Young Europeans set policy goals to new European Parliament
12 May 2014 10:56 AM
Quality jobs for European youth, the recognition
of informally acquired skills and ending the exploitation of interns and forced
mobility were some of the goals the participants at the European Youth Event
(EYE) set at the end of three days of discussions in the European Parliament in
Strasbourg. The around 5000 young people also called for uniform EU election
rules, better education about EU affairs and the support of digital
innovation.
The
ideas will be presented to the incoming European Parliament in
July.
"We not only want jobs but quality jobs, and no one
should be forced to move from one country to another just to find work,"
said a young rapporteur summarizing the outcome of workshops and discussions on
youth unemployment, one of the five main topics of the EYE
event.
Another speaker called for European online voting and
the introduction of a uniform European election system, that outgoing chair of
the EP committee for culture and education Doris Pack (EPP, DE) remarked was an
essential first step to take. "Help me to put that first step on the
agenda of the incoming Parliament," the MEP said.
"We need uniform education about EU matters so that
everyone is on the same page," remarked the youth rapporteur on the topic
of the future of Europe. Another speaker called for support of European
innovators to compete with American and South Korean digital
giants.
The
EYE, held between 9 and 11 May, aimed at gathering "Ideas for a better
Europe" through over 200 debates and workshops with participants between
16 and 30 expressing their opinions on policy issues close to their hearts.
Over half of Europe’s young people feel excluded from its economic and
social life, says a recent Eurobarometer poll.
The
EYE agenda listed five key issues for young people today: youth unemployment,
the digital revolution, the future of the European Union, sustainable
development, and European values. Guest speakers included MEPs, journalists,
business leaders, decision makers, and European youth
organisations.
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Eszter BALAZS
COMM - PRESS
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eszter.balazs@europarl.europa.eu