Friday 23rd March 2007, 19:55European UnionI have just three days exploring the bowels of Brussels. On a visit organised by the RSA (many thanks) I was able to meet staff from the commission, discuss issues and process with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), and hear how the Council of Ministers operates whilst sitting in the Commissioners debating Chamber. This was very interesting and useful as we develop our strategy for working with other EU member states. I have gained a valuable insight into how we can work with the commission as we take our vision of improving peoples lives to new communities.
This weekend the EU celebrates its 50th birthday. In 1957 when the treaty of Rome was signed there were many who shared a vision and dream for how the countries of Europe could work together to build a better future for its citizens. Some feel that vision has been achieved whilst others believe the EU has lost its way. Certainly Europe has been a more peaceful place for the last 50 years but I was surprised at the negative response I got from so many people when I told them I was visiting the Commission.
My view for what its worth is; there are many passionate competent people who are working to develop great policy which will improve our lives. One great example was a woman who has for 12 years slaved over a hot laptop to produce meaningful, professional, this woman was sensitive, articulate, purposeful and very much on top of her brief. What a shame then that so many of the spokespeople we met only understood communication to be a broadcasting phenomenon. When “they” don’t understand what is happening in Brussels – “we” just turn up the volume. My suggestions that they may improve the image of the EU if they tried to listen more/better where not understood.
The MEPs were spirited and challenging and in Michael Cashman’s case most entertaining. Pete Skinner MEP was genuinely interested to hear of lour work in the arena of Financial Inclusion and Jon Trigg and I will be following this up. How sad that in some cases the number of people voting in these elections is less than 11%. It is important that we find ways to engage and excite the electorate at local, regional, national and European elections to take part. But this can only be done if we are able to give then an answer to two basic questions;
• How can influence the agenda
• How will my influence affect the outputs I receive from this structure?
Sadly for many of the friends we work with in our offices we see the souls who are disenfranchised, who do not see a relevance of the democratic right in their live. We need to play our part in helping all parts of our communities’ active in this election process. This will not come about because we “tell them to vote”, nor will it motivate them to vote by pouring scorn on them and satisfying ourselves that if they don’t vote, they get the MP/MEP/Councillor/Government they deserve. I was very interested to learn recently from a Chief Inspector of the Police that one of the performance criteria they work to is the number of people who turn out to vote in local elections. He explained that if you have an area which has a very low turn out for elections it is very likely it will correlate with a higher level or community unrest, damage, crime, disaffection and violence. It makes sense doesn’t it?
So, our challenge is to work on the basic needs of people in these communities and treat them and give them equal access to resources that will enable them to improve their life, then by doing so we can make people feel apart of their community rather than a part from their community. If we can help people want to become active in their community and have higher expectations for the way in which elected members govern our lives I believe we will be playing our part in creating a better place for us to live and bring up our children.
What can we do to help?
What is our role?
Are we doing enough?
I would love to hear your views.
Also rest assured we have a route map for expanding our services further into Europe and we can develop great partnerships with the people in the commission and the MEPs who are driving this agenda.
Thanks
Roy
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