„The European Parliament – The voice of the citizens. European Elections 2009 – Your
vote counts“
Introduction: Mr. Erhard BUSEK, President - European Forum Alpbach, Vienna
First Speech: Mr. Wolfgang HILLER, Head - Information office of the European Parliament, Vienna
Second Speech: Mr. Ambassador a.D. Dr. Wolfgang WOLTE Member of the Board of Directors - Austrian Society for European Politics
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European Parliament - Information Office for Austria
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„The European Parliament – The voice of the citizens. European Elections 2009 – Your vote counts“
www.euro-info.net www.alpbach.org www.europarl.at
European Elections - 7th June 2009
• 375 Mio people from 27 Member States
• 751 or 736 MEPs
• to decide on Europe's future
• the challenge: voters turnout
„The European Parliament – The voice of the citizens. European Elections 2009 – Your vote counts“
www.euro-info.net www.alpbach.org www.europarl.at
The European Parliament (EP)
• transnational democracy
• part of the EUs unique institutional
system
• a young Parliament - 50 years of age
• grown in size and importance
„The European Parliament – The voice of the citizens. European Elections 2009 – Your vote counts“
www.euro-info.net www.alpbach.org www.europarl.at
Political Groups in the EP
„The European Parliament – The voice of the citizens. European Elections 2009 – Your vote counts“
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Eurobarometer Eurobarometer 69 - June 2008
„The European Parliament – The voice of the citizens. European Elections 2009 – Your vote counts“
www.euro-info.net www.alpbach.org www.europarl.at
Eurobarometer Special Eurobarometer 69 - March
2008
„The European Parliament – The voice of the citizens. European Elections 2009 – Your vote counts“
www.euro-info.net www.alpbach.org www.europarl.at
European Elections: equally important
„The European Parliament – The voice of the citizens. European Elections 2009 – Your vote counts“
www.euro-info.net www.alpbach.org www.europarl.at
European Elections: participation
„The European Parliament – The voice of the citizens. European Elections 2009 – Your vote counts“
www.euro-info.net www.alpbach.org www.europarl.at
Information Office in Vienna
• Europe on the spot
• Contact point
• Offer of Information
• www.europarl.at
„The European Parliament – The voice of the citizens. European Elections 2009 – Your vote counts“
www.euro-info.net www.alpbach.org www.europarl.at
Citizens’ Forum
• EP goes local
• Debate with MEPs on
the future of the
European Union
European Parliament - Information Office for Austria
„The European Parliament – The voice of the citizens. European Elections 2009 – Your vote counts“
www.euro-info.net www.alpbach.org www.europarl.at
Kärntner Ring 5-7
1010 Wien
www.europarl.at
Austrian Society for European Politics
www.euro-info.net
Founded in 1991
Politically independent
Formed by the Austrian Social Partners
Main sponsor: Oesterreichische Nationalbank
Primary objective: Support Austria´s European
integration process
„The European Parliament – The voice of the citizens. European Elections 2009 – Your vote counts“
www.euro-info.net www.alpbach.org www.europarl.at
Introduction of the Euro in Austria
Enlargement of the European Union
The Austrian EU-Presidencies: 1998 and 2006
Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe
The Reform Treaty of Lisbon
Three Elections to the
European Parliament
Primary fields of attentio
n
„The European Parliament – The voice of the citizens. European Elections 2009 – Your vote counts“
www.euro-info.net www.alpbach.org www.europarl.at
Promotion and organizationof public events
Preparation ofinformation
material (handouts, folders, etc)
Organization of projects with schools, communities, and NGOs in Austria and neighbouring countries
Conducting nation wide opinion polls
Main Tasks
„The European Parliament – The voice of the citizens. European Elections 2009 – Your vote counts“
www.euro-info.net www.alpbach.org www.europarl.at
Information campaign:Information campaign:
„„The European Parliament – The European Parliament – The voice of the citizens. The voice of the citizens.
European Elections 2009 – European Elections 2009 – Your vote countsYour vote counts““
Co-financed by the Co-financed by the European ParliamentEuropean Parliament
European Elections 2009: European Elections 2009: information stressing the importance of participation
European Parliament:European Parliament:increase the overall awareness
Specific tasks2008 - 2009
„The European Parliament – The voice of the citizens. European Elections 2009 – Your vote counts“
www.euro-info.net www.alpbach.org www.europarl.at
Our Project
According to our opinion survey polls, young people have a positive image of Europe
Target Audience 1:Target Audience 1: The youngThe young- Voting age in Austria is 16 -
Two Touring Exhibitions in Austria.
Pannel discussion on current European
topics
Promoting active participation in European matters
Activities
including objective
„The European Parliament – The voice of the citizens. European Elections 2009 – Your vote counts“
www.euro-info.net www.alpbach.org www.europarl.at
Our Project
Opinion polls show critical positions of seniors on EU-matters
Target Audience 2:Target Audience 2: SeniorsSeniors- often neglected -
Preparation ofinformation
material (handouts, folders, etc)
Organization of events for senior citizens
Emphasis on concrete advantages to the elderly
emanating from EU-membership
Activities
including objective
„The European Parliament – The voice of the citizens. European Elections 2009 – Your vote counts“
www.euro-info.net www.alpbach.org www.europarl.at
Austrian Society for Austrian Society for European PoliticsEuropean Politics
Associations
CommunitiesFace-to-face
dialogue
with
Public
Media
Europe is … Europe is …
… … not far away!not far away!… … part of our daily lives!part of our daily lives!… … the most succesful the most succesful
continental peace continental peace project!project!
Schools
Important is …
„The European Parliament – The voice of the citizens. European Elections 2009 – Your vote counts“
www.euro-info.net www.alpbach.org www.europarl.at
Austrian Society for European Politics
Visit us at:
www.euro-info.net
Contact us at:
„The European Parliament – The voice of the citizens. European Elections 2009 – Your vote counts“
www.euro-info.net www.alpbach.org www.europarl.at