Within the framework of the seminar on “Citizen Matters. Views and Perspectives on European Citizenship”, organised by MEP Mr Fernando Maura, Rapporteur of the Europe for Citizens programme at the European Parliament, ALDA was invited as one of the main European stakeholders in the field of citizen participation to showcase its multiannual expertise in promoting participatory democracy.
The event gathered together MEPs, representatives of the DG Communication managing the programme Europe for Citizens, academics and practitioners to debate and exchange experience on the relation between citizen participation and the sustainability and further development of the EU project. The seminar was an occasion to analyse the threats of today’s increasing skepticism towards the integration process in the EU and reflect upon new means in bridging the gap between citizens and the EU institutions.
Antonella Valmorbida, Secretary General of ALDA, invited the panelists and the audience to reflect upon the need of strengthening the sense of belonging to the EU project. “We can do so by promoting the feeling of sharing a common destiny”, she stated. This objective is far from being met and the simple existence of the institutions gives us the wrong impression that we achieved this common destiny.
Particular attention was put on the necessity of considering democracy as a continuous struggle. Within this framework, Ms Valmorbida showcased ALDA’s multiannual work in promoting the cooperation between civil society and local authorities. “We must not only equip citizens with the tools and skills to participate in public life, we must also make sure that participation is accepted by working at the level of local authorities” was her final remark.
Within the framework of the seminar on “Citizen Matters. Views and Perspectives on European Citizenship”, organised by MEP Mr Fernando Maura, Rapporteur of the Europe for Citizens programme at the European Parliament, ALDA was invited as one of the main European stakeholders in the field of citizen participation to showcase its multiannual expertise in promoting participatory democracy.
The event gathered together MEPs, representatives of the DG Communication managing the programme Europe for Citizens, academics and practitioners to debate and exchange experience on the relation between citizen participation and the sustainability and further development of the EU project. The seminar was an occasion to analyse the threats of today’s increasing skepticism towards the integration process in the EU and reflect upon new means in bridging the gap between citizens and the EU institutions.
Antonella Valmorbida, Secretary General of ALDA, invited the panelists and the audience to reflect upon the need of strengthening the sense of belonging to the EU project. “We can do so by promoting the feeling of sharing a common destiny”, she stated. This objective is far from being met and the simple existence of the institutions gives us the wrong impression that we achieved this common destiny.
Particular attention was put on the necessity of considering democracy as a continuous struggle. Within this framework, Ms Valmorbida showcased ALDA’s multiannual work in promoting the cooperation between civil society and local authorities. “We must not only equip citizens with the tools and skills to participate in public life, we must also make sure that participation is accepted by working at the level of local authorities” was her final remark.