Will it Work?

An Open Debate on Wallström’s White Paper

On Information and European Democracy

Eastman building, Parc Léopold

Rue Belliard 135, 1040 Brussels

Wednesday 1 February 2006 from 15.30 to 18.15

• How is the White Paper reinforcing democracy in Europe and connecting the European project to citizens?
• How is it contributing to building a European political culture?
• Is the White Paper establishing EU communication policy as a policy in its own right?
• Will the new communication strategy become a crucial tool for citizens’ empowerment, and contribute to the making of a European public sphere?

The event is expected to attract over 200 people: members of the European Parliament, Commission officials, information officers, representatives of the regions, journalists, think tanks, NGOs, media experts and academics.

Agenda

15:30 – 16:00     Registration of participants & welcome coffee

16:00 – 16:15     Welcome by ECAS

16:15 – 16:45     Presentation of the White Paper on Information and European                     Democracy by Margot Wallström, Vice President and EU                           Commissioner for Institutional Relations and Communication                      Strategy

16:45 – 17:30     ‘Finally, the White Paper!’

                            First reactions from a panel of various stakeholders:

Alejo Vidal-Quadras Roca, MEP, Vice President of the European Parliament

Claes de Vreese, Research Fellow, Amsterdam School of Communications Research (ASCoR)

Jean Quatremer,* Correspondent; Libération

17:30 – 18:15     Open discussion between Margot Wallström, the panel and                          the participants

Agents Provocateurs: Willy de Backer, Editor in chief, EurActiv.com

                                Giles Merritt, Secretary General, Friends of Europe

Participation is free, but by registration only.

* to be confirmed

Will it Work?

An Open Debate on Wallström’s White Paper

On Information and European Democracy

Eastman building, Parc Léopold

Rue Belliard 135, 1040 Brussels

Wednesday 1 February 2006 from 15.30 to 18.15

REGISTRATION FORM

Please complete all fields in CAPITAL LETTERS

Please send the registration form back to Nathalie Calmejane as soon as possible, bearing in mind the security regulations of the European Parliament

nathalie.calmejane@ecas.org or conference@ecas.org

or by fax +32.2.511.90.87