Panorama talked to Anguel Beremliysky, who works at DG REGIO and is currently a member of the Common Secretariat of the Conference on the Future of Europe, about the event in general with a focus on how regions and cities can get involved and why they really should.
The Conference on the Future of Europe has recently created a lot of media attention – can you give us a brief overview of the initiative please.
This Conference is an innovative, bottom-up and pan-European initiative, which aims to give citizens, civil society, and all other stakeholders, including local, regional and national authorities, a greater say in EU policymaking. This is an unprecedented exercise for the EU. We are creating a space where citizens can debate on a par with elected representatives to define Europe’s future. Although this has never been tried before, we are confident it will strengthen both our European Union and our representative democracy.
This Conference’s aims sound similar to many other past activities, which have enjoyed varying degrees of success. What is unique about it, which will increase its chances of success?
First, this is the central role for citizens in deliberations at all levels, through the platform and through the European Citizens’ Panels and their participation in the Conference Plenary.
Second, it is truly innovative, using advanced civic tech tools, such as the platform. It is fully interactive and multilingual: people can engage with one another and discuss their proposals with fellow citizens from all Member States, in the EU's 24 official languages. People from all walks of life and in large numbers are encouraged to contribute via the platform to shaping their future, as well as promoting their ideas on social media channels,
The Conference’s added value also rests on the fact that the European Parliament, Council and Commission have committed to following up on citizens’ proposals, going beyond a mere listening exercise. The three institutions are working hand in hand – the Conference is a joint EU initiative to which they are committed, through the Joint Declaration, to following up on the outcome of the Conference.
And, last but not least, there is no predetermined outcome and no limit on its scope for predefined policy areas.
What expertise do you personally bring to this exercise? Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I would underline three main elements: communication skills, knowledge, and direct experience with national and local authorities – thanks to the Cohesion Policy – as well as a strong belief in citizens’ genuine and meaningful participation in shaping and implementing public policies.
How does the multilingual digital platform work and who can join the discussion?
Launched on 19 April, the multilingual digital platform is already attracting a lot of interest and thousands of participants and contributions. It provides a public space for contributions, views and proposals on any of the nine topics proposed as well as providing for a 10th ‘open’ topic. Citizens, civil society organisations, and local and regional authorities can put forward their own ideas, comment on other people's input, and organise and participate in events. The platform is the Conference's central hub, a place where all contributions and events are brought together and shared in a transparent manner. A specialised feedback mechanism will analyse the key points raised and the resulting input will feed into the European Citizens' Panels and Conference Plenaries.
More concretely, there are three ways to contribute through the platform:
The platform also provides a set of useful material and guides, including toolkits, for event organisers. All contributions and events must abide by the Conference Charter, which respects the EU’s fundamental values and sets out the Conference principles.
How can regions and cities across the EU get involved? What role can they play?
Their active engagement is essential for the success of the Conference. They have a very important role to play in this truly bottom-up European democratic exercise and must seize the opportunity to shape the Future of Europe. The Conference is counting on their mobilisation and active participation, both directly and through networks and communities throughout Europe and, ultimately, involving the citizens and promoting events, including citizens’ panels, and active participation in discussions on the platform. Only this will ensure a wide and meaningful participation and contribution to shaping Europe’s future.
The future is in your hands!
Concretely, what is the expected outcome of all of this?
The Conference’s ultimate goal is to give citizens a greater role in shaping EU policies and ambitions, improving the Union's resilience to crises, be they economic or health related. This will be done through a new public forum for an open, inclusive, transparent, and structured debate with Europeans around the issues that matter to them and affect their everyday lives. Based on the ideas shared on the platform, recommendations from the citizens’ panels and plenary meetings, the final outcome of the Conference will be presented in a report to the presidents of the three EU institutions – the Parliament, Council and Commission. These institutions will examine swiftly how to follow up effectively on this report, each within their own sphere of competences and in accordance with the EU Treaties.
