Event report

Minister of State Thomas Byrne T.D. met virtually with members of the New Communities Partnership. Suggestions and proposals raised under each topic are as follows: Digital Transformation • More needs to be done to educate EU citizens on how they share their data and how to protect their data. • Introduction of a schools programme to educate young people about data sharing and data retention. • Further EU legislation needs to be brought in to help smaller businesses protect their customer’s data • Further work needs to be done at EU level to help tackle hate speech on online social media platforms, particularly in the wake of the Euro2020 final. • A shift of responsibilities of moderating content for hate speech to the service providers • Take advantage of social network companies being located in the EU/Dublin to ensure they are carrying out their responsibilities in moderating content correctly European Democracy • Create more awareness about the European Citizens’ Initiative created under the Lisbon Treaty • Allow other institutions propose legislation other than the Commission • Promote the use of citizens’ assemblies to discuss European issues Migration • The need for EU migration policies to be addressed holistically • Changing the narrative regarding migrants – EU needs to show how beneficial migrants are for the EU rather than as a burden or expense. Lots of migrants were front and centre as health care workers during the pandemic. • All migrants should be given equal opportunities in the EU especially when it comes to education and integrating into society. Currently some MS are better than others in ensuring migrants are treated fairly and equally • The Dublin Convention has created some problems in MS such as Italy. EU MS need to share the burden as migration is a problem for the Union, not single MS. • Segregation policies and the creation of heavily-populated migrant areas in some MS at the EU frontier needs to cease. • Governments should work more with the private sector to build successful partnerships to help with the integration of migrants.