Youth in a Europe of the Future: will we make a difference?

Last month the NSTF Mini European Assembly XV held its first plenary session for this scholastic year, at University Residence, Lija.

Francis Stivala, secretary-general of the National Student Travel Foundation, introduced the session, emphasising the importance of this initiative due to the tools it provides students with - including knowledge on European affairs, public speaking skills and working as teams.

Mr Stivala spoke about changes to the assembly, which this year bring it closer to the European Parliament with the inclusion of committee meeting sessions prior to plenary. He also thanked past participants, now involved in the organisation of this activity.

The session was addressed by Jesmond Mugliett, Minister for Youths and the Arts, and was chaired by the Joseph Falzon, MP. The topic under discussion was "Youth in a Europe of the future: will we make a difference?" - a subject undoubtedly close at heart to the participants from post-secondary and first year tertiary educational institutions.

Minister Mugliett focused on the importance given to youths on a European level, particularly through programmes such as Youth, Socrates and Leonardo, which insisted that youths can make a difference through their initiative and involvement on various levels.

The Romanian delegation (St Aloysius College) presented a detailed report, with information on various areas of concern to youths, ranging from sports to religion. The Polish delegation (De La Salle College) presented a resolution, which was discussed erlier during committee meetings, held between the various delegations.

The resolution and subsequently the debate focused on three main issues: political activity, education and substance abuse. It was proposed that all EU citizens aged 16 and over should be able to vote and that a "youth commissioner" be appointed.

This led to an intensive debate on whether this commissioner should have a vote in the European Commission. The assembly expressed its dismay at the fact that the Inter-Governmental Conference (IGC) lacks adequate youth representation.

Education provided the ground for more intense debates. These included the proposal by Poland to condemn the British government's decision to raise university tuition fees. However, the UK delegation commented that this decision was only respecting the European free market policy of supply and demand, and thus Poland's condemnation was not approved.

Among the proposals related to education where the setting up of funds to help all EU governments to provide a decent education and to provide financial and material aid to any youth organisation deemed to be beneficial for youths.

The Mini-European Assembly also felt that the EU should sharply increase its educational campaign against drug abuse. The assembly also felt that the EU should provide adequate facilities for victims of drug abuse and their families.

Furthermore, it was recommended that the EU urge all member states to adopt harsher penalties against those found guilty of selling or distributing drugs. The resolution was voted upon and approved towards the end of the session.

An NSTF initiative, the assembly was held with the support of Airmalta, the Malta-EU Information Centre and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. For any information on the NSTF Mini-European Assembly contact Sandra at nstf@nsts.org.

Angelo Micallef is a member of the De La Salle College team, representing Poland