Citizens’ dialogues. It’s about Europe, it’s about you: join the debate

The economic and financial crisis has triggered bold reforms in the European Union, with further big changes still to come. More and more decisions that directly affect the lives of citizens are now taken at European level. The democratic structures of our Union, therefore, have to be strengthened further. Citizens need to feel confident that their voices count. That is why, in September 2012, the European Commission started the Citizens’ Dialogues.

President José Manuel Barroso and most Commissioners took part in the first series of 51 debates, held in all Member States to listen to citizens and to talk to them directly – about their expectations and ideas for the future of Europe. From the first debate in Cadiz to a unique Pan-European Dialogue in Brussels bringing together participants from previous events, the discussions had a European character: They were usually held with other European as well as national, regional and local politicians. And they inspired similar events initiated in several Member States.

An analysis of this series of Citizens’ Dialogues shows how they are helping to develop a European public space: a space in which we talk with each other, not about each other. We have started a debate. We need to keep it going. Citizens’ voices count and we must continue to listen as we further enhance democracy at European level. Let us move this debate forward, with many more Citizens’ Dialogues. At European, national, regional, local level. For an even broader, truly European debate on the future of the European Union.

European Commission: DG Communication: Citizens' Dialogues as a Contribution to Developing a European Public Space, 2014 http://ec.europa.eu/debate-future-europe/citizens-dialogues/belgium/brussels3/dialogue_en.pdf

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