European Citizens’ Consultations 2009

European Citizens’
Consultations 2009
What can the EU do to
shape our economic and
social future in a globalised
world?
Results of the European Citizens’
Consultations
11 May 2009
European Citizens’ Consultations 2009 Page 2/16
About the ECC 2009
The European Citizens’ Consultations 2009 (ECC 2009) brought together citizens from all 27 EU Member
States in the run-up to the 2009 European elections to debate the question:
“What can the EU do to shape our economic and social future in a globalised world?”
An online debate
A pan-European online debate marked the first stage in the ECC 2009 process. Between December 3
2008 and the national consultations in March 2009, more than 250,000 people from all over Europe
visited the ECC websites set up in every EU Member State to discuss and put forward their ideas on what
the EU can do shape our economic and social future. This debate took place in the national languages of
each country, enabling all members of the public to make their voices heard and propose ideas for action.
The top ten proposals from the online debate in each country were fed into that country’s national
consultation for discussion by the citizens who attended the event.
27 national conferences
The 27 national conferences were attended by a total of 1,605 citizens selected at random to reflect their
country’s demographic composition by professional opinion research institutes These conferences, held
simultaneously in nine countries at a time over three weekends in March 2009, were the heart of the ECC
process. They enabled citizens to develop recommendations on Europe’s economic and social future,
and to discuss them with key national and European policy-makers. The European Citizens’
Consultations do not take a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. While all the consultations followed the same
basic format, the size of these events varied from a minimum of 30 participants to a maximum of 150. On
the second day, the citizens were given the opportunity to debate their recommendations with national
MEPs and candidate MEPs in the run-up to the June European elections.
A European Citizens’ Summit
The outcomes of all these national deliberations were then drawn together to prepare a European
overview of national recommendations, shortly after the last round of the consultations was held. This
overview of the top ten recommendations from all 27 Member States was then debated online by the
general public and the final 15 European recommendations were selected by those citizens who attended
the consultations at national level.
European Citizens’ Consultations 2009 Page 3/16
These 15 European recommendations formed the basis of the European Citizens’ Summit, attended by
150 participants from the 27 national consultations, which was held in Brussels on the May 10-11 2009.
Here, citizens finalised a set of European recommendations and discussed these with European policymakers,
including the heads of the EU’s institutions and European political party leaders.
Regional follow-up debates
The citizens’ recommendations will be discussed with newly-elected Members of the European
Parliament and other opinion-leaders at regional conferences in five EU Member States in autumn 2009.
A final event will also be held in Brussels to draw all the strands together and discuss the results in front
of an audience of Brussels-based policy-makers, stakeholders and media. The results will also be
disseminated to the newly-appointed European Commission as it begins its term of office
Partners
The European Citizens' Consultations are organised by a group of independent not-for-profit
organisations including foundations, NGOs, universities and think-tanks from all EU Member States led
by the King Baudouin Foundation (Belgium). The ECC 2009 is co-financed by the European Commission
under its “Debate Europe” programme, the King Baudouin Foundation (Belgium), Compagnia di San
Paolo (Italy), Robert Bosch Stiftung (Germany), Stiftelsen Riksbankens Jubileumsfond (Sweden),
Suomen Kulttuurirahasto (Finland), Svenska kulturfonden (Finland), OSI Sofia (Bulgaria), Fondation de
France, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (Portugal), Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, Esmée Fairbairn
Foundation, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation UK, Barrow Cadbury Trust, Pears Foundation (all UK) and
ING (Netherlands).
European Citizens’ Consultations 2009 Page 4/16
European Concerns
Asked about their key concerns regarding their economic and social future, the 1605 citizens involved in
the consultations which took place in each Member State raised a wide range of issues:
In 26 consultations, concerns about the social situation in Europe were discussed. Issues raised included
the consequences of demographic change, problems with current healthcare systems, fears of declining
living standards and weak protection of the socially disadvantaged.
In 25 consultations, people voiced serious concerns about the economic and financial crisis, and its
consequences for the competitiveness of the EU, potentially leading to an increasing poverty and
unemployment. Especially in the new Member States, citizens were worried about increasing
protectionism regarding the labour markets within the EU.
