Originally scheduled to start in May, the conference has been postponed until September due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Despite the warnings that expectations would not be met, as was the case with the European Constitution, I think this is a unique opportunity for a more democratic, sovereign and federal Europe.
It will offer the possibility of placing the future of the EU at the center of the European debate and, if well managed, could revitalize the European idea.
The conference is a wonderful project to recognize and respect the different national dimensions. The selection of Guy Verhofstadt as President is an excellent choice. He is a committed European and has extensive experience in European affairs.
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EU member states have different opinions depending on their historical, political, socio-economic and media context.
The conference on the future of Europe will find out why a large part of Europeans do not support the Union. He will launch a discussion on what is a European identity and our values.
Local return
The Conference on the Future of Europe could be a great example of Going Local.
Empower and interact with citizens, support the development of a European public sphere, establish a two-way dialogue, listen to people and be transparent.
The results of this democratic process should not be overlooked but respected and analyzed.
Most of the major real problems, such as the migration crisis, Euroscepticism, cooperation on security issues and, lately, the coronavirus pandemic require a coordinated European response.
Although the European Parliament was the first EU institution to publish a document on the conference, in fact, the original idea came from the President of France, Emmanuel Macron.
For the moment, everyone wants to participate, and the discussion is currently focused on the format rather than the content.
The conference will focus on engaging civil society in major debates on the future of Europe and will provide lasting solutions on how the Union can respond to the needs of citizens. .
It must identify what the EU is doing well and what new measures it must improve, increase its capacity for action and make it more democratic. The whole process must be based on a bottom-up approach.
It should also provide more information in areas related to the transparency of the work of the Council of the EU; promote the pan-European list system for the next European elections and relaunch the "Spitzenkandidate" system.
Citizens should also debate a call for a treaty change, in particular with regard to the competence of member states in the health sector.
The European public sphere.
The Conference could be a useful step in the direction of the structuring of a European public sphere. Such a sphere is hardly necessary for the greatest unification of the continent.
At the moment, Europe is not yet a nation and the EU is not yet a federal state. It is a kind of confederation.
Europe must challenge the myths surrounding the bloc by presenting stories that respond to the concerns of citizens. The EU needs a real communications revolution if it is to showcase its achievements and added value.
However, branding, public relations or communication cannot function properly if it is not supported by real reforms and political will. All communication strategies start with politics, performance and action.
Most EU problems, including Euroscepticism and populism, can be solved if the Union itself starts to change, to function better and than the citizens of the EU. EU see it that way.
Despite the slow process of unification that we have experienced over the past seven decades, divisions have grown even more recently due to Covid-19.
On the other hand, as long as humanity as a whole experiences the same traumatic experiences over and over, there will gradually be a broader feeling of unity. However, it will be a slower process than the rise of nationalism.
I firmly believe that the European Union allows us to preserve our model of a welfare state society, our liberal democracies and the diversity of our national cultures.
By joining forces and working together, we can find viable solutions to many problems. A politically unified Europe is the best remedy against growing poverty, the far right, bigotry and racism.
Even after losing Britain, the EU remains a major player on the planet despite its slow decision-making process.
If we are to play an important role and have some kind of influence on the international political agenda and the solution of global problems, we must keep our forces united.
To abandon European unification would be to abandon the world stage forever.