Description

The 6^th Annual ECIT Foundation conference will attempt to go deeper into the question of where  this first transnational citizenship of the modern era stands after the period of the COVID-19 pandemic. The situation is paradoxical: on the one hand, restrictions on European freedoms since March last year have encouraged many to be more conscious of what we are missing and increase a sense of identification with EU citizenship. On the other hand, a natural reaction to any crisis is to retreat to national citizenships. Immediate uncoordinated national reactions to restrict movements across borders showed how little weight is given to the interests of some 13.3 million EU mobile citizens.

Against this background, questions for the future of EU citizenship arise. Since the Maastricht Treaty established EU citizenship as an evolutionary first step, it is high time to re-frame EU  citizenship to make it relevant in times of crisis. Adding new rights appears necessary to make it fit for purpose in light of the current issues.

The main threads running through the event will then be mid-term evaluation of CoFoE and our draft statute on European citizenship. This initiative is a response to a resolution of the European Parliament in January 2019 calling for a statute of citizenship alongside the pillar of social rights and the Charter of fundamental rights.

The conference is likely to be a hybrid event, which should facilitate the collection of ideas and the building of consensus: remote participation will be made possible using Zoom and Howspace, whilst some participants are expected to be able to meet on the spot in Brussels. Like previous annual events, the aim is to bring together civil society representatives, students and academics with policymakers across di erent areas of policy and organisational structures.

When and where?

Tuesday 26 October 1.30 p.m. – 4.30 p.m. Press Club and online

On the first day, a panel of MEPs from the cross-party group, on European citizenship, along with leading academics and experts and EU officials, will set the scene.

Wednesday 27 October 10 a.m. – 5.30 p.m. 53 or 104 rue d’Arlon and online

The ideas in the draft statute will be debated in greater depth the following day in a series of parallel workshops with civil society activists, researchers, and policymakers.

Thursday 28 October 10.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. Press Club and online

A final session will draw conclusions in preparation for the publication of a new version