In 22 consultations, participants raised concerns about environmentally friendly energy supplies, future
energy security and the future availability of natural resources.
In 21 consultations, the democratic deficit, a lack of transparency and too much bureaucracy in the EU
institutions was of concern to participants. Corruption in the Member States and inefficient use of EU
funds was also mentioned.
In 16 consultations, environmental issues such as air, water, soil and waste pollution were of concern.
In 15 consultations, citizens were worried about the low quality of, and lack of adequate resources for, the
educational system.
In 13 consultations, people raised concerns about migration into the European Union, the fact that asylum
seekers are not spread equally within the EU and about increasing racism against migrants.
In 10 consultations, the security situation was mentioned as a concern by the participants.
In 10 consultations, citizens were worried about the uncertain future of agriculture, such as the loss of
traditional agriculture and environmental problems caused by farming.
European Citizens’ Consultations 2009 Page 5/16
European Recommendations
With additional input from participants at the European Citizens’ Summit on May 10th 2009 in italics
below each recommendation
No.
Recommendation
Votes
1 The EU should aim to reduce global warming and phase-out fossil fuels by
promoting renewable energy from water, solar, wind, hydrogen, waste and
residues from industry. Member States should cooperate and develop energy
sources on the basis of both national and regional conditions. This includes decentralised
energy production, energy self-sufficient regions and communities and
by using economic instruments and incentives for internationally coordinated
research.
419
Climate change is happening faster than expected. The EU is also too dependent
on its neighbours for energy. In order to tackle the problem, to generate economic
benefits and look after future generations, renewed focus, investment and global
leadership are required of the EU. It is possible. Therefore it must be done.
2 The EU should intensify its efforts towards establishing of a common health care
system, based on know-how from the countries with the most effective systems.
Together with Member States it should implement an equal basic standard of
healthcare for each EU citizen. There should be centralised oversight of
provisions and standards. An independent mechanism for EU wide recognition of
qualifications for medical and health care professionals should be developed and
implemented.
339
All European citizens should have the same right to decent healthcare and
services. Patients should be able to receive treatment in case of illness wherever
they are in the EU. European-level research and databases are vital and
exchanging best practice could improve the health system across Europe.
3 The EU should create the same working conditions and rules for all EU citizens
based on a harmonised Labour Code, harmonising working conditions for
employees, right and obligations for employers. This code should include the right
to decent salaries and working hours, and it should include the principle of equal
pay for equal work between men and women as well as workers from other EU
Member States.
333
European Citizens’ Consultations 2009 Page 6/16
This recommendation is important because it addresses significant differences in
standards between Member States, will lead to improvements in living standards
and bring wide-reaching economic benefits to employees and their families. It will
keep companies in the EU, while allowing workers to enjoy free movement within
the EU labour market and protecting them from abuses.
4 The EU should harmonise European educational and vocational systems by
introducing common criteria and standards for the different educational levels
which are recognised in all Member States. This should include a facilitation of
pupil and student mobility within Europe, uniform admissions procedures,
examinations and evaluations.
306
Simplifying education and vocational systems will make it easier for EU citizens to
access them. It will increase the global competitive advantage of European
workers and make them more flexible in adapting to economic change. It will
enable Europeans to exercise the right to free movement and provide excellent
opportunities to exchange ideas, knowledge and good practice.
5 The EU should create incentives to prevent production entities from moving to
countries with lower wages. The EU should sanction all companies that have
benefited from EU financing and subsidies and which relocate outside the
European Union. It should do this by demanding the reimbursement of public
subsidies given to these companies and introducing taxes that would finance
social plans.
305
Against the background of increasing unemployment, Europe should fight against
unfair competition on the employment market and workers in the EU would then
have a greater chance to keep their jobs. Incentives could attract more
companies and more entrepreneurs to the EU and making them feel jointly
responsible for the well-being of all EU citizens is important.
