Anthology: Raw Materials for a History of The
Anthology
raw materials for a history of the European Youth Forum
Editorial Team Giuseppe Porcaro — Editor in Chief John Lisney — Editor Thomas Spragg — Assistant Editor * Anne Debrabandere — Translator Trupti Rami — Copy editor Antholog y James Higgins — Copy editor Alexis Jacob — Art director Feriz Sorlija — Curator * NOUN
European Youth Forum Pronunciation : /anˈθɒlədʒi/ 120, rue Joseph II 1000, Bruxelles Origin : from the Greek word ἀνθολογία (anthologia ; Belgium – Belgique literally “flower-gathering”). In Greek, the word originally www.youthforum.org denoted a collection of the ‘flowers’ of verse, i.e. small choice poems or epigrams, by various authors.
Collection of literary and artistic works chosen by the compiler. In partnership with It may be a collection of poems, short stories, plays, songs, or excerpts.
HAEU with the support of / avec le soutien de : the European Commission la Commission européenne the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe Le Fonds européen pour la Jeunesse du Conseil de l’Europe
2011 European Youth Forum
ISSN : 2032-9938
Disclaimer : The views and opinions expressed in this volume are those of the authors and artists and do not necessarily represent official positions of the European Youth Forum 6 Forewords 7
I am both honoured and humbled that as current President of the European Youth Forum (YFJ), I have the chance to write a foreword to this anthology Forewords on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the merging of the three existing European youth platforms and the creation of the European Youth Forum. The reality in which the YFJ operates today is vastly different from the reality in which it came into being. The EU has enlarged from 15 to 27 member states and is still growing. The CoE has enlarged to 47 member states. The recent Arab spring is changing the geopolitical picture of our Southern neighbourhood and the world has become more interconnected and interdependent than ever before. Moreover, we are in the aftermath of one of the worst economic and financial crises Europe has ever witnessed and the levels of youth unemployment in parts of our continent reach alarming heights. Recession and budget-cuts have a negative effect on the funding that is available to youth organisations and youth activities. They put in danger the much praised co-management system on youth issues in the Council of Europe. We face many challenges. But what is also different today from 15 years ago is the recognition of the Youth Forum as the voice of young people in Europe. What numerous youth activists and youth representatives fought for over the years became a reality. We are thus better equipped to face these challenges. We wanted to be heard. Now, we are heard. The European Youth Forum is the main partner of EU Institutions in the youth field. We recently met Commission President Barroso. We have regular meetings with the Commissioner responsible for Youth. We hold the Chair and the Secretariat of the European Steering Committee on youth. We continue to elect 20 out of 30 members of the Advisory Council on Youth in the Council of Europe. We need to use this recognition and power wisely and ensure that we continue with a cross-sectorial and rights-based approach to youth policy in Europe. The Youth Forum, as a volunteer-based, youth-led platform will continue to be an advocate of the rights of young people across Europe. Youth participation, volunteering, non-formal education and informal learning remain the corner-stones of our work. I would like to thank all the people who have helped make the European Youth Forum what it is today.
Peter Matjašič, President of the European Youth Forum 8 Forewords Forewords 9
We must welcome the initiative of the European Youth Forum to publish a historical anthology of its activities and publications to mark the fifteenth anniversary of its creation. Indeed, the merger in July 1996 in Cork of the European Coordination Bureau of International Youth Organisations (ECB), the Council of European National Youth Committees (CENYC) and the Youth Forum of the European Communities (YFEU) is proof of the will of the organisations to cooperate closely with each other and coordinate their activities with respect to European institutions ; rather than compete and undermine their ability to be heard. So this unique initiative deserves to be commemorated. Especially at a time when the Lisbon Treaty opens up new opportunities for the democratic participation of young people as well as for more active involvement on their part in the process of European integration. Remember that the European Youth Forum was one of the first civil society organisations to be recognised by the European Institutions. An organisational structure was established within the European Commission in the late 70s as well as a specific budget line to finance the activities of the Forum. It could thus be argued that the active cooperation that developed over the years between the Youth Forum and the European institutions was an application “ante litteram” of a “partnership agreement” that were proposed by the Commission’s White Paper on European Governance in 2001. Such agreements have yet to be implemented, however, in the absence so far of Treaty provisions on participatory democracy. The new provisions of the Lisbon Treaty have filled this ga p. They should facilitate the conclusion of partnership agreements with civil society organisations. The contributions published in this anthology enable us to relive the major historical moments and activities of the European Youth Forum. They reflect the organisation’s active participation in the process of European integration. A striking example is the story, both coherent and uncompromising, of Giacomo Filibeck on the European Youth Convention. The latter was convened at the initiative of President Giscard d’Estaing. However, it clearly reached beyond the expectations of its creator. Most of the young people involved, although chosen by the members of the Convention itself, made proposals that were far more ambitious than had been expected. Finally the historical significance of this anthology should be noted. It complements the Youth Forum’s documents that are filed at the historical archives of the European Union at the headquarters of the European University Institute in Florence. All whom wish to research the activities of the European Youth Forum are able to enjoy the treasure of documented evidence that is available in Florence, to which we can now add this remarkable anthology of documents and activities of the European Youth Forum.
