European Citizen's Consultations 2009
What is the National Citizens' Consultation in Greece?
The European Citizens' Consultations (ECC 2009) is part of an ongoing process to further develop citizen participation and consultation mechanisms at European level. It builds on the success of the European Citizens' Consultations 2007, which established a new model for citizen participation. Once again, citizens from all 27 member states of the EU, including Greece, have the opportunity to discuss the future of Europe at the National Citizens' Consultations in their country. Participants of this unique dialogue and participation process will be able to exchange their opinions and develop shared visions for the future of Europe.
The results of the National Citizens Consultations will summarised in 10 key recommendations to be presented to European and national policy makers. As the European institutions and their new members move into a post-Lisbon policy space, the issues discussed in the ECC 2009 will provide a timely and relevant input from citizens to decision makers.
27 identical conferences
The 27 European Citizens' Consultations will be attended by a total of 1,500 randomly selected citizens reflecting their country's demographic composition. These identical conferences, held simultaneously in nine countries at a time over three weekends in March 2009, are the heart of the ECC process. They enable citizens to discuss issues of common concern with each other, to develop recommendations, and to discuss these with key national and European policy-makers.
Between April and May 2009, the recommendations drawn up at the 27 national events will be voted on by all 1,500 participants. Members of the public will again be invited to debate the finalised list of recommendations online.
Who are we?
The European Citizens' Consultations 2009 are run by a unique consortium of more than 40 independent European partner organisations, led by the Belgian King Baudouin Foundation. These include foundations, NGOs, universities and think-tanks from all 27 European Union Member States, who will organise the European Citizens' Consultations in each Member State. Co-funding comes from the European Commission's "Debate Europe" programme and foundations including the King Baudouin Foundation, the Robert Bosch Foundation, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, the Riksbankens Jubileumsfond, and the Compagnia di San Paolo, as well as funders at national level.
Responsibility in organizing the project on behalf of Greece holds the Institute of Statistical Research, Analysis and Documentation (ISRAD), of the Athens University of Economics and Business.
About the Project
The European Citizens' Consultations 2009 (ECC 2009) bring together citizens from all 27 EU Member States to discuss - with each other and then with policy-makers - key challenges facing the EU. ECC 2009 focuses on the issues currently of greatest concern to EU citizens in the run-up to the 2009 European elections, seeking to answer the question:
''What can the EU do to shape our economic and social future in a globalised world?''
An online debate
Between 3 December 2008 and March 2009, everyone is invited to take part in an online debate and make proposals for our economic and social future. These proposals will then feed directly into the European Citizens' Consultation in your country as material for discussion. For more information press here.
