PRESS RELEASE
EU civil society at work on #CitizensRoute73
«Horizon 2019 European Election: 73 seats in the European Parliament for European representatives»
The Franck Biancheri Network (FNB), the Change Agent Network (iCAN) and their partners* are proud to announce the launching of an EU democratisation citizen process: #CitizensRoute73Why #CitizensRoute73? We advocate that in the next European election in 2019, the 73 British seats in the European Parliament should be destined for European representatives. Rather than suppressing or distributing them, the idea of opening them to European representatives, elected on a trans-European – instead of national – basis, is high on the political agenda. We share this enthusiastic perspective and want to make sure citizens are ready and that an adequate political offer is available. We unite the pro-democracy European civil society for a swift and proactive response to the opportunity of democratisation that it is now tangibly being offered.
On July 1 and 2, 2017, in Louvain-la-Neuve (BE), to the invite of an array of partnerorganisations*, 200 European civil society « change agents » are coming to : Express clearly their support to this perspective of transformation of the European election Initiate actions to raise European public awareness on this perspective Nurture a common debate on the future of Europe prone to create the conditions of emergence of the needed trans-European ideas, figures and parties
First-class political figures have agreed to submit themselves to a first exercise of European political debate on: “Changing Europe, yes! But what for?”
Monica Frassoni (IT) for a Sustainable Europe (tbc) – Pierre Larrouturou (FR) for a Social Europe – Reka Salamon (HU) for a Future-oriented Europe – Adrian Taylor (UK/DE) for a New Paradigm – Erik Edman (NL) for DIEM25
European intellectuals & activists will discuss tools required to create the common public debate: “Changing Europe, yes! But how?” during two half-days of plenary panels and workshops
Cédric du Monceau (BE) Commune d’Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Marie-Hélène Caillol (FR) Franck Biancheri Network, Richard Laub (BE) Stand up for Europe, Bjarni Snæbjörnn Jónsson (IS) Iceland’s constitutional deliberative process, Domenico Rossetti di Valdalbero (IT) UEF, Guillaume Sacriste (FR) Paris-Sorbonne & co-author with Thomas Piketty of “For a Treaty for the democratization of the euro zone”, Armel Prieur (FR) Co-founder of the Instituting Citizen Process for Europe, Antonis Triantafyllakis (GR) “Elect George 2018”, Philippe Micaelli (FR) “Le Comité”, Régis Jamin (FR) Election-Europe, Bàlint Gyévai (HU) Stand up for Europe, Marianne Ranke-Cormier (AT) Eurodemokrat-Magazine, Camille Dufresne (DE) iCAN, Karim Elkholy (FR) Erasmus Student Festival, Christel Hahn (DE) « Newropeans 2009 », Matteo Guidi (IT), Eyes on Europe, Julia Monini (DE) Pulse of Europe…
▬▬ ►A « Declaration of Common Commitment » will be solemnly signed by all participants and online
▬▬ ►A « Route 73 Map » will be made public, presenting the strategy, timeline, actions, teams and organisation needed to conduct this process.
A democratic Europe is finally within reach
In Louvain-la-Neuve, on July 1-2, 200 European “change agents” are making sure #CitizensRoute73 will become a reality.
Let’s show Europe that we are ready and step-up for European democracy!
*Thanks to the hosting and support of Commune d’Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve. In partnership with the networks AEGEEEurope, Cambiamo Rotta all’Europa and Stand up for Europe. And together with POUR écrire la Liberté, Election-europe.com, Europe Populaire, AEGEE-Toulouse, Maison du Développement Durable, BBK/Door Vriendschap Sterker, Creatopia, Eyes on Europe, Le Comité, Citoyennes pour l’Europe. With a financial support from Institut de Locarn
-> Visit the website: #CitizensRoute73