EY2013
ENNA Europe » EY2013
Introduction of the European Year
Information about the "European Years"
Every year the European Union suggests dedicating the year to a particular subject, often related to the main initiatives or issues developed in the European context. From 1983, there have been a number of "European Years" dedicated to many different topics, from the field of music to that of environment, from that of language to the local and regional democracy; in particular last years are related to educational and social fields. 2011 was the year of Volunteering, while 2012 is the “European Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations”.
In general, they have been designated and run directly by the European Commission; however, some (such as 2005) have been designated and run by the Council of Europe. The European Commission coordinates the activities developed within the Year, as well as initiatives, events and debates around the subject chosen supporting the key stakeholders who work day-in and day-out on the selected topics.
In general, they have been designated and run directly by the European Commission; however, some (such as 2005) have been designated and run by the Council of Europe. The European Commission coordinates the activities developed within the Year, as well as initiatives, events and debates around the subject chosen supporting the key stakeholders who work day-in and day-out on the selected topics.
Introduction of the 2013 European Year of Citizens
Information about the 2013 European Year of Citizens
The European Commission has proposed to designate 2013 as the European Year of Citizens to mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the European Union Citizenship under the Maastricht Treaty in 1993. The decision of the Commission comes from the need for every European citizen, men and women, to know their rights as European citizens. The aim of that initiative is to empower Europeans to make their personal decisions considering the European framework and, in the meantime, improving the democratic life in Europe at all levels.
The EY2013 would be a chance for European citizens to:
• Know the rights and opportunities open to them resulting from EU citizenship;
• Stimulate debate on obstacles preventing people from fully using these rights and generate specific proposals for addressing them;
• Encourage people to participate in civic forums on EU policies and issues.
The European Commission will aim to organise activities with the aim of ensuring active participation. They include, among others, a centrally managed communication campaign with a multilingual website, communication toolbox, press kit and promotional material, the opening and closing conferences for the Year and thematic conferences, and the participation in national, regional and local events across the EU.
The Commission has allocated € 1 million for the EY2013 and € 750 000 for the preparatory works during 2012. All European citizens, policy makers at all level of government and civil society organisation have been invited to take part to that European initiative through events, conferences, debates, and meetings in order to successfully implement the Year.
The proposal of the Commission to designate 2013 as European Year of Citizens needs the approval of the EU Parliament and the Council. The adoption process being very long, it is expected that the Council will decide in June-July and the Parliament will adopt its position in plenary in September. In June, there will be two trialogue meetings between the Parliament, the Commission and the Council to discuss the operating framework for the Year.
The EY2013 would be a chance for European citizens to:
• Know the rights and opportunities open to them resulting from EU citizenship;
• Stimulate debate on obstacles preventing people from fully using these rights and generate specific proposals for addressing them;
• Encourage people to participate in civic forums on EU policies and issues.
The European Commission will aim to organise activities with the aim of ensuring active participation. They include, among others, a centrally managed communication campaign with a multilingual website, communication toolbox, press kit and promotional material, the opening and closing conferences for the Year and thematic conferences, and the participation in national, regional and local events across the EU.
The Commission has allocated € 1 million for the EY2013 and € 750 000 for the preparatory works during 2012. All European citizens, policy makers at all level of government and civil society organisation have been invited to take part to that European initiative through events, conferences, debates, and meetings in order to successfully implement the Year.
The proposal of the Commission to designate 2013 as European Year of Citizens needs the approval of the EU Parliament and the Council. The adoption process being very long, it is expected that the Council will decide in June-July and the Parliament will adopt its position in plenary in September. In June, there will be two trialogue meetings between the Parliament, the Commission and the Council to discuss the operating framework for the Year.
NGO Alliance
NGO Alliance and its priorities
European civil society organisations and networks members of the EESC Liaison Group have created a civil society Alliance with the aim of advocating on MEPs for a broader understanding of European citizenship within the 2013 European Year of Citizens.
The Alliance receives the support of the European Economic and Social Committee and is aiming to mobilise and coordinate wide civil society engagement in the activities which will be developed during the European Year of Citizens 2013 and to initiate a European-wide debate on issues relating to the exercise of European citizens’ rights and to citizens’ participation in the democratic life of the EU.
In particular, it aims to focus on democratic citizenship that deals not only with citizens’ legal status, but also all aspects of life, from education to gender equality, from the sustainable development to the participation in society of people with disabilities. The Alliance also thinks of democratic citizenship in terms of directly election of the representatives of the European Parliament by European citizens in order to let them have an active role in the decision-making processes, and it expresses the need to adopt an international agreement and a structured framework for European civil dialogue with the aim of achieving an active and participatory citizenship. Finally it includes among its tasks that of ensuring that the preparation and implementation of the European Year 2013 is given appropriate financial means and it relies on the Commission to involve as many civil society organisations in the preparation and implementation of the 2013 European Year.
The Alliance receives the support of the European Economic and Social Committee and is aiming to mobilise and coordinate wide civil society engagement in the activities which will be developed during the European Year of Citizens 2013 and to initiate a European-wide debate on issues relating to the exercise of European citizens’ rights and to citizens’ participation in the democratic life of the EU.
In particular, it aims to focus on democratic citizenship that deals not only with citizens’ legal status, but also all aspects of life, from education to gender equality, from the sustainable development to the participation in society of people with disabilities. The Alliance also thinks of democratic citizenship in terms of directly election of the representatives of the European Parliament by European citizens in order to let them have an active role in the decision-making processes, and it expresses the need to adopt an international agreement and a structured framework for European civil dialogue with the aim of achieving an active and participatory citizenship. Finally it includes among its tasks that of ensuring that the preparation and implementation of the European Year 2013 is given appropriate financial means and it relies on the Commission to involve as many civil society organisations in the preparation and implementation of the 2013 European Year.
ENNA’s participation
ENNA participation and support to EY2013 Alliace activities and projects
We are founding members of the Alliance and provide support to raise awareness of the Alliance and its activities. We will play a critical role to mobilise our members nationally and coordinate their actions vis-à-vis the European-level activities. We are keen to ensure that this year, more than any other, is one where the grassroots are allowed to take the centre stage.
Since our creation, ENNA has taken part in the NGO Alliances supporting the European Years in order to ensure our members are involved in the European framework attending the Alliance meetings and providing support to the initiatives of the Alliance.
For the EY2013 Alliance, we continue to take part in all meetings of the Alliance and we intend to actively participate in the organisations of activities and events dealing with the Year of Citizens.
As a Network of civil society organisations, we believe that it is important for us to work together in order to benefit ensure an effective mainstreaming of the objectives of the EY2013. As a link between Europe and national cross-cutting civil society associations, our task, among others, is that of informing national associations and enabling them to take part in European initiatives fully.
Since our creation, ENNA has taken part in the NGO Alliances supporting the European Years in order to ensure our members are involved in the European framework attending the Alliance meetings and providing support to the initiatives of the Alliance.
For the EY2013 Alliance, we continue to take part in all meetings of the Alliance and we intend to actively participate in the organisations of activities and events dealing with the Year of Citizens.
As a Network of civil society organisations, we believe that it is important for us to work together in order to benefit ensure an effective mainstreaming of the objectives of the EY2013. As a link between Europe and national cross-cutting civil society associations, our task, among others, is that of informing national associations and enabling them to take part in European initiatives fully.