Paolo Ponzano, Special Adviser to the Vice President Sefcovic and Senior Fellow at the IUE
Jean-Marie Palayret, Historian and Director of the Historical Archives of the European Union 10 Forewords Forewords 11
A few words introduce our school’s homepage (www.erg.be) : “The Erg (école de recherche graphique in Brussels) is a school of art that is open to the world and listens to society in all its diversity.” These words portray the link that is made in the school between the development of future artistic personalities - of individuals who think and act - and the challenges of the world around them. We found most of these challenges in the work of the European Youth Forum. From the issue of mobility, which has gained significance since the entry into force of the Bologna agreement, to the right to a general and fair education. But also : the right to employment and to decent working conditions, to decent pay that resonates “outraged” over the squares in Europe, to issues of health, well being, sustainable development, human rights and fundamental freedoms… Our students understood all of these issues, these challenges, in their own way. Every time with a different, personal and creative approach. I hope you enjoy their work and that their words, images, facilities will provide the beautiful ideals upheld by the European Youth Forum with a much needed support.
Anne Degavre, Director at ERG 12 Forewords Forewords 13
On the occasion of the 15th Anniversary of the European Youth Forum, I am co- hosting the event that brings to the European Parliament different generations of YFJ alumni and current members. The event is a great occasion to launch the Alumni Network - a platform meant to enable us to keep in touch, share knowledge, exchange experience and debate about the future of Europe. As a general rapporteur for the EU budget 2011, I have made youth, education and mobility budget priorities. I successfully reinforced the budget of the EU’s education and youth programmes. The resources for such essential programmes as Lifelong Learning Programme, Youth in Action, Erasmus Mundus and Marie Curie Actions were significantly increased. To mention some of them, in 2011 : 4500 additional students benefit from Erasmus, 800 additional youths participate in the training activities and 1600 more young people are able to do voluntary work within the European Voluntary Service. We already know the European Commission’s proposal on the Multiannual Financial Framework after 2013. The increase by 68 % on education and training is ambitious but the discussion will be long and difficult. Your support will be needed in order to secure the way to tackle the challenges of the upcoming years. The very first European Youth Forum Alumni Network will be a network of people that want not only to share good memories, but also to discuss the future and the ways of strengthening the position of young people by supporting their efforts for an empowered and decent life. I am honoured to be a part of this great project for Europe.
