Brussels, 30/10/2008 (Agence Europe) - Two hundred representatives nominated by the National Youth Councils will meet in Brussels on 2-6 November for European Youth Week where they will discuss the direction of EU youth policies beyond 2009 and adopt conclusions that will be presented to Jan Figel, the Commissioner responsible for youth policy. The event will also provide an opportunity to celebrate twenty years of European programmes for youth and discuss the challenges that young people in Europe will be facing in the years to come. The European Commission will take note of the conclusions adopted during this event, when it draws up its proposal for a new cooperation framework for youth due to be presented in spring 2009. It will also assess the results of an on-line consultation launched by its services on 22 September and which closes on 25 November.
European Youth Week is organised by the European Commission and the European Parliament every eighteen months. This is the fourth of its kind. On 5 November, during a ceremony at the Halles de Schaerbeek, at which Commissioner Figel will be participating, prizes will be awarded for several projects that have benefited from “Youth Action” support during the 2005-07 period. European Youth Week will form part of the contribution to the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue and all projects involved have an inter-cultural dimension. Around 500 activities will be organised in member states in an effort to celebrate European Youth Week at a national level. (I.L./trans/rh)