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During a citizen debate in the city of Roeselare, citizens discussed their chosen priorities: economy, youth and the EU in the world. More unanimity and easier accessibility were concluded to be the clear conditions for people to be fully European! Thanks to the city of Roeselare, the Knowledge Center ARHus and the European Parliament for the great cooperation. Also thanks to Dr. Niels Gheyle  for the guidance and explanation. We will soon be guests in Charleroi, Liège and other cities!

 

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On 9 May 2021, the European Union launched the Conference on the Future of Europe. The purpose of this Conference is to launch a dialogue between citizens, members of the European Parliament and of national Parliaments, members of Government on the direction the Europe of the future should take. At the moment, the plan is that the conclusions of the Conference be delivered on 9 May 2022, during the French rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU.

 

One of the most important pillars of the Conference is the contributions provided by European citizens, in particular from the local level. With the European Movement in Belgium, and thanks to the support of the European Parliament’s liaison office in Belgium, we organized a citizens’ consultation in Roeselare on 22 february 2022. The idea behind a citizens’ consultation is that the citizens be given the opportunity to reflect on and decide the priorities of Europe within certain topics (for example, the economy, culture, rights and duties of citizens). 

 

This consultation took place at Knowledge Center ARHus in Roeselare during the evening, in a workshop format. Following a warmly welcome by mayor Kris Declercq, the format and the topics of the evening were explained. Next, the participants chose three topics to discuss: economy, youth and EU in the world. Divided in small groups, the guests discussed their chosen priority and wrote down some key takeaways. Experts from the European Parliament’s liaison office in Belgium and dr. Niels Gheyle (Ghent University) stimulated the debates. After concluding the event with a plenary discussion and reflection on the future of Europe, the participants further enjoyed the evening with drinks and nibbles.