News

A New Arena for Youth Policy in the European Parliament

European Youth Forum
10.12.2009
Press Release

A New Arena for Youth Policy in the European Parliament

A new era for youth issues has started. The European Parliament, for the first time in its history has adopted a new instrument to better address the expectations and need of young people. On 10 December, following the decision of the Political Groups, support was given for the creation of a transversal intergroup on Youth. 

The elected Members of the European Parliament are going to face several challenges in the field of youth during their upcoming five years term of office. The newly created intergroup will gather Member of the European Parliament across political parties and parliamentary committees to discuss and encourage the active participation of young people, their transition from education to employment and their mobility, among other issues.

The creation of an intergroup on Youth Issues for the 2009-2014 legislative term is building on the adoption of the European Parliament written declaration (33/2008) on devoting more attention to youth empowerment in EU policies and on the regular cooperation of the European Youth Forum with several Members of the European Parliament.

"The European Youth Forum welcomes this move towards a stronger involvement of the European parliament in youth policies," declared Tine Radinja, President of the European Youth Forum.

"With the establishment of an intergroup on Youth, the Members of the European Parliament are ready to become the champions of a true cross-sector youth policy approach, considering all aspects of young people living in Europe in their work and strengthening the role of the European Parliament in the youth policy area."

"We are looking forward to further cooperation with the European Parliament to continue empowering young people to actively participate in the society they live in, give them the space and the opportunity to articulate their concerns and equip them with the necessary tools to become active citizens."