EU: Commission to boost online debate on Europe
This new initiative builds upon the “Plan D” that was launched in 2005 as a response to the no-votes in the French and Dutch Referenda. Between 2005 and 2007, a series of six innovative cross-border citizens' consultation projects coordinated by civil society organisations were co-funded.
As part of “Plan D”, the online discussion forum Debate Europe was launched in March 2006. Conceived as an online discussion space where EU citizens can exchange their views and opinions on a variety of EU-related subjects, it was re-launched in an updated version in January 2008. The online forum aims to help the EC and the European citizen to engage in a constructive dialogue while contributing to the development of a European public space on the Internet.
In order to further enhance public participation in the debate on the EU, the Commission has now committed to co-fund a string of new projects throughout 2007-2008, including projects intended to increase the potential of the ‘Debate Europe’ forum.
Other projects include the launch of online networks which will bring together European, national and regional parliamentarians, journalists and other European opinion-makers to share information, knowledge and ideas on the EU.
