What others said about the ECC2007

What policy-makers said

“A milestone in the way we link to people”
Jean-Luc Dehaene, MEP, former vice-president of the Convention on the Future of Europe

"I hope this is the beginning of a movement that will help to revitalise democracy in all of Europe. I promise that the Commission will listen and learn."
Margot Wallström, Vice-President of the European Commission

“There are many more spirited ideas in this report than at most of the official meetings I attend."
Cecilia Malmström, Minister for EU Affairs, Sweden

“We need to continue European Citizens Consultations”
Kinga Goncz, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hungary


What participants said

“Europe ended in a ditch. But they had the good idea to ask us.”
Francis, participant from Belgium

“I have a flu and I’ve taken medicines just to be able to be here. But it’s worth it. The discussion is motivating me so much. I would never have discussed these issues if I hadn’t been selected to be here."
António Luís, participant from Portugal

"I don't like the recent developments in the EU at all, but this meeting is a unique opportunity to voice your opinion.  So that's why I accepted to come."
Kenneth, participant in the UK

“Being here is a pleasure and a privilege: I feel part of an important project for our children and I believe this is a useful contribution towards their future.”
Silvio, particpant from Italy


What the experts said

“The project absolutely satisfied the expectations of the citizens to provide input to political decision-making and participating in the political sphere.”

“The project demonstrated the feasibility of organising citizen participation on a complex issue also at the European level and provided sufficient evidence that such a process can produce reliable, substantial and instructive results.”
R. Goldschmidt, O. Renn and S. Köppel, University of Stuttgart



“The ECC has shown that it possible and (potentially) effective to conduct a transnational participatory democracy project involving all member states in the EU.
N. Browne, Central European University, Budapest