Restitution of the GOV workshop : 
Democratic European Governance 

Introduction

It is perhaps useful to present the dynamics that led to this meeting. Organised in the framework of the Alliance for a responsible, plural and united world, this continental assembly was the fruit of work done by the "Citizenship and political renewal" workshop. We feel that two characteristics of European construction are unacceptable: a Europe dominated by neo-liberal and free market ideology. 

We felt it important to put forward these considerations during the assembly and, with the participants, seek answers to our main question: What role must civil society play in order to change this trend?
We also felt it important to define new rules and perhaps draw up a European Constitution.
Furthermore, should we first define the system for the Europe we aspire to and then propose enlargement to candidate countries, or on the contrary, go forward with enlargement and only then propose a Constitution?
Thus it was essential to involve the new members as soon as possible in defining "The Europe we want". This is why we made a point of inviting nationals of every country of the European continent to this assembly in Romania. 

In addition, to avoid the effect of a selfish Europe acting as a fortress disinterested in the rest of the world, and its possible role at world level, we also chose to involve Europe's future neighbours (i.e. the countries in the Mediterranean basin), which, moreover, had already been the subject of the European Euro-Med initiative at Barcelona.

To satisfy another requirement for balance, we sought representatives from different cultures: the "governance" group includes 25 different nationalities.
Most of the participants were committed in various organisations and therefore represented the different components of European civil society.

One of the difficulties at the outset was the ambiguity of inviting the participants to reflect on a project for the European Union using as basis a document on the problem of the existing fifteen members, whereas most of the persons present came from non-union countries.

Another challenge in organising this group was that we chose to start the debate via an electronic forum during the six months prior to the assembly; however, certain groups that had been identified late in the day were unable to participate in it. Consequently, the members of the GOV group entered into the debate having different levels of information and consideration. 

A list of themes to be dealt with, identified on the basis of the electronic forum debates, was debated during the first workshop. The group decided to select three of these themes which it felt were the most pertinent:
-	Civil Society 
-	European governance  
-	Europe and the rest of the world 

The work of the 3 subgroups 

Group A: Civil Society (CS)

1. Definition
CS is composed of groups with non-governmental and non-commercial interests as well as persons active in public life. 
However, account must be taken of the differences between nations: each CS has to be thought out by its own actors (associations, NGOs, etc.) and according to the characteristics of each culture.

2. Role
Operational concept: the network must achieve concrete actions

Contribute to changes and evolutions 
Contribution to the public agenda (list of priorities and political agenda)
Transparency and traceability of government decisions 

Socialise individuals for a culture of democracy (cultural and economic life)
Democratisation and the protection of democracy 
Mobilisation of public opinion on the challenges 
Creation of a political arena and discourse on equality, justice, etc.
Integrate excluded groups in society and promote diversity 

Innovate and participate in new policies (new work cultures)
Control over political standards (civic observatories of political management)

3. How can these objectives be promoted?
CS must develop structures for participation by citizens (e.g. alliance). Echanges are needed between national CS to build civil society.

The media: civil society requires good public media. The media needs good legislation. An associative press independent from the finance used by the traditional press. Journalist should take a better approach to the reality of NGOs.

Development of the Internet 

Education: the education of values, cultures and traditions should be part of the minimum curriculum.
Teaching of foreign languages.

The organisations of CS  should integrate the European dimensions of their basic issues in their activities.

The concept of security set up after the Second World War and constitutive of the EU has shown itself to be completely inadequate (the Balkans, etc.), thus CS must act and reflect on the issue of nationalism (clarify the causes and act upstream of possible conflicts). 
In particular work must be done in the areas of youth, twinning, intercultural exchanges, education for peace.

Eliminate the culture of secrecy.

Respect standards in the areas of health, education, etc.
Social security: basic social protection and a minimum income should exist for every European citizen.

What is the common basis for European identity? Peace and a secular culture 

4. Relations between CS and politicians
- Carry out a policy of lobbying to reach the public (enrich discourses, promote new events).
- CS is the basis of social capital.
- The right to be informed.

5. European identity and citizenship 
Geography
Common values 
Duties as European citizen.

Below is an exhaustive list of all the proposals that the "Civil Society" workgroup drafted during a brainstorming session. The underlined element were selected for the following of their reflections and are listed at the end of this list.