Sidonia Jędrzejewska, MEP 14 Introduction 15
words by Giuseppe Porcaro
Introduction Building new social, political and geographical spaces does not happen overnight. This anthology is gathered while celebrating many important dates for European youth movements. 15 years of existence of the European Youth Forum. More than 30 years after the establishment of the Youth Forum of the European Communities. Almost 50 years from the creation of the first European platform of National Youth Councils. 60 years from the launch of the first pan-european youth campaign. Europe, Youth Organisations and Youth Policies. Three interconnected processes, one minimum common denominator : the strive for youth rights. The main purpose of this book is to start filling gaps. First in the research field that little explored so far the political contribution of youth to the European project and the impact of youth organisations in the policies that affect young people in the continent. Second gap is in the preservation of the historical memory of a Platform which, by definition, is subject to refreshing changes of various generations of youth representatives. Third gap is in the recognition of the achievements of youth organisations, often underestimated both in terms of educational value, social capital and knowledge production. A single book is not sufficient for filling those gaps. With this anthology we are rather opening a construction site without being able to close it, as the work will be in progress for quite a while. However, we aim here to ship and store a fair amount of raw materials to start the building process. For this purpose we are going to collect three kind of materials. An evenly mix of first hand testimonies from people that led and linked together most of the processes happened around the European Youth Platforms in the past 30 years. A collection of various shapes and kinds of documents that we considered important for understanding the progressing of this story. Artworks produced by a group of students from the Ecole de Recherche Graphique (ERG) of Brussels who dived for a semester in the challenge of representing youth rights. As said, we are storing here raw material without starting building operations yet. The storage logic results in three sections. The first dedicated to the process of organisational development of this unique civil society platform known today as the European Youth Forum. The second exploring the historical evolution of organised youth in Europe between 1945 and the end of the 1990s. The final block of material takes a closer look into the last decade of the action of the Youth Forum and its impact on youth policy development. Such collection would not have been possible without the contribution of all the people that made the Forum directly and indirectly in the past decades. Particularly those that accepted to participate in this editorial project and whose words you will be able to read in the following pages. However a special thanking goes as well to those who did not write but actually did a lot of the things written in the book. All those political activists, dedicated volunteers and professionals who spent part of their life wandering in a youth organisation. Learning from it. Discovering Europe through it. Making a difference in their own communities. Exercising the basic grammar of democracy through participation. To those and to the millions of people active in youth movements in Europe is dedicated this publication. Table of Contents p. 22 Timeline 1945 – 2011 p. 28 A Unique platform for youth organisations p. 30 15 years developing a strong European Youth Forum (1995) Speech by François Mitterrand, Youth Forum GA (1995) Protocol marking the fusion of the three platforms (1995) Letter of Jacques Santer congratulating the creation of the European Youth Forum (1997) Results of ECB Postal Vote on the future of the organisation p. 48 A larger Forum, a larger Europe (2003) Interview with Romano Prodi, in “Youth Opinion”, n.1 (2007) Interview with Margot Wallström, in “Youth Opinion”, n.1 p. 62 Working in European Youth Forum Secretariats (1996 – 2011) List of the employees working at the European Youth Forum Secretariats p. 70 Engagement for Participation and Human Rights (2006) Opening by Bettina Schwarzmayr, launch of the “All Different, All Equal” Campaign (2008) Foreword by Thomas Hammarberg, in “European Youth Forum Report 2008 Report on Racism and its impact on young people” (1990) Speech Antonio Seguro in the Youth Forum Symposium on Youth Rights p. 80 A European (1990) Speech of Jacques Delors in the Youth Forum Symposium on Youth Rights (Youth) History p. 254 No Rights, No Way ! p. 82 The Grand Anti – Fascist Alliance, 1941 to 1945 (1990) General Report of Youth Forum Symposium on Youth Rights (1956) MGM Arrangements for covering Society and other delegations to International Youth (1993) European Charter on Youth Rights Congress in Great Britain p. 100 Geopolitics of youth policy in post – war Western Europe (1945 – 1967) p. 270 Back to the future, (1967) Foundations Linked to C.I.A. Are found to subsidize Youth Organisations, New York Times 1967 youth policy in the 2000s (2003) Activities of European Youth Campaign in the 1950s in Wilford H., Caute D., “The CIA, the British p. 272 Youth policy and advocacy Left, and the Cold War”, London, Routledge development in the 2000s p. 112 European Youth Policy from the 60s to the 90s p. 294 EU White Paper on Youth (1967) Oral question at the EP with debate in (2000) Initial contribution of the European Youth