It is indeed a pleasure to be here with you today, on a special occasion to give you, the young people, the floor to talk about the future of Europe. In a united Europe reflecting and deliberating on its future, through the Conference on the Future of Europe, it is very important - crucial, I would say - to integrate the approach, the vision, the thoughts and the aspirations of our youth. Because, as we know, young people are the future. You young people are the future of Europe.
It is fitting that this year 2022 has been declared the European Year of Youth.
Dear young people,
It is true that for almost 70 years, since the Schuman Plan in 1950 and the first Treaty of 1951, throughout the course of European integration, the European Union has often been at a crossroads and decisions need to be taken on the way forward, on the direction to take. It has changed several times and constantly seeks to improve the project of European integration. So now we are called upon to decide what kind of Europe we want, how we want a united Europe.
I am happy to note that we here in Cyprus, when asked "how much Europe we want", as a rule we support unification and we want "more Europe". Despite the great economic crisis of 2012-13, the extremely difficult decisions and the great test we went through, the Cypriot citizen believes in Europe and invests in the future of cooperation and unification.
Now, when together with our young people, giving them the floor, we have to formulate opinions and proposals for this future, I would also like to note that what is needed is once again a closer connection between the European citizen and the European Union. In other words, we need to overcome the impression or the state of affairs of detachment, which wants the EU to be a distant bureaucratic or even technocratic affair. The aim in Brussels, but also in each Member State, is always to bring the Union closer to the citizens and for the citizens to be involved in European affairs. That is why we want to give you young people the opportunity to express yourselves, to be heard, to participate.
Together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the representatives of our three very important partners, the embassies of the Netherlands, Germany and France (which currently holds the presidency of the European Council), we want to open the dialogue, to open the door to young people for the future of Europe. Together with the representatives of the European institutions, the European Parliament and the European Commission here in Cyprus. It is also important that this consultation can be followed online by thousands of other young people, and all of you will be able to directly submit proposals to the public debate on the future of Europe.
Now, from our side, as the Ministry responsible for education and youth, we saw the Future of Europe Conference as a good opportunity from the very first moment. We believe that encouraging participation and active citizenship, which is also a key pillar of the educational process, should be supported by all means and at all levels. Especially today, when societies are being tested in many ways by this unprecedented pandemic, while young people are admittedly affected in various ways, we definitely need initiatives to strengthen transparency, consultation and participation.
Dear young people,
Having the main responsibility for shaping youth policy in our country, we have launched policies and actions for the benefit of the young generation, seeking your involvement and active participation. For example, in cooperation with the Cyprus Youth Organization, we are promoting the development and implementation of a National Strategy for Youth, which is shaped through continuous and qualitative consultation with young people. This is a consultation in which qualitative criteria are prioritised and we seek to have the vitality of new ideas and the freshness in planning that can come from young people. The 2017-22 Strategy is now being finalised and the consultation for the new period after 2022 is starting.
Moreover, in the context of the European Year of Youth, we are actively supporting the national coordinator, the Commissioner for Citizens' Rights, Mr. Panagiotis Sentonas, in the implementation of actions that will make it possible to enhance quality, but also to make the opportunities available to young people more visible and better understood.
At the same time, reforms underway in education seek to enhance its quality and effectiveness at all levels. The development of citizenship is at the heart of this.
I should also note that several major reforms and important actions run through the grand European Plan for Recovery and Resilience. Our plan, "Cyprus_to_Tomorrow", includes funding for education amounting to €100 million.
Our discussion today will focus on three key issues of concern to the European Union as a whole and to each of the Member States individually:
a) Values and rights, rule of law, security, European democracy
b) Immigration
c) The European Union and the world.
And the word is out to you!
In conclusion, I would like to thank all those who worked and contributed to the successful organisation of this event, teachers, students and pupils. In particularly difficult circumstances - it must be noted - with the pandemic, but also with the school examination period that has just ended. As well as the collaborating institutions, the Press and Information Office, but also our host school today, the Lyceum of Dasoupolis.
We certainly look forward with great interest to hearing your views, suggestions and questions. The findings will be forwarded via a special platform to the EU institutions, but will - of course - also be used at our own level.
IP
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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