Europe. It is clear that these ambitions will require hard work at all levels – European, national, regional and local. An essential ingredient in this recipe is credibility, and credibility can only exist when strategies and policies are communicated efficiently. The people have a right to know where government is leading them, and why. That is not enough, however. They should also be involved at all stages of decision making. Euro scepticism or 2 apathy shows that more must be done to communicate the European project, its ambitions and goals. This is now more necessary than ever after the enlargement from fifteen to twenty-five states and with new member states waiting to join the Union in the future. Enlargement means that our responsibilities to our neighbours and the world at large are growing and we must live up to their expectations. Now, more than ever, we must offer a platform for a Europe-wide debate on European and international issues. We must promote the establishment of a truly European public opinion. President Barroso made a point that reconnecting with our citizens is one of the new Commission’s key tasks. Our Member States are of the same opinion. In last December’s meeting, European leaders stressed the importance of debate on our shared values and active citizenship in the Union. Democratic participation and active involvement of citizens cannot be just slogans; they are essential principles on which the European Union depends for its future successes. I would go even further and say for its survival. In that respect, the upcoming round of ratifications of the new Constitutional Treaty will be a serious test case. I have made these issues my own since the beginning of my mandate, when I announced that a programme for active citizenship would enter into force as of 2007. I intend to present the new programme to my fellow commissioners in April. This programme must be open to all citizens. It should not privilege any particular group, however defined. We must engage the largest possible number of citizens, from all regions and social backgrounds, in the debate about our European Union. I would like to see many more of our people thinking in European terms, expressing themselves on European questions, and claiming their stake in the European Union and its future. This is our own future. We are not starting from scratch – our future programme on active citizenship can build on our earlier attempts to structure the Commission’s relations with civil society in the 1990s. These efforts were by no means unsuccessful, as illustrated by the thousands of projects that have been supported over time. Early last year an action programme was adopted to give a more solid legal and budgetary basis to support a number of projects: twenty-one cross-industry trade union projects, seventy-two by non-governmental organisations, sixty-nine by European interest associations and federations, and direct funding for about thirty general European interest organisations was earmarked by the European Parliament. There were 455 twinning projects last year. This action programme was a step in the right direction because it gave more stability and security. However, it is time to move on to the next level. We should now adapt our programme to the needs of our stakeholders in the European society in the context I described earlier. That is where we need you. A programme of this nature must be based upon the results of broad public consultation. Many of you have already taken part in our online consultation. The number of replies was encouraging and we have already received some excellent views and suggestions. The great majority of respondents confirmed the need for a new 3 programme promoting active European citizenship. The idea that individuals and groups of citizens should be at the heart of our programme was largely supported. The programme should promote debate among citizens and local communities, particularly through town twinning and trans-national projects. Most respondents also agreed on the need to support civil society organisations, such as trade unions, NGOs, think tanks and other associations. These bodies should take part in a permanent, open and interactive dialogue with the European institutions on issues of general European interest. There is a consensus on continued support to the operating costs of some non-profit organisations which serve the general European interest and have the capacity to carry forward the European idea. These are some preliminary results and, as you can see, there is already much encouragement and food for thought.

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