Last week I attended what turned out to be an occasion of effective social dialogue. It was an occasion that facilitated dialogue between Maltese and European citizens. It was an occasion that exemplified how a dialogue without language barriers and geographical frontiers should be. I am referring to the European Citizens’ Consultation 2009.
The European Citizens’ Consultations 2009 (ECC 2009) brings together citizens from all 27 EU Member States. The main theme discussed was “What can the EU do to shape our economic and social future in a globalised World?”
A pan-European online debate marked the first stage in the process. Everyone was invited to take part and to make proposals for our economic and social future. These proposals were then discussed in identical and simultaneous conferences which were held in nine European countries.
The event in Malta was organised by the Malta Regional Development and Dialogue Foundation in collaboration with MEUSAC.
The concept discussed is a very important one. We cannot look at it simply as a concept that concerns every European citizen but it is also a concept towards which every European can, and should, contribute. This opportunity was handed to Malta through Plan D which is a European project that incentivises discussion on democracy, dialogue and debate.
This year’s forum focused on six main aims. These are the need for more dialogue between citizens and strategists, the need of more citizen involvement in political debates on national and European levels, the citizen’s participation in planning for the future, the need for the EU to be closer to the citizen, the need for citizens to show more interest and be more active in European Union related aspects, and the need for stronger cooperation between civil society groups and their partners so as to strengthen the European union.
The debate in Malta led to the presentation of 10 national recommendations which were in turn debated with members of the European Parliament and other policy makers. It was very interesting, and indeed satisfying to note, that we have already taken initiatives and started working on many of the recommendations put forward. Should the recommendations be taken on board by the European Union, it would mean that the scope of the work we are already doing on a national basis is widened and consolidated on a European level.
The Maltese citizens feel that the EU should speed up the enactment of the Small Business Act which was set up to provide more technical assistance to SMEs and the self employed, and assist in the reduction of the administrative burden for the Small Enterprises in Europe. In this area we have strengthened the Better Regulation Unit within the Office of the Prime Minister. At present this unit is conducting a consultation process with different commercial sectors so as to ensure that we are in a position to reduce the administrative burdens that are being faced by the local business sector.
It was also proposed that the EU should create a common EU immigration and integration policy based on solidarity including assistance with education and support of illegal immigrants and training of care personnel. This is a very sensitive problem for Malta and the government is working hard to lessen the impact on society by convincing other European Member States to implement the burden sharing agreement which is only the first step towards more tangible solutions.
The seventh proposal of the ten is about improving the EU’s communication of information about its funds and grants. In Malta we have re-established MEUSAC which was subsequently assigned with this particular remit. MEUSAC is helping NGO’s and local councils to identify appropriate EU programmes and schemes from which they can benefit. MEUSAC is also helping these organisations to compile applications for funding and the success rate so far is very satisfying.
The Maltese citizens opined that the EU should promote and entice local government to promote training at all local levels as well as exchanges between countries. We are already working hard on this. Training is one of the main pillars of the soon to be announced Local Councils Reform. Indeed training programmes are already being run but this is not enough and the Reform will ensure that the concept is intensified.
We are also encouraging stronger cooperation between local councils and their European counterparts. This cooperation ensures more European funding for local projects while the exchanges themselves will only enrich our own culture and identity. We have also launched a new twinning policy which will ensure that twinning agreements serve their intended purpose.
Chris Said is Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister