EU elections

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  • The upcoming European Parliament elections are taking place on 26 May. These elections are crucial. They come at a time when the rise of populism in all its guises is combining with internal and external challenges to put the European venture under greater strain. It will be an opportunity for Europe's citizens to have their say on what sort of shared future Europe should be advancing towards, as a common area to find solutions to a range of challenges, needs and ambitions.

  • Together with the other EU institutions in Brussels, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)  opened its doors on Saturday 4 May in celebration of Europe Day. This year the Open Day was about choosing your future: the European elections on 23-26 May are your chance to have a say on who makes big decisions that affect your daily life. Pledge to vote and take responsibility for the future at thistimeimvoting.eu!

  • On 21 February 2019, the EESC is organising an event entitled Civil Society for rEUnaissance, in the Charlemagne building in the morning and at Committee headquarters (JDE building) in the afternoon.

    The purpose of this event is two-fold (1) to draw attention to Articles 2 and 3 of the Treaty on the European Union, with the support of a number of civil society organisations, and (2) to mobilise civil society at all levels in the run-up to the European elections.

  • In view of the upcoming EU elections of 23-26 May, the EESC Study Group on Disability Rights is organising a public hearing on "Participation of Persons with disabilities in European elections ".
    Are persons with disabilities really on equal terms with the rest of the population when talking about their right  to vote?
    What has been done so far and which are further steps to be taken? 

    Join us to our hearing and discuss it with us!

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    The role of civil society in protecting, promoting and reinforcing our heritage of values in view of the upcoming European elections

    At its 12th Civil Society Media Seminar, the European Economic and Social Committee looked at European values as part of Europe's heritage. On the eve of the European elections, panellists discussed the challenges and burning issues in contemporary Europe, such as multiculturalism, declining solidarity, growing nationalism and illiberalism and what civil society can do to protect a Europe which upholds its heritage of values - respect for human dignity and human rights, freedom, democracy, equality and the rule of law.

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    Your Europe, Your Say! 2019

    2019 will be an election year and the new European Parliament will have very important decisions to make, at a time when everything from the economy to communication and from politics to social trends are being revolutionised on a daily basis.

    How do you, as a young person, view these changes, and the opportunities and potential risks they bring, and what future solutions might you have to offer?

    If you want to discuss these issues with other students from 33 countries, why not take part in YEYS 2019 by sharing your vision and celebrating with us the 10th anniversary of this event?

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    For the first time in the history of the EU, the Commission will convene a Citizens' Panel to prepare a public consultation on the Future of Europe. On 5-6 May, a group of 80 Europeans will come to Brussels from 27 Member States, and work together to draft a 12-question online consultation. This unique exercise in participative democracy will see citizens shaping the conversation on the Future of Europe ahead of the European Parliament elections in May 2019. 

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    On 20 February 2024 in Brussels, the EESC organised a conference on the Housing Crisis in Europe. This publication sets out the participants' assessment of the current state of affairs and their recommendations on how to tackle the current housing crisis.

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    40 pages

    This brochure brings you the highlights of the EESC's Connecting EU 2023 seminar, held in Bratislava in November 2023 under the title "European Elections 2024: Why vote?"

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    The 2023 edition of the EESC's annual European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) Day took place on 8 June. Participants in Brussels and online joined us to discuss how to upskill citizens for a successful ECI with impact.