Draft Programme

Theme of the Launching meeting: “civic participation”

Thursday, 3 November 2005

2.30 p.m.: Opening Session

Welcoming – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland

Honorary Chair – Mr. Lech WAŁĘSA: “Democracy under way”

Ambassador Joaquim DUARTE, Permanent Representative of Portugal at the Council of Europe, Chair of the Committee of Ministers

Mr René VAN DER LINDEN, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

Mr Giovanni DI STASI, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe

Ms Maud DE BOER-BUQUICCHIO, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe: “The Council of Europe’s acquis in the field of democracy”

Break (10 min.)

3.30 p.m. – 6.30 p.m.: First session

“Civic participation as a challenge for the future”

Moderator: Mr Adrian SEVERIN – Romania, member of PACE

- Keynote speeches

Prof. Dr. Gesine SCHWAN, Rector of Viadrina University, Frankfurt/Oder

Prof. Timothy GARTON ASH, Oxford University

- Plenary discussion

Special discussant: Mr Ugo MIFSUD BONNICI, former President of Malta, European Commission for Democracy through Law („Venice Commission“)

- Conclusions (presented by the Moderator), remarks from participants

7.30 p.m.: Buffet dinner hosted by the Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hotel Bristol

Friday, 4 November 2005

9.30 a.m.: Second session

“Exchange of experiences and good practices in the field of civic participation”

Moderator: Prof. Jerzy HAUSNER, Poland

Ms Annelise OESCHGER, President of the Council of Europe’s INGO Conference:
Introductory remarks

- Panel discussion: Some examples of current challenges and practical proposals
(1) Engaging citizens in deliberative processes

- Mr Henry TAM (t.b.c.)., UK Home Office, Civil Renewal Unit: The UK experience
(2) Engaging young people

Mr James DOORLEY, Vice-President of European Youth Forum , Brussels
(3) ICT and citizens engagement

Mr Robert KRIMMER, Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration: New developments in the field of e-democracy

Ms Ylle MÄDISE, Constitutional Committee of the Riigikogu, Estonia:
The Estonian Internet e-vote of October 2005

(4) Participation of foreigners / migrants

- (speaker t.b.c.): The Swedish experience
(5) precise theme to be determined

- Mr Borys KUZNETSOV, CIRP, St. Petersburg, Russia: The Russian experience
(6) Direct participation

- Mr Andreas GROSS, member of PACE: The Swiss experience with direct democracy

- Plenary discussion

- Conclusions (by the Moderator), remarks from participants

12.00 p.m: Break

12.30 p.m.: Closing session
Conclusions and proposals

Chair: Mr Bogdan BORUSEWICZ, President of Polish Senate

Mr Bogdan BORUSEWICZ, and Senator Andrzej WIELOWIEYSKI (PACE): Forum’s conclusions (by the Chair)

Mr Terry DAVIS, Secretary General of the Council of Europe:
The Forum as a Process: Where do we go from here ?

Press briefing (Conference Hall)

1.30 p.m.: Lunch, hosted by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe