In this interview, head of division Jutta Gützkow, gives a preview of the INGOs conference which will examine the contribution civil society can make to furthering social cohesion.
The Civil Society Forum ‘Living Together: Combining diversity and freedom in the 21st-century Europe’ (13-14 November), brings together experts and academics to discuss the report on community relations launched last May by the Group of Eminent Persons.
Ms Gutzkow looks at the key role of the non-governmental sector in non-formal education. She also gives her thoughts on the morale of civil society as it comes to terms with ‘Austerity Europe’ and the contribution of NGOs to the ‘Big Society’ projects outlined in Britain and elsewhere.
“Civil society is creative, brings about new ideas and can mobilise new forces,” she says. “As the movement of the Indignados (Spain) shows, there is readiness to get involved to make our societies more democratic.”
Interview: 5 minutes with ….Jutta Gützkow
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