1. Transparency and accountability

•	Expert groups of NGOs to monitor / audit / control governmental budget (public alarm)  
•	Prepare regular financial reports of NGO (transparent) and publication 
•	Public debate through media / NGO  
•	Establishing of international audit service for NGOs  
•	Participation of NGOs in decision-making process (consultant)   
•	Circumscribe secret (criteria)  
•	Control through independant observers of implementation of laws  
•	ISO criteria (good practices) for NGOs   
•	Black list of NGOs / White list of NGOs 
•	Participation of NGOs in implementation of policies and laws adopted on the national and European level
•	Ombudsmen for right of information and implementation of policies, laws and decisions taken on the national and European level
•	Compulsory consultation of involved people and NGOs before voting a law 
•	Internship between NGOs  : i.e. this point needs a network of NGOs and information about them: members of a certain NGO would spend time working in another NGO in order to exchange experience, use the results of another NGO research or work, ask to work in a field of the NGO’s specialisation. The work would be free of charge
•	Online NGO forum (activities, reports, budget...)   
•	Providing NGO with transparency and accountability
•	International contribution to independent investigation of abuses  
•	Consultation structures of NGO on local / municipal level
•	System of punishment / sanction on bad NGOs
•	Implementation of transparency on EU level (decisions / budget)
•	FBI of civil society (gov.) Information unit to audit the governmental policies and implementation of decisions, in order to lobby for or against what suits civil society

2. Civil Society Networking

•	European Status of NGOs/CS
•	Directory (intelligent)   
•	Best practices on national NGO centers and international network   
•	Network of NGOs in UE / Outside NGOs for information on UE
•	Exchange of experiences (bad !)   
•	Website for European NGOs (thematic)   
•	Publication of strategic goals for NGOs
•	Hierarchy of levels from local to global   
•	Conference for NGOs on different levels   
•	European e-newsletter   
•	Intersectorial networking 
•	Participation in national forums of NGOs   
•	Creation of links for NGOs (discussion list)
•	Supporting Network 

3. Monitoring European Institutions

•	Create structures (of CS) making regular reports / evaluation consulting  
•	Insert  NGO representatives in expert commissions of UE (observers)  
•	International expertise on National laws in various fields  
•	Study EU accession cases from the point of view of CS  
•	Commission to elaborate global plan at all levels (scheme) 
•	Review shortcomings of European institutions’ definitions of Civil Society and NGOs 
•	Organisation of debates between citizens and European representatives 
•	Link monitoring European Institutions (database)  
•	Information campaign on European Institutions  
•	“ Marco Polos ” of CS in transition countries

4. Public Opinion

•	Awareness campaigns (in different media)  
•	Creating and using alternative media (press releases)
•	NGO supplements in daily newspapers
•	Education towards public opinion (all age groups) especially NGOs 
•	Establishment of information agency on European debates in Central, East and Mediterranean Countries  
•	Research on people’s major concerns  
•	Giving space to CS in TV programmes (broadcasting): either NGOs can pay for time on TV or organise such actions that TV could be invited and interested; or to agree with TV stations on leaving room for activities of civil society and NGOs so they would be broadcasted within TV shows
•	Creation of European political party  
•	Capacitybuilding of NGOs (public relations with media)  
•	European NGO-news on TV (weekly)  
•	Integrate media on NGO activities
•	Mobile exhibition on CS in rural areas  
•	Courses on European construction process in elementary and secondary schools.

5. Democracy promotion

•	Press upon applying direct democracy on local level  
•	Research on shortcomings of democratic process and CS capacities to address them 
•	Influence pressure on vital decisions
•	Haarlem experience in subsidiarity implementation
•	Forum of candidates during election campaigns  
•	Collecting citizen’s views and impose them on authorities 
•	Abolish registration codes of NGOs or facilitate  

6. Increase the involvement of people in CS

•	Municipal Councils of children / youth 
•	More room of expression for youth  
•	Education to participation  
•	Construction of NGO partnerships with State and business sectors  
•	Promotion of voluntarism (scholarships from universities)  
•	Establishing an award for outstanding philanthropists  
•	Improve programs of cooperation exchange between schools on European level  
•	Compulsory learning of 2 foreign languages at school 

* * * *

Summary of the selected elements.

