Dear Europeans,

After a long summer break, the European Convention starts again its work on
the shape of our future Europe. Again, the Convention Bulletin will keep you
updated about the work of the Convention. Before we return to our
twice-monthly schedule, we would like to summarize in this special edition
the first phase of the Convention (the listening phase). You will find a
short overview on the different issues which have been tackled in the
Convention so far, including some of the criticisms which have been raised
concerning its work. Until now, Convention members have failed to tackle the
most controversial topics, and we have not yet seen compromise proposals
which can bring together the different ideas on the future institutional
framework of the EU. In the next weeks and months it will be up to Valéry
Giscard d’Estaing and the Presidium to present a concrete and ambitious text
for the future European Constitution. Only with such a concrete document
will the Convention members be able to find solutions to the questions
raised in the Laeken Declaration. Only if the Convention is able to succeed
with its task in time, will the EU be able successfully to complete
enlargement, develop into a democratic and effective political union, and be
able to manage the challenges it faces on the international scene.

A second article provides you with a short summary of the involvement of
organised youth in Europe, with information on the various contributions
which have been made this summer by young people gathering all over Europe.
The involvement of young people should not be limited only to the first,
listening phase, but instead young people should be given the opportunity to
continue to contribute throughout the Convention’s work.

Over the coming months, this Bulletin will follow closely the next phase of
the Convention, as draft texts are produced. We will also work to ensure
that the voices of young people continue to be heard.

If you would like to contribute to the next editions of the Bulletin, you
are welcome to send your contribution to info@constitutional-convention.net.
As usual, you can see all articles of this Bulletin in full length on our
special Convention Homepage: www.constitutional-convention.net.

Looking forward to exciting debates,
With our best European greetings,

Your Editors.