Discussion
Details
About the project
Europe needs to engage with its citizens more than ever before. The European Citizens’ Consultations
provide the first-ever opportunity for members of the public from all 25 Member States to debate the
future of the European Union across the boundaries of geography and language. Citizens exchange
opinions, develop together their ideas on the future direction of Europe, and communicate their
perspectives to policy-makers. Simultaneous and interlinked events across Europe allow every citizen
to make his or her voice heard. The consultations and their follow-up aim at inspiring both European
and national institutions and decision-makers as they prepare to take decisions on the next phase of
Europe’s development. The process is funded and organised by an independent consortium of
foundations and non-profit organisations from all over Europe and led by the King Baudouin
Foundation. It is co-sponsored by the European Commission’s communication strategy “Plan D”.
Objectives and participants
The consultations and their follow-up go beyond most European communication initiatives. The
citizens of Europe are at the centre of the project: Reflecting and representing the diversity of the
entire EU population, they engage into an authentic and exciting European dialogue. They are chosen
at random whilst making sure that different age groups, genders, and socio-economic backgrounds are
represented. Further criteria are added as appropriate in each country. During the deliberations, the
participants can draw back on experts if needed, but it is them who set the agenda of the debates,
identify common ground and formulate recommendations to policy-makers. Without requiring any
special knowledge or language capabilities, they exchange expectations, hopes, and concerns across
boundaries and cultures. Innovative dialogue design, modern technology, and simultaneous
interpretation into all official languages of the EU overcome the typical barriers to effective participation
– ensuring that each citizen can make his or her voice heard. The consultations will create a truly
European discussion, bringing citizens from all Member States together to deliberate and linking
simultaneous national debates on a shared agenda of broad ideas and visions set by the citizens
themselves.
For more information on the Polish edition of the project click here.
