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The Future
of Europe: Spiritual Values and Citizenship (5)
Discussion: ACTIVE CITZENSHIP AND CIVIL SOCIETY
Contents:
•
What
is ‘Citizenship’?
•
Legal
Citizenship
•
Active
Citizenship
•
To
think about
•
Other Papers in this Series
“Remember
your responsibilities as a citizen for the conduct of local, national,
and international affairs. Do not shrink from the time and effort
your involvement may demand.” BYM, Advices & Queries,
34
What
is ‘Citizenship’?
The terms
‘citizen’ and ‘citizenship’ encompass different
meanings: first, the term ‘citizenship’ can be regarded
as a legal concept, which refers to someone holding a passport from
a particular state and enjoying a number of rights in that particular
society. Second, ‘citizenship’ can describe much more
than this – a moral idea of people actively contributing to
the society in which they live. Quakers have always been aware of
this second dimension and have thought about their roles as citizens
in society: “Do
not be content to accept things as they are but keep an alert and
questioning mind. Seek to discover the causes of social unrest,
injustice and fear; try to discern the new growing-points in social
and economic life. Work for an order of society which will allow
men and women to develop their capacities and will foster their
desire to serve.”
BYM Quaker Faith & Practice, 23.01
“…we
must be willing, when loyalty to the Kingdom of God demands it,
to refuse the demands of the state and show the highest loyalty
to the state and the best citizenship by refusing demands that are
wrong...”
T Edmund Harvey, 1937, as quoted in BYM Quaker Faith and Practice,
23.01
These
observations point towards some fundamental questions:
• As a citizen, what can I expect from the state
and from society?
• Can society expect certain forms of action or involvement
from me?
• What responsibilities does citizenship entail? What enables
me to exercise ‘active citizenship’?
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Legal
Citizenship
What
are the rights of European citizens? In
legal terms, the concept of ‘European citizenship’ was
introduced in the Maastricht Treaty in 1993. European citizens have
a certain set of rights: the right to vote in local elections in
any other EU country in which they are resident; freedom of movement
between member states; the transference of social protection and
pension rights; entitlement to diplomatic protection and the right
to petition. The rights of European citizens were further underlined
by the introduction of the European Ombudsman in 1995, to whom complaints
concerning EU policy can be addressed.
The
rights of European citizenship today apply to anyone who is a citizen
of one of the EU member states. This means that these rights do
not apply to nationals of third countries living within the EU.
There is thus inequality of rights which reinforces discrimination
against non-EU citizens resident in the EU. Groups such as the European
Network Against Racism (ENAR) are therefore campaigning for
a new model of citizenship based on residence in the EU and no longer
on nationality. They
believe that, if this aim was reached, European citizenship could
become a tool in the fight against racism.
In
contrast with European citizenship, the Charter of Fundamental
Rights of the EU applies (for the most part) to both citizens
and residents of the EU. This document sets out a wide range of
civil political, economic and social rights. However, while the
Charter was ‘proclaimed’ at the Nice Summit in 1999,
it is not a legally binding document. The Convention on the Future
of Europe now has the task to consider whether this should change
and whether the Charter should form part of a future constitutional
treaty for the European Union.
Do
you feel ‘European’? Would you rather be considered
an EU citizen or a citizen of your home country?
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Active
Citizenship
Towards
a European Civil Society? If
citizenship is seen as an active combination of involvement, responsibility
and concern for the way society is run, this means that citizens
should take as much interest in European level issues as in national
or local. However, the distance between the EU institutions and
citizens is evident, and one of the tasks of the current Convention
on the Future of Europe is to attempt to bridge this gap. Steps
towards this could include making the EU more open and transparent,
providing better information and education for citizens and giving
wider scope for active participation in civil society.
‘Civil
society’ is a term that describes the space in which public
debate and citizens’ activity takes place. Civil society organisations
are non-governmental and non-profit-making. This covers a wide range
of organisations from campaigning bodies to charitable associations,
faith groups and community organisations.
Although
not formally involved in decision-making, civil society can play
an important role in how society is run. With an understanding of
the opinions and values of ordinary individuals, civil society organisations
can provide a vital link between governments and citizens.
At
the European level, however, the link between the institutions and
civil society is problematic. Consultation of civil society has
been on an ad hoc basis, with no clear procedures for consultation.
The European Commission has taken some steps to improve this situation.
Last year’s White Paper on Governance set out proposals
to improve the transparency, efficiency and accountability of the
EU without changing the Treaties. While the White Paper shows willingness
to engage with civil society, many organisations do not feel it
goes far enough. Suggestions from civil society groups include:
•
The creation of a Treaty article to provide a legal responsibility
for the EU to engage in dialogue with citizens.
•
The establishment of official ‘consultative status’
for NGOs, such as that used by the UN.
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To
think about
What
role should civil society play in the future of the EU?
Do
you feel that the EU is accountable to its citizens?
Are
you involved in politics at the European level? If not, what would
make it easier for you to get involved?
How
can Quakers get more involved in European civil society?
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Other
Papers in this Series
(1)
The Future of Europe Debate HTML
PDF (39kb)
(2)
The European Union: Institutions and Structures HTML
PDF (60kb)
(3)
Aims and Values of the EUs HTML
PDF (36kb)
(4)
Discussion: What are ‘Spiritual Values’? HTML
PDF (34kb)
(6)
Discussion:
The European Union in World Politics HTML
PDF (46kb)
(7)
To
Find Out More HTML PDF
(44kb)
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