Thème 1: démocratie et citoyenneté: résultat des recherches

Democracy and citizenship

Democracy is one of the most important values which Europe tries to defend. Indeed, all the states belonging to the European Union are democracies.

The European citizenship completes the national citizenship but does not replace it.

The democracy and the citizenship in Europe are represented by a lot of different symbols and especially the flag. This flag shows the solidarity and the union of the European people. The number twelve of the stars represents the evolution of Europe and the unity, harmony. It has been adopted in 1955 by the European board to be the symbol of the union of Europe.

We have shared our work in two main parts:

* The real way to participate into European democracy

* The feeling of being a European citizen

The real way to participate into European democracy:

* Since European parliaments have accepted the Treaty of Lisbon, one million people from different European states can propose ideas to the Commission. It is called European initiative.

* The members of the European Parliament are the only ones to be directly elected by citizens.

* The European voluntary service is made for young Europeans who want to spend some months in another country to do a general interest mission. For example, last year, Gabriella, who was coming from Hungary, helped us to organize a trip in her country and taught us more about her culture. This school year, Francesca, who is Italian, teaches us what the organisation of the European Parliament is and she will come with us to Strasbourg to discover this place and the city.

The feeling of being a European citizen:

* A European citizen has got rights and duties:

* The right of living, working, studying and circulating in others European countries

* The right and the duty of vote and eligibility

* The right of petition

• In Europe there a large absenteeism rate. Indeed, for example in 2009, only 42.94 % of Europeans voted so this rate is increasing.

• We can say that European consciousness is not well developed because people don’t really feel European citizens.

How could we improve citizens’ involvement in European democracy?

People would feel more concerned if they were more informed, they want to see Europe’s effects on their daily life. There should be more media coverage.

Camille, Laura, Caroline