Brussels / Rome, 27/03/2007 (Agence Europe) - Meeting in extraordinary plenary session on 22-23 March in Rome, the Committee of the Regions (CoR) unanimously adopted the amended opinion of the regional councillor for Biella (Italy), Roberto Pella (EPP), on European policies regarding increased “participation by and information for European youth”. The Italian minister for youth and sport, Giovanna Melandri, also attended the meeting chaired by Michel Delebarre, CoR President. On the basis of the fact that it is today's youth that will be building the Europe of tomorrow, the CoR stressed the need to encourage young people to be more actively involved in politics and to ensure that they can benefit from all the instruments that the EU makes available to them.
Presenting his opinion to the plenary session, Roberto Pella said that Europe is looking to the young as it reflects upon its institutional future. According to the rapporteur, young people have expressed concern and have raised questions such as: What studies should they do as a guarantee for their future? What is the situation with regard to employment and access to housing? How can they protect themselves from the various dangers such as alcohol and drugs? Mr Pella stressed: “What we want is for the young people to benefit from all the instruments that the EU places at their disposal”. It is necessary to combat their “disenchantment” with politics and encourage their active participation in this field, he added. Pending Mr Pella's opinion, the Committee of the Regions insists on this notion of participation and information for European youth. He calls on member states and local and regional bodies to step up the number of initiatives in favour of young people, as, for example, the setting up of local and regional youth councils, and the creation of youth administrative bodies at municipal level. Mr Pella concluded his presentation with a quote from the president of the Republic of Italy, Giorgio Napolitano, who said: “The youth of today will build the Europe of tomorrow”.
“Europe cannot just fall out of the sky”, said Giovanna Melandri citing the words of Altiero Spinelli. Much has been done over the past 50 years with regard to solidarity in Europe, but there is still much to be done, the Italian minister continued, saying it is necessary to: (1) adopt a Constitution and raise the new challenges of an increasingly globalised world; (2) launch initiatives so that our “House of Europe” is more stable; and (3) promote growth so that every citizen can develop his/her own skills and talents while reconciling family and professional life. Ms Melandri said this is an “element of the European Youth Pact”, adding: “The young must make a contribution so that the EU has a strong personality”. Like the rapporteur, Ms Melandri noted that there was a problem when it comes to politics. She said young people are participating less and less in political elections and “this is a phenomenon that is only one aspect of the puzzle”. Nonetheless, she continued, “there are young people who do become involved and who really do have a will to do something. It is the silent majority that does not reach the newspaper headlines but which is an active fermenting agent for our societies. We must work with these young people and give them more space in our political life”. Ms Melandri went on to say that it is “only by laying the foundations of full participation by the young that Europe will be able to move forward. The youth element must be seen as a factor of European development. Dialogue with the young must be a structured dialogue with their associations. We must listen to what the young have to say as they are a pool of resources that are unfortunately often badly exploited”.
Speaking during a press meeting, Michel Delebarre spoke of the importance that the Committee confers upon the young. “We have not wanted to disconnect the young from the CoR”, he explained, saying that a round table had been organised during the solemn session for celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome. This round table, entitled “Tomorrow's Europe, the contribution of the local and regional authorities” had brought together young people, representatives of the Youth Summit and well-known European figures (see EUROPE 9394 for the European Youth summit). To the question of whether European funds intended for youth education should be redirected, President Delebarre said: “More means? Let's put to good use what we already have on the basis of what already works - that would be very useful”. (gb)