connection with youth and adult education in Europe Forum to the European Commission’s White Paper : Youth Policy (1970) Resolution on Youth, Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (2001) Speech of Romano Prodi at the I Youth Convention on Volunteering (1972) Resolution on Establishment of European Youth Foundation, Committee of Ministers (2001) Press Release, European Youth Forum, of the Council of Europe 21st November p. 142 Youth organisations and the European Communities p. 328 European Youth Convention (1975) Recommendation EC Council Decision (2002) European Youth Forum Contribution to the European Convention : Bringing Europe (1978) Communication of the President closer to its young citizens of the European Commission (2002) Proposition d’amendement à (1978) Caro Report, European Parliament l’Article III-177 (ex Article 149) (1980) Pruvot Report, European Parliament (2002) Proposition d’amendement à l’Article 34, partie II de la Constitution (1981) Internal Note of BEC on the 50/50 ponderation (2003) Press Release, European Youth Forum, p. 238 Building blocks for a European Youth Policy Architecture 7 February
(1989) Editorial, in “Youth Opinion”, December. (2003) Press Release, European Youth Forum, 22 May (2009) Press Release, European Youth Forum, 5 October p. 510 (2011) Press Release, European Youth Fourum, Conclusions 16 March p. 360 The Structured Dialogue p. 514 (2009) An EU Strategy for Youth, Investing and Appendix Empowering. A renewed open method of coordination to address youth challenges and opportunities, p. 517 Statutes of the Council of European National Youth European Commission Communication Committees (1963) (2009) Press Release, European Youth Forum, 8 May p. 523 Statutes of the European Co-ordination Bureau of International Youth Organisations (1987) (2009) A renewed framework for European cooperation in the youth field (2010 – 2018), p. 535 Statutes of the Youth Forum Council of the EU Resolution of the European Communities (1978) p. 410 Co – management p. 542 Statutes of the Youth Forum and the Council of Europe of the European Union (1995) (1998) Resolution on the Youth Policy of the Council p. 561 Statutes of the European Youth Forum (2010) of Europe, Committee of Ministers p. 588 List of Bureau/Board Members (1998) Letter from Youth Forum SG on new Council of the European Youth Forum (1996 – 2012) of Europe co-management structure (2006) All Different, All Equal Campaign Development Plan, Council of Europe (2008) The future of the Council of Europe youth policy : Agenda 2020, Declaration of the CoE Conference of Ministers p. 440 The European Youth Forum Acting Globally
(1998) Braga Action Plan, World Youth Forum (1998) Conclusions 1st World Ministerial Conference on Youth (2007) Declaration of 1st EU-Africa Youth Summit (2010) NGO Statement of World Youth Conference (2010) Governmental Statement of World Youth Conference 22 23
1963 1969
Foundation of the Council The Final Declaration of the of European National Youth European Summit in the Hague 1973 Committees (CENYC) – a forum states “the necessity to ensure 1945 for exchange on youth issues the active youth participation in of eleven National Committees the ongoing transformations and Establishment of the European of WAY (Austria, Belgium, in the important enterprise of Youth Foundation at the Council End of World War II and Denmark, France, Germany, the European construction”. of Europe to provide financial creation of the World Federation support for European youth Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, of Democratic Youth (WFDY) activities. by the World Youth Conference ; Sweden, Turkey and the United bringing together international Kingdom) and the two National youth movement representatives Youth Councils of France and from 63 States but soon after Luxembourg. becoming a tool for Soviet control on International Youth Affairs. 1972
A resolution by the Committee of Ministers sets up the 1951 European Youth Centre (EYC) in Strasbourg – a research and educational centre with Launch of the European Youth accommodation and conference Campaign (EYC) by European facilities, providing a locus for Movement International and the activities of European youth WAY to promote a pro-European organisations. attitude amongst European youth. 1971
The European Coordination 1948 Bureau of International Youth Organisations (ECB/BEC) is established to promote European 1978 Establishment of the World 1968 consultation and cooperation Assembly of Youth (WAY) – between international non- the international coordinating governmental youth Creation of the Youth Forum body of national youth councils Worldwide protests by students organisations (INGYOs). of the European Communities and organisations created as and workers ; in Europe, the – an initiative of the EC but with an alternative to WFDY. “youth issue” becomes a independent status. political priority. 24 25
1985 1992 1996
International Year of Youth : The European Youth Rights Creation of the European 2001 the Council of Europe organises Charter is drafted by the Youth Youth Forum (YFJ) : the fusion the first conference of Youth Forum ; it sets the rights and of CENYC, ECB and the Youth 1st Youth Convention on Ministers in Strasbourg. standards that young people Forum of the EU. Volunteering and adoption of need in order to fully realise the White Paper on Youth of their potential in an emerging the EU – a new framework Europe. for cooperation among actors in the youth field in order to better involve young people in decisions that concern them.
