Thematic priority: Enabling all young people to engage in a diverse, connected and inclusive Europe
Access to quality and Critical Information
- The EU Institutions and the Member States should develop or further implement evidence based policy and practice that aim to continually improve the skills of young people to critically evaluate and process information through both formal and non-formal education
- The EU Institutions and Member States, in cooperation with civil society organisations, should support youth-led media that are transparent, independent and diverse, as it contributes to enhancing media literacy, critical and analytical thinking amongst young people. The CULT committee of the European Parliament as well as the European Commission are invited to take into account this aspect while reviewing the « Erasmus + », « Europe for Citizen », « Creative Europe » and all other relevant programs.
Young People under pressure: Building Resilience and self-confidence
- Considering that expectations to perform competitively are increasing in educational settings, national competent authorities must ensure that young people have enough time and space for activities that help them to build resilience, self-awareness and self confidence.
- National competent authorities should implement education on mental wellbeing and mental health, both through the formal education system and in the non-formal environment. The goal is to break stigma through raising awareness as well as to enable young people to learn how to maintain their mental health and how to communicate with their peers on this issue.
Beyond fear and intolerance – Experience diversity
- European and National Authorities should increase funding and institutional support in establishing Local Programmes and National Level Exchanges to enable all young people to have a direct connection with others from different backgrounds and realities, so as to strengthen intercultural competences, tackle discrimination, promote empathy and solidarity, and experience the benefits of diversity.
- For all young people to live in a diverse Europe, the EU and National Competent Authorities must develop or support training and development programmes to teachers and school communities in order to create a safe and inclusive environment where young people can develop competences to overcome fear and discrimination.
Towards an education system that realises young people’s potential
- We ask for commitment in all member states to ensure guidance and counselling services that empowers all young people to develop themselves and find their path in life throughout all stages of education.
- Education fails to provide young people with the necessary practical skills relevant to modern society. We urge all Member States to encourage the inclusion of practical life skills in education so young people can be active participants in diverse societies and in the workplace.
Fostering young people’s engagement in society in particular for vulnerable groups.
- Educational institutions and local stakeholders, in cooperation with young people, should provide tailor-made support, accessible service, as well as create spaces for meaningful interaction, so that all young people can discover and embrace their individual identity and value. This is the basis for building mutual trust between young people from different background.
- The European Commission and the Member States should ensure that every young person, regardless their personal and social situation, can freely engage in volunteering activities by making them accessible. Engagement should be ensured, for instance in youth organizations, to create a sense of belonging and to empower young people as citizens.
Rebuilding the trust of young people in the European project
- The European Commission and the European Youth Forum should work together to analyse and understand how young people access communication from and about the EU and to develop a communication strategy to inform young Europeans about the EU and how to positively impact the EU project.
- To bridge the distance between young people and the EU and its policies, National and/or Regional EU Youth Festivals should be organized in all Member States in connection to European initiatives, These festivals, combining social, political and cultural activities should gather young people from different backgrounds. These events will foster learning and debating about the EU, its opportunities and shape its policies while having fun together.
Mobility programme: employment and education for all
- Member States and the European Commission should further their efforts to overcome existing obstacles to young people’s access to mobility. Access to mobility programs should be simplified and better adapted to the diverse needs of young people. Information and guidance should be provided to spread awareness of mobility opportunities.
- EU Member States should create a legal framework for the recognition and validation of competences acquired through mobility programmes on national and European level. This will provide not only equal access to diverse learning opportunities but also validate the attained skills and contribute to social inclusion of young people.
The impact of youth work and youth organisations for all
- Member States and the European Commission should promote and support a range of virtual and physical spaces dedicated to qualified youth work in order to respond to the needs and interests of all young people.
- The European Commission and Member States should allocate sufficient operational funding so that youth work and youth organizations are able to implement sustainable youth work that is accessible, relevant and meaningful for all young people.