6 The EU should ensure that agriculture does not have adverse effects on health
and environment and promote food self-sufficiency. This would include the
promotion of sustainable agricultural practices such as organic farming, local food
production, reduced fertiliser and pesticide use. GMOs should be banned except
for medicinal purposes.
300
Healthy agriculture for healthy food is important because health is everything we
have. The soil needs to be protected in order to produce food for future
generations. The protection of natural resources is important if agriculture is to
play its part in the economy, and to avoid Europe being dependent on unreliable
European Citizens’ Consultations 2009 Page 7/16
partners for vital foods.
7 The European Commission must propose legislation that would combat social
inequalities, and create conditions for a convergence of social insurance and
welfare systems in all member states. This would cover salaries and pensions,
and would establish “floors” and “ceilings” for social benefits. The EU should
create a mechanism to monitor member states’ social policies and, if needed,
should issue binding recommendations for member states to ensure that the EU
moves closer to a common EU social system.
296
Some countries in the EU are not providing for peoples’ basic needs and this
needs to be addressed. There is also a need to avoid unfair competition between
Member States. Eliminating social inequalities will help to avoid social unrest and
prevent a brain-drain from poorer to richer countries. Europe also urgently needs
to tackle the aging of its population.
8 The EU should facilitate an accelerated flow of secure information required in the
prevention and detection of crime across member states (e.g. drug trafficking and
human trafficking and paedophilia). Activities should include increased funding
for, and better utilisation of, new integrated technology, closer cooperation
between national police officers.
296
International crime is a growing problem, and criminals are taking advantage of
the right to free movement within the EU and gaps in the information shared
between police forces. Criminals are always one step ahead of law-enforcers and
closer cooperation is needed to keep up with them. No one country can deal with
this on its own.
9 The EU should increase the transparency and accountability of politicians and
civil servants. This could be done through the development of a common code of
conduct for public servants, requiring the disclosure of personal assets and the
criminal record of those who work in European and national institutions, reducing
the legal immunity of policy makers and introducing legislation on lobbying at
national and European level. A Commissioner for Ethics or a European Integrity
Ombudsman could be responsible for these actions.
294
Citizens need to be able to have confidence in their elected officials and civil
servants. It is not just a matter of them complying with the law – they must also
behave in a way that is acceptable – and citizens have a right to know more about
their politicians, civil servants and the role played by lobbyists in the policyEuropean
Citizens’ Consultations 2009 Page 8/16
making process. It is important to provide this information in the most user-friendly
way.
10 The EU should regulate financial markets (actors and products), oversee financial
flows of commercial banks operating in the EU and ensure the stability of these
flows. It should control this regulation via a European central financial supervisory
body or give more power for this to the European Central Bank. It should
introduce common terms and conditions in order to ensure the security of private
savings and the operational capacity of commercial banks.
278
This recommendation is important because of the need to combat bad practices
of the type which have led to the current financial and economic crisis. This crisis
is an opportunity to change the system and this needs to be done across Europe,
to reduce differences between European countries’ approaches. This is
particularly to help avoid future ‘boom and bust’ cycles.
11 The EU should invest more in the quality of all levels of education. Minimum
norms are needed for attractive, affordable, interesting education of a high quality,
with a focus on diversity and innovation in education. This could include
countering illiteracy (by at least 20% by 2020), the early learning of a European
language, help for school drop-outs, improvement of the technical equipment in
schools and the exchange of best practice among EU Member States.
257
Better education is vital to improve people’s lives. Minimum standards would
make it easier for citizens to exercise their right to live and work anywhere in the
EU, and a level playing field is crucial to ensure equal opportunities everywhere,
and prevent social exclusion. There is a need to invest in workers for the sake of
the economy. The future will be decided by today’s students.
12 The EU should strengthen consumer protection policies, including for ecommerce.
It should do this through measures such as systematic controls of
such things as food and pharmaceuticals and imports from outside the EU. There
should be stringent labelling which facilitate comparisons between products and
commodities. The process of complaints and suggestions should be accelerated.
A central control agency which can issue sanctions should also be established.
