natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
Referring back to its views on the Lisbon Strategy, it believes that the European institutions but, above all, the member states, need to reflect further on how they communicate Europe.
Referring back to its views on the Lisbon Strategy, it believes that the European institutions but, above all, the member states, need to reflect further on how they communicate Europe.
Much has already been said about halting the "blame game", but it is clear that "Europe" is too often perceived as negative or defensive, and that insufficient effort is made to "sell" the positive aspects of the integration process.
Much has already been said about halting the "blame game", but it is clear that "Europe" is too often perceived as negative or defensive, and that insufficient effort is made to "sell" the positive aspects of the integration process.
4.7 In the context of enhancing coordination, the Committee calls for the so-called "Wicklow initiative" (informal meetings of European affairs ministers) to be re-activated, but to be given a specific and permanent mandate to examine ways in which Europe can be better communicated and to provide member states with an informal context in which to take stock of public opinion and to exchange best practices.
4.7 In the context of enhancing coordination, the Committee calls for the so-called "Wicklow initiative" (informal meetings of European affairs ministers) to be re-activated, but to be given a specific and permanent mandate to examine ways in which Europe can be better communicated and to provide member states with an informal context in which to take stock of public opinion and to exchange best practices.
At the inter-institutional level, the Committee calls for the Inter-Institutional Group to be similarly mandated to meet at more regular and more frequent intervals to discuss communication issues.
At the inter-institutional level, the Committee calls for the Inter-Institutional Group to be similarly mandated to meet at more regular and more frequent intervals to discuss communication issues.
Such mechanisms are particularly important given the rapid rate of technological development (for example, mobile phones, broad band) and the rapid development of new communication techniques to exploit these.
Such mechanisms are particularly important given the rapid rate of technological development (for example, mobile phones, broad band) and the rapid development of new communication techniques to exploit these.
4.8 The Committee underlines its belief that communication must be a permanent concern and not the subject of an occasional campaign on a specific issue.
4.8 The Committee underlines its belief that communication must be a permanent concern and not the subject of an occasional campaign on a specific issue.
Recognise where the primary responsibility lies
Recognise where the primary responsibility lies
4.9 The European Union's institutions must guard against a false, if clearly well-intentioned, belief that the current "disconnect" can be solved from the central level of "Brussels".
4.9 The European Union's institutions must guard against a false, if clearly well-intentioned, belief that the current "disconnect" can be solved from the central level of "Brussels".
In reality, what the European institutions do in the field of communications can only be complementary.
In reality, what the European institutions do in the field of communications can only be complementary.
The main responsibility lies elsewhere.
The main responsibility lies elsewhere.
The outcome of the elections to the European Parliament and the results of the French and Dutch referendums on the Constitutional Treaty show clearly that many European citizens view Europe sceptically.
The outcome of the elections to the European Parliament and the results of the French and Dutch referendums on the Constitutional Treaty show clearly that many European citizens view Europe sceptically.
This regards above all the effects of European legislation on their living and working conditions.
This regards above all the effects of European legislation on their living and working conditions.
It is down to the Member States to explain to their citizens the meaning of the EU and the necessity of specific European legislation and to communicate the resulting effects to each respective national sphere.
It is down to the Member States to explain to their citizens the meaning of the EU and the necessity of specific European legislation and to communicate the resulting effects to each respective national sphere.
4.10 Public opinion, including civil society, will be convinced of the legitimacy and the common future of the European Union only if there is perceived credibility, trust, a transparent legislative process and a well-functioning rule of law.
4.10 Public opinion, including civil society, will be convinced of the legitimacy and the common future of the European Union only if there is perceived credibility, trust, a transparent legislative process and a well-functioning rule of law.
In the first instance, these have to be safeguarded by the governments of the member states.
In the first instance, these have to be safeguarded by the governments of the member states.
Governments have to act as real co-owners of the Union and abstain from the "we-they" model and the constant double talk that this model involves.
Governments have to act as real co-owners of the Union and abstain from the "we-they" model and the constant double talk that this model involves.
4.11 As the role of the Irish National Forum on Europe demonstrated, civil society organisations can sometimes make decisive contributions.
4.11 As the role of the Irish National Forum on Europe demonstrated, civil society organisations can sometimes make decisive contributions.
It is essential to enhance communication at a relevant level (local, professional, etc.) and to explain the success stories of the European policy or legislative process in relevant and accessible terms at that level.
