First pilot ‘Transnational Peoples Assembly’ of Europeans in Athens on September 27-29

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Athens is the first European capital selected for a pilot ‘Transnational Peoples’ Assembly’ of European citizens, which forms part of an initiative aiming to give Europeans a “voice” and more direct access to EU decision-making centres.

The work of the assembly will be held on September 27, 28 and 29 in Athens and will be accompanied by public events and festivals in the city that are open to both locals and visitors.

The city was selected by the “Democratic Odyssey” campaign, which describes itself as is a crowdsourced, decentralised and collaborative campaign developing a concept and strategy to institutionalise a permanent peoples’ assembly and participatory eco-system in the European Union. It is comprised of a consortium of partners led by the European University Institute (EUI) STG Transnational Democracy Programme.

The aim of the initiative is the participation of Athenians and European citizens that live in Athens so that they can present and there can be a record of their opinions and experiences about the multiple crises that have occurred in Greece, including the economic crisis, fires, floods, unemployment and migration. They will then submit proposals on how the EU could better prepare to deal with them.

The aim is for such an Assembly to be adopted as an official part of the EU governance system, in which randomly selected citizens will express their views and be heard by the highest EU institutions.

Athens Mayor Haris Doukas, commenting on the initiative, said:

“The attempt of the 1st Peoples’ Assembly is an excellent model for enhancing citizen participation in the decision-making process. I hope that the seed of consultation will be sown on a local level also. I hope for broad participation of the citizens in his important effort to strengthen European democratic institutions.”

Source: ANA – MPA

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