By Martin Banks - 1st October 2007
The Commission is set to unveil an ambitious new communications strategy for the EU.
The executive wants to strike a landmark agreement with the other main institutions and member states aimed at giving citizens more information about the EU.
Margot Wallstrom, the EU commissioner responsible for communications policy, said, “This is not about having the same message.
“It is about getting a commitment to communicate, in a coordinated way, on the same topics with citizens across the EU.”
The proposals, due to be unveiled by the commission on Wednesday, include plans to urge EU countries to use schools to give more information about the EU and its history.
She said, “Young people at school should learn the basic facts about the EU.
“Curricula are a matter for national governments, not the EU, but the commission offers to help governments identify areas in which this aspect of education could be improved and to play a role in sharing best practice between teachers.”
A paper ‘Communicating Europe in Partnership’, drafted by Wallstrom, sets out an enhanced communication policy for the EU.
The commission vice president accepts that the executive has no legal base when it comes to communication strategy but she said it still hopes to strike an inter-institutional agreement with the other EU institutions, including parliament, on finding ways of improving public awareness of the EU, its history and what it does.
The plans also include a new internet strategy which involves using the Net more as a means of getting information to people to discuss European issues.
In addition, a new audio-visual strategy will come out in early 2008 enabling broadcasters across Europe to produce programmes on EU issues.
The commission is also proposing to create ‘European public spaces’ – meeting places where citizens can get information and join in discussions.
Wallstrom said, “The problem is that governments and the EU institutions have tended to work separately.
“The result has sometimes been that there has been little or no real communication with citizens and no real debate.
“The commission believes it is high time to change this situation but it cannot do it alone – it needs the support of other institutions and member states."
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