More public input into crucial policy issues
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More public input into crucial policy issues
Wed, 03/12/2008 - 15:24
The EU needs to become more user friendly, by this I mean that the public need more input into crucial decision making policies, such as environmental issues, militarization and human rights, although some of the above are dealt with in the Charter of Fundamental Rights, more clarification is needed.
There should be clear obligations on the part of member states to ensure that an open and democratic process of public participation takes place in any decision making process.
Accountability and Transparency should be key words, all actions on the part of the EU should require open access, all documents should be publicly accessible.
The Aarhus Convention should be fully implemented
Raising Awareness of Global Warming. More funding needs to be provided i.e. Research grants for alternative energy resources.
Social Equality should be top on the agenda, so far social seclusion is taking place on a global scale, living standards, social mobility and economic growth are crucial for a healthy and democratic society. The EU needs to clarify its role in social policy.
The participation of trade unions, so far there is no requirement for trade unions to be recognised in the Lisbon Treaty or in any previous treatise.
Measures should be taken to prevent the commercialisation and privatisation of public services, therefore ensuring economic growth within Ireland.
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I think you are absolutely right about EU becoming more urser friendly. The question is how to do that. How to involve and get people interested in something sometimes very complex.
I believe that for the start we should try to skale up the pride of being European and keep on reminding ourself of the good things EU have ever done for us. And it's not a short list. People just tend to forget very quickly.
Good point, pride of being European. That would solve many problems.. But how to make people proud?
Let's start for classic in my opinion example:
If a country, in this example Ireland was in bad hands, if government became unpopular, if they made laws that would be against people's views.. Would that make those people want to destroy Ireland as country? Would they become anti-Irish? No.
Why not?
Because there's something more beyond the politics - it's a history, culture, our neighbors, friends, memory of generations... In the eyes of citizens that is the foundation of country, politics is next.
And that's the point.
Unfortunately in the eyes of many Europeans, EU is just a politics, dirty games behind our backs and corruption.
There's no such thing as idea of equality, history and pride of common achievements in European minds. And that's the problem.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQCGrI46KwA
If people knew that there's something beyond the politics, they would rather disagree with politicians and went voting than disagree with whole idea of united Europe.
I agree. There is a general lack of any real understanding among people about the origins and goals of the EU, its achievements over fifty years and what it signifies in terms of being the most significant peace project in the world.
Sure it has provided us with access to the single market and brought economic good-times and stability to Ireland, which is not to underestimated, but it's role has been far more significant than just that. It has established certain rights for citizens within Member States and standards, which are about protecting our environment and welfare of citizens, as consumers and as employees.
What if Ireland had not joined the EU thirty odd years ago? Would we have had it in us to transform our economy and society ourselves?
And how can the story of the EU be related to people in a way that assures us not only of the very real progress that has been made so far but also that it is not suddenly representing a threat to our interests?
I think if there was more of an understanding or relationship built up with our representatives at EU level and more daily news about what's going on there, people would feel more attuned and could relate to the part we're all playing in the ongoing development of EU. We're generally are not familiar with the names, 'faces' or institutions of the EU so have not built up a store of trust.
I agree. There is a general lack of any real understanding among people about the origins and goals of the EU, its achievements over fifty years and what it signifies in terms of being the most significant peace project in the world.
Sure it has provided us with access to the single market and brought economic good-times and stability to Ireland, which is not to underestimated, but it's role has been far more significant than just that. It has established certain rights for citizens within Member States and standards, which are about protecting our environment and welfare of citizens, as consumers and as employees.
What if Ireland had not joined the EU thirty odd years ago? Would we have had it in us to transform our economy and society ourselves?
And how can the story of the EU be related to people in a way that assures us not only of the very real progress that has been made so far but also that it is not suddenly representing a threat to our interests?
I think if there was more of an understanding or relationship built up with our representatives at EU level and more daily news about what's going on there, people would feel more attuned and could relate to the part we're all playing in the ongoing development of EU. We're generally are not familiar with the names, 'faces' or institutions of the EU so have not built up a store of trust.
why our governments avoid promoting and explaining EU to the citizents...?? let's start sorting this and then citizents will have an interest in EU again.