1. Transparency & Accountability
•	Public debate through media/NGO
•	Establishing of international audit service for NGOs
•	ISO criteria for NGOS (list of white/black lists)

2. Civil Society Networking
•	Directory
•	Thematic web site for european NGOs
•	Participation in national forums of NGOs (exchange worldwide)

3. Monitoring European Institutions
•	Civil society structures for making regular reports/evaluation-consultancy
•	Study EU accession cases from the civil society's point of view
•	Information campaigns on european institutions

4. Public Opinion
•	Awareness campaigns
•	Education towards public opinion
•	European news on civil society on TV (Weekly)

5. Democractization & Protection of Democracy
•	Press upon applying direct democracy for local level
•	Research on shortcomes of democratic process & civil society's capacities to address them
•	Collecting citizen's views and imposing them on authorities (citizenship conference)

6. Increase the involvement of people in CS
•	Municipal Councils of children / youth 
•	Promotion of voluntarism (scholarships from universities)  
•	Improve programs of cooperation exchange between schools on European level  

Group B: European governance

Our work can be resumed by the draft of a Constitution. 
This European Constitution should be composed of 4 chapters:

1. Our common vision of Europe
This chapter should be based on our common history, experiences and visions of the future.
Process in progress of the development of a sense of community.

2. The Europe of territories 
Build unity based on subsidiarity at every level, as well as diversity, intercultural relations, multi-lingual societies and inter-territorial relations.

3. The Europe of citizens.
Transparent and globally implemented representative democracy.
Instruments for direct democracy.
Structures and regulations for participation
European democracy should combine a process of representation and one of direct democracy.
Institute referendums and initiatives at European level as democratic procedures independent from national constitutions. 

4. European institutions 
A bicameral system is proposed: 
- a legislative Chamber of the Union, elected directly without national considerations. It would elect a president.
- a Chamber of Territories (nations, regions, municipalities) that would be elected by the member states and replace the existing Council of Ministers. This chamber would appoint and control (on proposal of the president) the executive Commission that would exercise a right of proposal. 

Indirect election 

Direct election 

Delegation by territorial authorities

•	Nations
•	Regions
•	Cities - municipalities

One sole college
(for the whole of Europe)

Entitlement for residents 
> 5 years

Commission

President

Chamber

of

Territories

Chamber

of the

Union

Executive

Legislative

Methods of governance:

- Government on the principle of consultation by taking into account the plurality of the actors involved.
- Definition of the principle of subsidiarity applied in two stages:

A. Institutional subsidiarity 
Normally, all decisions are taken at the level closest to the problem concerned and thus by the people concerned, but 6 conditions must be fulfilled to check that it is the right level of decision:
•	Financial viability: the most interesting level of financing.
•	Solidarity between territories (local authorities), or within the same territory: compensatory and sharing mechanisms.
•	Level of knowledge of the problem: diffusion of know-how via the media, and also the diffusion of the necessary technical knowledge.
•	Respect for the opinions of minorities in decision-making.
•	Integration of the notion of participation in the decision and evaluation process (participation of citizens and civil society).
•	Efficiency of decision-making and agreement of the local community. This implies preliminary work and evaluation after implementation.

A polygon of forces to be controlled 

Preparation for the decision décision

Evaluation of public authorities 
pouvoirs publics

Citizen

Civil  society

      Decision-making efficiency

			

Participation

Inter and intra territorial solidarity olidarité inter et intra territoriale
territoriale

Respect for minorities

Diffusion of knowledge

Techniques	Media

Financial  viability
(quantum)

B. Participatory subsidiarity 
All political power must ask for the participation of citizens and/or civil society, and it must ensure the collaboration of the administration.
It must foster dialogue with civil society or set up a participation process so that any citizen can participate in the process of consideration and decision. This participation by citizens requires the existence of a mediator who is responsible for educating citizens and respecting their views.
Examples of distributing the themes according to different levels:
national level: international ethical questions, equipment, energy, etc.
regional level: territorial development, education, etc.
local level: municipal budgets, local development and infrastructures, etc.

Citizen

Mediation

Political power 

Demand and financing 

Budget 
Local development
Local infrastructures

Federal / National

Regional

Local

Territorial development 
Education
Regional development

Ethics
International
Major infrastructures

Civil society

Administration

Technical and logistic support

Recommendations for the methods of governance:

- A European law on associations: an excellent instrument that should become a prime objective of CS.

- CS should be consulted at every level.
E.g.: French law stipulates that all projects of new law must be studied regarding their impact on the persons concerned by them. 

