Brussels, 27/05/2013 (Agence Europe) - This week, Europe is celebrating the sixth “European Youth Week” (26 May-2 June). Hundreds of events have been organised in the 33 countries participating in the EU “Youth in Action” programme (the 27 member states of the EU, plus Croatia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey). European Youth Week will focus on the main objective of the programme: developing citizenship and European solidarity among young people. And this as the European elections, in 2014, are appearing on the horizon.
According to a European Commission survey published on 24 May, which interviewed 13,000 young people in April this year, around two thirds of young Europeans intend to vote whilst one third has said that it does not wish to cast a vote in these elections. This result demonstrates less involvement of young people in the life of citizens than their elders, as well as increasing dissatisfaction with the political decisions that have been made. “I want to raise awareness of the European Parliament elections and inform young people why it is important to vote. European Youth Week is an excellent opportunity to enhance young peoples' active participation in society and to showcase what has been achieved in the last 25 years of EU support for youth in Europe”, said Androulla Vassiliou, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth. Survey results illustrate sharp contrasts in the different member states and, whereas 75% or above of young people intend to vote in Belgium, Netherlands, Sweden, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg and Malta, this falls to 55% or lower in Cyprus, Greece, Estonia, Czech Republic and Slovenia.
The Youth Week will also celebrate the silver anniversary of the EU's support for youth, which helped around 2.5 million young people and youth workers to participate in cross-border exchanges, European Voluntary Service and other non-formal learning activities. (IL/transl.fl)