On Saturday 19 June 2021, the Conference Plenary of the Conference on the Future of Europe held its first session. Three representatives from European Movement International (EMI) joined the Plenary to represent the position of the European Movement International network. In addition, 17 delegates from various member organisations of the European Movement International network were part of the Plenary as representatives of civil society, the social partners, or the European Parliament (MEPs) . A detailed overview of the EMI network’s presence in the Conference Plenary can be found below.

European Movement International Delegation: 

EMI representatives:

– Petros Fassoulas, Secretary General – European Movement International
– Anna Echterhoff, Secretary General – Union of European Federalist
– Yves Bertoncini, Vice-President – European Movement International & President – European Movement France

MEPs:

– Eva Maydell MEP (EPP), President – European Movement International
– Brando Benifei MEP (S&D), Vice-President – European Movement International
– Sandro Gozi MEP (Renew), President – Union of European Federalists
– Domènec Ruiz Devesa MEP (S&D), Vice-President – Union of European Federalists

Social Partners:

– Laurent Berger, President – ETUC
– Luca Visentini, General Secretary – ETUC
– Liina Carr, Confederal Secretary – ETUC
– Livia Spera, Vice President representing the ETUFs – ETUC
– Pascal Bolo, President – SGI Europe
– Valeria Ronzitti, Secretary General – SGI Europe

International Associations:

– Patrizia Heidegger, Director of Global Policies and Sustainability – European Environmental Bureau
– Milosh Ristovski, Secretary General – Young European Federalists
– Silja Markkula, President – European Youth Forum

National Councils:

– Noelle O’Connell, Chief Executive Officer – European Movement Ireland
– Francisco Aldecoa, President – European Movement Spain
– Eveliina Heinäluoma MP, Vice President – EM Finland
– Victor Negrescu MEP, President – EM Romania

The Conference Plenary is key to the Conference on the Future of Europe. It serves to discuss the ideas put forward by citizens during the conference and to work with the Executive Board on the final report of the conference.
It is composed of 108 representatives from the European Parliament, 54 from the Council (two per Member State) and 3 from the European Commission, as well as 108 representatives from all national Parliaments on an equal footing, and citizens. 108 citizens participate to discuss citizens’ ideas stemming from the Citizens’ Panels and the Multilingual Digital Platform. Some 18 representatives from both the Committee of the Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee, and another eight from both social partners and civil society also take part, while the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy will be invited when the international role of the EU is discussed.