- Demand the opinion of civil society when formulating any organisation of European governance (example of the White Book on governance).

- Civil society should prepare a constitutional document for submission to popular referendum.

Group C : Europe and the rest of the World

I. Background

•	Globalisation driven by competition in a market context is increasing disparities between “have” and “have not”, between and inside regions, and requires urgent actions.
•	The EU started as a peace model, successfully developed an economic model, and appears as an area of welfare, even if globalisation has lighting many internal social problems.
•	Around the EU many countries are less developed and are less capable of operating in a global economy.

II. The process of enlargement

•	Enlargement is envisaged as a process for bringing some of these neighbouring countries into the EU integration process. The criteria for this enlargement decisions are often unclear.
•	Enlargement is a lengthy process forcing many heavy constraint in the future EU members; some EU neighbours, particularly in the Mediterranean region, fear these constraints and even see then as forms of neo-colonialism.

III. The EU getting closer to its East and its South

•	Getting closer to the neighbours requires infrastructures, information and communication technologies and some incipient forms of institutional mutual recognition.
•	Pure economic cooperation rapidly requires other forms of political, social and cultural cooperation.
•	Economic integration can be conceived as a modular process (with different economic, social, political and cultural components) and requires a flexible approach.
•	Institutional proposals towards flexibility could include a development of the “associate membership” status (today applied only to countries in transition to full membership), enhancing the other forms of institutional cooperation (e.g. “partnerships”). There is a need of this enhancement in order to increase personal movements, contacts of social society, educational relations, etc. Besides full membership there should be ways for a mutual beneficial set of relations between the EU and its neighbours.

IV. A new spirit for the relations between the EU, its East and its South

•	Relations of mutual interest should be developed at all levels of public administration (states, regions, towns), between all sort of private and public enterprises, and between social society entities, ending in the essential basic relation between citizens and societies.
•	The basic instrument for these relations of mutual interest should be the concept of “contract” involving reciprocal responsibilities.
•	Promoters of these social Contracts can be any of the agents of the societal systems, with special references to institutions from the civil society.
•	Basic needs contracts should deal with the joint solution of key problems related to water, energy, food or housing.
•	Cultural contracts should deal with Key issues in education cooperation, cultural communication or information diffusion and media development.
•	Earth contracts should deal with the many joint problems of environmental protection.
•	Democratic contracts should deal with issues such as treatment of minorities, conflict prevention and resolution, education for peace, capacity building and networking in civil society.
•	It is essential that the initiative for these contracts emerges from all partners; the direct active from the East and the South is essential for success.
•	Contracts should have formal characteristics and be subject to transparent evaluation.

V. Final remarks

•	History moves slowly, but problems in Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean are urgent. The EU policies are far from been fully successful.
•	The main problem is probably that the majority of relations are between State Governments, even when dealing with matters of private interest.
•	The proposal for a development of a contractual process in a modular form calls upon other territorial levels of public administration, joining faces with enterprises and non-profit institutions. No societal agent can remain outside of the development process.
•	If the EU succeeds in developing a real social contract with East and its South, it should be a model for other such relations between the industrialised few and the developing many countries.

The first communications 

Introduction by the co-ordinator:

Our group was composed of three types of participant: several participants from the EU, with strong attendance by the EU candidate countries and countries that have not (yet) submitted their candidatures. We also counted on the presence of participants from the Mediterranean basin. This diversity was positive but also led to difficulties. 
We worked well and our restitution highlights three shortcomings in the present European project, which is not ours, though they  exist:
A deficit of world vision: Europe is too disinterested in what is happening in the rest of the world.
A social deficit: the existing social deficit is a serious problem for the entire planet, since absolute priority has been given to economic aspects.
A democratic deficit: Europe has opted for the market and corporate management to the detriment of any political project.

Communication by the Civil Society group

Government is the most conservative structure in society, the market is the most efficient structure in society, it is still civil society being the most flexible (not bound by interests the way market is) structure and the pioneer in bringing change, that carries out the mission of balancing between those two structures to insure equality, democratic values, human rights, multicultural diversity and economic sufficiency. Defining civil society is a complex phenomena. Yet we choose this definition as a basis for our work. Civil society is non governmental, non profit, interest groups and individuals and associations involved in all sorts of social public activities. 

