The “Now – interacting with the European Parliament” initiative organizes public events in France

The team of the “Now – interacting with the European Parliament” initiative is organizing two public discussions in France – the first is in Versailles and will be held on April 2 under the motto “The MEPS, the citizens, the solutions”; the second in Paris on April 3 – “My MEP and me – is the dialogue real or virtual?”

These two round tables are the closing event of the project, co-funded by the EP through DG “Communication”. France is among the 20 EU Member States, targeted by the communication project, aimed at raising the public awareness on the EP’s role within the European institutional framework.

On April 2, Trusday, the Versailles Municipality (General Council) will host a public discussion, organized by the European Institute as the project’s leading organization and the media partner Yvelines Radio. The EP and its role, as seen by the local citizens, will be in the focus of the debate. Later on, Yvelines radio will broadcast the recording from this discussion and Radio Bulgaria will produce a special feature from the event.

Former French MEP Stéphane BUFFETAUT, member of the European Social and Economic council, the Versailles EUROPE DIRECT information center’s representative Virginie Lamotte, the local SME Association Catherine Mutel and the local politicians Arnaud Péricard (from the center-right) and Patrick Malivet (from the left) will participate in the public event.

The EU future enlargement will also be at the agenda, as well as the EP’s role for the economic crisis, the environment, the sustainable development and innovation.

The European Institute’s Program Director Lubov Panayotova, as well Europe Gateway’s Editor in Chief Ognian Boyadjiev are also among the participants, which will be moderated by Yvelines Radio’s president Jean-Marc Bertin and Radio Bulgaria’s journalist Sonia Vasseva.

Special guest of the event will be Matthew Rushworth from the UK who is the big winner in our European essay contest under the motto “EP 2009 Vote – Beyond the Sugar Cubes”.

On the next day, Friday April 3, a second discussion will be held – it will be in Paris, hosted by the EP Information Bureau in the French capital. The topic is “My MEP and me – is the dialogue real or virtual?” Media partner is cafebabel.com. The French Institute on Practical Journalism (IPJ) is also partnering this event. The Information Office’s Director Mr. Alain Barrau will personally give the awarding diploma to Matthew Rushworth for his excellent essay, which Mattew will be able to present personally.