European Citizen Action Service and Citizens Advice International convene the 6th Forum of Citizens’ Advice Services. The objectives of the Forum are to:

• promote the citizens’ rights, and showcase the advice that can be provided in this field, special attention will be attached to European citizenship rights
• exchange information and good practices between legal advice providers
• facilitate informal learning and networking
• upgrade the knowledge and skills of the citizens’ advice professionals and thus benefit the advice service users – citizens across Europe.

The following topics will be discussed:

• Information and Advice Services to Citizens
• Quality Assurance Systems
• Enforcement of European Law
• Social Policy Feedback
• EU Migrants' Rights
• New Tools for Advice
• Social Policy Response to Credit Crunch

  The European Forum will bring about 180 participants from across Europe. We are inviting all professionals in the field of legal advice for citizens and those interested in the exercise of citizens’ rights. This will be a unique opportunity to share experience, good practices and make recommendations for the better application of the rights related to the European citizenship.

  The Forum will be preceded by a background discussion paper focused on the rich expertise of the activities of citizens’ advice services and also three other ECAS publications that will place the European citizenship in its broader understanding. It will be concluded by the Final Report that will contain a series of practical and political recommendations. The whole project should make a lasting impact on its target groups: citizens’ advice professionals, their clients – European citizens and the decision-makers.

  Programme of the Forum (download here )

  Report from the Forum (download here )

  Background discussion papers:

  • Citizens Advice Services in Europe (download here )
  • Better Enforcement of European Citizenship Free Movement Rights (download here )

  Presentations by speakers:

  • Pili Rodriguez (download here )
  • Matthew Elton (download here )
  • Olimpia Neagu - 1st presentation (download here )
  • Cristinel Neagu (download here )
  • Derek Alcorn - 1st presentation (download here )
  • David Martin (download here )
  • Vita Habjan (download here )
  • Geralyn McGarry (download here )
  • Olimpia Neagu - 2nd presentation (download here )
  • Jacques Delpla (download here )
  • Derek Alcorn - 2nd presentation (download here )
  • Susan MacPhee (download here )

  More information:
  www.citizensadvice-international.org/citizens-advice-forum-2009.html

  

  The organisers of the event are grateful to the European Commission for its financial support.