„the european parliament – the voice of the citizens. european elections 2009 – your vote...

„The European Parliament – The voice of the citizens. European Elections 2009 – Your

vote counts“

Introduction: Mr. Erhard BUSEK, President - European Forum Alpbach, Vienna

First Speech: Mr. Wolfgang HILLER, Head - Information office of the European Parliament, Vienna

Second Speech: Mr. Ambassador a.D. Dr. Wolfgang WOLTE Member of the Board of Directors - Austrian Society for European Politics

www.euro-info.net www.alpbach.org www.europarl.at

European Parliament - Information Office for Austria

www.europarl.at

„The European Parliament – The voice of the citizens. European Elections 2009 – Your vote counts“


European Elections - 7th June 2009

• 375 Mio people from 27 Member States

• 751 or 736 MEPs

• to decide on Europe's future

• the challenge: voters turnout



The European Parliament (EP)

• transnational democracy

• part of the EUs unique institutional

system

• a young Parliament - 50 years of age

• grown in size and importance



Political Groups in the EP



Eurobarometer Eurobarometer 69 - June 2008



Eurobarometer Special Eurobarometer 69 - March

2008



European Elections: equally important



European Elections: participation



Information Office in Vienna

• Europe on the spot

• Contact point

• Offer of Information

• www.europarl.at



Citizens’ Forum

• EP goes local

• Debate with MEPs on

the future of the

European Union

European Parliament - Information Office for Austria



Kärntner Ring 5-7

1010 Wien

www.europarl.at

[email protected]

Austrian Society for European Politics

www.euro-info.net

Founded in 1991

Politically independent

Formed by the Austrian Social Partners

Main sponsor: Oesterreichische Nationalbank

Primary objective: Support Austria´s European

integration process



Introduction of the Euro in Austria

Enlargement of the European Union

The Austrian EU-Presidencies: 1998 and 2006

Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe

The Reform Treaty of Lisbon

Three Elections to the

European Parliament

Primary fields of attentio

n



Promotion and organizationof public events

Preparation ofinformation

material (handouts, folders, etc)

Organization of projects with schools, communities, and NGOs in Austria and neighbouring countries

Conducting nation wide opinion polls

Main Tasks



Information campaign:Information campaign:

„„The European Parliament – The European Parliament – The voice of the citizens. The voice of the citizens.

European Elections 2009 – European Elections 2009 – Your vote countsYour vote counts““

Co-financed by the Co-financed by the European ParliamentEuropean Parliament

European Elections 2009: European Elections 2009: information stressing the importance of participation

European Parliament:European Parliament:increase the overall awareness

Specific tasks2008 - 2009



Our Project

According to our opinion survey polls, young people have a positive image of Europe

Target Audience 1:Target Audience 1: The youngThe young- Voting age in Austria is 16 -

Two Touring Exhibitions in Austria.

Pannel discussion on current European

topics

Promoting active participation in European matters

Activities

including objective



Our Project

Opinion polls show critical positions of seniors on EU-matters

Target Audience 2:Target Audience 2: SeniorsSeniors- often neglected -

Preparation ofinformation

material (handouts, folders, etc)

Organization of events for senior citizens

Emphasis on concrete advantages to the elderly

emanating from EU-membership

Activities

including objective



Austrian Society for Austrian Society for European PoliticsEuropean Politics

Associations

CommunitiesFace-to-face

dialogue

with

Public

Media

Europe is … Europe is …

… … not far away!not far away!… … part of our daily lives!part of our daily lives!… … the most succesful the most succesful

continental peace continental peace project!project!

Schools

Important is …



Austrian Society for European Politics

Visit us at:

www.euro-info.net

Contact us at:

[email protected]



„the european parliament – the voice of the citizens. european elections 2009 – your vote...

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