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Data: 01/09/2014
European Civic Forum - Newsletter July-August 2014
Editorial
“A new start for Europe”: this is how newly elected EU Commission President Juncker called his set of political guidelines for the next European Commission. Ten priorities, from the financial sector to the area of Justice and Fundamental rights, which are meant to “regain citizens’ trust in the European Project”.
Are we going to see Mr. Juncker’s Commission proposed policies that strengthen the democratic legitimacy of the European project by addressing the inclusion challenges faced by tens of millions of European residents, and by restoring a true dialogue between EU institutions and citizens? This is a crucial issue and the reason why, with
EYCA Steering members, the ECF called Mr. Juncker for a policy change which would put social and civic rights before financial and economic interests.
EYCA members of the Steering Committee have asked for an in-depth dialogue with EU institutions about its eighty recommendations “It’s about Us, It’s about Europe!”, a dialogue that would be concrete.
We expect the new Commissioners and Members of the European Parliament to make use from these proposals and elaborate legislative measures meant to address the issues of Equality, Solidarity, Democracy, Inclusiveness, able to restore a Democratic legitimacy to the European project.
In this regard, it is regrettable to see Mr. Juncker claiming without reservation a support to the current austerity measures notably calling to respect the Stability and Growth Pact and its severe cuts in public policies implying de facto growing social inequalities.
We would expect lessons to be drawn by EU institutions from EU election for taking steps towards a more cohesive and inclusive European project as the crucial answer to the regressive populist rise.
Are the future hearings of Commissioners-designate, which will be held by European Parliament between 22 and 30 September 2014, a moment for our concerns and our recommendations to be taken into account. A true dialogue would mark a significant new step. Unfortunately, in this regard, we cannot say to date that optimism is an option.
News from the European Civic Forum
• The Sabir Festival / Lampedusa / October 2014.
ARCI, ECF’s influential Italian member, together with local authorities, is taking the next step of the project launched at the beginning of the year regarding fundamental rights of migrants on the island of Lampedusa. The Sabir Festival, celebrating a new idea of Mediterranean citizenship, will take place at the beginning of October. Read more...
• Updates from the EYCA.
The EYCA Steering Committee met on 11 July 2014, in Paris, in order to discuss about further steps to be taken towards the creation of European Coordination of Organised Civil Society. All parties agreed on the need for a strengthened cooperation between civil society actors and the need for civil society to be recognised as a full-fledged stakeholder by the European Institutions on relevant issues and consultations. Following this, the Steering Committee also released an open letter to the newly elected president of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker. The signatories called for a more vivid democracy and for a stronger legitimacy, notably through a more constructive dialogue between EU institutions and civil society organisations, as stipulated in Article 11 of the Treaty of Lisbon.
• Project Partnership.
The European Civic Forum is now officially a partner of the European Alternatives Project on EU Citizenship Rights, namely stemming from European Union Court of Justice case law.
News from the Network
• The Community Development Institute based in Macedonia launches two projects, one on Non-formal education in the framework of lifelong learning; the other on Freedom of expression and training for journalists and NGO members. Read more here...
• CSV and the Ligue de l'Enseignement, in collaboration, inter alia, with Solidar, continue their work in the frame of the Real Civil Society Democracy in Europe project launched in August 2013. The findings of this project will contribute to ECF new Working group on Consultation.
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