The European Citizens’ Panels are a central feature of the Conference on the Future of Europe organised by the European Parliament, the Council of the EU and the European Commission. Citizens have been chosen randomly by specialist contractors, using methodologies that ensure that they are representative of the EU's diversity in terms of geographic origin, gender, age, socioeconomic background and level of education. Meet three citizens who are part of the Citizens' Panel on the economy, social justice, youth and the digital transformation.

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Conference on the Future of Europe: European citizens discussing democracy, security and EU values

Title: Conference on the Future of Europe  -  European citizens discussing democracy, security and EU values 

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Chiara, I am Chiara Nicandro. I am 31 years old and I work as an employment consultant.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Chiara, We need to reintegrate citizens into the European project and reduce the distance between voters and political choices. 

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Chiara, A common idea we had on security was establishing a European army to give Europe more tools to make it safer.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Chiara, There is no better tool than the mass media to be able to carry out this goal. 

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Chiara, For me, the important thing is that my voice is heard, whether I am a woman or a man. 

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Daniel, Hi I'm Daniel. I am a 21-year-old student studying business administration.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Daniel, A lot of voters don&rsquo;t see a direct link between what they&rsquo;re saying or voting for and what is happening in the European Union. 

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Daniel, I think European democracy is a beautiful thing, but I think it could involve citizens more directly. 

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Daniel, During the panel, my concrete proposal was a European news channel. Each member state has its own news channels, but you actually hear very little about what really happens in the European Union. 

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Daniel, What I expect from the next panel is concrete advice to the European Parliament. And then I really hope that people listen to it seriously.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Michalakis, I am Michalis from Cyprus. I&rsquo;m 77 years old. I am married with two children and four grandchildren.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Michalakis, I believe that in order to have perfect democracy, all forms of discrimination must be stopped.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Michalakis, We must ensure that the boundaries of the nations of the European Union are protected.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Michalakis, Security for us is very important because for a citizen to live comfortably, working and raising children, they must feel safe.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Michalakis, As a grandfather from the eastern part of the European Union I want my voice to be heard in the centre of the EU so that our children and grandchildren can live as happy Europeans. 