Week long webcast debate on the Future of Europe

Invitation for “Hearing from Europe”

Europe’s Citizens Speak Out-Your future is at stake

For the first time ordinary Europeans will have the opportunity to express their concerns and expectations on the future of the EU LIVE on the Internet in a multi-nation video-conference on June 23-27

“Hearing from Europe”, is organised by Friends of Europe, and its network of partners across Europe hosting debates in their own countries.

How can you participate in these events which are free of charge?

• Come and make your voice heard at the Bibliothèque Solvay in Brussels which will also feature an ensuing networking cocktail and live music - register online at http://www.friendsofeurope.org/hearing_participate.asp?ConfId=1

• Contact our local partner in one of the 27 other countries to assist at the debate at their venue by http://www.friendsofeurope.org/hearing_participate.asp?ConfId=1

• Watch the debates live on the internet on our website http://www.friendsofeurope.org/


All 28 countries involved in the European Convention will link up over five days from June 23 in a series of seven video-conferences to explore grassroots reactions to the blueprint for a European Constitution which will just have been presented to the Thessaloniki European Council on June 20-21. Adoption of a final project by the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) is hoped for later in the year.

Brussels is the “hub” of the conference and at the Bibliothèque Solvay, Friends of Europe will host amongst others top EU figures such as Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, the European Convention President, Franz Fischler, EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Fisheries; Antonio Vitorino, EU Commissioner for Justice and Home Affairs and Margot Wallström, EU Commissioner for Environment to each introduce one of the seven debates.

In each country, three high-profile guests, including government ministers, will represent politics, business and civil society. They will be interviewed by a leading journalist and then take questions from audiences and participants gathered elsewhere in Europe. A professional camera team will be present in each conference room where the local debate will be transmitted to all other participating countries via their videoscreen.



For further information, please download the full program here or visit our website on http://www.friendsofeurope.org/