It is essential to enhance communication at a relevant level (local, professional, etc.) and to explain the success stories of the European policy or legislative process in relevant and accessible terms at that level.
Civil society organisations are well placed to do this.
Civil society organisations are well placed to do this.
The EESC is thus determined to help and encourage civil society organisations within the Member States, particularly through the bridging function of its members.
The EESC is thus determined to help and encourage civil society organisations within the Member States, particularly through the bridging function of its members.
Moreover, if a wide debate about the European project and about European policies is indeed to be launched, then it must begin at the lower levels of civil society within the member states.
Moreover, if a wide debate about the European project and about European policies is indeed to be launched, then it must begin at the lower levels of civil society within the member states.
A Europe-wide forum will only make sense if it allows for the expression of these views reported back up and also down.
A Europe-wide forum will only make sense if it allows for the expression of these views reported back up and also down.
Indeed, what is needed is not so much a top-down or a bottom-up approach, but a bottom-down approach.
Indeed, what is needed is not so much a top-down or a bottom-up approach, but a bottom-down approach.
4.12 This opinion has deliberately eschewed much discussion about the future of the Constitutional Treaty and the options open to the European Union.
4.12 This opinion has deliberately eschewed much discussion about the future of the Constitutional Treaty and the options open to the European Union.
Clearly, a permanent return to the status quo ante of the Nice Treaty cannot be an option.
Clearly, a permanent return to the status quo ante of the Nice Treaty cannot be an option.
But perhaps the broad debate envisaged by the Heads of State or Government could help illumine the best way forward.
But perhaps the broad debate envisaged by the Heads of State or Government could help illumine the best way forward.
However, the Committee notes with some alarm that such broad debate is largely absent in most of the Member States.
However, the Committee notes with some alarm that such broad debate is largely absent in most of the Member States.
In the absence of such debate, it is difficult to see how genuine progress can be made.
In the absence of such debate, it is difficult to see how genuine progress can be made.
The President
The President
of the
of the
The Secretary-General of the European Economic and Social Committee
The Secretary-General of the European Economic and Social Committee
N.B. : Appendix overleaf.
N.B. : Appendix overleaf.
Appendix: some specific suggestions for facilitating the debate
Appendix: some specific suggestions for facilitating the debate
For the EESC
For the EESC
1.1 The EESC is determined to play a full and pro-active part in the debate through its members and their organisations, particularly in the Member States.
1.1 The EESC is determined to play a full and pro-active part in the debate through its members and their organisations, particularly in the Member States.
1.2 The EESC will make a rapid assessment of the European Commission's recently adopted Communication on "Plan D".
1.2 The EESC will make a rapid assessment of the European Commission's recently adopted Communication on "Plan D".
The Committee welcomes the Commission's commitment to partnership and will seek to work closely not only with the European Commission, but with the other EU institutions, the Member States and all other actors involved in encouraging debate.
The Committee welcomes the Commission's commitment to partnership and will seek to work closely not only with the European Commission, but with the other EU institutions, the Member States and all other actors involved in encouraging debate.
1.3 In this context, the Committee would encourage the European Commission better to exploit the communication resource which the EESC's members effectively represent (see below).
1.3 In this context, the Committee would encourage the European Commission better to exploit the communication resource which the EESC's members effectively represent (see below).
1.4 The EESC will pro-actively encourage cooperation in debate and discussion with the National Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions.
1.4 The EESC will pro-actively encourage cooperation in debate and discussion with the National Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions.
1.5 The EESC's members should seek to cooperate more pro-actively also with the Committee of the Regions on issues of common interest.
1.5 The EESC's members should seek to cooperate more pro-actively also with the Committee of the Regions on issues of common interest.
1.6 The EESC will explore possibilities of working more closely with the regional press and media, including the audiovisual media, and with the specialised press.
1.6 The EESC will explore possibilities of working more closely with the regional press and media, including the audiovisual media, and with the specialised press.
1.7 The EESC will pro-actively seek more systematic involvement in the work of think tanks, particularly those based in Brussels.
1.7 The EESC will pro-actively seek more systematic involvement in the work of think tanks, particularly those based in Brussels.
For the European Parliament
For the European Parliament
2.1 The EESC suggests that the European Parliament set up working parties with institutional communication professionals in each Member State with a view to making practical proposals to governments regarding the measures and resources necessary to embark upon an effective communication campaign in the Member States.
