CoE Political Director Laurens to EuroFora:Strasbourg Democracy Forum to link Citizens as MEPs call?

While even a Washington D.C. Foundation on Non-Violent Conflict active on Middle East etc. is attracted to next week's CoE Summer University on Democracy Schools from more than 15 Countries, together with 2 Heads of State or Government, the PanEuropean Organization thinks to enlarge the Geographic scope and fully re-shape its various activities on Democracy in order to create an International "Strasbourg Democracy Forum", revealed CoE's Political Director, J-L. Laurens, in reply to "EuroFora"s Questions, at the eve of a CoE's Parliamentary Assembly's Bi-Annual Debate on the state of Democracy throughout the entire Continent, (which, cusiourly, excluded this time mainly Turkey), adding a concrete proposal due to help overcome the recent "Crisis" in the traditional representation mecanisms, particularly after EU Citizens' Majority Abstention and/or Negative EuroReferenda Votes since 1999-2004/2005.

    Laurens was speaking in a Press Conference at the CoE in Strasbourg, to anounce Next Week's CoE's Annual Summer University for Democracy, which gathers, (under 2010's Heading on "Crisis of Leadership"), 16 Schools of Political Studies established under CoE's auspices in mainly Central-Eastern European Countries, represented by some 600 young MPs, Experts, NGO leaders, Journalists, Businessmen, Intellectuals, Activists, etc, to exchange views with various important Political Personalities, including, this time, CoE's new Secretary General, Thornbjorn Jagland, CoE Assembly's chair Mevlut Cavusoglu and  vice-Chair Jean-Claude Mignon as well as Socialist Group's chair Andreas Gross, FYROM's deputy Prime Minister, in charge of EU affairs, Vaska Naumovski, (representing CoE's Ministers' rotating Chair), and Albania's President Bamir Topi, Strasbourg's Mayor, French Senator Roland Ries, as well as former CoE's SG and current President of Paris' "European House", Catherine Lalymière, experienced Russia's Human Rights Ombudsman Vladimir Lukin, and other Key representatives from EU, USA or even Japan, etc.

    For the 1st time, Washington DC based "International Center for Non-Violent Conflict", particularly active also on the Middle East and other issues all over Europe and the World, will be represented in Strasbourg by its Founding Chair Peter Ackerman, (writer and advisor of the famous "A Force More Powerful" Book and Documentary Film about a Century of Changes with Non-Violent Movements, starting by Ghandi), experienced CoE's Head of the Political Schools program, François Friederich, pointed out to "EuroFora".

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It all started back in 1992/1993, beginning with CoE's "Moscow School" in Russia, "spreading Westwards" afterwards, "from Croatia to Azerbaidjan, and from Poland to Bulgaria", "and may be it hasn't yet finished, because we have recently also a Project similar to (CoE's Political) Schools in Cyprus, which works by bringing together members of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot Communities, and we (CoE) also have other (related) projects out of Europe", Laurens earlier reminded.  

 Later on, "after 2008" (coinciding with Local Municipal Elections in Strasbourg), was added "an Association (of Local Law) to unite 16 Democracy Schools", "whose main Sponsor is the City of Strasbourg", anounced in 2010 its Secretary General, Jack Hanning, former CoE's Press and International relations Director (retired), whose Chair is former CoE's Head, Paris-based Catherine Lalumiere, (the CoE's SG with whom "EuroFora"'s co-Founder started to work as a Journalist for European issues).

Now "EuroFora" raised "a Double Question, pointing also at the Past, but mainly to the Future" :

    - "Last year (2009), you had presented the idea, (going in the direction in which all CoE evolves), to try to involve also other Actors, who are located around Europe, at its (Geographic) Neighboprhood : From Moroco to Kazakshtan", - "EuroFora" reminded Laurens. While this week CoE (Assembly) is debating even on Kirghistan, and soon may be other third countries too. Did anything happen, or is prepared, in this direction ? "

    - In parallel, "there are some Projects, to be debated (by CoE's Assembly) this same week, to eventually, if not "Fusion", at least incite to cooperate inside a Larger Structure, the (CoE's) Democracy Schools, with the Forum for Democracy's Future, the Venice Commission (of Top Constitutional Law Experts), etc, not only inside a "Strasbourg's Forum", but may be, also in some much Larger Structures", "EuroFora" observed. "Is there anything being really prepared in that point ?

