The role of Cities and Regions in promoting critical thinking, extending the action beyond the EU and to engage western Balkan countries, the need of constant action as well as instruments to safeguard minorities were the key issues raised by EPP-CoR members during a debate on the European Democracy Action Plan with Věra Jourová, Vice-President of the European Commission for Values and Transparency.
Addressing members of the CoR, Jourová, said that democracy will no defend itself and that we have to defend it. Speaking on the digital challenges she said that the pandemic has effected the democratic process and revolutionised how we do democracy. She also spoke on plans by the European Commission to ensure transparency of promotion and micro-targeting to protect citizens. She added "Local and regional authorities (LRAs) can play an important role in media literacy efforts and are counting on your support."
Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Mayor of Gdańsk and Rapporteur on the European Democracy Action Plan said spoke on the importance of promoting education, critical thinking and media literacy to help people make decision on what is and what is not the truth. Dulkiewicz added "Local self-government is the incubator of democracy. It is the authority closest to the citizen and at the same time enjoys the greatest trust. It is strategic to strengthen the role of regions and cities in the European Democracy Action Plan."
Franz Schausberger, Representative of Salzburg Province stressed the importance of such an action plan to go beyond the borders of the EU. He said "The six Western Balkan countries as enlargement countries should already be included in this action plan in order to further develop and strengthen their democracy and make it fit for future accession." Schausberger added that progress should also be recognized as this helps motivate further reforms.
Emil Boc, Mayor of Cluj-Napoca compared democracy to cycling. "You have to pedal continuously not fall off the bike. The same is true for democracy. To be effective and successful, democracy must be exercised every day and by everyone." Boc underlined the role of LRAs in promoting and protecting European democracy saying that at the end, all democracy is local.
József Berényi , Vice-Chairman of Trnava Self – Governing Region spoke on the ‘Minority Safepack' initiative. He said that do date there are no legal binding instruments to safeguard minorities and asked the Commissioner if there is room for future legal instruments. The Commissioner highlighted that following assessment the Commission established that there have sufficient instruments in hand. She added that rather than promising future legislation, the Conference on the Future of Europe can play an important role to discuss further these matters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jv3EUxidPIM&list=PLZkp86_2BA1jRSbxWIu0YGncChszD03Zd&index=4