By Jessica Reed in Brussels
I am still blogging from the European Citizens Consultation on its second and final day. As you may have read yesterday, the participants chose a list of three topics they considered essential for Europe´s well being. This morning they were asked to refine those suggestions by gathering in groups and construct short, simpe sentences that would summarise their feelings and ideas on the issues. I must say the end result is really impressive, as the groups have brought those topics to life with a real, optimistic, inspiring vision. After just one day of intensive brainstorming, those 200 European citizens from eclectic backgrounds and different experiences, language and culture have agreed on core topics that they demand be treated seriously by our leaders - not only for us, but also for our future generations. Now let´s just hope those voices will truly be heard not only at the National Consultations which will take place in a few months, but also heard by policy makers and European MPs alike.
Here are the participants´suggestions:
I. Environement and energy. We want a Europe that...
... is a role model for a clean, sustainable and independent world
… provides information and communication to all citizens concerning the enviromental impact of all products and produtions
… promotes sustainable development by being at the forefront of a global quest for alternative, clean, and renewable sources of energy to ensure that today's world exists for tomorrow's generations
… presents and produces a positive, renewable energy with low pollution content independently from non-EU states
… respects itself in order to be energetically independent, cleaner, greener - a Europe that breathes
... self sufficient Europe in the field of energy policy where our grandchildren and their grandchildren can live and work and be healthy
…that can breathe freely, and uses the latest technology
... takes care for and invests in finding new natural & renewable energy sources
... reconciles the economy and the environment, to offer a clean, safe and wealthy space for our children and their descendents
II. Social Welfare and family. We want a Europe that...
… guarantees equal chances in all areas
… offers equal opportunities for all citizens, actively supports its citizens and where the countries learn from each other in an international dialogue
… raises social welfare systems in poorer countries, promotes gender equality and stronger child protection laws
… offers all citizens a pleasant life, sufficient social welfare, diminishes differences, pays special attention to family needs
… gives everybody the possibility to live under conditions of dignity if they participate at his own capacities and abilities
… promotes equality and fairness and supports the financial and social needs of the modern family
… gives all children an equal chance
… cares for the citizen from birth to death covering education, family life, sickness, and social problems at the right price for the citizen
… where everybody can live together as in a family - with dignity and financial peace of mind, now and in the future
III. Global role, outside borders, immigration. We want a Europe that...
… is a strong, globally influencial europe with exactly set borders, that everybody can cross, but nobody can break
… is respected and respectful
… stays a confederation of states, follows a common foreign policy, is peaceful and follows the rule of law
… is a role model for the world
… protected borders and common external policies that does not isolate us from the rest of the world and is respected by everyone
… acts as a united, strong, independent and proud player on the global level and is open to accept professionally qualified workers from non-member countries
… We want a Europa which is characterized by liberty, equality, responsability, mutual respect and freedom of speech
… is safe, secures freedom and plays an important role in the world