The European model we present on European civil society model embodies a civil society project with different dimensions. Those dimensions revolve around : a culture of peace, tolerance, solidarity, secularism, citizen participation and citizenship. By citizenship our model aims at reinforcing the commitments of citizens, not anymore towards their own country but towards the whole world. It is civil society that will transform the concept of citizens of the world into ideology. 

We should not miss the chance to pioneer in this. To be more concrete, five main points constitute the civil society project in terms of the role it should play.

1. transparency and accountability
Civil society is responsible to guarantee transparency on two levels : on governmental level and within civil society itself. Its role is also to create tools for accountability. Citizens and nations have the right to know what government and civil institutions (NGOs, trade unions, associations, etc.) are achieving and how they are spending their budget. 

2. civil society networking
Not just in Europe but throughout the globe a network of civil society is essential. This will increase internal creative capacity, and European internal creative capacity and make more efficient the action plan achieved worldwide.
3. Monitoring European Institutions and make sure to put in practice the standards agreed upon.

4. Building public opinion. 
The mains tools used in this respect are the media and educational programs. 
Our civil society model must first support free flow of information, promoting internet use and activists within civil society. Second promote values of human dignity. Third lobby for the creation of a genuine, credible and free media market.
Another point is developping educational programs on European studies that tackle issues related to culture, society and tradition. 

5. The fifth role and the last role that should be faced by our civil society model is promoting democratisation and democracy where they exist.
To conclude the following quote summarizes our vision, attitude and hopes. “The important thing in life is not where we stand but rather in which direction we are moving”.
Thank you.

Communication by the European Governance group 

This subgroup focused on the institutional aspects of governance and we started out from two observations:
The first is the problem of a lack of democracy in Europe due to development essentially based on the economy to the detriment of political participation and to the feeling shared by European citizens that they have no genuine hold over their future. This viewpoint is obviously debatable but is the one from which we started. This democratic deficit is worsened by the second observation that there is no genuine European project for a Europe of citizens. In our opinion, a European project is one that must take into account the continent's specific characteristics, diversities and multicultural dimensions. However, it must above all be inspired by the principles mentioned above for civil society. It is this very absence of European project that constitutes the challenge for European civil society. Thus, on the basis of this observation, we make two proposals:

Our choice is for a Europe of territories; it could have been the Europe of sectors but we thought that we had to opt for the former. The notion of territory ranges from supranational, national, regional, municipal and communal. Problems are raised at territorial level and it is at this level that they must be solved. We feel that this is the rule to be followed and which underlies the principle of subsidiarity. However, solving problems in the places where they occur involves solidarity. Regions cannot solve their problems of poverty on their own. This raises the question of solidarity associated with the capacity to decide at the most appropriate level. This is therefore proposal 1: the Europe of territories.

Proposal 2 is the Europe of citizens, and we continue the line taken by the previous group on participatory society. We thought it would be particularly interesting to introduce throughout Europe and as quickly as possible, mechanisms for participation, influence and decision such as the right to popular initiatives and the right to hold European referendums. Here we are not speaking of national levels but of the European level in order to forge a European spirit.
To conclude, we think that the two principles, a Europe of territories and a Europe of citizens, require that Europe's institutional system be rethought. Above all, a system of universal suffrage should be set up as should a system for preparing decisions and a legislative system that takes into account territorial representation (nation, region, municipality, etc.). This should lead us to formulating a charter and even a constitution, in any case a basic document for the citizens of Europe that declares: "We, the peoples of Europe, want..."
Thank you very much.

Communication by the Europe and the rest of the world group 

We wanted to emphasize the problems, the questions or the dilemmas we face in the period of globalization with respect to the creation of an ideal European model. So our presentation will be from a citizen perspective; questions, problems, solutions and proposals are to be elaborated in today's meeting.

Our first assumption comes from a dilemma we face vis a vis creation of an ideal European model. First of all, there is a continuous process: Europe cannot be isolated from the global movement towards globalization. At the community level, we have a consolidated European idea which cannot be implemented in today’s real terms while we are all moving towards globalization.

The community vis a vis newcomers or participants tries to create, find a path of unity in diversity, unity with respect to diversity.

At this point, we face a problem or a dilemma: if there is a correspondence between the interests and values of participants, interests and values referring to prosperity, security, stability or prestige, then the cooperation works but at a particular period of time, because we do not accept these values, interests as given, we accept them as changing; if there is at a particular period of time, a clash between those interests and values, then the cooperation cannot be achieved at all levels but it leads us to a partial acceptance, that is to say in order to keep diversity and unity in the same time and in order to accept the countries especially which are difficult to absorb politically, culturally and societally, we can face a partial cooperation at the level of economics for instance.

