Brussels, 01/08/2001 (Agence Europe) - Meeting from 9 to 15 July at the Ecole Superieure des Arts et Metiers (ENSAM) on the initiative of the Centre for International Conferences of Cluny, 71 young people aged between 18 and 30 from 26 countries of the European Union and applicant countries adopted a draft European Constitution (see EUROPE of 2/3 July, p.6). Participants structured their work (in Cluny, Bourgogne) using the Convention method which, chaired by Roman Herzog, drew up the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights. This debates were held within seven committees on the different parts of the Constitution, taking as basis the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the simplified version of the EU Treaty drawn up by the European University Institute of Florence. After three days of work in committee, a three-day general assembly voted on and adopted the draft.
A press release stresses that 71 European citizens "without special expertise, from 26 different countries", managed, in only six days and despite different cultures and traditions, to work together and reach a consensus thanks to a structured debate (in French and English). The young people were helped by experts, the role of which was not to "impose their views but rather guide the reflections", the press release points out. It goes on to announce that two representatives of the Cluny convention will present the final text to the EU's Economic and Social Committee, and that the text would be on the European Commission's web site (http: //http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/index_fr.htm ), which backed the project financially and proposes translating the text into the Union's eleven official languages.
The young people meeting in Cluny have announced the creation of a Network of European Citizens intended to develop ties with European institutions. The Network of European Citizens adopted a declaration in which the young people gathered in the Cluny convention state in particular: - that "European citizens are the vanguard in relation to the policies and decisions of European institutions and intergovernmental of the EU"; - "it's a mistake to believe that citizens are reluctant at the European idea, and that this "so-called apathy will transform itself into enthusiasm" if politicians an the media perform their role; - that a "constitutional process needs to be introduced swiftly"; - that the way European deputies are elected needs changing"; - "that a rule on referenda in Europe" needs drafting; - that citizens' social rights need guaranteeing; - that, on accession of the new Member States, "a spirit of solidarity" will have to be assured, taking account of their economic and social situations. Finally, the declaration calls for "new-generation citizens to be listened to at all levels" by European and national institutions.