PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 20 January 2007
Contact: Patricia Sánchez, tel: 32 2 286 94 17 mobile: 32 484 126 859

Youth Summit kick–off meeting conclusions: EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND ENVIRONMENT: YOUTH DEMANDS FOR TOMORROW'S EUROPE

Addressing the increased insecurity and lack of social justice and democracy, especially concerning jobs and education, and climate change will be the main youth demands when presenting their expectations to the European Council. These have been the main conclusions of the Youth Summit kick-off meeting organised by the European Commission in partnership with the European Youth Forum on 18-20 January. This three-day event has been organised as a first step to the Youth Summit, which will take place in Rome on 24-25 March, in the framework of the celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of the Treaty of Rome and which results will be presented to the European leaders summit in Berlin taking place in parallel.

This kick-off meeting has set a basis for national debates to be organised in the different EU Member States prior to the Youth Summit in Rome. While celebrating the European integration, the Youth Summit will be a moment to look ahead at the challenges for the next 50 years, which will define the larger parts of the lives of the young people of today. These are the six axis of these demands, as concluded at the kick-off meeting:

Future of the European Treaty: Europe needs a European Constitution and seriously involving European citizens in its project, either through a referendum or a Constitutional Assembly, and based on the scope and structure of parts one and two.
Social and economic model: This unique model in the world should improve the fragile position of youth; especially in its effect towards the integration of youth in the labour market
Sustainable Development: The fulfilment of UN Millennium Development Goals should be prioritised as well as a clear investment in clean energy, and socially and environmentally just agricultural subsidies.
EU in a globalising world: EU needs to speak with a single voice through a coherent foreign policy in a globalised world which effects pose serious challenges for younger generations
Democracy and civil society: Improve the participation of young people in the democratic life of the European Union.
Youth and Education: The value of non-formal education needs to be further recognised and be complementary to formal education while ensuring the accessibility and quality of Education.

"The triple E: Education, Employment and Environment summarises the expectations of young people for the 50 years ahead: only by granting autonomy and sustainability for young people's lives we can expect a healthy life for Europe, " said Bettina Schwarzmayr, President of the European Youth Forum. "Young representatives from the 27 EU Member States have agreed on the main challenges and recommendations for Europe's future and now we call on EU leaders to take note of our demands and commit for a better future."