Interview with Jane Morrice

Member of the Diversity Europe Group from the UK, former journalist, EESC member 2006-2020, former EEC vice-president responsible for communication (2013-2015).


As you are about to leave the EESC because of Brexit, could you please tell us what is the most important skill that you learned as an EESC member?

As I leave the EESC after 14 years serving Northern Ireland in Europe and Europe in Northern Ireland, I am sad to go but happy to have spent so much time learning so much from so many wise and wonderful people. EESC members and staff from the four corners of the EU have taught me everything I need to know about the art of compromise, consensus, understanding, tolerance and mutual respect between people from different walks of life at European level. This is what built the EU and brought the peoples of 28 Member States together.

What message would you like to send to the EESC members and staff?

Whatever happens, after Brexit, this ‘togetherness’ of people living at the grassroots and coalface of civil society must continue to drive the EU forward. My only advice to those now in control of the levers of EU power is to turn the tables with absolute focus on the needs of the citizens of Europe. The European Union is one of the greatest achievements in modern history, it must find ways to better engage its citizens and convince them that their voice will always be heard.

What do you wish Europe for 2020?

My hope for the future is to see the EU proudly held high on the shoulders of its people. As a British/Irish citizen from Northern Ireland, I am fortunate, thanks to the Good Friday Peace Agreement, to be able to remain a European citizen after Brexit and will continue to work to achieve that goal. (mp)