Between June 22 and 24 around 140 young participants and youth workers from all over Europe attended Y-Europe, a youth event organised by the Greek General Secretariat for Youth in Rethymno, Crete.
The aim of Y-Europe was to discuss two priority areas of the open method of co-ordination: information and participation. The exchange of ideas and opinions between all those who participated resulted in the presentation of a number of proposals to the general directors for youth of the present and future EU member states. What have young people proposed?
The young participants asked for more support from the authorities in order to encourage participation in community life. Youth policies must take into account all needs and aspects of young people such as employment, education and housing while schools and other relevant institutions must do their utmost to encourage active citizenship from an early age by means of initiatives such as school councils, student bodies and youth parliaments.
Active citizenship, however, cannot exist without representative democracy therefore youth and the organizations representing them must be involved and consulted as much as possible in those areas which directly concern them and authorities must ensure that their proposals are taken into consideration.
However, participation cannot be encouraged if adequate information is not provided. The participants at the Youth Event asked for more accessible and user-friendly information regarding programmes and opportunities for youth.
Providing young people with youth workers and agencies which are well-trained in delivering the necessary information is crucial in order to encourage participation. Youth and youth organisations must also be guaranteed sufficient space and support in order to promote all the positive work carried out by youth.
Promoting their work encourages young people to participate and involve themselves more in the life of their communities and their countries making them major contributors to the well-being of society.
Henri Caruana is assistant international secretary of KNZ and, together with Luciano Pace Parascandalo represented KNZ in Rethymo.