What happens when political challenges become global, but democracy remains national? This question is becoming increasingly urgent.
Climate change, wars, authoritarian influence, disinformation and economic instability do not stop at borders. Yet citizens often feel excluded from the decision-making processes that shape their lives most directly. When people feel powerless, trust in democratic institutions weakens and anti-democratic forces benefit.
Over the past two years, the EU for Global project brought together more than 1,000 citizens and residents from across Europe to discuss exactly this: what tools can be used to participate in decision-making, what role should the EU have as a democratic actor on the global stage, which values represent the citizens of the EU, and which ones should the EU carry into the world.
“Citizens Shaping Europe” Report
Through an online consultation and 16 Citizens’ Panels across Europe, the project welcomed people from diverse social, cultural, and professional backgrounds to discuss democracy, participation, migration, human rights, climate governance, misinformation, inclusion, and the EU’s role in the world.
At a time when authoritarian governments are becoming more coordinated internationally, democracies must also become more capable of involving citizens across borders. The European Union, with its unique participatory mechanisms, has a responsibility of global cooperation and promotion of successful tools that include citizens and residents in decision-making. Its role in the world is stronger than ever.
The recommendations gathered in this report demonstrate both citizens’ commitment to European democracy and their expectation that the EU should become more accessible, responsive, and accountable.
For democracy to meet the challenges of our time, it must become more inclusive, more participatory and more transnational. This is why we are sharing the report with the Members of the European Parliament and Foreign Ministers to ensure citizens’ recommendations develop into concrete action and feed the EU foreign policy agenda.
If you are interested in participatory projects and in supporting our work for more democratic structures at the European and global levels, please visit our website and explore ongoing projects, future events and periodic reports.
Lorenza De Luna,
Democracy International
Topic Author
