Commissie gaat Europees burgerschap actief bevorderen met reeks evenementen (en)

The European Commission is launching a new series of events concentrating on European citizenship. The first will be the "European Civic Days", taking place in La Rochelle, France, from 4 to 6 September 2008. More than 1,500 people are expected to participate in this event, which will discuss European citizenship and strengthening civil dialogue in Europe. It will bring together a wide range of interested parties from associations and non-governmental organisations, officials from local, regional, national and European institutions as well as specialists on European citizenship. Focussing on mobility, the programme includes exchanges, discussions, workshops and examples of concrete initiatives and best practices.

The European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth, Ján Figel i, said: "The European project needs the involvement of its people at all levels if it is to stay a success. It is vital for European citizens to be actively involved, especially in the debates and the reflections on the future of Europe. This new series of citizenship events, beginning with the one in La Rochelle, are a welcome way to strengthen this process under the rotating presidencies of the European Union".

The EU and its Member States have recognised the need for greater involvement of European citizens in the construction of Europe. The EU programme "Europe for citizens" promotes civic participation, the emergence of a sense of belonging to the European project, the development of a European identity as well as tolerance and mutual understanding. As of September 2008, it will support two major citizenship events a year, one under each presidency of the EU.

The organisation of the first such event has been entrusted to the European Civic Forum, in the context of the French EU presidency. These "European Civic Days" are organised in La Rochelle under the slogan "Mobility, Dialogue and Participation: towards an active European citizenship". The inaugural ceremony and the opening of a 'European village of associations' on 4 September will be followed by thematic workshops, showcasing examples of concrete actions to promote European citizenship.

The opening of the event will also be attended by the French State Secretary for European Affairs Jean-Pierre Jouyet.

For more information about the event, the programme and online registration, see:

http://www.forumciviqueeuropeen.org/inscriptionfce.php?lang=en