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Civic engagement and voting – from intention to action

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On January 17, 2019, the Youth Vision for Society (YVS) Association organized the event entitled „Civic Engagement and Voting – From Intention to Action”. This event, held in partnership with the European Parliament Information Office in Romania, took place at its headquarters in Bucharest. The event was part of the #DeDataAstaVotez campaign, an initiative of the European Parliament to promote the European elections.

Context and purpose

Youth Vision for Society, a newly established civic organization at the time, aimed to create a space for dialogue and debate on ways to increase voter turnout and encourage citizens to become more actively involved in society. The event aimed to both inform participants about the importance of voting and stimulate civic engagement.

Event agenda

According to the event agenda, the program was structured as follows:

  • 18:00 – 18:30: Participant registration.
  • 18:30 – 18:40: Welcome speech from Cristina Stîngu, President of YVS.
  • 18:40 – 19:00: Presentations about the European parliamentary elections of May 23-26, 2019, under the umbrella of the #DeDataAstaVotez campaign, supported by Cristina Stîngu, Mihnea Dumitru (political analyst and President of the Courage Forward Association), and Iuliana Iliescu (ProDemocrația Association).
  • 19:00 – 20:30: Debate on civic engagement and voting, moderated by Cristina Stîngu, with the participation of guests Ovidiu Raețchi (PNL MP), Claudiu Năsui (USR MP), Lucian Checheriță (VeDem Just President), Bogdan Glăvan (economist, Romanian-American University), Mihnea Dumitru, and Iuliana Iliescu.
  • 20:30 – 21:00: Conclusions and end of the event.

Participants and debate

The event brought together personalities from various fields to discuss the importance of civic engagement and voting. Special guests were:

  • Ovidiu Raetchi: PNL deputy, emphasized the importance of civic education for young people and its role in forming a responsible society.
  • Claudiu Nasui: USR deputy, discussed the transparency of electoral processes and how it can be improved to increase citizens' trust in the electoral system.
  • Lucian Checherita: President of VeDem Just, addressed issues related to justice and the importance of a transparent and fair legal system.
  • Bogdan Glavan: Economist at the Romanian-American University, discussed the economic implications of voting and how political decisions influence the economy.
  • Mihnea Dumitru: Political analyst, provided a detailed analysis of the European Parliament elections and their importance for Romania.
  • Juliana Iliescu: Representative of the ProDemocracy Association, she emphasized electoral education and its importance in increasing voting participation.

The event was a success, bringing to the attention of the public the importance of civic engagement and voting. The discussions and presentations provided participants with valuable information and stimulated dialogue on topics essential for a healthy democracy.

Cristina Stîngu, President of YVS, concluded the event by emphasizing the need for such debates to encourage a more involved and responsible society. The event on January 17, 2019 represented an important starting point for the Youth Vision for Society Association in its efforts to promote civic engagement and electoral education in Romania.