How to reform the European Institutions so they can better meet the public's expectations?, Sopot

De langste pier van Europa in Sopot, Polen.
Rafal Konkolewski
date September 26, 2013
city Sopot, Poland
organisation European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) i

Sopot, Poland

This year, once again, the European Economic and Social Committee will be a partner of the yearly European Forum for New Ideas held in Sopot (Poland) with a dedicated panel discussion on How to reform the European institutions so they can better meet public expectations.

The debate will focus primarily on measures that the EU institutions can easily carry out to boost day-to-day public participation in European policy-making, with one main aim: to draw up a list of short- and long-term mechanisms that will help EU institutions to achieve this goal.

Preparatory work started in June. Think-tanks, representatives of the European institutions, journalists and EESC members exchanged views on this issue and drew up a number of proposals. These will be presented and debated during the panel discussion. Three key themes have been identified:

  • - 
    Europe must "connect with its people";
  • - 
    in connecting with its people, Europe should make the most of opportunities offered by new technologies;
  • - 
    a debate must now be launched on the kind of Europe that Europeans want to see and the reforms that are required.

The speakers will include Henri Malosse, President of the European Economic and Social Committee, Philippe Cayla, President of Euronews Development and the driving force behind the "Let me vote" European citizen's initiative, which seeks to reduce the democratic deficit by extending the voting rights of EU citizens living abroad to regional and national elections, and Heather Smith, President of "Rock the Vote", an American non-profit organisation that aims "to engage and build political power for young people".

Contents

  1. European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)
  2. More about...

1.

European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is an EU advisory body comprising representatives of workers' and employers' organisations and other interest groups. It issues opinions on EU issues to the European Commission, the Council of the EU and the European Parliament, thus acting as a bridge between the EU's decision-making institutions and EU citizens.

What does the EESC do?

It gives the interest groups a formal say on EU legislative proposals. Its 3 key tasks are to:

  • - 
    ensure that EU policy and law are geared to economic and social conditions, by seeking a consensus that serves the common good

2.

More about...