Young Ambassadors present youth visions for the Future of Europe to decision-makers in Brussels

The ideas presented are the outcome of Young Opinions on the Future of Europe, an initiative that amplifies the voices of over 1000 young Europeans and involves them with the Conference on the Future of Europe. It is run by the European Youth Parliament (EYP) with the support of the European Parliament.

Throughout the project Young Opinions on the Future of Europe more than 10 decentralised youth events took place in Spring – Summer 2021 with over 1000 participants across Europe. Among them were international youth events in Milan, Warsaw, and Ljubljana as well as national events in Cyprus, Greece, Latvia, and many more. Furthermore, the EYP run a Youth Poll on the Future of Europe with over 1000 responses from young people.

25 young people from 20 European countries between the age of 17 and 25 were selected to be Young Ambassadors on the Future of Europe to represent young people and their voices on the EU level. The group of Ambassadors mirrors the EU’s diversity and includes youth with a migratory background, people belonging to minorities in their country and participants with various educational levels. They have summarised the input collected from young people across the continent in the Youth Vision for the Future of Europe paper focusing on the following issues: European Values, Fundamental Rights, and Freedom; Europe’s Role in World Affairs; Digitalisation and Digital Transformation of the EU; Employment Opportunities and Conditions in Europe; Social Justice and Equality in Europe; Policy on Energy and Climate; Democracy in the EU and its Member States; Vision for the European Health Union.

The Young Ambassadors are meeting today with Vice President of the European Commission on Democracy and Demography, Dubravka Šuica; Vice President of the European Parliament, Klára Dobrev; MEPs: Gabriele Bischoff, Dragoş Pîslaru, Thomas Waitz, Alviina Alametsä, Victor Negrescu, and Damian Boeselager; Biliana Sirakova, EU Youth Coordinator, European Commission; Policy Officers of DG ENER, DG NEAR as well as the European External Action Service.

Vice President of the European Commission, Dubravka Šuica said about the encounter: “I am delighted about this exchange with the Young Ambassadors today. Europe needs the vision, the engagement and the participation of all young people to build a better future. But we also need to give young people real opportunities for the future. Young people are our present and our future. The impressive Youth Vision for the Future of Europe Paper we discussed today is a testimony to the invaluable contributions the young generation can make to our collective policymaking. So let us join forces across generations to build a future that is greener, more digital and more inclusive!”

For more information on the project check out the website here and the Youth Vision for the Future of Europe paper.