A Common Statement from the NGO members of the Civil Society Contact Group
24 June 2002

After five decades during which  it has provided us with peace, stability and economic growth, the European Union is now at an important juncture, but the missions and the structures which have served us up to now are not up to the challenges of the new century.

Citizens have grown dangerously disillusioned with the European project. The Convention on the Future of Europe is thus a vital opportunity to reverse this trend.

The Civil Society Contact Group, bringing together social, environmental, human rights and development NGOs and the ETUC, in consultation with their members have prepared detailed proposals on how to bring Europe closer to its citizens. On the occasion of this  wide consultation with civil society we call on all members of the Convention to address five overriding priorities to ensure the development of a Union for all:

1        Ensure that the European Union can become a clear and unified voice for peace,  justice, equality and solidarity within the EU and throughout the world. Eradication of poverty should be one of the primary objectives of the EU.

2        Enshrine the Lisbon/Gothenburg consensus in the Treaties, to guarantee that the EU,  both in its domestic and international policies will promote a sustainable development in which the social and environmental dimensions will be in equilibrium with economic considerations.

3        The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights should be improved and incorporated in the Treaties. In addition, the EU should accede to the European Convention on Human Rights, to the revised European Social Charter, and to all other relevant regional and international human rights instruments.

4        Recognise the important role of all actors of civil society in promoting a greater participation of citizens in the building of Europe. In this respect,  a Treaty Article should be proposed on the civil dialogue directly between citizens and their organisations and the decisionmaking bodies of the Union,alongside the existing social dialogue

5        Strengthen the basis in the Treaties for the Union to ensure gender equality and fight all forms of discrimination.

The European Union must ensure that decision-making processes and institutional mechanisms are accountable, democratic and transparent in order to ensure the effective delivery of its objectives.

We call upon the Convention to continue to consult with all actors of civil society, including within the Working Groups, so that its recommendations can count upon the widest possible level of support across the European Union.

 

Mary McPhail

Chair of the Civil Society Contact Group

On behalf of the NGO members of the Civil Society Contact Group