Omnium rerum primordia sunt dura - also for the EU Commission DG Sanco

The European Commission´s DG SANCO launched an on-line discussion on European health and consumer policy to mark its 10th anniversary. This meant that a channel on the Debate Europe forum was open in all EU official languages 14 September to 9 October 2009. The aim was to “provide Europeans with a good opportunity to make their voices heard on health and consumer policy and share their views with others. They will be able to vote in an online opinion poll and learn more about what the EU is doing in this area.”

Not sure about the learning part – I posted a question on the 21st of September and it was never answered. Maybe already the 21st they had given up on the possibility to pull this off?.

Because for discussion; there basically where none. Most well visited seems to have been the English section – almost 300 postings. Most language sections ended on under 10.

But lets hope they do not give up – running an online fora is a good idea but having it online during such a short time spam makes it more or less impossible to get the word out and discussions going. Better luck next time – with some small changes like having a moderator answering questions/trying to have one discussion and not one in each language/ maybe even having their own staff participating.

They could start by using Swedish MEP Gunnar Hökmark´s recepy for success: If everyone recruits one we will double. For a organisation of Sanco´s size this would give around 900 participants.

Now I only wait for the event where the conclusions will be presented ( a special anniversary seminar) – its promised for the 23 October 2009. This one is said to be attended by current and former Commissioners, stakeholders and the media. And 5 of the participants in the discussion – having scanned some of the postings I really look forward to their announcement naming the lucky ones.