247
Safeguarding European citizens’ health and to enabling them to make informed
consumer decisions is essential. Consumers are vulnerable without national and
EU authorities providing protection and controlling rogue companies. It is
particularly important to keep up with technological change and not to ‘miss the
boat’ on e-commerce.
European Citizens’ Consultations 2009 Page 9/16
13 For the purposes of disease prevention and the reduction of health risks, the EU
should encourage Member States to place greater emphasis on health promotion.
Funds should be earmarked for compulsory examination of the whole population,
in accordance with the principle "prevention is less expensive that treatment". The
EU should develop global disease prevention campaigns, particularly for HIV,
diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases.
242
European citizens should be able to enjoy a good quality of life for as long as
possible as they get older. The vision of prevention being better than cure is
shared by a great majority of the population. There is great concern about the
risks of viruses crossing borders because of increased mobility. This
recommendation will help focus on research in the health field and empower
patients to make appropriate decisions in relation to their own health.
14 The EU should increase social protection for vulnerable members of society in all
phases of life, such as elderly people, the disabled or poorer members of society,
homeless and unemployed, as well as carers. It should rate countries’ spending
of GDP and impose enforceable targets for member states in the fight against
poverty. These measures should be given particular attention in times of
economic recession.
233
This is urgent because of the impact of the economic crisis on jobs and to prevent
social unrest at such a difficult time. Solidarity between social groups is also
important and people have a fundamental right to live in dignity. It is necessary to
ensure that those who cannot afford to pay for social services are helped to do
so. We need to think about a better future.
15 In order to deal more effectively with illegal immigration, the EU should take on
overall strategic and financial responsibility for the strengthening of external
border controls, including the faster processing of cases and standardisation of
treatment of people in transit. The EU should take measures to avoid countries on
its external borders becoming over-burdened by an influx of migrants. The EU
member states must ensure that illegal immigrants are not offered jobs in the grey
economy.
226
The burden on countries most affected by illegal immigration, especially border
countries, needs to be shared, since neither small nor large countries can deal
effectively with the problem. The treatment of illegal migrants needs to be
addressed, particularly to avoid the risk that they end up in ghettos or are the
subject of racist attacks. The grey economy also hurts wages and jobs in the real
economy. It is necessary to act now to avoid greater problems in the future.
European Citizens’ Consultations 2009 Page 10/16
About the Participants
Demographic Information on the Participants
A total of 1605 citizens took part in the national consultations. The following graphs give some further
information on the demographic background of the participants:
Gender
49%
51%
Men
Woman
Age Groups
32%
38%
30%
up to 35
36-55
more than 56
European Citizens’ Consultations 2009 Page 11/16
Socio-Economic Background
9%
49%
11%
5%
9%
17%
In education
Employed
Self-employed
At home
Unemployed
Retired
Country Number of
participants
Country Number of
participants
Austria 43 Latvia 33
Belgium 49 Lithuania 36
Bulgary 50 Luxemburg 31
Czech Republic 52 Malta 30
Cyprus 30 Netherlands 44
Denmark 44 Poland 105
Estonia 25 Portugal 50
Finland 70 Romania 53
France 100 Slovakia 52
Germany 146 Slovenia 30
Greece 43 Spain 99
Hungary 52 Sweden 91
Ireland 50 United Kingdom 100
Italy 97
European Citizens’ Consultations 2009 Page 12/16
Impressions from the European Citizens’
Consultations
Hans-Gert Pöttering, President of the European Parliament:
"With less than one month to go before the European Parliament elections on 4-7 June, this huge
exercise in consulting citizens right across the 27 Member States is making an important contribution to
informing the electorate about the important role the EU plays in their daily lives. More than 100 MEPs
and candidate MEPs were involved in discussing the citizens’ recommendations for action with them. I'm
sure that this was two-way communication with citizens, letting law-makers know which issues concern
them most, and parliamentarians taking this on board and informing citizens what the European
Parliament can do for them."
José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission:
“European Citizens’ Consultations provide a unique opportunity for the public to discuss their concerns
and ideas with each other, and with policy-makers. They inform and enrich the debate on how to shape
effective policies to address the challenges we face, adding to the information we get from opinion polls
and consultations with stakeholders.”
