The Conference on the Future of Europe was an unprecedented and innovative process, a "bottom-up" exercise for Europeans to express their views on what they expect from the European Union. The conference was attended by European citizens of different geographical origin, gender, age, socio-economic background and/or educational level, where young Europeans played a central role.
This unique path of discussion and cooperation between citizens and politicians lasted a year during which, through numerous events and debates organized across the EU, national and European citizens' groups, its plenary meetings and exchanges of views on the multilingual digital platform, the Conference became a truly open forum to discuss the Europe we want to live in. In this way it became possible to conduct a transparent, inclusive and structured dialogue with European citizens about the issues that concern them and their future.
The final report focuses on 49 proposals that include specific targets and more than 320 measures for the EU institutions to take action in nine areas: climate change and the environment, health, a stronger economy, social justice and jobs, the EU in the world , values and rights, rule of law, security, digital transformation, European democracy, immigration and asylum, education, culture, youth and sport.
The proposals are based on recommendations from citizens, who met in the context of European Citizens' Groups and national Citizens' Groups, but also those who contributed their ideas to the multilingual digital platform.
In its resolution on the results of the Conference on the Future of Europe adopted on 4 May, the European Parliament welcomed and approved the conclusions of the Conference. MEPs recognized that the proposals require amending the Treaties and asked the EP's Constitutional Affairs Committee to prepare relevant proposals for EU reform, a process which will be carried out through the establishment of an Assembly in accordance with Article 48 of the Treaty on European Union .
In the next steps, the three institutions, each within their respective responsibilities, will consider how to effectively follow up on these proposals and in the autumn of 2022 an event will be held to inform citizens (and their criticism) on how the institutions will deliver on their commitment.
Guy Verhofstadt, Parliament's representative as co-chairman of the Executive Committee, said: "The recommendations of the citizens and the conclusions of the Conference offer us a plan so that the European Union does not end up without substance or even disappear. It is possible to build a new, efficient and more democratic Europe. A Europe that is sovereign and able to act, as the citizens clearly expect. There really is no time for procrastination. We must honor the results of the Conference and implement its conclusions as soon as possible."
The Conference will be hybrid and held at the Municipal Theatre of Piraeus, on July 1st, with the participation of distinguished representatives of European institutions and politics, science, politics and public administration.