Brussels, 28/08/2002 (Agence Europe) - Numerous contributions to the proceedings of the Convention of the Future of Europe are being made by the different socio-economic sectors, primarily calling for the development of a more social and democratic Europe, attentive to citizens' needs.
Independent trade unions: debate on European identity
The European Confederation of Independent Trade Unions (CESI) deems indispensable a thorough debate on the European identity. It also recommends: - simplification of the Treaties and incorporation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights into the Treaties or into a future European Constitution; - respect for democratic principles and the protection of minorities. Respect for trade union pluralism is crucial, adds the CESI, so as to add to the legitimacy of European social dialogue, for example. The CESI also notes that the elaboration of a fixed list of competences should not be the central focus of the Convention's debates, but that there is cause, on the other hand, to be concerned with guaranteeing proper application of the subsidiarity principle. Finally, the independent unions also consider that the EU bodies, their decision-making processes and their responsibilities must be comprehensible to EU citizens.
European trade unions/Youth: a social and democratic Europe
The Youth Group of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) recommends that Convention members attach priority to the following: (1) respect for fundamental rights, with a legally binding Charter of Fundamental Rights; (2) social Europe above all, with real trade union power, a strengthened European social dialogue and genuine policies for European economic governance; (3) the right to a decent standard of living for all, through lifelong learning, more and better jobs, the eradication of not only poverty and social exclusion but also racism and xenophobia, the promotion of gender equality and equal access to services of general interest; (4) true democratic participation, in particular by enabling young people to express their opinions and to be involved in all decisions that concern them and by guaranteeing balanced gender representation in politics; (5) EU institutional reforms and, as a matter of urgency, simplification and reinforcement of the Treaties.
The contribution by the ETUC is being drafted and will be approved by its Executive Board on 8 October next in Brussels.
Services of general interest: an element guaranteeing an active democracy
The European Liaison Committee on Services of General Interest (CELSIG) states in its contribution that clear common rules are needed at a constitutional level in Europe, so that each institutional and territorial level can carry out its responsibilities fully. This is indispensable to ensure that the diverse interests existing in the EU can express their views on the objectives to be set and the means for attaining them. For its part, ISUPE (Initiative for public utilities) proposes constitutionalising the role of services of general economic interest in the EU, which in the long term will reinforce European citizenship by consolidating citizens' support for EU construction and by making the Union more concrete, following on from the euro.
Social platform: the Convention must be attentive to citizens' needs
The Social Platform primarily urges the Convention to: - write into the Treaty its undertaking to sustainable development and the integration of economic, social and environmental policies; - make the eradication and prevention of poverty and social exclusion a priority, and thus to include in the Treaty the open method of coordination applied to these sectors; - ensure that the Treaty permits cooperation between the Member States in family life matters and recognizes the role played by services of general interest in social cohesion.
ATD Fourth World: EU priority must be to eradicate poverty
The International Movement ATD Fourth World has submitted its first contribution, which reflects the experience of impoverished individuals and families and which calls for: - making the fight against poverty and social exclusion in Europe and worldwide one of the main objectives of the EU; - achieving balance at the highest political level in the EU in economic, social and environmental policies, as represrented by sustainable development; - placing fundamental rights at the heart of the EU and writing into the Treaties an improved Charter; - giving a recognized role to European NGOs.
Liberal professions: institutionalised civil dialogue
The European Council of the Liberal Professions (CEPLIS) has appealed for institutionalised dialogue with organised civil society (civil dialogue) through amendment of the Treaty. CEPLIS is convinced that such dialogue will be even more effective if it is based on criteria guaranteeing sufficiently representative participation and the establishment of a legislative framework providing for the dialogue results to be taken into account. Civil dialogue is a necessary complement to the social dialogue written into the Treaty of Amsterdam. The association of German liberal professions (BFB, Bundesverband der Freien Berufe) calls primarily for greater transparency in the European institutions and reform of the Treaties.