Many questions need to be answered regarding what it means to be a European Citizen. The European institutions need to ensure that their policies and processes represent the views of the people living in the European Union.
According to ECAS there are many issues that need to be addressed:
How to create a European citizenship based not only on nationality of a member state, but also on residence
How to widen access for all to EU youth and life-long learning programmes?
How to encourage a genuine European civil society, as a practical expression of citizenship?
How to ensure better awareness and enforcement of fundamental freedoms and European citizens’ civil, political, and social rights?
How to develop European citizenship beyond just free movement rights, so that citizens have a sense of ownership of the Union?
The petition calls on the European Parliament:
To create a forum on European citizenship for study and hearings with citizens and civil society, politicians, academics from different disciplines, and public authorities.
To hold a major debate leading to recommendations from the European Parliament for a founding act on European citizenship, for example in the form of a binding Charter.
Individuals can sign the petition at www.ecas-petition.org/citizenship/default.aspx
