European Economic and Social Committee - Future

Future

Under the Treaties, the Committee is the institutional body for representing civil society organisations. As Jacques Delors reiterated for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first EESC plenary (1958–2008), the contributions of the EESC on civil and social matters have been remarkable along its fifty years of life. Challenges and future expectations are consistently ambitious. Thanks to its membership and unique role in the EU’s institutional framework, the Committee will in future have special responsibility for making a reality of participatory democracy and for working towards the development of structured dialogue between organised civil society and Union institutions.

The Lisbon Treaty has confirmed the EESC role and influence. Indeed, significant prospects for the development of participatory democracy are opened through Article 11 of the new Treaty on the European Union, which lays the foundations for the future establishment of a genuine structured civil dialogue at European level alongside the political dialogue between the EU and its Member States and the social dialogue with the social partners, thereby ensuring sustainable participation of organised civil society in the European political process. In this context, the EESC has a particular responsibility in bringing participatory democracy to life. In view of its membership and role, as laid down in the Treaties, and in partnership with the other institutions, the Committee's purpose is to be even more in the future the means of developing participatory democracy and civil dialogue at Union level.