The European Economic and Social Committee is proposing that the new EU framework for forest monitoring should be sustainable, cost-effective and operationally feasible. It should also be timely, safe and secure, dynamic, inclusive and participatory in order to allow close cooperation between science and practice alongside better planning and evidence-based policy-making.
The European Economic and Social Committee is proposing that the new EU framework for forest monitoring should be sustainable, cost-effective and operationally feasible. It should also be timely, safe and secure, dynamic, inclusive and participatory in order to allow close cooperation between science and practice alongside better planning and evidence-based policy-making.
It is crucial to ensure complementarity and prevent duplication of data already covered by existing legislation such as climate and air policies, biodiversity regulations and the common agriculture policy.
When it comes to climate change, there is a need for long-term data alongside data on rural development, circular economy and science. It is important to ensure interoperability and the same granularity, technology and frequency especially when supplementary data are being collected in all EU Member States. Reducing the administrative burden and avoiding excessive red tape, such as multiple data collection and reporting, should be an ongoing concern. The same level of importance should be attached to economic, social and environmental forest data.
The importance of respecting private property rights and data ownership, particularly within the framework of the subsidiarity principle, cannot be overstated. Above all, it is public interest that should prevail in the forest data infrastructure.
Each EU Member State that benefits from forests should have a long-term forest plan which complements other forest and wood strategies, assuring a perfect match with SDGs. Taking into account the multilateral values of forests, social and economic aspects should be included in the structure of forest plans alongside the partnership principle and the involvement of civil society in the development and implementation of long-term forest plans.
The role of the Standing Forestry Committee should be strengthened and should include relevant actors from civil society.
For our column One question to…, we have asked Florian Marin, EESC member and rapporteur of the EESC opinion EU forests – new EU Framework for Forest Monitoring and Strategic Plans, to share with us the EESC'sdemands for the framework, given the importance of forests to achieving the EU climate and sustainability targets.
For our column One question to…, we have asked Florian Marin, EESC member and rapporteur of the EESC opinion EU forests – new EU Framework for Forest Monitoring and Strategic Plans, to share with us the EESC'sdemands for the framework, given the importance of forests to achieving the EU climate and sustainability targets.
We cannot deny that the exercise of voting rights serves as a powerful tool for voicing opinions and influencing policies. As a matter of fact, throughout the elections in general, we all choose our voice, the people who we, personally, consider to be the best suited to represent us, our beliefs and our value systems. However, most of the time the majority of people and especially us, young people, tend to overlook the power of voting.
We cannot deny that the exercise of voting rights serves as a powerful tool for voicing opinions and influencing policies. As a matter of fact, throughout the elections in general, we all choose our voice, the people who we, personally, consider to be the best suited to represent us, our beliefs and our value systems. However, most of the time the majority of people and especially us, young people, tend to overlook the power of voting.
We passionately declare our desire to change the world, to create a better future for all of us and for the next generations. However, somewhere in the middle of this process, when we feel that our opinions, our values and our ideals do not matter anymore or that we have no power, we give up.
Indeed, as a young woman from Greece, I know exactly how this feels. I'm familiar with the frustration of having our voices go unheard, witnessing the infringement of our rights and experiencing the sense of helplessness that arises when it seems like there's nothing more we can do. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, things don't unfold as planned. It is in these moments, surrounded by the echoes of our efforts, that we often forget a fundamental truth - our vote is our own power! As Barack Obama once said: 'There is no such thing as a vote that doesn't matter'.
Regrettably, I don't think this is solely my experience or exclusive to being Greek, young, or a woman. The truth is that many individuals share this sentiment regardless of their age, ethnicity, gender, religion, or their personal circumstances.
Voting is our collective voice in shaping the future we desire. Taking matters into our own hands ensures that our dreams and values resonate in the decisions that shape our society. We have to act, we need to because our vote is a key, unlocking the door to a future where the echoes of empowered youth resonate.
And remember the wise words of John Lewis, 'If not us, then who? If not now, then when?'
In our new column I'm voting. Are you? which will run until June 2024, we present the views of our guest speakers on how and why to participate in the European elections. In this issue, our guest is Konstantina Manoli, a 19-year old student from Greece who took part in this year's Your Europe Your Say.
