10 Amendments of Marian HARKIN related to 2008/2224(INI)
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Regards communicationactive dialogue between the European Union and its citizens as importanessential so as to realise the principles and values of the EU project, but recognises that the communication has not so far been very successful;
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that the first requirement for the improvement of communication is to understand the nature of communication and to considereffective dialogue is to have a two-way communication system which means that the voices of citizens are heard and their concept that 'actions speak lourns responderd than words'o in a genuine way;
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Highlights the importance of engaging with grassroot organisations who have a unique opportunity to see on a first hand basis the real issues that are of core concern to citizens, draws the Commission's attention to the partnership principle enshrined in both the Community strategic guidelines for rural development and the Community strategic guidelines on cohesion which is not always adhered to at national level and therefore urges the Commission to take appropriate administrative and institutional steps to ensure that its own polices, procedures and protocols are actually observed and enforced during Structural Fund consultations, negotiations and subsequent operations;
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Given that, according to the Eurobarometer, 85% of adults know they have a right to petition the European Parliament in the 23 official languages, considers that petitions submitted by citizens and the work of the Committee on Petitions are key avenues of direct communication by the EU with its citizens; points out that this is reflected in the rapid growth in the number of petitions submitted by citizens and believes that the importance and number of petitions will further increase in the future;
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls that the Committee on Petitions is the only political body that allows a proactive dialogue to take place by receivesing input and feedback from citizens relating to their daily concerns and provides a forum so that those concerns can be resolved; suggests, therefore, that the EU give a proactive message to its citizens by emphasising the importance of the work of the Committee on Petitions;
Amendment 10 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Proposes that, in order for this to be done, increased resources be givenshould be allocated to the already overworked Secretariat of the Committee on Petitions, so that the handling of petitions sends a clear message about Europe through actions andis done in an efficient, effective and timely manner which sends a clear message to the citizens about Europe and in this way communication is improved through action;
Amendment 12 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the web-streaming of proceedings of the Committee on Petitions as a positive and responsive development which will enhance contact, understanding and transparency in communication and will most probably lead to an increase in citizens' participation andin the EU project, as evidenced by the annual increase in the number of petitions; considers that this prospect further underpins the need to allocate additional human resources to the Committee on Petitions;
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Stresses the importance and value of the consultation process as an effective tool in empowering citizens by enabling them to directly input into the policy process at EU level, calls on the Commission to take further steps to raise awareness of future EU consultations via the media and other appropriate forums at national, regional and local levels;
Amendment 19 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Notes that a European Year on Volunteering would be an ideal opportunity for the EU Institutions to connect with citizens, points out that there are over 100 million volunteers across the EU, calls on the Commission to prepare the ground for 2011 to be declared as the European Year by submitting an appropriate legislative proposal to this effect as soon as possible;
Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Notes the significant role structural funds has played in fostering cross border co-operation through community projects and programmes, highlights that this has encouraged the development of active citizenship and participatory democracy in border regions, calls on the Commission to continue to support and work in partnership with such projects and programmes;