2.1 The EESC suggests that the European Parliament set up working parties with institutional communication professionals in each Member State with a view to making practical proposals to governments regarding the measures and resources necessary to embark upon an effective communication campaign in the Member States.
The EESC suggests that the European Parliament define and clarify, in the form of green papers, the various existing hypotheses in relation to the three or four most debated and debatable questions on the future of the EU, questions that will culminate in deliberations after the process of communication and debate thus launched.
The EESC suggests that the European Parliament define and clarify, in the form of green papers, the various existing hypotheses in relation to the three or four most debated and debatable questions on the future of the EU, questions that will culminate in deliberations after the process of communication and debate thus launched.
The EESC is prepared to be involved in such deliberations and to make available its expertise in this field and to offer the support of its contacts in the Member States, national Economic and Social Councils and similar institutions.
The EESC is prepared to be involved in such deliberations and to make available its expertise in this field and to offer the support of its contacts in the Member States, national Economic and Social Councils and similar institutions.
2.2 The EESC encourages the EP fully to exploit the Committee's willingness to act as a partner in the debates in the Member States and at EU level.
2.2 The EESC encourages the EP fully to exploit the Committee's willingness to act as a partner in the debates in the Member States and at EU level.
2.3 In order to ensure a degree of consistency between the initiatives, the EESC requests the European Parliament and the European Commission to ensure that initiatives by representatives of organised civil society enjoy the same support as those by elected and other representatives of European, national, regional and local bodies.
2.3 In order to ensure a degree of consistency between the initiatives, the EESC requests the European Parliament and the European Commission to ensure that initiatives by representatives of organised civil society enjoy the same support as those by elected and other representatives of European, national, regional and local bodies.
Civil society cannot be kept on the sidelines.
Civil society cannot be kept on the sidelines.
2.4 The EESC suggests that the European Parliament should consider allocating a significant proportion of the overall EU communication budget to local and thematic debates on the European integration process to complement the resources of national and local public authorities and the resources at the disposal of civil society organisations.
2.4 The EESC suggests that the European Parliament should consider allocating a significant proportion of the overall EU communication budget to local and thematic debates on the European integration process to complement the resources of national and local public authorities and the resources at the disposal of civil society organisations.
For the European Commission
For the European Commission
3.1 The EESC applauds the European Commission's determination, to propose a "Plan D", for debate, democracy and dialogue.
3.1 The EESC applauds the European Commission's determination, to propose a "Plan D", for debate, democracy and dialogue.
It will soon look at whether a plan of this nature is equal to the current challenge.
It will soon look at whether a plan of this nature is equal to the current challenge.
The EESC notes the decision, within its 20 July 2005 Action Plan to improve communicating Europe, to devolve significant fresh resources to the Commission's representations in the Member States.
The EESC notes the decision, within its 20 July 2005 Action Plan to improve communicating Europe, to devolve significant fresh resources to the Commission's representations in the Member States.
3.2 In this context, calls for the European Commission's representations to recognise that the EESC's members represent a significant and currently under-exploited communications resource that could and should be involved in local, regional and national debates.
3.2 In this context, calls for the European Commission's representations to recognise that the EESC's members represent a significant and currently under-exploited communications resource that could and should be involved in local, regional and national debates.
3.3 Also in this context, calls for the Commission to ensure that the Committee and its members are fully involved in the initiatives which the "Plan D" will define once the European Parliament has examined it and once the Committee has delivered its opinion.
3.3 Also in this context, calls for the Commission to ensure that the Committee and its members are fully involved in the initiatives which the "Plan D" will define once the European Parliament has examined it and once the Committee has delivered its opinion.
This applies in particular to everything related to democracy (a round table on this subject could not fail to place the Committee at the heart of the debate;) the organisation of regional events by the Europe Direct centres and all the proposals for the promotion of citizens' participation in the democratic process.
This applies in particular to everything related to democracy (a round table on this subject could not fail to place the Committee at the heart of the debate;) the organisation of regional events by the Europe Direct centres and all the proposals for the promotion of citizens' participation in the democratic process.
3.4 Calls for the Commission to anticipate certain aspects of the Constitutional Treaty's provisions on the democratic life of the European Union, believing that these measures will not only reassure the European citizen but also further democratise and invigorate the debate.
3.4 Calls for the Commission to anticipate certain aspects of the Constitutional Treaty's provisions on the democratic life of the European Union, believing that these measures will not only reassure the European citizen but also further democratise and invigorate the debate.
