European civil society organisations have long claimed the "right to participate" in the management of public affairs, but the question has now become especially relevant. The issues and challenges facing the European Union are such that they require the mobilisation of all those working in the field, as well as their representatives.
However, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has already emphasised on several occasions that only clearly established representativeness can give civil society players the right to participate effectively in the process of shaping policies and preparing Community decisions. Not only is this a fundamental democratic principle but the need for civil society organisations to be representative is also consistent with the aim of raising their profile and boosting their influence at European level.
To contribute to this debate, the EESC adopted an opinion on 14 February 2006 on The representativeness of European civil society organisations in civil dialogue.
The full text of the opinion is available in 19 European Union languages at: http://eesc.europa.eu/sco/registrations/index_fr.asp?langue=en
The EESC invites European and national civil society organisations to comment on the guidelines and proposals set out in the opinion, by 30 June 2006.
You may send your comments and contributions, preferably in French, English or German, by clicking on the link below:
http:// eesc.europa.eu/sco/registrations/mail_en.asp?mail_id=3&type=en
Alternatively, contributions may be posted to the following address:
European Economic and Social Committee
Unit for Relations with Civil Society Organisations, Constitutional Issues
For the attention of Mr Patrick Fève
Rue Belliard, 99
B – 1040 BRUSSELS
BELGIUM
[Source: European Economic and Social Committee]
