Organisations representing civil society are invited to participate in the meeting of the European Convention on 24 and 25 June and to meet its members.

To carry out its mission successfully, the Convention considers it of the outmost importance to listen to representatives of civil society and to take into account their opinions and views. Associations representing various sectors of civil society should reflect in front of the Convention members the expectations and demands of the European society with regard to the future shape of Europe, its organisation and the way the European Union works.

Since the Convention has been launched, organisations representing civil society have been invited to make contributions to the online Forum created in the Futurum Website. A summary of these contributions will be prepared for the session of 24-25 June.

But beyond this session devoted to civil society, it is crucial that the consultation of civil society is an ongoing process, which should not be limited to the first phase of the work of the Convention, the “listening phase”. The hearing organised on 24 and 25 June and the preparation meetings are the first major moments of this consultation. As important as the hearing is the feedback of civil society on the work of the working groups and on the concrete texts which will be discussed in the Convention from the autumn on. It is therefore crucial for the civil society to follow regularly the work of the Convention and to accompany it during but also between the sessions.