Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council meet in Brussels

EU Ministers of the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council met in Brussels this Thursday in the presence of Commissioner Thyssen and Commissioner Navracsics and adopted a resolution on socio-economic development and inclusiveness in the EU through education.

The Youth Forum welcomes the resolution on socio-economic development and inclusiveness in the EU through education. Indeed the purpose of education should not be exclusively increasing the employability of young people but also the promotion of citizenship and social inclusion as well as personal development.

We welcome the European level funding allocated for the implementation of the Paris Declaration and to promote civic values. However, out of the 13 millions allocated for that purpose only €3 million is ear-marked for the youth sector. Additional funding at the European level, is needed in order to respond to the new challenges that require a coordinated European approach (for example migrants, violent radicalisation…). European youth organisations must play a pivotal role in the implementation of these funds. It is vital that the Youth Chapter of Erasmus+ which provides crucial finding to youth organisations and opportunities to young people is prioritised with substantial investments in the forthcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) review as well as in discussion of the following MFF in the next year.

The Youth Forum would also like to highlight the key role of youth organisations and non-formal education as drivers of an inclusive society and promoters of civic values, strengthening participation and inclusion. We call on Ministers to emphasise this role in the Council Conclusions on preventing violent radicalisation of young people that will be adopted in May.

Read more:

- http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/eycs/2016/02/24/