EU Youth Ministers discuss proposals from young people

This week (Monday 21st of November) EU Ministers in charge of Youth met in Brussels to debate the outcomes of the Structured Dialogue formulated during the EU Youth Conference in Kosice through a “High Level Policy Debate”.

This is the second time that a high-level policy debate has addressed topics from the Structured Dialogue on youth, bringing the debates of youth policy makers in the Council into the public through a live stream.

The High Level Policy Debate is part of the 5th cycle of the Structured Dialogue – a unique participative process where young people contribute to EU youth policy - which is currently (for the trio Presidency: Dutch, Slovakian, Maltese) focusing on the theme “Enabling all young people to engage in a diverse, connected and inclusive Europe. Ready for life, ready for society”.

The European Youth Forum is satisfied that most of the ministers or their representatives took note of the recommendations of the Structured Dialogue, which is based on the input of 65,000 young people from across Europe. EU Youth Ministers acknowledged that youth participation is an objective but also a method, increasing the recognition of the process of the Structured Dialogue. Feedback given by the ministries is essential in ensuring the implementation of the recommendations. Some of the Ministers’ speeches, however, lacked specificity.

Allan Päll, Secretary General of the European Youth Forum:

“We welcome the fact that recommendations on youth-led media, media literacy, communication about the EU, well-being, mobility and volunteering of young people as well as their engagement youth organisations were often mentioned by the Ministers. The Structured Dialogue can only be a success if it leads to policy change. We are looking forward to seeing the implementation of the Structured Dialogue in member states.”

During the meeting Ministers also adopted Council Conclusions on the 'prevention of radicalisation leading to violent extremism' and 'new approaches in youth work to uncover and develop the potential of young people’ amongst others. The European Youth Forum welcomes the Council’s recognition of youth work as a contributor to the prevention of violent extremism, together with citizenship education and volunteering, and that they encourage innovations in youth work. The Conclusions on new approaches are not, however, very specific and are only a starting point for EU Ministers to further explore the topic.