3.5 Argues therefore that civil society could already now be consulted on the content of the European law defining the procedures for implementing the right of citizens' initiative.
3.5 Argues therefore that civil society could already now be consulted on the content of the European law defining the procedures for implementing the right of citizens' initiative.
In this context, the EESC could be asked to deliver an exploratory opinion on this subject.
In this context, the EESC could be asked to deliver an exploratory opinion on this subject.
It could also lend its support to civil society initiatives.
It could also lend its support to civil society initiatives.
3.6 The provisions on participatory democracy should be made the subject of a series of communications from the European Commission, defining the envisaged consultation procedures and the role of the EESC.
3.6 The provisions on participatory democracy should be made the subject of a series of communications from the European Commission, defining the envisaged consultation procedures and the role of the EESC.
3.7 Calls upon the European Commission to consider putting forward a legislative proposal for a true Communications Policy, and thereby to confront the "hidden" issue of the absent legal base which has resulted in so many informal mechanisms and an unbalanced approach.
3.7 Calls upon the European Commission to consider putting forward a legislative proposal for a true Communications Policy, and thereby to confront the "hidden" issue of the absent legal base which has resulted in so many informal mechanisms and an unbalanced approach.
The tabling of such a proposal would, in the Committee's opinion, itself encourage debate.
The tabling of such a proposal would, in the Committee's opinion, itself encourage debate.
3.8 The provision of adequate financial resources is necessary for the implementation of a communication strategy that meets citizens' expectations.
3.8 The provision of adequate financial resources is necessary for the implementation of a communication strategy that meets citizens' expectations.
3.9 Once the requisite resources have been placed at their disposal, the media, local and regional authorities, political groups and civil society organisations will have the means to act as a conduit for information.
3.9 Once the requisite resources have been placed at their disposal, the media, local and regional authorities, political groups and civil society organisations will have the means to act as a conduit for information.
They will be able to convey clear messages on the implications of the integration process that are attuned to the concerns of their local audience.
They will be able to convey clear messages on the implications of the integration process that are attuned to the concerns of their local audience.
To all of the EU institutions
To all of the EU institutions
4.1 The European institutions should help to coordinate the communication activities of political groups, local and regional authorities and civil society organisations by encouraging the exchange of good practice in this field and the pooling of efforts.
4.1 The European institutions should help to coordinate the communication activities of political groups, local and regional authorities and civil society organisations by encouraging the exchange of good practice in this field and the pooling of efforts.
For example, the EESC could promote the exchange of good practice (and know-how) at European level between civil society organisations involved in communication activities.
For example, the EESC could promote the exchange of good practice (and know-how) at European level between civil society organisations involved in communication activities.
It could also establish feedback arrangements for evaluating, at European level, proposals, criticisms and recommendations put forward by members of the public during debates organised by civil society.
It could also establish feedback arrangements for evaluating, at European level, proposals, criticisms and recommendations put forward by members of the public during debates organised by civil society.
Finally, the EESC stands ready to support cross-border or multi-national initiatives.
Finally, the EESC stands ready to support cross-border or multi-national initiatives.
4.2 The Committee calls for the Interinstitutional Information Group to be given a specific and permanent mandate to take stock of public opinion and examine best practices and to meet at regular and more frequent intervals to discuss communication issues.
4.2 The Committee calls for the Interinstitutional Information Group to be given a specific and permanent mandate to take stock of public opinion and examine best practices and to meet at regular and more frequent intervals to discuss communication issues.
For the Member States
For the Member States
5.1 The Committee calls upon the Austrian and Finnish Presidencies to recommence the so-called "Wicklow initiative" of informal meetings of the ministers of European Affairs to discuss communications issues and challenges.
5.1 The Committee calls upon the Austrian and Finnish Presidencies to recommence the so-called "Wicklow initiative" of informal meetings of the ministers of European Affairs to discuss communications issues and challenges.
5.2 The Committee calls upon the European Council to give this so-called "Wicklow Group" a permanent mandate and reporting function.
5.2 The Committee calls upon the European Council to give this so-called "Wicklow Group" a permanent mandate and reporting function.
5.3 The EESC calls upon the Member States to institute a system of best practices and bench marking, perhaps via the "Wicklow Group".
5.3 The EESC calls upon the Member States to institute a system of best practices and bench marking, perhaps via the "Wicklow Group".