Brussels, 24/07/2006 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has adopted a communication calling on Member States to continue their efforts to improve information for young people. It follows up on the 2003 White Paper on a “New Impetus for European Youth” in which Member States undertook to incorporate the concerns of Europe's young people in policy making actions. The communication takes stock of the main actions suggested in the White Paper, and, drawing on the national reports, contains a number of key messages. Europe's young people must have access to information. Only a few Member States, however, have developed an information strategy addressing issues of interest to young people. Nonetheless, there is broad agreement on the need to further develop and address this point. The European Youth portal and its links towards the Member States' own youth-themed portals have proved to be very successful.
Measures must be introduced to encourage civic participation among young people. Unfortunately, little progress has been made by Member States to implement this common objective, but the legal framework in this field has been improved.
Member States must undertake to work closely together to encourage the effective participation of Europe's youth. Member States agree in principle to use the Open Method of Communication (OMC), a mechanism that makes it easier for international cooperation between them. It will involve the consultation of youth organisations, for example, during the national reporting exercises.
The new European “Youth in action” (2007-2013) programme aims to foster the civic participation of young people to ensure that they are seen as full partners of those who shape the policies that concern them and so that they can support such a structured dialogue, stresses the Commission. Jan Figel, the commissioner for youth policy, highlights the need to involve the young people, who “account for a quarter of Europe's population”, in making Europe a knowledge-based society. “Young people face stiff challenges as Europe adapts to the ever-changing realities of the global economy, and it is a political duty to ensure that they become fully involved in the society,” said the Commissioner.