Europe asks citizens to help shape continent’s future

European Parliament President David Sassoli, Portugal Prime Minister António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have signed the joint declaration on the Conference on the Future of Europe, paving the way to beginning a series of discussions and debates that will allow for people from all corners of Europe to share ideas on how to build the continent moving forward.

The conference, which aims to give citizens a bigger part in shaping EU ambitions and policies, will create a new public forum for the Union to learn what citizens want Europe to be like. The debates on the forum will be inclusive, open, structured and transparent.

The joint declaration signed Wednesday gives an open-ended list of possible themes for the conference, mentioning how to strengthen democratic processes governing the EU, social fairness, health, digital transformation, climate change and the EU’s role in the world. However, it is participating citizens who will decide the topics to discuss.

PM Costa said in a press release, “The convening of the Conference on the Future of Europe is a message of confidence and hope for the future that we send to Europeans. Confidence that we will overcome the pandemic and the crisis; hope that together we will build a fair, green and digital future Europe.”

European citizens and stakeholders will be able to use an interactive multilingual digital platform to submit ideas online. The digital platform will also help them participate in or organize events.

“Today we are inviting all Europeans to speak up,” commented President von der Leyen. “To say what Europe they want to live in, to shape it and join forces to help us build it.”

She added, “Citizens’ expectations are clear: they want to have their say on the future of Europe, on matters which affect their lives. Our promise today is equally clear: we will listen. And then, we will act.”

The conference will be utilizing several fora, including digital, and where possible and following COVID-19 rules, also physical formats.

President Sassoli remarked, “Today marks a new start for the European Union and for all European citizens. The Conference on the future of Europe will be a unique opportunity for all European citizens and our civil society to shape Europe’s future, a common project for a functioning European democracy. We call on all of you to come forward to participate with your voice to building what will be tomorrow’s Europe, what will be YOUR Europe.”