The Institute for International and European Affairs (IIEA) in Dublin (Ireland) will host, as part of the Conference on the Future of Europe, around 200 European citizens in Dublin Castle on 25-27 February. The European Citizens Panel on ‘ a stronger economy, social justice and jobs / education, culture, youth and sport / digital transformation’ has already met twice to work on its recommendations – in Strasbourg in September and online in November.
The Panels’ five work streams are: Working in Europe, An Economy for the Future, A Just Society, Learning in Europe, and An Ethical and Safe Digital Transformation. Once finalised, its recommendations will be debated at the Conference Plenary meeting on 11-12 March. You can find all relevant information, including the latest report on the Panel’s work, on the dedicated Panel 1 webpage. The draft agenda is available here.
The session will take place with panellists physically present, in full respect of the public health measures in place in Ireland. Hybrid facilities will be available for participants to connect remotely as well.
Technical briefing
On Tuesday 22 February, at 10:00 AM CET, a technical briefing with representatives of the Common Secretariat of the Conference will take place at the premises of the European Commission. Accredited correspondents can participate in person and remotely. The briefing will be off the record, in English and French only. For more information and the link to participate remotely, send an email to [email protected].
How to follow the Panel session
The main meetings will be livestreamed on the Conference’s Multilingual Digital Platform, as well as on Parliament’s Multimedia Centre (Friday and Sunday), where recorded versions will also be available.
Journalists who wish to attend in person have to register using the following link: https://register.futureu.events/ereg/newreg.php?eventid=200228037&categoryid=201796265&t=c9f80e4845529b893979230644b41d62
You will need to be an accredited journalist (in an EU Member State or the European institutions) to access the premises. A press working area will be available in the following building:
Dublin Castle
Hybernia Conference Room, ground floor
Dame St, Dublin 2
Ireland
Tel: +353 1 645 8800
For further practical information, contact Maria Brianchon on [email protected] / +32 470 88 02 38 or Jack Moloney on [email protected] / +353 86 0880902.
Press point with Guy Verhofstadt
A press point with Parliament’s Co-Chair of the Executive Board of the Conference will take place on Saturday at 16.00. Further information will be available in the press room of the Panel session.
Background
The Conference Plenary of 21-22 January took stock of the recommendations delivered by the European Citizens’ Panels and national Citizens’ Panels on ‘European democracy / Values and rights, rule of law, security’ and on ‘Climate change, environment / Health’.
The four European Citizens’ Panels take into account citizens’ contributions from across Europe collected via the multilingual digital platform and from events held across the Member States. Prominent academics and other experts helped with specific questions when the citizens requested it. Citizens were randomly selected by specialist contractors, who ensured that they are representative of the EU’s diversity.
Eighty representatives (20 from each of the European Citizens’ Panels, of which at least one-third is aged between 16 and 25 years) are members of the Conference Plenary. There, they debate with MEPs, national government and parliament representatives, European Commissioners, and other Plenary Members from EU bodies, regional and local authorities, social partners and civil society.
EU citizens’ contributions to the Conference, submitted via the platform by 20 February, will be included in the final report on 17 March. However, the possibility to submit contributions on the platform will remain open after that date, to allow debate to continue online.
