One hundred fifty citizens from various EU member states are currently participating in the second session of the European Citizens’ Panel on Preparedness, which is taking place online from April 24 to 26. The primary objective of these discussions is to formulate concrete strategies detailing how EU citizens can enhance their readiness for future shocks. The goal is to ensure that actions taken under the EU preparedness union strategy are both inclusive and directly responsive to the needs of the general populace.
Participants are engaging in an in-depth exploration of priorities previously identified during their discussions in March. Key areas under review include robust citizen engagement, comprehensive education, fostering solidarity and inclusion, maintaining the integrity of communication—specifically countering disinformation—and refining crisis management protocols, alongside other aspects of European preparedness. Four Bulgarian representatives are among the attendees, hailing from Sofia, Burgas, Isperih, and Reberkovo.
Antoaneta Petkova, representing Reberkovo, spoke to BTA, expressing hope that the group, which includes delegates from Germany, Italy, and Czechia, will continue to debate proposals previously highlighted. Petkova noted a specific focus on introducing educational training for all age groups, covering both theoretical knowledge and practical crisis response skills. She also indicated that four additional concepts regarding disaster and crisis response will be addressed.
These ongoing discussions underscore the commitment of EU citizens to building a resilient framework. The input gathered from these diverse groups of citizens will directly inform policy, aiming to strengthen preparedness across the bloc by integrating lived experiences and local knowledge into EU-wide strategy. The plenary session remains available for live viewing on the panel’s dedicated website.
Topics: #citizens #preparedness #bulgarians
