JEF Hungary in the Conference on the Future of Europe

The Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE), a proposal of the European Commission and the European Parliament announced at the end of 2019, is currently underway. It aims to look at the future of the EU and what kind of reforms the Union should make to its policies and institutions. To do so, the EU consults with European citizens and civil societies. Together with several other representatives from civil societies all around Europe JEF Hungary – being represented by Patrik György – was given the opportunity to participate in an online workshop. The highlight of the event was MEP Guy Verhofstadt, Co-Chair of the Conference on the future of Europe, joining the discussion to answer the participants’ questions. Questions ranged from “how one can increase the participation of citizens in the CoFoE” all the way “to doubts as to what extent this endeavour will bring change”.

After a short presentation by the organisers, participants were separated in breakout-rooms, which facilitated impactful discussions throughout the event. The goal of the groups was to exchange views on opportunities and challenges that the CoFoE faces, which then were shared with all participants. The participants’ list included organisations almost every European country, advocating for a vast array of causes, as well as representatives from various JEF sections. The exchange of experiences and problems gave us an incredible insight into what challenges organisations around Europe face. For JEF Hungary a wide array of examples, templates and knowledge on how to foster citizen participation in European politics was presented. Especially by some organisations that are bigger and more involved in the CoFoE than JEF Hungary. They are a great sample for what JEF Hungary can strive to be in the future, in order to involve more citizens in European politics and decision-making.

After two breakout sessions and a short break, Member of the European Parliament Guy Verhofstadt joined for a discussion and to answer questions by representatives. The conversations focused on steps that organisations have already undertaken to increase citizen participation in the CoFoE, while questions raised the point of what tangible change, we can truly expect from the CoFoE. From his responses, one can clearly see that Mr Verhofstadt cares deeply about the future of Europe. He believes that the resulting information from the CoFoE will be an undeniable representation of the will of European citizens. Once these findings are compiled, foreseeably in March, they will be placed in front of the European Parliament and Commission. The question that remains is how the Conference’s findings will be executed and enforced. Continued attention and pressure need to be put on the EU, to fulfil the promises of the ambitious Conference on the Future of Europe. The CoFoE’s goal may be ambitious but one that JEF Hungary, like other partaking organisations, greatly supports.

It was a pleasure for JEF Hungary to partake in this online workshop, and thus play a small role in the Conference on the Future of Europe. In conclusion, the CoFoE and its aims are a step in the right direction. JEF Hungary is dedicated that it will be followed by many more steps in the same direction. We not only hope that this will lead to better and more successful attempts to define the future of the EU, but we continue to actively work towards it.