1,600 randomly selected citizens from across the EU debate Europe’s economic and social future

Next weekend [March 14-15, 2009] sees the start of the national debates which are at the heart of the 2009 European Citizens’ Consultations, as 540 citizens in nine EU Member States meet to discuss how the European Union can shape their economic and social future in a globalised world.

They are taking part in a unique pan-European debate which will give citizens in all 27 EU Member States an opportunity to make their voices heard at a time of unprecedented economic turmoil and in the run-up to the European Parliament elections [June 4-7, 2009].

Over three weekends in March, some 1,600 randomly selected citizens will be asked to discuss their ideas at national consultations in each EU Member State and agree on ten recommendations for action at European level.

The process will culminate in a European Citizens Summit in May, when the results of these deliberations will be handed to – and discussed with – policy-makers in Brussels, including the Presidents of the European Commission, Council and Parliament.

The national consultations are at the heart of the ECC process. They will build on the proposals made by citizens from across Europe on national websites during the four month online debate, on issues including the fight against poverty, the need to address economic and social imbalances, and environmental standards.

The online fora have attracted almost 150,000 unique users so far. When the national consultations have been completed, the 1,600 citizens who took part will be asked to vote online on the recommendations made at each national event. The top 15 recommendations which emerge from this process will then be discussed at the European Citizens’ Summit, which will bring together 150 citizens from the 27 national consultations and top EU policy-makers on 10–11 May in Brussels.

The European Citizens’ Consultations are conducted by a consortium of more than 40 European partner organisations including the European Movement International, led by the King Baudouin Foundation (KBF), and co-funded by the European Commission under its “Debate Europe” programme, and foundations including the King Baudouin Foundation, Compagnia di San Paolo, the Robert Bosch Foundation, ING and funders at national level.