Bringing democracy to new frontiers in size and diversity

A series of 100 debate-conferences on the future of Europe Organised by Newropeans and Europe 2020

Thanks to the support of Hippocrène Foundation, ACCOR Group and Bernard Rossmann

Held in 100 towns from 25 countries of the New Europe

In cooperation with 100 partner-organisations (cities, universities, associations…)

Hosted by Franck Biancheri, Director of Studies & Strategy in Europe 2020

Based on the "15 propositions for an efficient and democratic enlarged EU" of reference-book "Vision Europe 2020"

A democratic debate on the future of Europe is a coherent and organized event, which ought to ask simple and tangible questions on what we expect from tomorrow’s Europe. It should also be an open debate, enabling to get free from decisions made 50 years ago, as well as from the preferences of today’s Brussels bureaucrats, and from national fears. Innovating and citizen-based as they are, the 15 proposals of " Vision Europe 2020 ", available in 20 languages, could offer an ideal basis to fuel the debate with all those European citizens who wonder " Where is Europe going? " and who have some ideas on possible answers.

For these reasons, together with members of the Europe 2020 and Newropeans networks, the coordinator of " Vision Europe 2020 ", Franck Biancheri, agreed to host personally a debate based on the 15 proposals, to be held in 100 European towns located in 25 different countries, between October 2002 and July 2003.

A physical and intellectual challenge at the scale of this new Europe we must now organize.

In October 2003, a new version of "Vision Europe 2020", integrating comments made by the citizens in these debates and on the Internet, was published, distributed and officially presented in the framework of the closing congress of the NDM operation: the "Newropeans 2003" Congress.

The Marathon’s route:

Paris, The Hague, Amsterdam, Hanover, Munster, Antwerp, Rennes, Imperia, San Remo, Perinaldo, Nice, Perugia, Todi, Terni, Foligno, Breda, Utrecht, Sceaux, Dunkerque, Ljubljana, Hermagor, Arriach, Villach, Salzburg, Frankfurt, Nancy, Offenburg, Munich, Falticeni, Bucharest, Cluj, Cannes, Avignon, Marseille, Perpignan, Amiens, Gent, Tournai, Assise, Rome, Ancona, Naples, Berlin, Potsdam, Amadora, Evora, Lisbon, Plasencia, Cuacos de Yuste, Hervas, Warsaw, Czestochowa, Lodz, Chania, New-York, Cap d’Ail, Saint Pierre de Féric, Tampere, Helsinki, Klagenfurt, Vienna, Graz, Ljutomer, Radenci, Gödöllö, Budapest, Novi Sad, Zsambek, Sofia, Plovdiv, Komotini, Chantilly, Klaipeda, Tallinn, Tartu, Malpils, Riga, Valmiera, Cardiff, Southampton, Copenhagen, Porto, Setubal, Vigo, Santiago de Compostelle, London, Cologne, Bonn, Brussels, Bergneustadt, Prague, Broumov, Bordeaux, Bratislava

Some talking figures:

. 150.000 km covered by Franck Biancheri, including 40.000 by car, in 8 months

. close to 10.000 Europeans met along some 300 hours of debate

. 25 countries, 100 conferences, some 150 partner organisations: 23 local authorities, 31 universities, 45 associations, 15 media-organisations .....

. 100 panels shared by Franck Biancheri with 115 co-panelists (MPs, elected officials, university professors, experts, journalists,…)

All that with a very “citizen” budget:

. 150.000 Euros, all included: preparation, coordination, organisation, documentation, website, travels, ... , i.e. 15 Euros per citizen met.

One more proof of the fact that properly designed, supported by motivated partners, and using the assets of networking and new technologies, European democracy can be CHEAP.

To know more about the Newropeans Democracy Marathon : visit the website