2009 Press Releases

UCC Academics selected by National Forum on Europe to act as facilitators
20.03.2009

Dr Séamus Ó Tuama and Dr Clodagh Harris of the Department of Government, UCC have been selected by the National Forum on Europe to act as facilitators for the European Citizens’ Consultation in Dublin Castle this weekend (March 20th-22nd 2009).
This event is part of a wider European Citizens’ Consultation which brings together citizens from all 27 EU Member States to discuss, with each other and with policy-makers, key challenges facing the EU. The consultation focuses on the issues currently of greatest concern to EU citizens in the run-up to the 2009 European elections.

As two of the four facilitators, Drs Ó Tuama and Harris will be the first point of contact between the 50 participating Irish citizens and the consultation process. They will be responsible for creating an open, tolerant and constructive atmosphere to discuss the question: ‘What do you think the EU can and should do to shape our economic and social future in a globalised world?’

The invitation to facilitate at this key event arises from recognition of Drs Ó Tuama and Harris’ seminal work on democracy, participation and active citizenship.

The citizens’ deliberations will be webcast live on RTE over the two days. During this time citizens will debate with a number of Irish MEPs before arriving at considered and focused final recommendations.

There will be a follow-up EU citizens’ summit in Brussels in May where the top ten recommendations to have emerged from all the national consultations will be put to EU leaders in advance of the European Parliament elections.

Picture shows: Dr Clodagh Harris and Dr Séamus Ó Tuama

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