Brussels, 31/05/2002 (Agence Europe) - At the afternoon meeting on 30 May, the Youth Council, chaired by Juan Carlos Aparicio, approved the resolution to establish an open co-ordination method for youth, and actions for the future. This resolution focuses on the following objectives: increased youth participation in different policies and the exercise of active citizenship, the need to strengthen local and regional youth policies and set up a "youth factor" in most European policies. The priority theme of the White Paper on youth, the participation of youngsters in political life and civil society in Member States has been at the centre of a comprehensive exchange of views. This White Paper includes the very strong demand, "Society must listen to the young", commented Commissioner Viviane Reding, at the end of the session, emphasising the lack of interest displayed by the young for the structures in place (such as NGOs), preferring their own organisations. Ms Reding backed her comments up with statistics (European average): only 4% of the young belong to political parties or unions, 6% take part in youth associations and 2% in environmental protection groups. Ms Reding explained that, "School was the only permanent structure for listening to the young; that's why we're setting up a school listening day and an Internet liaison system for youngsters. We will also take care, more particularly, of the young from socially disadvantaged sectors of society, which is in itself a priority for 2002-2003". The Commissioner also stressed the importance of creating a dialogue between youth in EU countries and candidate countries, as well as in Southern and Northern European countries, something the Danish Presidency would be focusing on. Ms Reding concluded, "We hope that political solutions will be reached because youngsters who talk to each other are youngsters who don't commit violence".