Luana, 30, Roma, participants at the Italian consultation:
"This is an experience in democracy coming from the people, from the grass-roots. I hope that in the
future citizens can be involved in policy-making."
Micha• Dowgielewicz, Secretary of State of the Committee for European Integration, Poland:
“It is very important not to discuss the EU as an abstract body, but as something for you…I think that
these consultations will have a big importance on setting the priorities of the EU for you and for the
coming years.”
Astrid Thors, Minister of Migration and European Affairs, Finland:
"Progress has been made in comparison to ECC 2007, both in structure and content."
László Kovács, EU Commissioner for Taxation and Customs Union:
“The EU cannot function without citizens - and it does not matter what the politicians decide, if the citizens
are not satisfied. If we are giving our opinion, then no one can tell us that it was Brussels forcing it on us.”
Erhard, 60, Rietberg, participants at the German consultation:
"To me, the most important question is whether our recommendations can make a difference in the EU
and how big our influence as citizens will be on political decisions in Europe."
Caroline Flint, Minister for Europe, UK:
"This is part of a mammoth exercise about what the EU should... and shouldn't do."
"This is your chance... Too often there's a view that the EU takes things away rather than adding
something to it."
Daphné, 36, Charleroi, participants at the Belgian consultation:
"This event allows me to feel a real citizen and to do more than just go voting."
Valdis Zatlers, President of Latvia:
“A forum like yours proves that every citizen thinks about ways of improvement – not only nongovernmental
organizations and politicians, but every citizen!”
European Citizens’ Consultations 2009 Page 13/16
Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Health:
“This event provides an opportunity for participants to express their views as to what the EU can offer
them and what they believe is lacking - because we really want to open this dialogue with the European
citizens.”
Beatriz, 28, participants at the Spanish consultation:
"We can't think about improving our life quality without taking into consideration the countries surrounding
us."
Frank Heemskerk, Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, the Netherlands:
"I absolutely disagree with those who say that international political questions are too complicated for
citizens to understand. Initiatives such as this one, citizens' consultations, are more than useful."
Maria Teresa Ribeiro, Secretary of State for European Affairs, Portugal:
“The Portuguese government is proud to be associated with this consultation of citizens. We believe that
Europe’s economic and social future has to be build by all of us. [...] We look forward to reading your
deliberations and taking them into account in formulating future policy.”
Dick Roche, Minister of State for European Affairs, Ireland:
“Today is not a day for political speeches. Today is a day for political listening…We will listen with great
interest – not just to what you say here this weekend but what comes out of this process.”
Dimitrios Sioufas, President of the Greek Parliament:
"This effort shows that we care for the common path and the common future of Europe. This consultation
will send a message to the EU Member States and the EU."
Aleksandra Gesheva, Sofia, participants at the Bulgarian consultation:
"It is an extraordinary experience - I didn't expect it! People are speaking freely in public, and not in their
living rooms. I saw faith, I saw hope."
Margot Wallström, Vice President of the European Commission:
"My maybe naïve, but firm, conviction is that ECC will help the European Union to make better decisions,
better anchored with citizens."
European Citizens’ Consultations 2009 Page 14/16
What happens with these results?
At the European Citizens Summit which was held in Brussels on May 10-11 2009, 150 citizens who
attended their national consultations discussed the European recommendations, as well as the feasibility
and policy relevance of their recommendations. This report was then handed over to and discussed with
the heads of the European Institutions and the leaders of European political parties:
Hans-Gert Pöttering, President, European Parliament
José Manuel Barroso, President, European Commission
Mario Sepi, President, European Economic and Social Committee
Wilfried Martens, President, European People’s Party
Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, President, European Socialist Party
Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck, President, European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party
Philippe Lamberts, President, European Green Party
Margot Wallström, Vice-President, European Commission
Olivier Chastel, State Secretary of European Affairs, Belgium
The European Citizens’ Summit also marked the start of a comprehensive follow-up process,
including regional outreach debates, designed to actively communicate the results to policy-makers at
the national and European level and disseminate the results to the broader public and civil society,
following the European elections and as a new European Commission prepares to take office. This will be
an important step in cementing the importance of citizen participation in policy-making and in furthering
the reach of the European Citizens’ Consultations 2009.
