ECC - Citizens’ recommendations debated all over Europe

After 6 months of intensive and productive discussions all over Europe, and having presented the 15 recommendations to the European political leaders, citizens are now invited to take the reins of the project back and comment and react on these proposals on the pan-European blog which was launched on the 15th of May. How are these 15 recommendations translated into concrete policies? What measures should be taken to achieve the results we want for Europe? 

The inputs collected on the blog will be used to feed a series of 5 regional debates organised across Europe and directly targeting the newly elected EU Commission and Parliament members as well as the EU Presidency, which have all already shown great interest in cooperating with the ECC. The European Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions and European political foundations will also be involved in these activities.

The first of these regional debates took place on the 28th of September 2009 inside the Danish Parliament in Copenhagen. Representatives of the European institutions, newly elected MEPs, stakeholder and experts from Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania came together to discuss the opportunities and challenges of climate change and energy dependency for the European Union. 

• How can the climate change objectives of the EU be reached?

• How can regional energy self-sufficiency be achieved?

• What role can the EU play for the future of Europe?

• In a world so hungry for fossil fuel and producing so much waste, how can habits and behaviours be influenced by preservation of the environment?

• How can the EU balance its economic interests (especially in light of the recent economic crisis) and its leading role on climate change issues?

The second regional debate was in Bratislava on the 27th of October with participants from Slovakia, Hungary, Greece, Romania and Bulgaria. Discussions focused on health care and health promotion.

• Do we need common European health care system, or just common standards for national systems?

• Do we need an independent, central EU supervising authority?

• What is the role which can be played by industry and civil society in improving European health care?

• What mechanisms should be created for EU-wide recognition of qualifications for medical and health care professionals?

• Is the EU prepared for pandemics?

• What coordination / common approach is needed?

• What can the EU do to foster good health in an ageing society? What are the mean obstacles to more effective health promotion and disease prevention policies?

A third debate was on the 6th of November 2009 in Nice involving Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Cyprus and Malta. They discussed the challenges and different European perspectives on education. The increasing complexity of educational systems were considered, as well as the role of mobility (mobility programmes, free movement and knowledge exchange opportunities) as a complex system with social, economic, financial and cultural implications.

The fourth regional debate will be held in Dublin on the 20th of November 2009 involving Ireland, the UK, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. The theme of the debate will be “Social Welfare” and will focus on questions such as:

• The role that can be played by the European Union to achieve better protection of the most vulnerable and in fighting against poverty.

• The need for creating convergence among social insurance and welfare systems, in order to ensure a common EU social system.

• At a time when many people feel left out and cannot afford the bear minimum, what can the EU do?

Berlin will be the host of the fifth and final regional debate on the 30th of November 2009 during which representatives from Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovenia and the Czech Republic will consider issues related to employment conditions and labour. 

• How can disparities of working conditions throughout Europe be reduced?

• Do we need a common and harmonized Labour Code to improve working conditions?

• What role can be played by industry and civil society?

• How can equal pay for equal work be realized?

For more information please visit

http://www.european-citizens-consultations.eu/