Future of Europe : Over the past months, a total of 800 citizens took part in four European citizens’ panels to prepare recommendations on how the EU should tackle the challenges it faces in different areas. Each panel met twice over two weekends – firstly at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, and then online.
The participants in the panels spoke with experts, identified issues and formed sub-groups to discuss possible solutions to European challenges. They will finalise their recommendations during a third round of meetings that should take place in cities across Europe.
When and where will the next panels take place?
There will also be Conference plenary sessions where representatives of the panels will introduce their ideas to the members of the EU institutions, national parliaments and governments and other stakeholders.
The other panels’ meetings and Conference plenaries are scheduled as follows:Meetings of citizens’ panels and Conference plenaries
- 10-12 December, Panel 2 (European democracy, values, rights, rule of law, security), Florence, Italy
- 17-18 December – Conference Plenary, Strasbourg, France
- 7-9 January 2022, Panel 3 (Climate change, environment, health), Natolin, Poland
- 14-16 January, Panel 4 (EU in the world, migration), Maastricht, Netherlands
- 21-22 January – Conference Plenary, Strasbourg, France
Due to the evolving situation around Covid-19 and the precautionary health measures in Ireland, the session of Panel 1 scheduled for 3-5 December in Dublin has been postponed. As soon as circumstances allow, the meeting will be rescheduled.
What are the next steps?
The Conference on the Future of Europe is a unique process which aims to turn citizens’ ideas for Europe into commitments for EU institutions to implement.
The recommendations of citizens’ panels and the ideas that people share on the Conference online platform will form the basis for discussions at the Conference plenaries where citizens meet with representatives of the EU institutions, national parliaments, regional and local authorities and civil society.
The final report of the Conference will be prepared by the executive board that includes members of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission as well as observers. The report will be prepared in full collaboration with the plenary and will have to receive its approval. The Parliament, Council and the Commission will then follow up on the report’s conclusions.
