European Parliament calls on youth to make a difference at launch of European Youth Event 2014

The European Parliament (EP) officially launched its European Youth Event (EYE) 2014 on the 8th October in Strasbourg, France. For three days in May 2014, 5,000 Europeans between the ages of 16 and 30 will have a chance to debate the future of Europe and offer their ideas to various movers and shakers of the EP. The European Youth Forum is one of the event’s main partners, bringing its annual political festival YO!Fest to Strasbourg.

A large menu of culturally enriching activities and political discussions related to the event’s motto, “Ideas for a better Europe,” will be held inside and outside of the EP between the 9th and 11th May, shortly before the European elections. The Forum aims to bring its members, partners and young people from beyond its membership to contribute to and participate in this unprecedented event.

Johanna Nyman, who represents the Forum, attended the press conference launching the EYE. In a press video released by EuroparlTV, Nyman underlined that the dismal number of young European voters in the past is unacceptable.

The Forum has launched a project called the League of Young Voters (LYV), which Nyman said is “aimed at informing and empowering young people to vote in the next European Parliament elections.”

Participants must come from one of the 28 EU member states, candidate or potentially from neighbouring countries. In a letter addressed to future participants on the EP’s website, Parliament President Martin Schulz has promised that he and the MEPs “will listen to your ideas and take them on board into the next European Parliament legislature.”