White Paper Addresses Lack of Citizen Information and Participation in the EU

The European Union earlier this month published White Paper on a European Communication Policy, to address opinion polls that show European citizens have little knowledge of the European Union and feel they have "little say in its decision-making process."

The white paper mentions Plan D for democracy, dialogue and debate, which is intended to involve citizens in a wide-ranging discussion on the European Union -- what it is for, where it is going and what it should be doing.

The EU has also established a new multi-language Web site to better involve citizens and solicit comments and suggestions.