The AER Citizens’ Forum in Lyon will address three big issues. First, a plenary session will enable participants to discuss the nature of Europe, what the European identity refers to and how a common European identity should be fostered – or not. Speakers will notably focus on European values, EU enlargements and even literature, as it is the grass root of our culture and common identity. During this plenary session, scholars, students and MEPs will give their views on these specific aspects and express what being part of Europe means to them. The expression of diverging views will be encouraged in order to arouse interest among the public and discussions with the panel of speakers.

Participants will then be able to attend either one of two workshops. The first workshop will focus on issues related to European governance and will address the question: “Europe, state, region: which level for what policy?”. Matters such as decision competences, public goods (education, environment, defence…), European leadership and the role of inter-regional cooperation will be discussed by a panel of speakers and give rise to a debate between them and the public.

The second workshop will address a rather technical but crucial aspect of European integration: the Euro system and tax policy in regards to economic policy. Indeed, it appears that economic integration in the euro zone has only gone half way through: monetary policy belongs to the ECB while the Maastricht treaty restricts state fiscal policy. So who can, or rather who should, implement autonomous fiscal policy? Should citizens pay a direct tax to the EU? If so, what for? Participants to the workshop will also be able to give their views on why and how the EU should foster a “green” or a “knowledge” economy before engaging speakers in a debate.

Citizens' Forum on Polish transitions and prospects for Europe, 20 years later... in eyes of young people from region Zachodniopomorskie.

The 20th anniversary of free elections in Poland marked by a historical milestone all over Europe. Twenty years ago the Polish government did something without precedent, something that was about to change the history of not only Poland, but also Europe. It goes without the question that a lot of changes have happened since then, but what are the prospects for young Europeans? What is their understanding of free Poland and its role in the contemporary Europe? What is its role in the future development of Europe on the eve of its institutional crisis? Situated on the Polish-German boarder, zachodniopomorskie region has been played a significant role in terms of transnational as well as transregional cooperation. Cooperation that would be out of the question if it had not been for the free elections…

AER together with Zachodniopomorskie Region organised a debate - forum for young citizens from the region in order to discuss these political changes with Tadeusz Mazowiecki: politician, journalist, lawyer; one of the advisors to the Solidarity trade union in 1980, later editor of the weekly ‘Solidarnosc’; an active participant in the Round Table talks of 1989. The first Prime Minister of the 3rd Republic of Poland (1989-1990). He was the special Envoy for the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights to the former Yugoslavia in 1992-1995. In 1998 awarded the French Legion d’Honneur. The objective of the Forum was to make young people aware about their past and to inform them that they are playing an important role in Europe as a new generation, and that the regional cooperation, especially between region from Germany and Poland is essential for the future of Europe.

This Forum was an initiative of member of the AER Youth Regional Network, Michal Matlak, from Zachodniopomorskie Youth Parliament.The main debate consisted of a common discussion between the invited guests and 150 young people.

Press release

Photo Galery

Are you European Citizens?

Workshop was organised for the Youth Council members on the topic concerning European Citizenship in the context of Czech Presidency in the EU. The objective was to discuss with young people about what does Europe mean to them as well as to discover if Europe has an influence on life of young people from regions. Workshop was moderated by Malgorzata Kucinska with support of AER Youth Team and it was in a form of an open discussion and game/quiz.

Context

In the highly changeable world of the 21st century, it is becoming clear that the European Union’s success depends upon it having the ability to flexibly respond to current problems, and to take full advantage of its economic, cultural and human potential. With this in mind, the AER citizens’ forum aims at voicing the citizens’ priorities, while assessing the most current European developments. For these reasons, particular attention will be given to the priorities set by the Czech Presidency of the EU, interpreted as the most significant elements of the current European action, on which citizens are entitled to be informed and express their views.