site.btaClosing Session of European Citizens’ Panel on Preparedness Opens in Brussels

The closing session of the European Citizens’ Panel on Preparedness has opened in Brussels with expert guidance and recommendations to support the group discussions. The session will run through May 24. Nearly 150 participants from all EU Member States, divided into 12 working groups, are tasked with identifying the most important measures to help European Union citizens better prepare for various crises. The discussions focus on a wide range of topics, including volunteering, information and disinformation, communication and crisis management, warning systems, support for vulnerable groups, civic engagement, and education.

Participants were welcomed by Sophia Eriksson Waterschoot, Deputy Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Communication, who underlined the importance of the panel’s work.

Group discussions on the proposals will continue on Saturday, while Sunday’s programme will focus on finalizing and voting on the panel’s key recommendations. The approved proposals will then be submitted to the European Commission.

According to information published on the website of the European Commission Representation in Bulgaria, 49% of European citizens do not feel sufficiently informed about disaster risks, while 68% say they are unprepared for emergencies. Vulnerable groups are disproportionately affected.

The European Citizens’ Panel consists of three sessions. The first session took place in March and focused on laying the groundwork for discussions and generating initial proposals. The second session was held at the end of April with the same participants. Bulgaria is represented by four randomly selected participants from different parts of the country.