European Economic and Social Committee

We all worry about the millions of young skilled people in Europe, ready to enter the labour market, looking for a job. And they often begin their working life, if at all, in precarious, low-paid part-time employment.
From the beginning of my term of office, I have consistently said: yes, Europe is affected by a very serious financial, budgetary, social and political crisis. And, no, I don't think the "crisis" should become some kind of mantra or a structural statement of fact. I want us to focus our attention on solutions; there are solutions! Even on a bike…

To our normal awareness, a room filled with people is just a crowd. But arrange those people in the right way, with the right processes, and they can generate wisdom. I believe in the collective wisdom of European citizens emerging from the new democratic participatory practice – the European Citizens' Initiative.

With the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) which came into force on 1 April, the EU is exploring uncharted territory. We have article 11.4 provision, regulations set and into force from 1 April, national systems for collective signatures almost ready to go, guides have been published, a series of conferences and seminars having scrutinized all the political facets and mechanics of this unique European participatory democracy tool. I have been closely following the public debate on the ECI so far.