Consultation Forum on the future programme for Active Citizenship
Brussels, 3 February 2005

Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure for me to open this Consultation forum on the
Commission’s future programme for Active Citizenship.

As you know, I have a diversified portfolio: education, training, culture, youth,
sports, multilingualism and civic society.

It is not easy responsibility, and I have taken up the challenges it implies with
enthusiasm.

What keeps these fields together is that they are all focussed on the individual
citizen. They can communicate Europe like few other actions and can help bring
its institutions closer to the people.

Why is this becoming so prominent at this stage in our process of integration?
The present period in our history is marked by what looks like a paradox.

European integration is a success story: more than half a century of peace and
prosperity, a model of mutual understanding and tolerance, a model for many
countries in the world, a attractive space for the countries which escaped from
communism.

At the same time, Europe has also become more complicated, institutionally but
also geographically, as the debate around the membership of Turkey shows.

The everyday, sometimes difficult, discussions about Europe and its future may
obscure our impressive achievements. The low turnout at the Parliamentary
elections last year seems to indicate that there is a gap between Europe and its
citizens. Some call this an expression of Euro-scepticism. Others see it as
something worse: Euro-apathy.

Whatever the diagnosis, one thing is clear: we must inject new life into our
vision of what Europe stand for, what its purpose is, what the steps are that will
lead us to our goal.

Yesterday, President Barroso outlined what to do to revitalize the Lisbon
strategy. More growth, more and better jobs, more investment in education,
research, and innovation. In short—in his words—we must make Europe a
more attractive place to work, live and invest.

A week ago, he presented the Commission’s strategy for the coming years. The
main message is summarised in three key priorities: prosperity, solidarity, and
security. If we act together, we can make a difference; and there is no better way
to rekindle interest in a united Europe.

It is clear that these ambitions will require hard work at all levels, European,
national, regional and local.

An essential ingredient in this recipe is credibility, and credibility can only exist
when strategies and policies are being communicated efficiently.

The people have a right to know where government leads them, and why. But
that is not enough, they should also be involved at all stages of decision making.

Euro–scepticism or apathy show that more must be done to communicate the
European project, its ambitions, and its goals.

This is now more necessary then ever, after the enlargement from 15 to 25 and
with new Member states awaiting to join the Union in the coming years.

Enlargement means that our responsibilities towards our neighbours and the
world at large are growing, and we must be up to their expectations.

So, now more than ever, we must offer a platform for a Europe–wide debate on
European issues. We must promote the establishment of a truly European public
opinion.

President Barroso made the point that reconnecting with our citizens is one of
the key tasks of the new Commission. Our Member States are on the same line.
In their latest meeting last December, European leaders stressed the importance
of the debate on our shared values and of active citizenship in the Union.

Democratic participation and active citizens’ involvement cannot be just
slogans; they are essential principles on which the European Union depends for
its future success – I would even go further and say: for its survival. In that
respect, the upcoming round of ratifications of the new constitutional Treaty,
will be a serious test case.

I have made these issues my own since the beginning of my mandate, when I
announced that a programme for Active Citizenship would enter into force as of
2007.

We have worked at full speed. I intend to present the new programme to my
fellow Commissioners as soon as April. This programme must be open to all
citizens. It should not privilege any particular group, however defined.

We must engage the largest possible number of citizens—from all regions and
social backgrounds—in the debate about the European Union. I would like to
see many more of our people think in European terms, express themselves on
European questions, claim their stake in Europe’s future which is their own.

We are not starting from scratch. Our future programme on Active Citizenship
can build on our earlier attempts to structure the Commission’s relations with
civil society in the 90’s.

These efforts were by no means unsuccessful as illustrated by the thousands of
projects that have been supported over time.

Early last year, an Action programme was adopted to give a more solid legal and
budgetary basis to:

• support to a number of projects:
  o 21 cross–industry trade–union projects,
  o 72 by NGOs,
  o 69 by associations and federations of European interest.

• direct funding for around 30 organisations of general European interest
  earmarked by the European parliament

• 1,455 twinning projects (142 conferences, 1313 meetings) in 2004.

The Action programme was a step in the right direction because it gave more
stability and security. However, it is now time we move to the next level. We
should now adapt the programme to the needs of our stakeholders in a
developing society in the context I have described before.

And that is where we need you. A programme of this nature must obviously be
based upon the results of a broad public consultation. Many of you have already
taken part in our on–line consultation. The number of replies was encouraging
and we have already received excellent views and suggestions.

The large majority of respondents confirmed the need for a new programme
promoting active European citizenship.

The idea that individuals and groups of citizens should be at the heart of our
programme was largely supported.

The programme should promote exchanges and debates among citizens and
local communities, in particular via town–twinning and trans-national projects.

Most respondents also agreed on the need to support civil society organisations,
such as trade unions, NGOs, think tanks and other associations,
These bodies should take part in a permanent, open and interactive dialogue
with the European institutions on issues of general European interest.

Finally, there is a consensus on continued support to the operating costs of some
non–profit organisations which serve the general European interest and have the
capacity to carry forward the European debate.

These are some preliminary results and, as you can see, there is already much
encouragement and food for thought. The second stage of our dialogue starts
today.

The proposal to hold this Forum received a warm welcome. Let me thank you
for your support. By coming here, you have already indicated that there is an
important category of European citizens who want to be involved, who takes
Europe seriously, and who are not affected by Euro-apathy.

The task for the next two days is as simple as it is ambitious: help us shape a
coherent and global programme for the period 2007–2013.

We are eager to listen to your insights, positions, and debates. I warmly
encourage you to air fresh ideas, put forward new forms of co–operation, and
envisage innovative actions.

Obviously, the new programme will not be cast in stone. Its design should be
flexible and ready to adapt to future circumstances. I am thinking of a mid term
review. This will allow us to adapt to new circumstances, such as the entry into
force of the new constitutional Treaty after its ratification.

Finally, I am pleased that the Town–twinning awards ceremony could be linked
to this Forum. These two days are the prefect setting for an event that celebrates
one of our most citizen–friendly actions.

Ladies and Gentlemen:
I would like to round up these opening remarks by borrowing an insight from
the Nexus conferences organised by the Dutch Presidency last year, under the
title: Europe: a beautiful idea. In many ways, the dream of a united and peaceful
Europe has come true. Yet, questions about our essence and identity multiply. In
spite of our many tangible achievements, the idea of Europe, like all ideas, is
perishable. It must be protected and nurtured constantly by debate. If we stop
asking ourselves what Europe stands for, what are our essential values, what is
the meaning of Europe, the beautiful idea will wither and die.
It is our duty to promote this life–giving debate among politicians, social actors,
and Europe’s peoples. This is why we are here today.
Thank you.