In the coming weeks the Brussels Insider team will be releasing a three part video series in order to address several grievances identified by the public. Please join us in our discussion’s with prominent EU officials were we will examine the issues of Participation, Lobbying and Transparency in our attempt to bring the EU closer to you!
Episode 1: Participation
In the first episode of a three part series, we explore the topic of citizens participation in European Politics.
The Conference on the Future of Europe is the most recent example of an EU initiative to involve ordinary citizens in having a say over the future of Europe, in order to guide political change and reform of EU policies and its institutions.
With the Conference nearing its conclusion in May 2022, we speak with five specialists who have been involved in the Conference or who work within the EU. They share their expertise and insights to shed light on:
What is the value of citizens participation in politics in the first instance?
How has the conference turned out so far?
What impact might the Conference have on the future of citizens participation in European politics?
Episode 2: Lobbying
In the second episode of The Brussels Insider series we explore the topic of lobbying in the European Union.
Lobbying often has a bad reputation. It is seen as an under-the-counter influence on lawmakers by big businesses, reaching agreements in front of an all-paid expensive meal and wine.
We spoke with Wouter Wolfs, Senior Researcher at KU Leuven and expert on the topic, as well as with two Irish Members of the European Parliament to shed some light on the practice of lobbying within the EU.
How does it work?
What are its benefits and dangers?
And how do the regulations around it look like?
Episode 3: Transparency
In this third and final episode of The Brussels Insider series, we explore the topic of transparency in the European Union.
The European Union is often seen as a far away institution built on back-handed agreements and secret negotiations with nobody to hold the process or people accountable.
Is this really the truth?
Is the EU as opaque as some actors would have us believe, or is there more to the story?
We spoke with MEP Colm Markey and Parliamentary Assistant Una Clarke, both of whom have first hand experience with the EU’s transparency measures. We also got the point of view of Vitor Teixiera – a Senior Policy Officer at Transparency International EU – an organisation whose mission is to prevent corruption and promote integrity, transparency and accountability in EU institutions, policies and legislation.
The Brussels Insider 