This report examines the extent to which European citizens engage in participatory democracy, and the extent to which they believe that political decision-making can be influenced through their own actions and through those of civil society organisations.
Démocratie participative
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The EESC believes that there is much more to European citizenship, and that a political system such as the EU must cultivate and strengthen the political, social and cultural dimensions of the Union. If we want people to feel truly connected to Europe, we need to develop their ability to exercise political power ("power" in the sense of participation in governance). We can develop that ability by providing knowledge about the political system and using mechanisms that allow for participation from the bottom up.
Inaugural speech by President Luca JAHIER
Presentation by Gordon Sillence (A)
Presentation by Gordon Sillence (B)
Presentation by Zaharias Ioannides
Presentation by Panayotis Gkofas
Welcome speech by Mr Moiseos
Speech by Ms Pantelakis
Speech by Mr Frydman
Speech by Mr Michaelides
Speech by Mr Perikleous
Speech by Mr Georgiadis
We were all happy when the European Commission designated 2013 as the European Year of Citizens. Citizens play a central role in Europe’s future and integration. What could be more appropriate and timely to dedicate a European Year to them?
Staffan Nilsson's opening remarks at the Liaison Group meeting
This conference is very timely; demographic trends pose major challenges to the labour market. It suffers from structural problems. Young people, in particular, find it difficult to gain a footing in the labour market, despite skills they have. It is not only the case in Europe. It is also a major problem in Tunisia, where the demographic trend is the opposite: it is a very young population with high skills and no jobs.
President`s conclusions at the ETF Coroprate Conference 2012
À la veille du sommet européen du 23 mai, le président du Comité économique et social européen appelle une nouvelle fois à faire preuve de leadership, de clarté et de fermeté pour garantir le développement futur de l'Union européenne.
Civil Society Day at the EESC, Brussels
Speech by Juca JAHIER
"Dès le mois d’avril 2012, avec l’entrée en vigueur de l’initiative citoyenne européenne, les citoyens européens jouiront d’un nouveau droit qui leur donnera plus de poids. Ils pourront exprimer leurs revendications d’une manière nouvelle et sans précédent. En recueillant le soutien d’un million de signatures à travers l’Europe, ils pourront demander à la Commission européenne de proposer de nouveaux actes législatifs ou de modifier la législation européenne existante. Dès le début du projet, le CESE a été un ardent défenseur du droit de participation citoyenne.
Le Groupe des travailleurs du Comité économique et social européen estime qu'il est urgent de transmettre un message clair aux institutions de l'UE et aux dirigeants des États membres : il est résolument opposé aux propositions Merkel-Sarkozy dans la mesure où celles-ci ne porteraient que sur un renforcement du pacte de stabilité et de croissance dans le Traité de Lisbonne. La résolution énonce les orientations à adopter et les autres mesures à prendre.
In this issue:
- Articles on the state of play of associations by our Members
- Guest article by Raffaella Bolini, Co-President, European Civic Forum
- Statement of the Group on Climate Change
- What happened to the EESC opinion on Europe’s beating cancer plan? - An interview with rapporteur Małgorzata Anna Bogusz