    In this regad, we clearly reminded the fact  that a possible "dimension including (European) Debates, Forum, etc., naturally interests very much "EuroFora"'s Project, since a long time", (f.ex. as early as since the 1997 "EIW" project was officialy presented to EU Commission in Brussels, and re-vived when its need became obvious, after the 1999-2004 Majority Abstentions in EU Elections and the 2005 "No" at EuroReferenda in France and at the Netherlmands, at an EU Parlmiament's Press Briefing on 2006 in Strasbourg, with former EU Commissioner Walstrom and EU Parliament's vice-President Vidal-Quadras, before it was described by writting to certain Top Political Personalities, Heads of State, etc. in 2007, including Strasbourg's Mayor since early 2009).

CoE's Political Director General started his replies by making it Crystal-clear that CoE's aim is to focus mainly on "Independent" "Civil Society" :

    - "Concerning the Extension (of Democracy Schools) out of CoE's traditional (Geographic) area, we have, indeed, examined, f.ex. the creation of a (Political) School in Moroco, A Project, is, indeed, prepared", Laurens confirmed in reply to the 1st "EuroFora"s question.

    - "But, the Difficulty is, always, to find an Adequate Partner. Because, each (CoE's Political) School is a National but Independent, Non-Governemental Initiative. And there are Societies in which it's easier than in others to find a Partner meeting the requirements of Independence and Political Neutrality. Because, the very Principle of (CoE's Political) Schools is to be "Open" to Diversity : It's not a (political) Party's School, nor a school of the Establishment, but a Democracy School !", he stressed. Therefore, "it's very Important for us (CoE), that the Partner who will take the Responsibility to manage such a School, would be someone who will be acceptable to all (parties involved), whatever their Political and/or Religious beliefs, their Ethnic origins, etc", he explained.

     - "That's the Difficulty that we face, not only out of Europe, but also inside Europe, when we choose a Partner for the creation of (such a CoE's Political) School".

    - "There is also a less advanced Project in Kazakstan, which has delayed because the Initiative came from the Government, and we (CoE) said : - "No. The Democracy Schools should not be a Governemental Initiative, but the other way round. (So), there is, now a Project of Partnership with the Moscow School in order to identify and find an eventual Partner for the creation of a (CoE's Political) School in Kazakhstan. As for Kirgistan, for the moment, the current (dramatic) situation does not allow to consider, for the immediate future, the creation of a (CoE's) School. ", he added, without excluding a move later-on.

    - "But, indeed,  the very Idea (Concept) of a Civil Society Initiative in order to promote the ideas of Human Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law, is not a strictly European concept, and we (CoE) can imagine that similar Initiatives may be developed also in all Continents"., Laurens concluded by pointing at an Open Geopolitical Horizon.
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Laurens to "EuroFora" on "Strasbourg's Forum" idea :
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    - More importantly, on the 2nd point raised, i.e., "as for the on-going Discussions, and in particular of the Debate which will take place this Afternoon at (CoE's) Parliamentary Assembly, i.e. the Bi-Annual (CoE's) Debate on the state of Democracy (in Europe), there is, indeed, an on-going reflection about, I wouldn't say a "Fusion", but, may be, a stronger Synchronisation, between various Initiatives of PanEuropean dimension on CoE's "Democracy" pilar", the Director of CoE's Political affairs and Democracy activities confirmed by replying positively to "EuroFora"s second question.

    - "As you know, there is, in addition to the (CoE's) Political Schools and to the Summer University, also the Forum for Democracy's Future, which is to be thoroughly reformed and re-thought anew, considering also a possible rapprochement with Strasbourg's City, There is also (CoE Parliamentary) Assembly's annual Debates on Democracy (in Europe), etc. So, we (CoE) are currently thinking how we could, may be, gather (unite) together, without making them fusion in only one, all these Initiatives, in order to have an even greated Impact (influence), and advance further in that idea, which had been evoked some Years ago, not for a "Davos on Democracy", but towards what seems to become, now, rather a kind of "Strasbourg's Democracy Forum".

    - "Reflection is going on, but there are not yet Firm Decisions", the competent CoE's Director revealed in his Reply to "EuroFora".
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    Adding some interesting supplementary conclusions after "EuroFora"'s Questions, Strasbourg's Deputy Mayor, in charge of International relations, Nawel Rafik-Elmrini, welcomed CoE's Political Director's anouncement in his Reply to "EuroFora"s Question (See supra), and expressed also her wish to extend the event also towards the City, in order to "bring an added Value to the Citizen", as she said, (coming a bit closer to "EuroFora"'s positions) :

    - "All the Impetus put behind Strasbourg City's support to (CoE's) Democracy Schools, would be Meaningless, unless we meet your collective Ambition to make of it a Larger Event", she stressed from the outset. (An obviously crucial point in practice,  since, "Summer University of Democracy could not exist without the Logistic, Financial and Political support of Strasbourg's Municipality", as had observed earlier CoE's Political Director)...

