Future

Europe’s future prosperity depends on its young people. There are close to 100 million in the EU, representing a fifth of its total population.

We can trace the roots of European youth action back to the 1980s, but which direction is it growing in today? To answer that question, you have to understand the political and economic climate – and the economic and social downturn of the last few years hit young people especially hard.

Just as they sought to break into the job market, young Europeans were faced with spiralling unemployment rates. Newcomers – young people – were often the first to be made redundant, and access to opportunities seemed to be growing scarce.

Youth unemployment is certainly one of the most important challenges facing Europe today.

IN FIGURES

21% Current EU youth unemployment rate
35% Proportion of EU jobs predicted to require high-level qualifications by 2020 (compared with 29% today)
40% EU target percentage of 30- to 34-year-olds to have completed tertiary or equivalent education
10% Level to which the EU aims to reduce early school-leaving by 2020
14.4% Proportion of 18- to 24-year-olds who have less than upper secondary education and are no in further education or training
24.1% Proportion of European 15-year-olds who are considered ‘low performers’ in reading literacy
31% Proportion of people in the EU with a higher education degree, compared to over 40% in the US and over 50% in Japan

ACTION

In April 2009, the European Commission adopted a new EU strategy for the youth field, entitled ‘Investing and Empowering’ , to chart the course for 2010-2018.

The resolution, adopted later that year by the 27 EU member states, emphasises the importance of youth work and opens up greater coordination between member states.

It comprises eight core branches of action: Education and Training; Employment and Entrepreneurship; Health and Well-being; Participation; Voluntary Activities; Social Inclusion; Creativity and Culture, and Youth and the World.

Presentation Youth Tree

Putting children and young people as a main priority, the focus is on encouraging active citizenship and social inclusion and on creating more, and equal, opportunities for youth in education and the job market.

Sound good?

Well, it took extensive consultation with national authorities, the European Youth Forum, youth organisations and an online consultation with young people themselves to plant the seeds, but now the tree is bearing fruit.

And at European Youth Week 2011, just as then, young people from across Europe will get the chance to have a say on the continent’s future.

Now, under the ‘Investing and Empowering’ strategy, the theme is structured dialogue – a new phase of the permanent exchange between the EU and its youth population – and through workshops, debates and open forums with policy-makers during EYW, young people will once again have a hand in shaping the Union’s future.

But there’s even more to EYW 2011 and beyond. Showcasing the Youth in Action programme through awards for the Europe’s best volunteer projects; a forum with young Chinese representatives as part of the EU-China Year of Youth and celebrating the European Year of Volunteering – all this and hundreds of events across Europe in May.

There’s lots to do – but the future looks pretty bright.

To learn more about the EU Youth Strategy, ‘Investing and Empowering’, visit:

Some EYW events going on in Youth in Action countries will be based around the theme of youth entrepreneurship – a key issue in the context of youth unemployment issues and one of the eight branches of action in the ‘Investing and Empowering’ resolution, mentioned above.

Organisations like JADE and Pefondes are already helping young people get help and training in developing their own professional projects, so if you fancy yourself as the next Steve Jobs – or just want some support and guidance – check out their websites:

>> Download the PEFONDES 2011 Booklet

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