By the Civil Society Organisations’ Group

For the new term of office, civil society organisations (CSOs) propose addressing immediate and long-term challenges, properly implementing existing EU policies and strengthening EU values. Structured civil dialogue and a strong social agenda also top the list of their priorities.

On 16 April, the EESC’s Civil Society Organisations’ Group held a conference on Building Together the EU We Want. The event brought together national and European-level CSO representatives who discussed their political priorities with a view to the coming elections to the European Parliament and the signing of the La Hulpe interinstitutional declaration on the European Pillar of Social Rights.

Opening the conference, Séamus Boland, president of the Civil Society Organisations’ Group, deplored the fact that many politicians from mainstream national parties do not want to discuss the EU with voters. Consequently, voters do not understand why the EU is necessary and EU politics do not always reflect what matters to them. This has led to a dangerous disconnect between the general public and the EU and could result in many people voting for extremist parties. ‘What is urgently needed now is for national and European politicians to engage with people in an open debate on the problems facing the EU and on what should be done to resolve them. Only like this can we persuade them that the EU is for the many and continues to create opportunities for everyone.’

Read and share the conclusions and recommendations of the conference, which focus on:

• Why the 2024 elections to the European Parliament matter: the EU at a turning point
• Building together the EU we want: a democratic and inclusive EU of social justice and protection
• Building together the EU we want: a sustainable economy based on fair transitions and quality jobs
• Placing civil society, citizens and youth at the centre of the Europe of tomorrow

The conclusions and recommendations will feed into an EESC resolution with policy proposals for the new European Parliament and European Commission, to be adopted in July 2024.

Find out more in the press release on the conference.