In December 2002 we wrote two short articles for the draft constitution (amendments) and we decided to initiate a working process within the Convention. But how could we do that as a couple of small NGOs (More Democracy/democracy international, IRI Europe)? So we tried to find co-inviters for a working dinner in the European Parliament scheduled for Jan. 20.

And we got support from nearly all the political groups: Heidi Hautala (Greens, Finland, MEP), Diana Wallis (Liberal, UK, MEP), Prof. Jürgen Meyer (Social Democrat, Germany, Convention member) and Alain Lamassoure (EPP, France, Convention member) agreed to be co-inviters, in addition to Bruno Kaufmann for the Initiative & Referendum Institute Europe and myself for More Democracy and Democracy International.

This working dinner was a great success and in retrospect the breakthrough for our efforts. More than 10 Convention members from several different countries and from all the political groups attended the meeting; a lot more showed their interest by e-mail. Both federalists and EU-sceptics were represented. The atmosphere was very focussed. After introductions by Andreas Gross (Vice-President, Council of Europe), Bruno Kaufmann (IRI Europe) and myself, a profound discussion took place. The referendum on the European constitution was at the centre of the debate whilst the initiative process played only a minor role even in our own contributions. All but one speaker (a Convention member from Portugal) spoke in favour of a referendum. At the end of this meeting it was agreed that John Gormley, an alternate Convention member and leader of the Irish Green party, would draw up concrete draft texts for the referendum and the direct democracy ideas to be discussed at another meeting.

Step three: An "informal" working group surprises the Convention

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