In our new column I'm voting. Are you? which will run until June 2024, we present the views of our guest speakers on how and why to participate in the European elections. In this issue, our guest is Konstantina Manoli, a 19-year old student from Greece who took part in this year's Your Europe Your Say.
Held for the first time during Civil Society Week, the EESC's flagship youth event brought together more than 100 young people from across the EU, candidate countries and the UK for fervent debates on democracy and Europe's future.
Konstantina Manoli studies foreign languages, translation and interpreting at the Ionian University in Greece. She is a dedicated linguist with a passion for political discussions and global affairs.
In this issue, I want to draw your attention to Civil Society Week, the flagship event organised and hosted by the EESC at the beginning of March.
With less than 100 days until the European elections, Civil Society Week provided a unique opportunity for the EESC to bring together people from all walks of life to discuss what matters to them and the European future they want. Over 800 representatives from civil society organisations and youth groups brainstormed throughout the week to outline their key messages and expectations for the next EU leaders. The message, which I am committed to conveying, is clear – people want to see more democracy and youth participation, less fake news and an economy that works for everyone. Europe cannot afford to ignore the voice of civil society, the true watchdog of our democracies.
The insights gained from Civil Society Week will feed into an EESC Resolution on the European Elections. You can find early insights from Civil Society Week on the EESC website.
Our preparation for the elections also involves strengthening relations with the European Parliament. On 27 February, I signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the European Parliament's President Roberta Metsola to deepen the cooperation between the two institutions promoting European elections, boosting voter turnout – especially among non-voters and first-time voters – and combating information manipulation. The EESC will fully mobilise its extensive network, spanning across the EU and representing employers, workers and civil society organisations, so they can fully play their role. The agreement is a crucial step in generating momentum leading up to the 2024 European elections.
At the EESC, we aim to empower civil society organisations not only in the European Union but also abroad. In February, we officially launched our Enlargement Candidate Members (ECM) initiative, marking a turning point in the EESC's history. The initiative to involve representatives from candidate countries in EESC work was warmly welcomed by European Commission Vice-President Věra Jourová, the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Milojko Spajić, and the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, who attended the inauguration. A total of 131 Enlargement Candidate Members were selected to comprise the pool of civil society experts who will participate in the Committee's work in the coming months. Our common goal is for all candidate countries to progressively move closer to the EU and become increasingly integrated with the EU as the negotiations advance.
A vibrant civil society and strong social dialogue are indispensable for well-functioning democracies. Welcoming candidate countries is a positive and logical step forward for democracy in Europe.
Concerns about malign influence from hostile states like Russia are completely justified. There have been multiple examples of favourable loans for far-right parties, supervisory board positions for political has-beens, lucrative contracts for dubious entrepreneurs and the funding of alleged NGOs.
Concerns about malign influence from hostile states like Russia are completely justified. There have been multiple examples of favourable loans for far-right parties, supervisory board positions for political has-beens, lucrative contracts for dubious entrepreneurs and the funding of alleged NGOs.
Therefore, we do indeed need to be very vigilant in view of the European elections. However, despite making some good recommendations to Member States, the Defence of Democracy package comes far too late. Firstly, the Commission launched the package late. Then, in early summer 2023, it postponed it by more than half a year because the criticism of the legislative proposal that the package was supposed to include was very loud and, above all, unanimous.
However, the package published in December confirmed the worst fears. The proposed directive would stigmatise NGOs that receive funds from governments from non-EU countries, such as the US. The proposal alone serves as a justification for authoritarian governments that use foreign agent laws to try to silence any democratic opposition.
Beyond that, the directive’s definitions are vague and there are enormous loopholes for Moscow’s actual agents. Representatives of organised civil society are wondering why the Commission is not establishing a general transparency register that covers all interest representatives and would be compatible with existing laws at national level and create a clear and secure legal basis for all stakeholders.
The Commission should withdraw this draft directive and take a more comprehensive approach to its successor in 2025 that does not play into the hands of the enemies of democracy.
