Leading article

Created at the end of World War II to establish lasting peace, the European project was founded on the commonly shared values of democracy, rule of law, solidarity and respect for human dignity and diversity. This project enabled the building of a unique and innovative model of economic and political integration. However, the process is now suffering from a lack of commitment from citizens many of whom notice the gap between themselves and EU institutions.

Confronted with this reality, European institutions, and particularly the Commission, introduced various initiatives aiming at better inform and communicate on Europe.

Currently underthe process of ratification, the Treaty of Lisbon took into account the necessity for a greater implication of citizens to European life. Article 8b explicitly acknowledges the principle of participatory democracy. It thus meets the strong demand of many in European civil society for an "open, transparent and regular dialogue with representative associations and civil society". As a result real efforts from institutions to achieve it are now on the agenda.

Aware of the regrettable withering of popular support to the European process, associative actors are also working to provide innovative solutions. Advocating for the necessity of introducing more participatory processes of democracy, European associations and NGOs are central players to act as spokespeople for citizens and communicate with European institutions. Besides their important socio-economic role, associations thus fulfil an essential civic function and actively help to rehabilitate politics. It is most important to make visible and promote the actions of these organisations, whose commitment helps give a new lease on democratic life to a Europe expected to renew itself

In this context, the European Civic Forum is holding the European civic days "Mobility, Dialogue, Participation : towards an active European citizenship" on the 4th, 5th, 6th of September 2008.  It is supported by the European Commission as a high visibility event of the "Europe for citizens" programme, and takes place within the French presidency of the EU. These days are also in line with the programme of public debate "Paroles d’Européens !" by the French State Secretary for European Affairs.

This European and citizen event is an invitation to debate on European issues in order to promote a more civic and popular ownership of the European arena,

Jean-Marc Roirant
President of the European Civic Forum