One hundred and fifty citizens from various European Union member states are currently participating in the second session of the European Citizens’ Panel on Preparedness, held online from April 24 to 26. The discussions aim to formulate tangible ideas on how the EU can enhance its collective readiness for future crises and shocks. The goal is to ensure that the actions derived from the EU preparedness union strategy are inclusive and directly responsive to the needs of the citizenry.
Participants are deepening their exploration of priorities previously identified during earlier discussions. Key areas under review include fostering greater citizen engagement, bolstering education and solidarity, ensuring the integrity of communication—which involves combating the spread of disinformation and misinformation—and refining overall crisis management protocols across Europe. Among the attendees are four representatives identified as Bulgarians, hailing from Sofia, Burgas, Isperih, and Reberkovo.
Speaking to BTA, Antoaneta Petkova, representing Reberkovo, expressed hope that the group discussion, which includes delegates from Germany, Italy, and Czechia, will continue to focus on proposals previously highlighted. Specifically, she emphasized the need for educational training for all age groups, covering both theoretical knowledge and practical crisis response skills. Petkova noted that several other key concepts related to disaster and crisis response will also be addressed during the sessions.
These dialogues underscore the commitment of European citizens to proactive preparedness. The insights gathered from these diverse groups of citizens are vital for strengthening the EU’s resilience framework. The plenary sessions are available for live viewing on the panel’s dedicated website.
Topics: #citizens #preparedness #bulgarians
