“A unique opportunity to hear the views of so many young Europeans and to put youth participation at the very top of our political agendas”. Launching the European Youth Dialog in Lublin (Poland) on Monday 3 March, the European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, Glenn Micallef, emphasised the key role of young people in building a stable and resilient Europe.
The Commissioner also welcomed the results of the Eurobarometer surveys, which show that “the EU now has the highest level of trust in it from young people since 2007. More than two-thirds (67%) believe that the EU has an impact on their daily lives” (https://aeur.eu/f/fq0 ).
The event, organised by the Polish Presidency of the EU Council, is based around the theme chosen by the trio Presidency Poland-Denmark-Cyprus ‘Connecting EU to Youth’ and aims to improve the dialogue process with young people, strengthen their sense of belonging to the European community and ensure their involvement in the European decision-making process.
To this end, participants are invited to formulate concrete recommendations to the European and national authorities on the mobilisation and empowerment of young people in the EU.
A stronger commitment in a time of crisis. In addition to issues of democratic participation, the Conference also gave Glenn Micallef the opportunity to recall the EU’s commitment to Ukraine: “Here in Lublin, (...) we are 100 kilometres away from the Ukrainian border, where the concern is very tangible. People in Lublin have welcomed Ukrainians with open arms”.
“Ukraine is Europe, and Europe is Ukraine. We will continue to stand by Ukraine to open our homes and our hearts to Ukrainians, and we will do so for as long as it takes”, he insisted.
The Commissioner was also asked to address concerns relating to the safety and stability of young Europeans.
“Security, to me, is about having a secure continent from external threats, but also from internal ones. It’s about investing in our democratic values. It’s about investing in our culture. It’s about economic security and having a strong, stable, secure economy in the continent”, he told the ‘Empowered Voices: Europe’s Youth for a Secure and United Future’ panel, which took place on Monday afternoon.
Referring to the context of “geopolitical tensions that are mounting every single day”, Glenn Micallef called for greater “predictability”, to make Europe an exemplary and “admired” region.
The meeting, which runs until 5 March, is part of the EU Youth Dialogue, currently in its 11th cycle, and is organised into a number of workshops looking at issues such as security in the EU, the impact of digital technology on young people, the role of young people in the decision-making process and the defence of European values.
The conference also provides a showcase for best practice and case studies from Member States to encourage constructive and inclusive dialogue. Its aim is to improve the transparency and visibility of the EU institutions, and thus to restore young people’s confidence in their ability to influence the future of the European project. (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)