Strategic choices for young Europeans: an EU-wide public consultation on the future of youth policy

 

The European Commission has launched an online public consultation on how the EU's youth policy should develop in the future. This year, the EU's Youth policy is celebrating its 20 th anniversary, and this consultation will help the Commission to evaluate the achievements of European cooperation on youth policy since 2000. In the months to come, it will also lead to definition of fresh objectives for the next decade.

The consultation seeks to answer questions about the main challenges or opportunities which will have the most direct impact on young people.

The questionnaire covers issues regarding education and informal learning, employment, discrimination, social integration and voluntary activities of young people. Many of these issues are critically important to acheiving the aims of the European Pact for Mental Health and Well-Being, and this consultation gives an opportunity for stakeholders in the Mental Health pact to contribute to shaping policy in another policy area.

The results of the consultation will be taken on board by the European policymakers in order to prepare concrete measures to help young people integrate into society, find work, improve their general well-being and get involved in society as citizens.

The consultation is addressed both to individuals and organisations which are interested in the future of young people in the EU 27, in other countries participating to the programme - Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein - , in the candidate countries - Turkey, Croatia - , as well as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

The consultation is available online untiol 25th November,  at: 

http://ec.europa.eu/youth/youth-policies/doc1220_en.htm

The outcome of the consultation will be published on http://ec.europa.eu/youth

 

Overview of EU action on youth policy since 2000

(Source European Commission)

The EU has sought to:

• support the work going on in EU countries

• promote cooperation between countries

• keep pace with young people's changing needs and expectations

• encourage young people to contribute to society.

The main priorities for European cooperation have been:

In the area of active citizenship:

• participation and volunteering – by young people

• information – for young people

• a greater understanding of young people

• education, training, mobility, employment and social inclusion for young people

In the area of social and occupational integration, via the "European Youth Pact":

• Employment and social inclusion

• Education and Training

• Reconciliation of work and family life

These priorities have been supported by a number of EU programmes, including Youth in Action and Lifelong Learning Programme.

More information: http://ec.europa.eu/youth