European Citizens’ Consultations 2009 Page 15/16
Contacts
For further information about the European Citizens’ Consultations, please contact the project coordinator:
Stefan Schäfers
European Programme Advisor
King Baudouin Foundation
Rue Brederodestraat 21
B-1000 Brussels
Belgium
E-Mail: schaefers.s@kbs-frb.be
Media Contact:
Maria Laura Franciosi
Tel: +32 475 244697
franciosi@brusselsreporter.eu
European Consortium
King Baudouin Foundation
Project coordination, co-funding and project lead
European Movement International
European Citizens Summit, Regional outreach
events in autumn 2009 and stakeholder outreach
Centre d’information sur l’Europe and La
Netscouade
Online outreach and website design
European Policy Centre
Policy advice and fact sheets for citizens, European
Citizens Summit
European Journalism Centre
Media outreach
European Citizen Action Service
Civil society outreach
Fondation pour les Générations Futures
Coordination of academic and evaluation activities
IFOK
Process design and support
B&B Consultants
Coordination recruitment of citizens
National Partners
Austria: Centre for Social Innovation
Regina Brandstetter, brandstetter@zsi.at
Belgium: King Baudouin Foundation
Nele Verbruggen, verbruggen.n@kbs-frb.be
Bulgaria: Centre for Liberal Strategies
Yana Papazova, yana@cls-sofia.org
Cyprus: Index Research and Dialogue
Yiouli Taki, yiouli.index@cytanet.com.cy
Czech Republic: Partners Czech, o. p. s.
Karoline Kuncova,
Karolina.Kuncova@partnersczech.cz
Denmark: Danish Cultural Institute
Olaf Gerlach Hansen, ogh@dankultur.dk
Latvia: Centre for Public Policy PROVIDUS
Dace Akule, akule@providus.lv
Lithuania: Baltic Partners for Change Management
Gaila Muceniekas, gaila@partnersbaltic.lt
Luxemburg: Université de Luxembourg, Etudes
sociologiques et politiques
Raphaël Kies, raphael.kies@uni.lu
Malta: Malta Regional Development and Dialogue
Foundation, Brian Restall, info@mrddf.org
Netherlands: Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen
Monique Leyenaar, m.leyenaar@fm.ru.nl
Poland: Partners Polska
Maciej Tanski, maciej.tanski@partnerspolska.pl
European Citizens’ Consultations 2009 Page 16/16
Estonia: Open Estonia Foundation
Kadri Ollino, kadri@oef.org.ee
Finland: Svenska Studiecentralen
Sebastian Gripenberg,
sebastian.gripenberg@ssc.fi
France: Civisme et démocratie
David Oger, oger@cidem.org
Germany: IFOK GmbH
Fiona Wollensack, fiona.wollensack@ifok.de
Greece: Institute of Statistical Research, Analysis
and Documentation
John Panaretos, opan@aueb.gr
Hungary: Partners Hungary Foundation
Janos Wagner, partners@partnershungary.hu
Ireland: National Forum on Europe
Grace O'Reagan, goreagan@forumoneurope.ie
Italy: Cittadinanzattiva
Melody Ross, m.ross@activecitizenship.net
Portugal: Instituto Estratégico de Estudos
Internacionais
Rita Pais, rp@ieei.pt
Romania: Romanian Academic Society
Suzana Dobre, suzana@sar.org.ro
Slovakia: Partners for Democratic Change Slovakia,
Samuel Abre, samuel@pdcs.sk
Slovenia: Centre of non-governmental organisations of
Slovenia
Alenka Blazinšek, cnvos@mail.ljudmila.org
Spain: Luis Vives Foundation
Alia Chahin Martín, a.chahin@fundacionluisvives.org
Sweden: University of Örebro
Erik Amna, erik.amna@sam.oru.se
United Kingdom: Involve
Edward Andersson, edward@involve.org.uk