Meet the Citizens
Week 42 (other available weeks: 3/ 2/ 1/ 52/ 51/ 50/ 49/ 48/ 47/ 46/ 45/ 44/ 43)
In Spring 2005, 126 ordinary citizens from across Europe have been invited to form the first European citizens' panel and to explore the issue of brain science. They come from nine countries in Europe: Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. But who are these citizens?
Count Down to the Second European Citizens' Convention: Meet the Citizens
From 20 October 2005 to 20 January 2006 panelists left in turn a personal message in this section. This included statements on the Meeting of Minds process, on brain science issues, on what motivated them to participate, what issues occupy their minds etc. The section was updated on a weekly basis.
Thursday 20 October 2005
Mr Nikos Argyropoulos
“I believe that the Greek group of citizens has made “the perfect match” managing to combine different life experience and knowledge and being able produce well balanced opinions. I believe that the success of the project is dependant upon the degree of penetration of the citizens’ voice into the realm of politics.”
“I am somehow uneasy with the fact that personal opinions are overshadowed by the opinion of the majority but am curious to find out what the outcome of the project will be.”
Mr Nikos Argyropoulos from the Greek panel is aged 52, he lives in Athens, he is a pensioner and used to work as a bank officer, he is father of 2 children
© Eugenides Foundation |
| Greek panelists's first national assessment meeting from 23 to 29 September |
Friday 21 October 2005
Mr Peter Derek Bird
“I was very keen to become involved with this project when I received the (invitation) letter as I suffer from epilepsy, diagnosed in 1997, and my Mother in Law suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. Any opportunity to help or speed development in investigation into these areas was attractive."
"I have been delighted with the progress we have made so far and how the issues have been debated and developed. I have found the whole experience fascinating, and it makes me want to do more. I do think however that we have been very rushed and perhaps unable to fully explore some issues because of the time constraint. The time has made the group come to decisions however and if the allowable time had been too long it is possible we could have ‘gone round in circles’.”
Mr Peter Derek Bird, from the UK panel, is aged 61 and retired, he has worked in the insurance world
Saturday 22 October 2005
Mr Tasos Mavrodontis “I believe in the need of a wider social –not necessarily scientifically oriented- forum with a strong voice in everyday issues that affect everyone. This project revived my hopes for a positive change, as until now I used to believe that “public dialogue” is consumed in TV shows or goes unnoticed in a few internet forums.”
Mr Tasos Mavrodontis from the Greek panel is aged 30, he is a lawyer who lives in Thessaloniki