The “Conference on the Future of Europe” officially launched in Strasbourg, is a significant democratic event that must be honored appropriately. As French citizens, thus Europeans, we are obliged to participate!
Amplified further by the ongoing pandemic, economic, social, environmental, as well as migratory, political, diplomatic, and security challenges have multiplied and can only be addressed by relying, beyond governing bodies, on the ambitions and support of European Union citizens.
After years marked by managing successive crises, it is urgent to assess the successes, failures, and limitations of European integration and to define the type of organization we want for ourselves and future Union generations.
We call on you to share your expectations, doubts, and proposals to co-construct our common future towards 2025-2030.
Just like referenda, electoral polls are a good gauge of what the majority of us wants or rejects, but they cannot be the sole tools of our citizen expression.
If the participation level in the last European elections reflected the growing interest of French and European citizens in their Union, the Conference dedicated to its future offers them a unique opportunity to extend this momentum and play a more active role – an opportunity that should be fully seized!
The European Movement, the Young Europeans, and their networks will ensure that political leaders place civil society at the heart of this Conference and deliver on the promises they make. This initiative must lead to an authentic debate where every voice expressed is heard, even to engage with dissenting voices, in pursuit of major compromises that advance Europe, “united in diversity.”
As the leading civil society player in France on European issues, the European Movement-France will actively contribute to the success of this democratic event and mobilize to facilitate access and participation for as many people as possible.
Our Movement will naturally contribute to this grand debate by making proposals to promote a more democratic Europe, closer to local areas and youth, stronger, more solidarity-focused, and more sustainable, and will ensure that concrete follow-ups are provided by our national and European leaders.
Yves Bertoncini, President of the European Movement France, Odile Menozzi, President of ME 06
