Brussels, 20/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 19 May, the Youth Council adopted a resolution on encouraging new and effective forms of participation of all young people in democratic life in Europe. The resolution aims at enhancing civic engagement and participation of young people in democratic life by encouraging the acquisition and development of key competences and new skills, as well as mobility, facilitating the improvement of young people's personal skills and motivating them to participate fully in the education system, labour market and community life. Hungarian Social Affairs Minister Miklós Soltész said the Hungarian Presidency wanted young people to be able to take responsibility for the future of their country. EU Youth Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou said the Commission wanted young people to become more involved in democratic life in their community. The commissioner said that she had noted great enthusiasm and creativity among young people during events in Antwerp, Belgium, during European Youth Week. The EU Council of Ministers has often discussed youth involvement in democracy, most recently in a resolution on an updating of EU cooperation in youth issues, 2010-2018. The European Commission has launched a keynote initiative, “Youth in Movement”, as part of the EU 2020 strategy, to put young people at the heart of European action. The Council of Ministers says that young people are the future of Europe and it is essential that their rights are respected and strategies are elaborated to ensure their full involvement (I.L./transl.fl)