The 2009 European Citizens’ Consultations allowed citizens from all 27 member states to share their views on the future of Europe and its Union, at a time of economic turmoil and in the run-up to the European Parliament elections in June. Over the month of March, around 1,600 randomly selected individuals were asked to discuss their ideas in national-level consultations aimed at outlining ten action proposals for Europe at-large. For this purpose, Citizens' Consultation sites have been set up in all member state languages. The process culminate in a European Citizens Summit, held in May, when the results of these deliberations were presented to EU policy-makers.

To access the citizens' recommendations, please click here.

More information in European Citizens Consultations.

EuroMeSCo Paper 77 - Under the Shadow of 'Barcelona': From the EMP to the Union for the Mediterranean - charts the evolution of the project that dominated Euro-Mediterranean dialogue throughout 2008.  

This study provides a broad evaluation of the UfM, considering how it will be informed by the former EMP framework while simultaneously promoting greater cooperation and complementarity between partner states. It also considers the added-value of the UfM project, offering some useful recommendations for its future implementation.

To view the list of publications, from where this paper can be accessed, please click here.

The European Values Network is a platform of young European scholars and professionals seeking to propose solutions towards enhancing Europe's freedom, safety, strength and prosperity. Every year, new participants join the proposed annual programme and, within working groups, meet to prepare policy papers addressing major European challenges.

The 2009 programme from March to June will consider issues such as the single European market; EU-Russia relations; European elections; the European defence policy; and the integration of immigrants. Participants of the EVN programme will first meet in Brussels to discuss their views in a bid to influence policy- and decision-makers. Each of the follow-up workshops, which are divided into 5 research groups, will focus on one of the identified challenges being faced by Europe and exchange ideas on how these could be tackled.

Over the following two months, individual research work will be undertaken, keeping in permanent contact with their group via e-conferences. The solutions elaborated will then eventually be presented to leading scholars, politicians, professionals, and NGO workers at a final conference in Prague, after which the resulting policy papers are published.

EVN 2009 is supported by the European Commission's "Europe for Citizens" programme. EVN 2008 was held under the patronage of the President of the European Parliament Mr. Hans-Gert Pöttering.