If you are interested in Belgian art, make sure to visit the exhibition Before our very eyes in Atrium 6 of the EESC Jacques Delors building, Rue Belliard 99, before 28 June.

You will be able to enjoy the work of three talented Belgian artists: Luk Vander Plaetse, Hugues Legros and Thibault Choquel. 

Through their photos, the three artists – photographers, graphic artists and designers – show the beauty of the ordinary. Before our very eyes ‘whispers a wild and gentle human poetry where different genres and people mingle’.

The exhibition has been organised by the Belgian members of the EESC, supported by a team of coordinators, as part of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU, which runs until 1 July 2024. The organisers see the presidency as an opportunity to showcase their country’s know-how and promote Belgian culture within Europe and abroad. (ll)

By the Civil Society Organisations’ Group

For the new term of office, civil society organisations (CSOs) propose addressing immediate and long-term challenges, properly implementing existing EU policies and strengthening EU values. Structured civil dialogue and a strong social agenda also top the list of their priorities.

On 16 April, the EESC’s Civil Society Organisations’ Group held a conference on Building Together the EU We Want. The event brought together national and European-level CSO representatives who discussed their political priorities with a view to the coming elections to the European Parliament and the signing of the La Hulpe interinstitutional declaration on the European Pillar of Social Rights.

Opening the conference, Séamus Boland, president of the Civil Society Organisations’ Group, deplored the fact that many politicians from mainstream national parties do not want to discuss the EU with voters. Consequently, voters do not understand why the EU is necessary and EU politics do not always reflect what matters to them. This has led to a dangerous disconnect between the general public and the EU and could result in many people voting for extremist parties. ‘What is urgently needed now is for national and European politicians to engage with people in an open debate on the problems facing the EU and on what should be done to resolve them. Only like this can we persuade them that the EU is for the many and continues to create opportunities for everyone.’

Read and share the conclusions and recommendations of the conference, which focus on:

• Why the 2024 elections to the European Parliament matter: the EU at a turning point
• Building together the EU we want: a democratic and inclusive EU of social justice and protection
• Building together the EU we want: a sustainable economy based on fair transitions and quality jobs
• Placing civil society, citizens and youth at the centre of the Europe of tomorrow

The conclusions and recommendations will feed into an EESC resolution with policy proposals for the new European Parliament and European Commission, to be adopted in July 2024.

Find out more in the press release on the conference. 

The European Commission’s Defence of Democracy package was the subject of a debate at the April EESC plenary session. Members of the EESC have expressed reservations about its timing and approach, particularly for addressing foreign influence. The EESC argued that not only is the package ineffective, but it could also harm civic spaces in Europe.

Despite its stated intentions to improve transparency and democratic accountability in Europe, the EESC sees the Defence of Democracy package as deeply flawed. It argues that the package has arrived far too late to have any real impact on the upcoming 2024 European elections and has failed to address the Committee’s previous recommendations for strengthening European democracy.

In his remarks, EESC President Oliver Röpke said that ‘when talking about “dangers” for our democracies, it is important to underline the strong response of the EU and the track record of the current Commission in the defence of democracy, fundamental rights and the rule of law. The EESC has also heard the concerns expressed by many civil society actors on what they see as the risks of the package. We need to find a common approach to combine the defence of democracy and all necessary safeguards to preserve civic space.’

While the EESC supports the transparency objectives of the proposed directive on lobbying carried out on behalf of third countries, it strongly opposes the proposed methods, cautioning against unintended consequences on civic spaces. Christian Moos, EESC rapporteur for the opinion on the Defence of Democracy package, said that ‘we consider this directive to be dangerous. It resembles a “foreign agents” law. It is potentially stigmatising NGOs. Clearly, the current proposal should be withdrawn. It risks adding to the problem of shrinking civic spaces in Europe, and that is something the Commission couldn’t possibly want.’

Co-rapporteur José Antonio Moreno Díaz expressed scepticism regarding the package’s ability to address the root causes of democratic erosion within the EU’s borders. By narrowly focusing on external threats, the package overlooks the insidious efforts to destabilise EU democracies from within, thereby creating a dangerous blind spot.

The Commission acknowledged concerns about the package’s impact on NGOs but believes safeguards are in place. (gb)