EESC Corner – Active Citizenship Is More Than Free Movement and Rights

“Civil society is one of the ways in which our human nature can be exercised in its entirety.”
— Václav Havel

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), as a representative of the organised civil society, has taken the opportunity and developed an opinion on European Year of Citizens (rapporteur Andris Gobiņš), highlighting participatory democracy and calling for better reflection of citizens ́ needs.

The current proposal for a decision on this thematic year places too much importance on the free movement of individuals and the rights they should enjoy in a cross-border context. The EESC believes that the main aim for this year should be a subject that is particularly topical for individuals, namely how EU policies match up with the values, interests and needs of its citizens.

It is possible to achieve this goal by fully implementing the provisions on strengthening democracy laid down in the Lisbon Treaty, i.e. by emphasizing, in particular, the informed participation of all EU citizens at all levels and at every stage of the decision-making process, on all aspects of active citizenship, as well as on European awareness and a feeling of belonging to Europe and on peace, freedom, the rule of law, equality, solidarity and respect for human rights.

In order to better reflect the basic priorities of the 2013 European Year and to avoid any uncertainty or confusion regarding the main idea behind the thematic year, the EESC proposes making its title the European Year of active and participatory citizenship. Working closely with its Liaison Group with European civil society organisations and networks the Committee proposes forming a particularly broad coalition of CSOs to help organise this thematic year.

In preparing to launch the 2013 European Year, the EESC is determined to embark on and implement a large-scale programme of participation, transparency and innovation capable of showing society and the EU “Civil society is one of the ways in which our human nature can be exercised in its entirety.” Václav Havel

The Year 2013 will mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of European Union citizenship under the Treaty of Maastricht. The European Commission has designated 2013 as the European Year of Citizens. The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), as a representative of the organised civil society, has taken the opportunity and developed an opinion on European Year of Citizens (rapporteur Andris Gobiņš), highlighting participatory democracy and calling for better reflection of citizens ́ needs. The current proposal for a decision on this thematic year places too much importance on the free movement of individuals and the rights they should enjoy in a cross-border context.

The EESC believes that the main aim for this year should be a subject that is particularly topical for individuals, namely how EU policies match up with the values, interests and needs of its citizens. It is possible to achieve this goal by fully implementing the provisions on strengthening democracy laid down in the Lisbon Treaty, i.e. by emphasizing, in particular, the informed participation of all EU citizens at all levels and at every stage of the decision-making process, on all aspects of active citizenship, as well as on European awareness and a feeling of belonging to Europe and on peace, freedom, the rule of law, equality, solidarity and respect for human rights.

In order to better reflect the basic priorities of the 2013 European Year and to avoid any uncertainty or confusion regarding the main idea behind the thematic year, the EESC proposes making its title the European Year of active and participatory institutions the advantages to be gained from involving the broader public.

Vladimíra Drbalová
Member of the EESC