DAY 2: Youth Event full of work
Published: Thursday, 4 June 2009, 19:53The second day of the Czech EU Presidency Youth Event was dedicated to work in five workshops. After having a breakfast in Hotel Pyramida the participants moved one and half kilometers to the west to stunning premises of the Břevnov monastery, which foundation dates back to the 10th century. Historical environment of the building did not prevent them from having a fruitful and remarkable debate, let me introduce you some of the issues discussed today.
Working group Participation, Outreach and Information considers participation to be an underlying principle of the entire EU Youth Strategy and its implementation under each field of action to be crucial. According to the participants in this group, it is necessary to promote deeper co-operation between youth and politicians on all levels. Youth information standards should be developed on European level in order to provide common information understandable for young people. Communication of outcomes of youth participation to the decision makers and back might motivate other youngsters to get involved.
Employability, Entrepreneurship and Fostering Talents is name of the second workshop, that was also talking about many interesting affairs. For example, some participants pointed out the significance of career guiding and counselling for youth not only during the time spent at schools. It would be beneficial to ensure availability of entrepreneurship programmes at all education levels. As the name of the workshop suggests, the way how to foster talents was discussed too. Apart from that, they were trying to answer the question how to get the most out of modern technologies.
Third working group called Evidence-based Policy would welcome making cross-sectoral approach, which means including a youth perspective throughout all EU-policies. The governing body of the framework might be the structured dialogue. Especially now in the time of economic downturn, establishment of links and fostering participation throughout the entire process with research and practice in cooperation with all stakeholders involved might bring new opportunities.
As you know, the social exclusion can have many faces and multiple grounds. The participants in the workshop Social Inclusion and Health tried to name and discuss at least the most important ones. They are convinced, that effective antidiscrimination policies and legislation should be put in place. Not only in this field would be helpful to recognise and use the potential of youth organisations that are already working on social inclusion. As far as issues regarding mental and physical health are concerned, there should be tools or ways for young people how to communicate them, be listened to, guidance should be offered as well.
Volunteering and Education is name of another workshop. Concerning education, it focused predominantly on non-formal education. Young people participating in this working group assume, that a quality assurance framework for non-formal education providers at both EU and national levels should be developed. Rather than creating new youth voluntary opportunities, the focus should be put on lowering the barriers for participating in existing volunteering activities.
Tomorrow after discussing the outcomes of the working groups in plenary, young people from thirty-four European countries will move to Střelecký Island to visit Bambiriáda, nation-wide children and youth fair. Afterwards, they will go to Hotel Diplomat to meet the DGs responsible for youth to present and discuss the output of yesterday´s group work. At 19:30 there will be a gala dinner with DGs at Martinic Palace in breathtaking surroundings of the Prague Castle.
