Promotie Europees burgerschap is prioriteit voor Spaans voorzitterschap (en)

Group photo from the presentation on the European Civic Conferences in Madrid. Servimedia

The aim of the European Civic Conferences 2010, to be held from 7 to 9 May in Malaga, is to promote civic participation in decision-making and in designing EU policies.

Thirteen major Spanish NGOs are collaborating with the European networks Solidar and the European Civic Forum to organise an event under the slogan “Towards a European social citizenry” to act as a space for discussion and reflection about the role of associations and NGOs in building a more social Europe.

The only way of closing the gap between the reality of daily life for citizens and the values enshrined in the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights is through effective civil dialogue at Community level and by creating channels for active public participation, according to the organisers of the event at the presentation of the conferences in Madrid.

Some of the issues to be discussed during the event will be the fight against poverty and social exclusion, the promotion of gender equality and equal opportunities for the disabled, and coexistence in an intercultural European society.

Around 700 representatives from European civic associations and platforms will take part in the event, which will be the only event organised by citizens themselves to be held during the six-month Spanish Presidency. The event will receive institutional support from the European Commission and the Spanish Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Employment and Equality.

The aim of the conferences is to strengthen the role of NGOs as elements for social integration and cohesion, and in bringing about a more participative European democracy, given that the Treaty of Lisbon recognises the active role of citizens through tools such as the European Citizens' Initiative.

To make this a reality, a proposal will be made to create a European Statute of Association, to legally bring together all the European civic organisations - something that does not currently exist, even though 100 million Europeans take part in organised social movements. The legal framework will make it possible to develop official channels for civic organisations to find out about and participate in the definition, implementation and evaluation of EU policies.

This is the second time that European civic movements and non-governmental organisations have met, following the first in La Rochelle during the French Presidency in 2008. The forthcoming Hungarian Presidency will take up the baton on this issue in the first half of 2011, with the third meeting of the European civic movement.

According to the Ambassador-at-large for European Integration Projects, Carlos Carnero, the Spanish Presidency is committed to creating a more democratic Europe through development of the Citizens' Legislative Initiative, support for the Charter of Fundamental Rights, and by signing up to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.