But then we are faced with another dilemma because there is no guarantee in today’s framework that, say, Western European model which is implemented and proposed can be efficiently and appropriately used for newcomers. This question is open. In other terms, up to which extent, the newcomers adapt and implement this model, without losing their identity and without being a market but a real participant. Thus the cooperation should provide mutual advantages for both sides. For instance, if the Union proposes an economic cooperation to a newcomer without providing a say in political sphere or without providing the right to free movement of labour, the model will turn into an exploitation mechanism. The newcomer might be the market. So attractiveness of the model with respect to globalization should be based upon the emphasis to resolve historical, political, cultural, economical, societal hostilities by suggesting unity and diversity instead of structural model or a model of selected countries.

Secondly, the notion of transparency at all levels is required together with the consultancy of public opinion and the will of citizens.

As a second question, our model should emphasize a larger project European model.
European should be interpreted within the framework of globalization and this cooperation, unity in diversity, is a chance of absolute levels of tolerance and openness and brings a high level of contacts and communications towards globalization. Here in Romania we have a good example of unity and diversity, so we remain hoping for the future. Thank you very much.

Follow up to the works

Naturally, the debate on European governance led the group's participants to raise the question of the relationships that Europe should have with the rest of the world. 

The criticisms voiced at the session reserved for the Mediterranean countries concerning the Euro-Med initiatives, the considerations made by the countries from Central and Eastern Europe and more generally the discussion on the relationships between Europe and the rest of the world, stimulated a debate within the GOV group on the idea of a contract.

When involved in development activities, Europe dictates its economic and political interests as well as its Western system of democracy. This process needs changing and Europe should be required to take a contractual approach to each of its development activities.
These contracts would go beyond the present diplomatic logic or international relations based on the balance of power and subordination. The contract should be performed in a spirit of partnership in which the rights and duties of both parties are stipulated, and the advantages of each party are clearly explained. The concept of development would evolve towards a notion of co-development. 
Civil society should contribute towards the social and political aspects of these co-development contracts. Upstream, this European civil society should commit itself to educating public opinion and promoting this concept.
Europe could use this contractual approach independently in other regions of the world and deal with other types of problem in view to setting up polycentric world governance. (Why not imagine a contract between 2 regions to reduce the greenhouse effect, to avoid being held up by waiting for world consensus).

The final communication 

Winds of change
A strong civil society, a charter and contracts 
to build together a Europe open to the world.

We are at a turning point of governance in Europe. We have to evolve from a process of construction focused on the economy and retreat into national identities towards a European project that takes into account the diversity and multiculturalism that characterise our societies.

A truly motivating project for society should be based on :
- a world vision that initially incorporates the countries of the East and the South;
- participatory democracy, capable of expressing its desire for solidarity;
-… and civil society, partner of institutions for better handling of the problems facing contemporary society.

A – A world vision 

•	Globalisation spurred by competing market forces increases the imbalances between the rich and the rest, between and within regions, and requires urgent action. Many countries around the European Union are less developed and less well adapted to a global economy.

•	Enlargement is a difficult process whose criteria are obscure and which raises problems for the future members of the Union; certain neighbouring countries, particularly in the Mediterranean region, are afraid of these constraints and consider them as a form of neo-colonialism.

•	Drawing closer to one's neighbours requires infrastructures, information and communication technologies and renewed forms of mutual institutionalised recognition.

•	Strictly economic co-operation requires more flexible forms quickly that incorporate political, social, cultural and environmental dimensions. In other words, Europe must propose a system of co-operation that aims at sustainable development, cares about human rights and also about the right of peoples to decide their own destinies.

•	Institutional proposals related to flexibility should include extending "associate member" status, currently reserved only for emerging economies, to other countries of the South and the East. This extension is required to permit the movement of persons, contacts between civil societies, educational exchanges, etc. Before, or instead of, full integration, there is room to set up a number of mutually beneficial relations between the European Union and its neighbours.

•	The basic instrument of these relations of mutual interest should be the concept of "contract" which sets out reciprocal responsibilities. The authorities, actors and institutions of civil society will each play a primordial role in the promotion, management and transparent evaluation of these contracts.

