Paris, 15 June 2010 – The European Security and Defence Assembly (ESDA) on Tuesday called for the European Council to help promote a new annual European award for citizenship, security and defence to be launched by the French non-profitmaking association “Civisme, Défence, Armée, Nation” (CiDAN).

Presenting the proposal on behalf of the Committee for Parliamentary and Public Relations, Christine McCAFFERTY (United Kingdom, Socialist Group) said the aim was “to recognise and encourage practical initiatives which contribute to raising European security and defence awareness”. The award, to be presented by the President of the European Council, would be inspired by CiDAN’s annual citizenship and defence prize, and would “reward outstanding efforts in promoting European citizenship and European security and defence awareness”.

Explaining the background to the new prize, Ms McCAFFERTY noted that the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) could not “move forward without the support of the majority of European citizens”. This initiative would help halt the persistent public scepticism about the merits of European integration and the validity of its institutions.

CiDAN has considerable experience with its national prize, which is presented on alternate years by the presidents of the French National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, or the Senate. Backed by the French Ministry of Defence, the association attracts members from all walks of life with the aim of building defence consciousness, especially among young people, and strengthening the link between the armed forces and society in general.