The economic, social and civic aspects of European citizenship will be at the centre of discussions, which will focus mainly on the expectations of Europeans. The major question will be how to meet these expectations while reflecting European values and objectives such as freedom, security, equality, or sustainability.

Three workshops will examine this question in more detail:

• An economy for Europe, not a Europe for the economy
• A social Europe for the citizens
• An active European Citizenship

Since 2014 is the year when Europeans will go to the polls to elect the European Parliament, it is a particularly important time to remember how crucial it is to involve European citizens in policy-making processes through participatory democracy and civil society organisations.

The conclusions of this conference will also contribute to the Action Plan for Europe, which the EESC is currently drafting and which shapes the EU political agenda for the coming months and years, and follows the Recommendations issued by the European Year of Citizens Alliance.

Civil Society Day is a yearly initiative organised by the European Economic and Social Committee and the EESC Liaison Group with European civil society networks. It brings together key players from European and national civil society organisations, business leaders and entrepreneurs, academics, EU policy- and decision-makers and the media. It provides a forum for dialogue on issues that concern civil society stakeholders. It is also an opportunity to consider the role of organised civil society in a more participatory set-up and to discuss how civil society can help transform the European Union into an alliance of 28 countries whose nationals are able and willing to play a more active part in shaping EU policies.

For further inquiries, please contact: Civil Society Day 2014