The upcoming European elections present a crucial moment for fostering inclusivity and environmental justice in decision-making. Recognizing this, EU24 Engage for the Planet consortium launched a groundbreaking initiative to empower marginalized voices and elevate climate concerns on the European agenda.
Through a series of compelling video interviews, “(Un)heard Voices” brings to light the diverse perspectives and lived experiences of individuals who have been underrepresented in political discourse. From migrants, women, youth, and the elderly to members of the LGBTQ+ community advocating for equality and recognition, each story is a testament to the rich tapestry of identities and struggles that define our continent in times of climate crisis.
For Monika, woman with disabilities from Poland, the biggest challenge as a person with disability in terms of the climate crisis is to be heard. Disability, climate crisis and environmental problems are closely related to each other. One of the most common reasons for disability are environmental issues and climate change. So we are a very vulnerable group which is first to experience the consequences of that crisis.
That is why the right to vote becomes essential in ensuring that the voices of all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances, are heard and represented in the democratic process.
Voting is simply a duty as well as a right. Voting is a right acquired over time with great sacrifices and social struggles. Continuing to vote and having a say in political decisions and choices will remain, for me, the essential difference between being a citizen and being subjected to politics, claims Karim, a man with migrant background from France.
Due to that, “(Un)heard Voices” goes beyond mere storytelling. It’s a call to action, urging viewers to confront their own biases, expand their understanding of social issues, and actively engage with marginalized communities in the democratic process. By amplifying these voices, we hope to foster empathy, solidarity, and meaningful change in the political landscape of Europe.
/ENDS
]]>Event Details:
Date: June 21th, 2024
Time: 14:00 – 17:30 CET
Language: English
Location: European Economic and Social Committee
VMA building: Rue Van Maerlant 2., VMA22 Meeting Room, Brussels
Please register: https://forms.gle/6bCdWyrLsXsKAmaw6
Presentation of the Event
The final outreach event of EU24 Engage for the Planet project will showcase the project’s achievements and the tools developed to a broader audience, aiming for significant recognition. This event will emphasize the importance of inclusive democracy in tackling the urgent climate crisis, especially in the context of the 2024 European Elections.
Key highlights of the event include:
1. Round Table: “Exploring Challenges and Opportunities for Inclusive Democracy in Addressing Climate Crisis from various perspectives”
It aims to foster a dynamic and inclusive dialogue among diverse stakeholders, including policymakers, activists, scholars, and citizens from various backgrounds. The focus will be on identifying both the challenges and opportunities that arise when striving for inclusive democratic practices in the context of the climate crisis.
2. International Award Ceremony of Poster Competition
3. Tools and good practices for inclusive democracy
At the Conference, we will delve into the essential topic of Tools and Good Practices for Inclusive Democracy, focusing on strategies that have been developed to ensure that democratic processes are accessible and equitable for the marginalized groups representatives. This session aims to provide attendees with practical insights and actionable knowledge to foster inclusive democratic participation.
Join us in this significant event to explore, debate, and promote inclusive democratic practices essential for addressing the climate crisis. Your participation can help shape a more inclusive and sustainable future for all.
The Online Democracy Platform and Guide are an integral part of the EU24 – Engage for the Planet project, designed to promote inclusive political engagement in Europe, simultaneously raising awareness about the climate crisis and guiding knowledge about the upcoming European Parliament Election 2024.
To support these efforts, an online open-source interactive platform was created. The platform focuses on communication, democratic participation, and networking, offering tools for online and hybrid events related to the EU24 project.
The Online Democracy Platform aims at:
- Keeping the users (citizens) updated on news, events and developments of the project
- Providing a safe space to discuss questions and climate concerns about the upcoming EU elections in the fields of social climate justice, energy, food production, and mobility.
- Providing a networking space for users and organisations in the field.
We hope that the list of applications will grow together with the growing community of the platform users. The process of creating the platform as well as its application are described in detail in the Online E-democracy Guide. Additionally, the guide offers recommendations and guidance for creating online and hybrid events, in the shape of an interactive checklist. It also features an extensive library of online democracy tools, providing organizations, and policymakers with more resources. The platform and the guide are both interactive and in constant evolution and we welcome any suggestions.
]]>To reach a sustainable future a transition to green energy is required. We will focus on ENERGY as one of important aspect when aiming to tackle climate crisis. For the location of the debate we’ve chosen a very specific region, where debate on energy is very active and local citizens have vital interest in shaping local, national and European policies.
Groningen, Drenthe was chosen specifically to host the debate on ENERGY as southern Groningen and Drenthe have a history of underground energy resources, heavily influencing the landscape until this day. To reach a sustainable future a transition to green energy is required.
Case of the region:
The Groningen natural gas field has been a topic of numerous discussions: the gas led to significant wealth but also resulted in a crisis of gas-related earthquakes damaging homes and buildings in the region. The impact on local communities is ongoing, with a substantial restoration project spanning the entire region, permanently altering the aesthetics of historic villages. The management of the gas-related earthquakes turned
into a national political crisis, eroding civilian faith in governmental competence. Besides the damage, this crisis fueled the debate on the energy transition and the role that the province of Groningen is willing to play. Groningen has the potential to farm green energy like wind and solar energy. The geographical factors make this region a promising green energy area. On the other hand the province might not wish to be an
area of energy farming again.
While gas extraction in Groningen ended in October 2023, the Wadden Sea gas fields and off-shore energy production by windmills are being considered as potential alternatives. Off-shore energy production has gained renewed relevance due to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. However, the effects of gas mining and off-shore wind farms are debated due to potential ecosystem impacts on this unique UNESCO
Wadden Sea area. Off-shore farming also comes with new challenges like energy transportation and energy storing. Southern Drenthe is home to the largest oil field in Western Europe. It marks the establishment of the Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij (NAM) in the oil village of Schoonebeek. For a long time, it was seen as a great opportunity for locals, and NAM contributed to numerous facilities for the local community. However, due to the Groningen gas earthquakes, there is now growing suspicion against NAM, resulting in a strained relationship between the company and the villagers.
The goal of the event is to:
– To empower and amplify underrepresented voices: Join us in discussing the critical issue of climate change and its impact on our planet. We encourage young people, citizens of different backgrounds and mobile union citizens to voice their opinions and ideas as they play a crucial role in shaping the future.
– Green ENERGY – challenges and recommendations: Immerse yourself in a high- profile debate on Navigating the Path to Sustainable Energy. Together we will explore the challenges and propose sustainable recommendations for a greener and more sustainable future.
Your voice matters in the fight against climate change and in the pursuit of green ENERGY solutions. Let’s come together on 14 th March 2024 because your voice counts!
Register before 1st March via this link: https://forms.gle/BcmFuviadefho7mk6
