Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Governance: Contested Perceptions of Civic Participation

2002; Edinburgh University Press; Volume: 39 (First Serie; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.3366/scot.2002.0027

2053-888X

Amanda Sloat,

Public Policy and Administration Research

On 25 July 2001 (he European Commission published its long-awaited White Paper on European Governance. President Romano Prodi had identified governance as a 'strategic objective' during a February 2000 speech to the European Parliament, and the White Paper concluded a year-long inquiry into its reform that took evidence from across Europe (including the UK and Scotland). The over-arching theme of the White Paper is the importance of opening up policy-making processes to involve more cit izens and organisations in the creation and implementation of EU legislation. Recognising that 'the way in which the Union currently works does not allow for adequate interaction in a multi-level partnership/ it called on member states to establish mechanisms for wider consultation (p. 12). It proposed 'systematic dialogue' with regional associations during policy development, more flexible implementation of legislation that takes into account the diversity of local conditions, and greater policy coherence by addressing the territorial impact of policies rather than following a sector-specific approach. The White Paper also cited the need for civic organisations to have a greater voice in policy-making, appealing for a 'reinforced culture of consultation and dialogue' in all EU institutions and considering the creation of a 'code of conduct' that establishes minimum standards for consultation (p. 16).