At the European Council on 16-17 June 2005, Heads of State or Government called for a period of reflection following the rejection at the referendums in
This led the Danish Prime Minister, Mr. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, to convene a meeting with the political parties of the Danish Parliament, Folketinget, on 8 August 2005, and a meeting with a number of the major popular movements and organisations on 10 August 2005. It was agreed that the European Affairs Committee of the Folketing should coordinate activities taking place in
Citizens Agenda and the themes of the debate
Under the heading "Citizens' Agenda", the European Affairs Committee cooperated with a number of popular movements and organisations in order to facilitate a debate in Denmark about the future of Europe, while avoiding the traditional Danish theme on yes or no to the EU. Instead the Committee and the popular movements agreed on five priority questions, which was considered to have particular significance for the Danish period of reflection:
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Which of the cross-border problems that
Europe is faced with should be given special emphasis in order to find solutions to them – and which role should the EU play in this connection? -
Which problems connected with cooperation in the EU are most significant and how can they be solved?
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How should the debate on the future of
Europe and a possible new treaty be organised to ensure breadth, depth, and legitimacy? -
How can we strengthen citizens' participation in the EU?
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Where are the borders of
Europe ?
The movements in Citizens' Agenda are “Dansk Folkeoplysnings Samråd” (Danish Adult Education Association), "Demokrati i Europa" (Democracy in Europe), "Fagbevægelsen mod Unionen" (Trade Unions Against the Union), "Folkebevægelsen mod EU" (The Peoples Movement Against the EU), “Folkehøjskolernes Forening” (The Danish Folk High Schools), "JuniBevægelsen" (The JuneMovement), "Nyt Europa" (New Europe), and "Udfordring Europa" (Challenge Europe).
Financing and organising the debate
The financial and organisational aspects of the agreement comprised a financial framework of approximately 2.3 million euro, which was distributed via three pools.
The Folketing and the European Affairs Committee
Approximately 0.9 million euro have been administered by the Folketing and the European Affairs Committee. The money was spent on initial and concluding arrangements as well as larger (nation-wide) arrangements. Tuesday 17 January
The movements and organisations directly involved in Citizens’ Agenda
Approximately 0.5 million euro was earmarked for activities arranged by the above mentioned 8 movements and organisations. The money was granted in December 2005 after application to "Nævnet for Fremme af Debat og Oplysning om Europa" (The Board for Promoting Debate and Information on
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The arrangements had to be in line with the thematic framework.
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The arrangements had to have a broad, all-round character.
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The arrangements had to be common to all or as many as possible of the abovementioned movements and/or organisations.
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The arrangements had to have a major disseminating effect.
Local or national measures organised on a decentral basis
Approximately 0, 9 million euro was reserved for local or national measures organised on a decentral basis. Parties that are represented in the Folketing could not apply for this money, which will was distributed by the Board for Promoting Debate and Information on
The following criteria was emphasised in connection with distributing money for arrangements:
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That the arrangements are in line with the thematic framework.
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That the initiatives have the greatest possible breadth.
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That the money is used in the period until 1 May 2006
A minimum of 0.3 million euro has been earmarked for local measures.
Funding of EU-information in
Apart from the funds specifically earmarked for the debate during the period of reflection, the Board administers means for EU-information activities in general. Also the political parties receive contributions from this pool.
29/06/2006/ANDK