Speech by President Séamus Boland, EESC plenary debate on the Defence of Democracy Package

EESC plenary debate with Ana Gallego Torres, Director General, Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers (DG JUST), European Commission, and Ken Godfrey, Executive Director of the European Partnership for Democracy

Dear Ana Gallego Torres, Ken Godfrey,

Thank you for taking the time to discuss with us today, it is much appreciated;

Last Thursday, the European Council adopted conclusions on a number of economic and foreign policy subjects;

However, the very first point in those Council conclusions asserted the determination of Member States to closely monitor and contain risks stemming from disinformation;

This could be disinformation through artificial intelligence, as well as foreign manipulation and interference in electoral processes;

Crucially, the European Council invited the European institutions and national authorities to cooperate on such matters.

With the elections to the European Parliament less than two months away, it is of no surprise that the European Council is pre-occupied with curtailing foreign manipulation and interference;

Disinformation is not a new phenomenon;

But with AI and digital tools, what is new, is the speed, reach and instruments that are used to attack or simply undermine liberal democracies;

Already in 2017, the think tank Freedom House announced that only 13% of the world's population live in a country with true free press;

This is shocking, when we reflect on how independent thinking is a precondition for democratic life!

However, during today's discussion on the defence of democracy package, I would like to reiterate that firstly, democracy cannot be taken for granted;

Secondly, that CSOs play a crucial role in protecting and nurturing democracy and civic spaces within the EU;

They play a pivotal role in maintaining the EU's unique socio-economic model and in promoting sustainable growth, social cohesion and inclusiveness;

Independent CSOs build mutual trust in societies, shape public opinions and act as positive agents of change;

Often this entails defending and promoting freedom of expression and media diversity, against disinformation and media monopolies;

Perhaps what is less well known, is the crucial role of CSOs in communicating the benefits of democracy to citizens;

For if citizens do not understand the concepts of fundamental rights and the rule of law, then they will not know when these principles are threatened, nor will they take action to defend them.

Our Group has dedicated much of our work to this subject, through events and studies;

When we look ahead to the next legislature and to the Europe of tomorrow, it is imperative that we have a virtuous circle of dialogue between representative democracy, the EU and national executives, CSOs and citizens;

And this dialogue must be open, transparent, regular and structured;

It should take place during the formulation, implementation and follow-up of all EU policies, including in the sphere of the defence of democracy;

Ladies and gentlemen, let us not forget that the word 'democracy, is defined by the two Greek words that mean 'people' and 'rule'. Defending democracy is everyone's business!