The Netherlands will preside over the European Union for six months, starting January 1st 2016. Over twenty thousand politicians and civil workers will swarm our capital. But it won’t be all about politics. For over six months Amsterdam will be a cultural capital and inspiring example for our society, by providing solutions for everyday living…
“Rule of law needs extra attention” – this is not an article or a call for action launched by civic activists or NGOs, but the very words pronounced by Frans Timmermans himself very recently, during a citizens’ dialogue in The Hague. This first quote of the year mirrors exactly the multiple warnings sent by NGOs,…
“Rule of law needs extra attention” – this is not an article or a call for action launched by civic activists or NGOs, but the very words pronounced by Frans Timmermans himself very recently, during a citizens’ dialogue in The Hague. This first quote of the year mirrors exactly the multiple warnings sent by NGOs,…
A vast gap exists between the rights guaranteed by the EU and the exercise of these rights. Unclear laws, disempowerment or fear of reprisal can prevent people from knowing and enjoying their rights. This reflection is shared not only by the European Civic Forum members, but also by many other European networks, such as European Alternatives. This…
A vast gap exists between the rights guaranteed by the EU and the exercise of these rights. Unclear laws, disempowerment or fear of reprisal can prevent people from knowing and enjoying their rights. This reflection is shared not only by the European Civic Forum members, but also by many other European networks, such as European Alternatives. This…
On 14 September 2015, European Commissioner Vera Jourová officially launched a consultation on EU Citizenship. The consultation is aimed at gathering together experiences and ideas of EU citizens on how to make it easier to exercise their rights. The opinions and ideas collected will provide the basis for the 2016 Citizenship report. As a reminder, the last EU…
In European societies, increasingly reshaped by migration, the fight against racism and xenophobia is a key challenge for democracy and civil life. Despite anti-discrimination legislation in force in EU Member States, there is still a fundamental problem in identifying different forms of racism and xenophobia. These may consist of physical attacks against people or of…
Report of the decisions and synthesis of the discussion by Raffaella Bolini – Arci In Thessaloniki, on November 21st and 22nd, volunteers of the countries involved in the Balkan route of the migrants met with activists involved on the Mediterranean and Northern routes, and European networks committed for migrants rights. Delegations were present from: Greece (included…
The live broadcasting of the 2015 World Forum for Democracy is now on, feel free to watch the discussions and share your thoughts via the #CoE_WFD hashtag.
17th November 2015 Dear colleagues and friends, Last Friday, after Beirut, Ankara, the Russian plane flying over the Sinai, Paris, the city where the European Civic Forum headquarter is based, has been hit by terrorist attacks. Since then, in France as also all over Europe and the world, people are gathering together to express their…