Closing Event of the European Year of Citizens - How to make every year a year for citizens!

12 -13 December 2013, Vilnius, Lithuania

Venue: Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, Vilnius

The Closing Event of the European Year of Citizens 2013 will take place at the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania in Vilnius on 12-13 December 2013. The opening event of the European Year of Citizens was held in Dublin in January this year as Ireland took over the Presidency of the EU Council.

Around 350 participants from all over Europe are expected, ranging from representatives of Lithuanian civil society and various EU NGOs to governmental and European institutions.

The two-day conference will cover the following topics:

• The role and future of civil society organisations in building Europe’s future

• Shaping Europe from the bottom up

• Fostering EU citizens’ rights

• New ways for citizens to influence policymakers

• Why wait to vote? Other ways to engage

• Towards the 2014 European elections

Lithuanian representatives will open the conference. Key speakers include Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights, and Citizenship, Emily O'Reilly, European Ombudsman and Prof. Vytautas Landsbergis, the first leader of Lithuania after the restoration of independence.

Eurofound will contribute with a stand and an exhibition of the most relevant publications.

More information is available.