Introductory Discussion

Monday 26 November 2001, British Academy

The aim of the Introductory Discussion was to set the context for the series by exploring some of the broader issues, including how the institutions of the European Union are currently developing? What can be done to make the European Union more relevant and comprehensive to UK citizens? And most fundamentally, to explore what kind of European Union we want.

Chaired by David Dimbleby, the Institute's President, the panel comprised of:

• Yasmin Alibhai Brown, columnist on The Independent
• Vernon Bogdanor, the British Academy
• Vernon Ellis, International Chairman, Accenture
• Sir Stephen Wall KCMG LVO, European Union Advisor to the Prime Minister and Head of European Secretariat, Cabinet Office

Over 70 people from a variety of backgrounds including academics, business, politicians, civil servants and interested members of the public participated.

Key points raised at this discussion included:

• The recognition that at present, the European Union remained a distant concept to the majority of the British citizenry with institutions and treaties that were complex and too far removed from people's daily reality.
• The belief that British citizens need better, more effective and accurate information on the facts about Europe, how it works and how to participate within it. Often issues arising from the European Union are polemicised in the national media rather than being accurately reported.
• The development of a greater sense of European democracy by articulating a new dream for Europe, a 'new vision' that can build a sense of shared identity and European consciousness, incorporating the many diverse and varied peoples living across the continent.

To comment on the issues raised or to share your thoughts and ideas on the issues, join our on-line discussion forum.

For further details of Europe & its Citizens - the Future and how to participate, contact Ashika Thanki, the Institute's Development Director at ashika@citizen.org.uk.

Special thanks to Adamson BSMG Worldwide, Accenture, the British Academy, the European Parliament, Glasgow City Council, Pinsent Curtis Biddle, and the Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs Office for their support of Europe & its Citizens - the Future.

Europe & its Citizens - the Future provided a series of discussion forums for people to express their views and opinions, whatever they are, on the issues highlighted. Europe & its Citizens - the Future was a strictly non-partisan project and which did not wish to take a stand on the pro/anti debate around the EU. The views of the participants were, of course, their own and do not represent the view of the Institute for Citizenship or their sponsors.