The value of Written Declarations is under scrutiny. In a recent piece for the Parliament Magazine, my colleague, Kaja Kallas explains how she now sees little value in them. She argues that as Parliament's power of initiative has increased, the need for Written Declarations has decreased.
I agree with Kaja in that our powers of initiative have increased but, nonetheless, I believe that WDs are a useful addition to our toolbox of initiative measures.
Our core business as MEPs is to act as co-legislators but we have other roles and functions too. These include using awareness of issues not already on our legislative programmes, responding to the needs and requests of EU citizens where possible, and seeking to influence the EU agenda through all available channels.
For many people, the WD can be a useful tool to influence the EU agenda. If it is well thought out, with a clear objective, circulated widely and put under the nose of an MEP, it can really help to collectively raise awareness around a new issue or gain some lost momentum on an overlooked topic.
I further agree with Kaja that not all WDs are relevant to the work of the Parliament. This is more than evident in the current legislature, where 116 have lapsed and only 11 WDs have so far reached the majority. However, it also indicates that while irrelevant topics might get tabled, MEPs only sign what they believe to be a worthwhile WD that can bring about change.
I asked Ann Little, from the International Bureau for Epilepsy, what happened following the successful epilepsy WD passed in 2011. This is what she said: "The declaration was a step-change both for people with epilepsy and those who care for them. It led to the creation of a comprehensive European programme to improve epilepsy awareness, care and research.
"Funding for epilepsy research increased dramatically after the WD under the FP7 and Horizon 2020 programmes. Our national organisations in 39 countries across Europe (both EU and non-EU) used the success of the Declaration as a vehicle to campaign for change within their health departments."
Back in 2009, I worked with voluntary and community groups across the EU on a WD to designate 2011 as the European year of Volunteering. After our success with the WD the EU Commission agreed with the designation and 2011 turned out to be one of the most successful European years ever.
The network of voluntary groups from right across the EU have come forward with agreed policy initiatives, some of which were accepted. The year itself proved a very significant catalyst for establishing volunteering frameworks in some member states, for the legal recognition of volunteers in others, and for the establishment of volunteering infrastructure in other Member States.
Yes there can be abuses with WDs where MEPs overpromise or exaggerate their influence but that is the fault of the MEP and not the instrument. If colleagues believe we need to reform the WD mechanism why not limit the number of WDs that any one MEP can sign just as we have limited the number of written questions.
Finally while, I have the opportunity, I would like to inform colleagues that as co-chair of the Brain, Mind, Pain interest group, I am pleased to co-author a WD focusing on rehabilitation and re-integration of people with neurological and chronic pain conditions who may find it difficult to get or keep a job.
Unemployment and under-employment worsens the situation for patients by impacting self-esteem, mental health and increasing isolation. The Written Declaration will be launched in Strasbourg on 25 October.
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