Antonella Valmorbida member of the Steering Committee of Civil Society Convention

While the Conference on the Future of Europe is approaching, on March 4^th took place the first meeting on the Civil Society Convention on the Future of Europe. Among the outcomes, we are proud to underline that the Convention has elected – together with other six representatives – our Secretary General Antonella Valmorbida as a member of the Steering Committee, which will be in charge of leading the thematic groups. The latter will focus on environmental issues, as well as social equality and the political areas identified in the Joint Declaration – just to mentioned a few.

The aim of the said meeting was to define both an agenda and a working programme while discussing on the Governance of the Convention. Overall, the Civil Society Convention on the Future of Europe is intended to function as a link between the CSOs and the Institutions, so that to make sure that citizens’ proposals and concerns will be heard, while looking for effective solutions to overcome challenges of today and tomorrow.

“Only civil society organisations can make EU institutions and national governments accountable for a truly participative and democratic conference”

Furthermore, the Convention, also through the Joint Declaration, which has been endorsed by 72 organisations involved at pan-European level, will participate with two representatives to the Interinstitutional Plenary of the Conference on the Future of Europe. Thus, as Jean Marc Roirant, President of Civil Society Europe, said in an article published on Civil Society Europe website: “only civil society organisations can make EU institutions and national governments accountable for a truly participative and democratic conference, but also for its follow up through policy, legislative and if needed Treaty change” 

Finally, during the March 4^th event, two co-chairs have been elected as well: Alexandrina Najmowicz, Secretary General of the European Civic Forum and Milosh Ristovski, Secretary General of JEF Europe, the Young European Federalists. Their role will be that of representing the Convention towards the Executive Board of the Conference on the Future of Europe, while supervising the overall agenda.

Being actively involved in such a fruitful and dynamic pan-European reality can only be a great occasion for ALDA to increase and strength its network, while reaffirm its position as a strategic partner when it comes to democracy and citizens’ participation.

Useful links:

• Read the Joint Declaration
• Link to Convention news on Civil Society Europe
• Read our previous news on that