Workshops: special moments to exchange and debate

Friday 5th of September was dedicated to workshops aiming to further analyze the notion of active citizenship. The issues developed within each workshop were carefully defined after having consulted associations and NGOs, in order to meet associative leaders and European citizens' expectations as closely as possible.

Workshop meetings also enabled to exchange and better understand by means of concrete examples how this circular dynamic - mobility, dialogue, participation - is encouraged by town twinning, associations and NGOs working closer to citizens. Particular attention has been paid to the youth and to the role of associations and NGOs acting as intermediate bodies bringing citizens closer to European institutions. Debates also gave participants a highlight on topical issues such as the Treaty of Lisbon and the 2009 European elections.

Workshops took place in two sessions, one in the morning, and the other in the afternoon. Each workshop has been mediated by a President and the conclusions have been registered by a rapporteur. The issues of the workshop and key notions were presented first, followed by discussions between participants leading to concrete recommendations.

However, thematic paths will be proposed in order to insure coherent and detailed discussions, adapted to everyone's needs: mobility, dialogue and participation.

You may download the synthesis of some speeches that we have been addressed by the participants