03/02/2017 (Agence Europe) – The European Commission is calling on 21-26-year olds throughout the world to apply to take part in the Young Leaders Programme at this year's 11th edition of European Development Days (EDD17) to be hosted in Brussels on 7-8 June. A call for applications was launched on Thursday 1 February for young people wanting to speak out in the high-level debates on the future of international development cooperation which will take place at the EDD17 international forum organised by the Commission. "Our society needs their inspiration and courage to be more peaceful and prosperous", European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica states. Sixteen young people will be selected based on their skills, experience and commitment to development issues. The young people will be at the centre of the next EU-Africa summit to be held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast in November 2017 (see EUROPE 11700). For further information, see: https://eudevdays.eu/young-leaders . (AN)