The EU Manifest

Make it human

Most of the information coming from the EU is addressed to ,the general public'; it's high time that you realize there is no such thing as ,the general public'. In all possible senses, Europe speaks many languages. If you don't want to talk to the people, why are you surprised that they don't want to talk to you either? Make public panels constant and relevant, not occasional and opportunistic. Remember it was ,all about diversity'? Then go and speak to those who are different from you. Ask them what they want from you: after all, they are your employers too! Set your agenda drawing from your base, not top to bottom. Break the glass box you seem to operate in and tune into the real problems of society. Re-prioritize spending! If you truly believe culture and education can change the future of the EU, put them high on the agenda and be generous with relevant programs and initiatives.

Make it specific

Speak clearly and to the point: the goal of communication is to be understood, not to baffle the other side. Quit jargon and never use ,Eurospeak'; forget about Lisbon strategies, structural funds, etc. Even at press conferences, imagine you're speaking to people who don't know about these things: you actually are. Never - never! - avoid questions: you risk turning bored journalists into angry journalists. Still, remember journalists are not there to eat you alive. Privilege criticism and respond to it constructively. Don't feel threatened by it. Don't panic when they ask questions: it's their job; in the end, we all want to make the EU more transparent, don't we? Don't try to sell the European idea as if it were a product.

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