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The Department of Public Policy organised its annual study visit, to a number of EU Institutions, from 27 to 29 March. Dr Anne Marie Thake, Head of Department of Public Policy, and Mr Robert Micallef (co-ordinator) were accompanied by twenty B.A. (Hons) Public Administration and B. Com. Public Policy students, respectively

The study trip consisted of visits to the European Commission, European Council, European Economic and Social Committee, Dar Malta, Parliamentarium to name a few. The presentations were varied and dealt with the Introduction to the European Council and the Council of the European Union, the Euro and the Stability of the International Monetary system, the role and function of the European External Action Service, the EU Environment Policy and the workings of the EC and the ECOFIN and Dar Malta. One session was also dedicated to events on 'Conversations about Africa', where Ms Stella Nyanchama, from the African Network Europe, delivered her talk entitled 'The drive to decolonise EU mind sets'.

The student delegation was also invited to attend a Policy Dialogue,ma entitled 'The European Citizens’ Consultations and their follow-up - Making the story a success', organised by the European Policy Centre, the Democratic Society, and the European Economic and Social Committee. In 2018, on the initiative of French President Emmanuel Macron, EU member states organised ‘European Citizens’ Consultations’ (ECCs) where citizens gathered to talk with their political leaders, and with each other, about European issues. The idea reflected an increased interest all over Europe for experiments in deliberative/participatory democracy.

The outcome of the debates is to create discussions on the Union’s future and the preparations for the Strategic Agenda 2019-2024.

This Policy Dialogue sought to reflect on how the lessons and results of the ECCs can be taken forward in the next European Parliament and Commission mandates to help improve the quality of democracy at the EU level.