•	If the European Union succeeds in developing a genuine contract with the East and the South, it will become a model for such relations between the industrialised and developing countries.

B – Participatory democracy 

Europe needs a project for the future with which each of its citizens can identify, a project that goes beyond its frontiers. European citizens currently have difficulties in participating in decisions that determine their economic, social and cultural future.

A Europe of territories should be based on the principle of subsidiarity, i.e. decisions should be taken at the level closest to the people they concern.

However, let's be clear, subsidiarity cannot exist unless it is backed up by genuine solidarity between regions and social groups, so that resources are available to give force to the decisions taken.

The main motivating initiatives are expected at local level.

A Europe of Citizens should be based on all forms of participation including direct democracy.

This is why we plead for institutions that permit both universal suffrage, the fair representation of every territory and which take into account democratic values and popular initiatives.

To achieve this, we think that civil society, whose role is increasingly essential for European construction, should promote a Charter that expresses the will of citizens to live in a society that upholds the values of peace, equality, solidarity in a Europe of territories and a Europe of citizens open to the world.

C – A strong civil society

We, the participants of this conference, citizens of the world, citizens of Europe, members of civil society, are responsible to ourselves and to the world, for formulating a vision of our common destiny.

Making this vision come true involves a revelation, one that appears more clearly when a needs exists. What we need is a project of democratic governance for Europe; Do European institutions, with their utopias and their practical dimensions, constitute an appropriate tool for making this concept into a reality? Not without civil society! The role of civil society goes beyond designing and implementing projects; it plays an essential part in creating this vision.

So, what can European civil society do to produce this vision, to guarantee that our institutions function well, and transform utopia into reality? 

We propose a project for society. But before we formulate this proposal, lets us look together at our demands.

European civil society demands the respect and complete implementation of standards. We demand transparency and responsibility. We demand democratisation and the development of democracy wherever it is missing. We demand monitoring of how our institutions function.

Our proposals are aimed at European institutions, national governments, the citizens of Europe and European civil society itself.

On the level of European institutions : 
We take on a role of critical and constructive observers of the way in which they function and we offer technical assistance to inform public opinion about the objectives, the achievements and faults of these institutions. We can start by studying the means of acceding to the EU from the point of view of civil society.

Regarding national governments:
Promote participation by citizens in public decisions, by setting up a consultation system having authority, with committed citizens. 
Identify the needs and expectations of citizens to plan the appropriate actions.
Support partnership between European countries, whether they be member states or candidates for membership, and with other countries.

At the level of citizens:
Give reliable information on issues of public order
Develop participatory structures in particular for young persons (e.g., local youth councils), and electronic forums for debates, organise public debates on European issues (between citizens throughout the continent and between citizens and European institutions).

All this will focus on a European project that is part of a global outlook. In order to implement these ideas, we suggest that European television channels diffuse information on European civil society in their programmes.

We want to be more efficient, more transparent and more capable of participating in building a responsible, plural and united world. We set ourselves the task of formulating and observing principles of good practice. We propose ISO criteria and setting up an international auditing service for NGOs. This is also a way of becoming a credible reference vis-à-vis European institutions.

Working in networks is the keystone in building a strong European civil society. A web portal for European civil society and a directory of NGOs that includes information on their objectives and activities would be a first step in this direction. 

Only if we work together can we succeed in changing the utopia of European citizenship into reality. 

CONCLUSION

The new governance of Europe requires a strong and recognised civil society, capable of proposing both institutional initiatives such as the formulation of a Charter for a Europe of Territories and Citizens and concrete initiatives for development contracts and actions that involve citizens in building their own futures.

The perspectives

The GOV participants have demanded that the dialogue established at Peles continue;  exchanges by email will certainly help this process. 
A kind of informal "Peles" network has been set in motion and the participants expressed the wish to officialise it and extend it to those interested in the approach. 
Certain exchanges took place immediately the participants returned home, despite the summer holidays.

The notion of European Constituent remains open and has already become part of the activities of many of the participants at Peles. 

During the closing plenary session, the co-ordinator of the governance topic presented two projects (cf. appendix 1: 2004 campaign; appendix 2: information cauldron) that will be the subjects of forthcoming debates between the participants of the group. 

The proposals, new ideas, projects, etc. in short the wealth of this work group is a contribution to the World Citizens Assembly at Lille, in the north of France, in December 2001.