Young law student nominated for European youth prize

A young law student who provides voluntary service to asylum seekers in detention centres has been nominated for the European Charlemagne Youth Prize.

Nicolette Busuttil has been visiting the centres on a weekly basis, mainly providing moral support through informal contact with the immigrants.

"I see my contribution as a necessary extension of my personal beliefs in the dignity of every human being," the 20-year-old, who works closely with the Jesuit Refugee Service, said.

Nominees from each member state were chosen after the European Parliament and the Foundation of the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen made a call for young people to submit projects on development, integration and identity issues.

Ms Busuttil's application was selected by a jury composed of MEPs Simon Busuttil and Louis Grech and a representative of the National Youth Council.

The first three winners will be chosen in April by a jury that will include the president of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pöttering, three other MEPs, and four representatives from the Foundation of the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen.

The prize-giving ceremony will be held in Aachen, Germany, on May 19. Last year, a Hungarian youth project, Students Without Boundaries, was awarded the first Charlemagne Youth Prize.

Thanks to that project, over 100 students from Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Ukraine and other countries gather every year for leadership workshops on European issues.