YFJ contribution to the BEPA consultation paper on Europe 's social reality
The European Youth Forum (YFJ) welcomes the Bureau of European Policy Advisers (BEPA) consultation paper on Europe 's social reality, which provides a very deep and thorough analysis of the recent trends and problems observed within European societies. The YFJ contribution to the paper focuses on the implications of these social trends for young people and proposes concrete ways to deal with the problems facing young people in society, notably through the EU's social agenda.
As a consequence of Europe 's demographic changes, the decisions taken by the majority are becoming less reflective of young people's views and expectations. The social situation of youth is worsening rapidly as part of a consumer-based post-industrial knowledge and service economy.
From the vantage point of youth today, the goal of achieving equal opportunities for all is far from being reached, as we see many Europeans living in poverty and facing challenges to accede to decent education and employment.
The urgent need for greater youth autonomy has to be addressed by modern social protection systems. The social agenda of the European Union, which will be reviewed next year, should foresee concrete measures and allocate adequate resources to the implementation of the European Youth Pact, as this high level policy instrument will otherwise fail in its mission to give young people more opportunities.
The YFJ reminds the European Commission that any strategy for youth cannot succeed without the engagement of young people themselves.
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