    - This means, at the first place, "going well beyond Europe", Elmrini underlined, (regarding "EuroFora"s 1st question : See supra).  - "And that's the meaning of all the work done for the creation of a (CoE's Democracy) School in Moroco, which would be a Major Event, for the Future of (CoE's) Political Schools, because it will be the 1st (CoE's Democracy School) to be established beyond Europe's" borders, as she said, (without excluding that this might, eventually, also  extend, in the future, even in No French speaking Countries as f.ex. Turkey, etc),

     - "But (this) also (goes for) the Dynamics of Extending this Event beyond CoE's own Instituitional "borders", towards the City (of Strasbourg), becoming a Large Public Event", she added. - "It already is in part, since it is Open to any Citizen wishing to participate to the Debates and Exchanges of views. But Strasbourg City's wish, that you anounced Today (i.e. in Laurens' reply to "EuroFora"'s Question : See supra) to support, is to bring these Events inside the City (of Strasbourg). That's my hope and wish for the Next (2011) edition, i.e. to open it even more towards the Large Public, towards the (Strasbourg's) City, in the Suburbs, so that everyone can appreciate the importance of this event, and the Exchanges of Views with those Political Personalities and Experts, as well as those Young Managers from Eastern Europe, who can teach us a lot, because, indeed, sometimes we forget that Democracy has a Price, and deserves an effort, a  commitment. That's an added Value which could be brought to the Citizen", Strasbourg Deputy Mayor concluded.

     - "Prolonging what was said on (CoE's Parliamentary) Assembly's work", since "EuroFora"'s Question (See supra), the Secretary General of the Association of (16) Political Schools (created after 2008), Jack Hanning, chose to quote a brief but significant part from MEP A. Gross' Report, (on "Democracy in Europe, Crisis and Perspectives"), which will be debated Today, whose Draft Recommendation asks to create a "Strasbourg Democracy Forum", inside which are incorporated the Democracy Schools, but also the Forum for the Future of Democracy, Venice Commission, etc", (as "EuroFora" had said : See supra). Since there is no reason for the (CoE's Parliamentary) Assembly to refuse that, normally, a Political Support should be added, later Today, also from the Assembly", Hanning confirmed, speaking on the point raised at the initiative of "EuroFora" earlier (See supra).
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    The most interesting thing, from "EuroFora"s point of view, is naturally that this Draft CoE Assembly's Resolution "considers that the ensuing Crisis in Representation can be overcome through an enhanced process of Participatory Democracy", and '"stresses that the Right to Participate in the conduct of Public Affairs, ....is a Human Right and a Fundamental Political Freedom", and 'should, thus, be embodied, as such, in the European Convention of Human Rights", "be it at Local, Regional, National or European levels". "Stronger Support should be given to TransNational Networks formed by Citizens to address specific Issues, such as Environmental, Social, or even Constitutional ones, in view of the advent of transational European Democracy Building". Therefore, CoE's Assembly "Welcomes the EU Citizens' Initiative, provided for by the EU Lisbon Treaty, which gives EU Citizens an opportunity to present Legislative Proposals to EU Commission, thus constituting the 1st instrument of TransNational and Direct Democracy in the EU", "expecting that EU Institutions will implement (this) in a manner to enable all Democraticall Engaged Civil Society Groups, and not only the Privileged ones, to make use of it, in the common European Interest". It also "calls on CoE Member States to .. establish Participatory and Deliberative Structures, such as ... Citizen initiated Referendum processes, and Citizens' Juries or Conferences", and "resolves to organize Open Public Debates".

    In parallel, this CoE Assembly's Resolution, drafted by experienced Swiss MEP Andreas Gross, Chair of the Socialist Group), "decides to pursue further Reflection, in close Consultation with the (Pan)European Commission for Democracy through Law", known as "Venice Commission", and "proposes that .. a Strasbourg Democracy Forum be set up, as an Umbrella Structure, .. with a view to .. develop .. Synergies among relevant CoE Structures and Activities, such as the Forum for the Future of Democracy, the BiAnnual Assembly Debates on the State of Democracy, the Venice Commission, the Summer University of Democracy and the Schools of Political Studies".
    
    "Allthough progressively reinforced since the 2005 Warsaw Summit, CoE's message and role are Not yet Visible enough, when it comes to Democracy",Gross' attached Report observes. F.ex., even if "the Forum for the Future of Democracy (FFD), created at the Warsaw Summit (back in 2005, where "EuroFora"'s co-Founder was present), has the Advantage of bringing together all CoE Partners... : representatives of the (Parliamentary) Assembly, the Congress (of Local/Regional Authorities), the Committee of Ministers, and the Conference of INGOS", "however, the ...strong influence of the Host Country, and the Limited .. Links with the ...Decision-making bodiies, result in a Limited Impact". "On the other hand, the Summer University of Democracy, which involves the 16 Schools of Political Studies operating all over Eastern (including South Caucasus) and South Eastern Europe, to which the City of Strasbourg is closely associated, is progressively becoming a major political event, attracting increased Media interest... since it started to operating in 2006. However, as No Schools of Political Studies operate in Western European Countries, the Summer University of Democracy represents Less than Half of the CoE Membership", Gross criticized.

