Brussels, 15/12/2014 (Agence Europe) - Helping young people become independent is the overarching priority of the Italian, Latvian and Luxembourg trio of presidencies, as part of the EU's workplan to promote the interests of young people in the 2014-2015 period.
On 12 December, the Youth Council adopted conclusions on promoting young peoples' access to their rights, as a means to help promote their autonomy and participation in civil society.
According to this text, the combined negative factors caused by the crisis, such as limited access to credit, falling wages and greater professional instability, accompanied by a cut in social benefits to young people, has led to young people's independence being delayed and their dependency as young people being accentuated. This has affected the way they are able to actively participate in the social, political and economic life of their respective communities.
The Council is urging member states to define efficient policies and strategies, not only for promoting the transition from school to work, but also policies connected to related subjects such as access to funding, accommodation, health, services and education. This will be done as a means to provide the necessary tools for young people to become both independent and active citizens. These conclusions are based on the recommendations from the EU Youth Conference in Rome on 13-15 October 2014 (EUROPE 11175). (IL)