The Commissioner-designate for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, the Maltese Glenn Micallef, will defend his commitments for his mandate at his confirmation hearing in the European Parliament on Monday 4 November. In his words, this portfolio is “a strategic investment in the EU’s future, democracy and well-being” and will empower European citizens to “realise their full potential”.
The European Year of Youth, celebrated in 2022, will remain at the heart of his approach to young people. With this in mind, Mr Micallef says he plans to ensure “youth mainstreaming” through such initiatives as a “youth check” starting in 2025, which will be applied to a full range of Commission initiatives which have a significant youth relevance.
In addition, the annual dialogues with the latter, launched in the “first 100 days” of his mandate, will provide a framework for ongoing consultation. Through these dialogues, he says, “insights from young people can be gathered and considered in the shaping of EU policies, fostering a more inclusive and responsive approach whilst allowing us to promote our core values”.
In terms of children’s rights, the Commissioner-designate states that “child-friendly justice” and their involvement in democratic life are key priorities. He says he is committed to perpetuating the European platform for children’s participation so that the younger generations can make a significant contribution to EU decision-making in a secure and inclusive framework.
His mission also includes the implementation of the EU 2021 strategy on the rights of the child, to harmonise and strengthen the participation of young people at EU level. The Commissioner-designate assures us that he will work “closely” with his colleagues “to ensure (...) that legislation and funding programmes meet the urgent needs of children”.
On the cultural front, the Commissioner-designate will introduce a ‘Cultural Compass’, which he describes as a vision to guide European action in the cultural and creative sector. This initiative aims to maximise the contribution of culture to the well-being of citizens while supporting competitiveness and innovation within the sector. He points out that “our rich and diverse cultural tapestry is a public good” and hopes that it will become a strategic resource for Europe.
Regarding sport, the Commissioner-designate intends to defend the European Sport Model, a model based on solidarity and inclusion. He aims to promote EU sports diplomacy and increase participation in sport by all Europeans, regardless of age or social background.
Finally, in collaboration with the Executive Vice-President for People, Skills and Preparedness, Roxana Mînzatu, the Maltese is seeking to make his actions part of an intergenerational fairness. He states that “balancing the needs of each generation is essential for the well-being of all age groups”.
Glenn Micallef believes that this intergenerational model is based on a strategy aimed at “strengthening intergenerational solidarity and preserving human capital while responding to demographic challenges”.
To see his answers: https://aeur.eu/f/dzu (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)