High-level session – A European Citizens’ Initiative that meets the moment

Webstream JDE62

The European Union’s pledge to champion civic engagement and participation – anchored in the Commission’s 2024-2029 priority Protecting our democracy, upholding our values – places citizens’ ideas at the core of policy-making. The recently published communication on the European Democracy Shield reinforces this commitment, identifying citizens’ engagement as a key measure to safeguard European democracy and civil society and referring to the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) in this regard.

This high-level session will thus put the spotlight on the European Citizens’ Initiative as a proven instrument for enabling citizens to propose EU actions. Even more so, as recent developments have underscored its potential: in just the last few months, four initiatives have each surpassed one million signatures. This momentum not only shows the growing capacity of Europeans to take the initiative, get involved and co-shape the EU agenda, but also makes this the perfect time to reflect on the possibilities that lies ahead as regards the political response to these initiatives.

• Moderated by Amaia Echevarria Canal
• Introductory remarks by Maria del Carmen Barrera Chamorro, Chair of the Group on the European Citizens’ Initiative, European Economic and Social Committee

Setting the scene, by organisers of European Citizens’ Initiatives:

• Matteo Cadeddu - My Voice, My Choice
• Mattéo Garguilo - Ban on conversion practices in the EU
• Pavel Zálešák - Stop Destroying Videogames
• Nina-Raluca Bucataru - Save your right, Save your flight!
• Olga Kikou - Food is a Human Right for All! Guaranteeing healthy, just and sustainable food systems
• Serban Alexandriuc - EU Stars On My Passport (STAR-PASS)
• Tamam Abusalama - Demand the full suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement in view of Israel’s violations of human rights
• Faryda Hussein - No more double standards on human rights
• Jean Pierre Saulnier - Ethics, transparency and integrity for European political parties
• Salvatore Ricci - Stop Funding Russia’s War: Phase Out Harmful and Useless Russian Imports into the EU

Panel discussion:

• Séamus Boland, President of the European Economic and Social Committee
• Younous Omarjee, Vice-President of the European Parliament
• Teresa Anjinho, European Ombudswoman
• Gillian Coughlan, Vice-President of the European Committee of the Regions
• Assya Kavrakova, Executive Director, European Citizen Action Service (ECAS)