Conference Conversations #10: What’s the future of participatory democracy in the EU?

The Conference on the Future of Europe is on its finishing line. What will its legacy look like? Can it be a turning point for a more democratic, more participatory European Union?

We will assess the Conference and discuss the future of citizen participation in the EU on the basis of our report published by our High-level Advisory Group. What has worked in the Conference, what has not, and where to go from here in the process? Is there readiness to introduce new institutionalized forms of citizen participation in the EU? In what ways could or should citizens be involved in EU policy making in the future? But also: What effect is Putin's war against Ukraine on the overall significance and potential results of the Conference?

We look forward to discussing these and other questions online on 24 March, 16.00- 17.00 CET with 

Herman Van Rompuy, President Emeritus of the European Council
Anna Lührmann, Minister of State, German Federal Foreign Office
Janis A. Emmanouilidis, Director of Studies, European Policy Centre
Dominik Hierlemann, Senior Expert, Bertelsmann Stiftung
Corina Stratulat, Senior Policy Analyst, European Policy Centre

moderated by Jacki Davis, Moderator, Meade Davis Communications.

Conference Conversations is part of the Conference Observatory, a joint initiative by an international consortium comprising the Bertelsmann Stiftung, the European Policy Centre, the King Baudouin Foundation, and the Stiftung Mercator. The Conference Observatory aims to observe, critically analyse and inspire the Conference deliberations. Based on the lessons learned, the initiative will also develop proposals aiming to improve the EU’s future participatory and democratic architecture.