The contribution of society against the risk of "disintegrating" European integration, not least to overcome the "communication gap" between the citizens and the institutions: this is the purpose of the Forum on European society, called "Empower: strengthening the citizens’ role" which will be held in Bergamo on 9th and 10th November and attended by 400 delegates of the organisations of 27 countries (the 25 member states plus Bulgaria and Romania). The initiative has been presented in Rome today, at the Italian office of the EU parliament, linked in video-conference with Bergamo. The Forum, explained Pier Virgilio Dastoli, director of the Italian office of the European Commission, "is part of a number of initiatives launched by the EU after the negative results of the referendums in France and Holland. The trend of public opinion, which is also shown by the surveys conducted in other countries, proves that there is a worrying communication ‘gap’ between the European citizens and institutions". After presenting "Plan D" and the White Book to overcome this communication gap, the EU wanted to organise five major Forums, including the one of Bergamo". The other Forums will be held in Berlin, Helsinki and Brussels, while the first one was held in Madrid last October. (to be continued)” “
