How can the Conference on the Future of Europe incorporate the voice of ordinary citizens?? Organised within the framework of the Conference on the Future of Europe, the European Citizens’ Panels are forums structured by the main European institutions (the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council) to facilitate citizens’ opinion exchange on how the EU should be changed.
The European Citizens Panels, in detail:
Composition
Its composition has been chosen randomly to ensure that they are representative of the EU’s diversity, in terms of geographic origin, gender, age, socioeconomic background and level of education. A total of 200 members compose each panel, equally gender balanced, especially crafted to take youngsters’ opinion: people between 16 and 25 make up one-third of each panel.
The Focus
Panels should discuss all the contributions gathered in the Digital Platform of the Conference, and their recommendations are set to be discussed in the plenary sessions, providing input to the Conference to follow-up on. Its conclusions will be added into the Conference’s Final Report, with 20 Representatives from each European Citizens’ Panel taking part in the Plenary, where they have the opportunity to present the outcome of their debates and discuss the future European challenges with other participants.
The Structure
All in all, 4 series of panels will cover different topics and provide space for a bottom-up discussion will be held during three consecutive days;
Covered Topics | Dates |
💶 Stronger economy, social justice and jobs | 17-19 September 5-7 November 2-5 December |
⚖️ Values, rights, rule of law, democracy and security | 24-26 September 12-14 November 10-12 December |
♻️ Climate change, environment and health | 1-3 October 19-21 November 7-9 January |
🌍 The EU in the world and migration | 15-17 October 26-28 November 14-16 December |
The first series will be held in Strasbourg during four consecutive weekends, from 17 September until 17 October 2021, and it will be followed by a second one of panels held online. The third and last one will take place in many cities all across Europe between December 2021 and January 2022.
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By Jacopo Scipione
Policy and Project Support
garagErasmus Foundation