     - "Therefore, a possible Solution ... would be to Join them and organise a Major Event on Democracy in Strasbourg, which could give greater prominence and Visibility to CoE's message... and could be called the Strasbourg Democracy Forum", Gross concludes, (referring also to a similar idea earlier inserted in a 2009 Report drafted by the Head of France's Delegation to CoE's Parliamentary Assembly, MEP Jean-Claude Mignon, on CoE's Future : Comp.  Mignon's Statements to "EuroFora" when his Report was adopted by the CoE Assembly's Standing Committee in Paris Already sent earlier, in full drafts to Subscribers/Donors+).

    Nevertheless, Unfortunately, Gross' Report and Draft Resolution stops Short from recognizing and/or developing further European Citizens' Rights to actively and directly participate in Decision-making processes for Public Acts seriously affecting People's Lives, (which, in fact, already exist in great part Legally, according to "EuroFora"s view, needing just to be clarified, systematized and made largely known to all EU Citizens at large). On the Contrary, this Report falls back to some Old, already Tested and Failed Stereotypes, obviously Opposite to Citizens' active, direct participation : F.ex., it Limits "Open Public Debates" only "in the context of the Drafting Process of a New Protocol" to the European Convention on Human Rights ; it focuses on "Groups", instead of Individual EU Citizens free to act, and itasks to "organise" the proposed "Strasbourg Democracy Forum" ONLY as "a structure which associates REPRESENTATIVES of ... Ministers, Assembly, Congress, INGOs,  the Venice Commission, (and) ..of the Recently created Association of schools of political studies", adding that even simple "PARTICIPANTS would come (ONLY) from the Same Bodies", to which should be added exclusively "a High Level personality", i.e. astonishingly forgetting even to mention, here, Citizens' Rights !     

It's also regrettable that, this move occurs in a strange context, since, for the 1st time, CoE Assembly's Bi-Annual Debate on the state of Democracy in Europe takes place in 2010 without even mentioning the current situation and problems faced in Turkey, (fex. Prohibition of Parties, Imprisonment of elected Mayors, threats of prosecution, etc), whose comparative post-Monitoring CoE Check and Public Debates risk, thus, to be practically postponed for ...4 Years (i.e. 2 until 2010, and another 2 until the next CoE's Bi-Annual Debate on Democracy, due only in 2014).... ------------------------------------------------------    

Moreover, it's obvious that any Serious, really European and Democratic moves by EU Citizens, should avoid superficial grouplets, externally influenced by Foreign States, (f.ex. having from the start a ...Turkish outlet, without yet having not even one in most EU Member Countries !), and/or politically accaparated only by one Party, etc, such as some recent .."Café Babel" (sic !) attempts to get Taxpayers' Money (including from the Poor, who pay 15% to 20% of TVA even for Clothes or Food) from Socialist former EU Commissioner Wallstrom, in a failed attempt (after december 2008) to copy part of "EIW/EuroFora"s 1997-2006 Project to boost Web-Forum Debates between EU Citizens in the run up to 2009 EU Elections, added to a recent Publicity made by a Socialist local Press Club Official, pushing for more Taxpayers' Money to be given by Strasbourg's current Municipality (also Socialist since 2008), funding a Socialist former CoE Official, after a 2010 Report by Socialist group's chair : All these Facts obviously make, a little bit, .. too much Socialists risking to Monopolize any action on this same point, (among 4 or 5 Different Political Groups et EU/CoE level) ! .....      

On the contrary, to be genuinly "Democratic", as CoE's own Political affaitrs General Director, the experienced Jean-Louis Laurens stressed in Reply to "EuroFora"'s Question (See supra), any Civil Society move which revendicates a "Democracy" label, should not exclude Other Political Actors, nor impose by forceps one political Party's agents, but, on the contrary, succeed to bring together all genuinely interested Actors, in order to Cooperate and join their efforts for really Pluralist, polyphonic debates.   

 Because, otherwise, the obvious Risk is to have No real Dialogue, but only a badly disguised monotone Monologue, doomed to fail.

    Thus, in order to succeed, it would better find innovative ways to usefully associate all those sincerely involved and willing to actively contribute in fostering European Citizens' Debates with EU/CoE Political Decision makers in really Pluralist dialogues about topical issues affecting People's lives throughout Europe and well beyond.