This week, 8 Contact groups met in order to prepare the session of 24-25.06. They are intended to facilitate discussions between the European Convention and organisations representing civil society. They will give the organisations which have registered to take part the opportunity to express their various viewpoints, to take part in debates and to make contact with the members of the Praesidium of the European Convention. They will also provide an opportunity to prepare the statements to be made by representatives of civil society during the plenary session of the Convention.

Each group is chaired by one member of the Presidium. Convention members have been encouraged by the President to attend these meetings.

At the end of each meeting, rapporteurs will be appointed by the participants to speak on their behalf at the Convention plenary.

CONTACT GROUPS – SCHEDULE AND CHAIR

Mon. 10 June 2002 - Regions and local authorities
10:00 – 18:00; Ana Palacio

Wed. 12 June 2002 - Culture
09:00 – 12:30; 15:00 – 18:30; Alojz Peterle

Thu. 13 June 2002 - Social sector
10:00 – 12:30; Klaus Hänsch

Thu. 13 June 2002 - Academia and think tanks
11:00 – 15:00; Giuliano Amato

Friday. 14 June 2002 - Citizens and Institutions
14:15 ; Jean-Luc Dehaene

Mon. 17 June 2002 - Human Rights
09:30 – 12:30; 14:30 – 17:00; António Vitorino

Mon. 17 June 2002 - Environment
10:00 – 13:00; Georges Katiforis

Tue. 18 June 2002 - Development
15:00 – 18:00; Henning Christophersen