Providing for the ability of young persons to participate in society and contribute to the European and national agendas (social/political/economic) is of extreme importance, not only to their future but also to the future of Europe. Support services for youth have to be considered a priority, particularly in the present time when young persons find themselves faced with many barriers preventing growth, such as unemployment, discrimination, homelessness, rising school/university fees.
Across Europe right now, 5.5 million young people – one in five of those aged between 15 and 24 who are on the labour market – are without a job. In some individual member states, the situation is even worse. In Spain and Greece for example, youth unemployment rates are above 50 per cent. Youth homelessness is also on the rise. A more recent campaign on homelessness in the UK gave voice to young homeless people who feel that they have become "invisible" to society. Many young people, like Roma or those coming from different ethnic backgrounds, face yet more issues like social exclusion and discrimination.
For the first time in the modern age, the younger generations, far from hoping for a better life than that of their parents and grandparents, are sure that they will have a harder time of it. Social difficulties like the ones described above can leave permanent scars on Europe’s youth. Nevertheless, there are emerging at the same time examples of positive responses from institutions, civil society and, most importantly, young people themselves that seek to confront and tackle the challenges in place.
Picture by Pierre Metivier
Below are examples of the different types of ACTIONS (in orange) and POLICIES (in green) that aim to give support for youth.
Youth Movements
Youth participation and empowerment
UK Youth Parliament (UKYP)
Publié le : 2013-05-16 08:57 -|
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Run by young people for young people, UKYP provides opportunities for young persons to use their voice in creative ways to bring about social change. It has over 600 representatives, 369 seats for elected MYPs (Members of Youth Parliament) and over 230 Deputy MYPs, all aged 11-18 years. |
Youth for the Future!
Publié le : 2013-05-01 19:54 -|
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"Youth for the Future" is a project aimed at increasing the participation in decision-making, concepts of democracy and active citizenship of youth refugees arriving in Sweden with their families. |
Government youth policies
Interaction between generations
ALL examples of Actions and Policies
SCUP (sport e cultura popolare)
Publié le : 2013-05-21 11:10 -|
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A centre of sporting and cultural services and a solidarity economy, created in an abandoned public space to be later occupied by the people involved in the project. |
YSI (Young Social Innovators)
Publié le : 2013-05-16 09:02 -|
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Young Social Innovator's mission is to raise social awareness in Ireland by providing social awareness education through action and platforms for young people and those guiding them. |
UK Youth Parliament (UKYP)
Publié le : 2013-05-16 08:57 -|
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Run by young people for young people, UKYP provides opportunities for young persons to use their voice in creative ways to bring about social change. It has over 600 representatives, 369 seats for elected MYPs (Members of Youth Parliament) and over 230 Deputy MYPs, all aged 11-18 years. |
AEGEE (Association des Etats Généraux des Etudiants de l’Europe / European Students’ Forum)
Publié le : 2013-05-16 08:55 -|
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AEGEE (Association des Etats Généraux des Etudiants de l’Europe/European Students’ Forum) - a student organisation that promotes cooperation, communication and integration amongst young people in Europe. |
AYUDH – Youth in Action
Publié le : 2013-05-16 08:50 -|
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A global movement of young people, made up of regional/national networks, who want to lead a life based on spiritual values: “starting with ourselves, we want to help in generating a future of hope, peace and social engagement while maintaining an awareness of universal spiritual principles”. |
Intergenerational solidarity housing
Publié le : 2013-05-15 13:54 -|
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Intergenerational solidarity housing initiatives enable young students to be hosted cheaply by seniors in exchange of a small presence and services that can in no way however be a substitute for professional care services. |
EKIF Research Project: Youth unEmployment, Cyprus
Publié le : 2013-05-14 08:37 -|
EKIF - Cyprus Gender Research Centre The gender of youth unemployment in Cyprus - views and attitudes of the unemployed youth and the employers |
Youth for the Future!
Publié le : 2013-05-01 19:54 -|
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"Youth for the Future" is a project aimed at increasing the participation in decision-making, concepts of democracy and active citizenship of youth refugees arriving in Sweden with their families. |
Workshops on Clichés, to "look further than the end of our noses"
Publié le : 2013-04-22 12:10 -|
Workshops to raise awareness among high school students in order that they identify and deconstruct stereotypes and misconceptions |
Challenges
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