European Civic Days: «Mobility, Dialogue, Participation: Towards Active European Citizenship»

The European Civic Forum is organising a major event to bring together citizens and association leaders from all over the European Union to promote active European citizenship.

Aware of the importance of the opinions and involvement of associations in building a Europe that is closer to its citizens, the European Civic Forum has mobilised over a thousand citizens and association leaders throughout the European Union for the inaugural European Civic Days. This meeting, organised with the help of the European Commission, is a high-visibility event that is part of the Europe for Citizens Programme and the «Paroles d’Européens!» public debated programme supported by the French Presidency of the European Union.

What does it mean to be a European citizen today? How can we get citizens excited about Europe and encourage active European citizenship embodying the values of respect, tolerance, solidarity and diversity? How can citizens participate on a daily basis? How do we experience Europe?

To promote the public’s sense of ownership of Europe, the European Civic Forum has organised a three-day forum for discussion of key issues such as «mobility, dialogue and participation» as a dynamic for active and participative citizenship.

During in-depth discussions in workshops, European association members will be invited to pool their practices and methods, using personal experiences and concrete examples. In this way, new initiatives and partnerships could emerge to boost active European citizenship and consolidate a large association network on a European scale.

Jan Figel, European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth, Roselyne Bachelot-Narquin, French Minister for Health, Youth, Sport and the Voluntary Sector and Jean-Pierre Jouyet, Minister of State with responsibility for European Affairs will speak at this event.

To find out more on the European Civic Days, the detailed programme and registration, visit the website of the European Civic Forum: www. civic-forum.eu

Journalists are requested to apply for accreditation on the Presidency website: https://medias.ue2008.fr

Source : European Presidency