1988 2003 Inclusion of the article on youth First Ever European Council 1998 1995 in the Draft EU Constitution : of Ministers responsible for youth Article III - 182 (e) states that affairs – informal session 16 - 17 First World Conference of the Union action shall be aimed July, in Athens. “All Different - All Equal” : the first edition of the European Ministers Responsible for Youth, at encouraging the development Youth Campaign to reinforce Portugal, and adoption of the of youth exchanges and of the fight against racism, anti- Braga Youth Action Plan at exchanges of socio-educational semitism, xenophobia and the Third World Youth Forum instructors and encouraging the intolerance. of the United Nations System, participation of young people in with the aim of promoting democratic life in Europe. youth participation for human development. 1989 2002
The European Youth Convention Fall of the Berlin Wall and rapid is organised for the young people development of National Youth of Europe in the framework on Councils in Eastern Europe. the European Convention to draft the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe. 26 27
2009
Adoption of the Lisbon treaty ; including art. 165 based on the Youth Article within the previous draft EU Constitution. 2007
First Africa-Europe Youth Summit ; allowing youth 2010 representatives from African and European youth NGOs International Year of Youth to express their concerns to and World Youth conference the II EU - Africa Heads of in Mexico ; adoption of the State Summit in Lisbon. Guanajuato declaration recognising young people as key actors in the Millennium Development Goals.
2010
Launch of the Europe 2020 Strategy of the EU and beginning of the implementation of the EU Youth Strategy 2010 - 2018. 2011
European year of volunteering ; 2005 celebrating and recognising the efforts and contribution EU Heads of State support the of volunteers and volunteering initiative of a European Youth organisations. Pact for a more unified and coherent approach to youth issues within the Lisbon Strategy. 28 29 A Unique Platform for youth organisations
15 years developing a strong European Youth Forum A larger Forum a larger Europe Working in European Youth Forum Secretariats Engagement for Participation and Human Rights 30 A Unique Platform for youth organisation 31
If you’re for youth, 15 years developing you need to be young ! 15 years developing a strong a strong European European Youth Forum words by Diogo Pinto
Youth Forum I was asked to contribute to this project, which is aimed at preserving the institutional memory of the European Youth Forum and of the role played by youth organisations in shaping Europe as we know it, by writing an article about the organisational development aspects of European civil society platforms based on both my experience with the European Youth Forum and on my current responsibilities as Secretary-General of the European Movement International. Sitting in front of my computer with a view of Brussels as I start to write this article, I feel both glad and overwhelmed. Glad that the European Youth Forum’s current leadership thought of me as a valid contributor to this anthology and offered me the opportunity to share with the readers my impressions and memories and overwhelmed by the realisation of the extent of how much the European Youth Forum has affected my own life. I like to think that I am not the exception and that many of you reading this article feel exactly the same way when you think about the European Youth Forum. You think of the time and energy you have dedicated to it and the opportunities and experiences that it offered to you. Many of us owe to the European Youth Forum that we have met so many extraordinary people whom we call friends (or even the person with whom we have decided to share our life), that we have travelled to so many different places (or even moved to one of those), that we have learned about so many aspects of life (or even become experts on some of them) and so very many other things, good and bad. I make this previous point because I believe that, regardless of what can be said about the organisational development of civil society platforms and other similar and related concepts, the true impact of the European Youth Forum, its most impressive achievement and most significant contribution to shaping Europe and the rest of the world, has to be the impact it had, it has and will keep having upon thousands of people like me and you, who have seen their lives changed and changed the lives of thousands others. I was elected President of the Portuguese National Council in February 1995. Soon after and because of that, I had to attend two meetings at the European level : the CENYC General Assembly in Helsinki and the Youth Forum of the European Union’s in Paris. CNJ was member of both those platforms and played a role that seemed much more important than could be expected from a small, permanently-in-internal-crisis and quite poor structure from a small, peripheral, southern country. That was impressive. But even more impressive was the seriousness of the discussions, the formality of the procedures and the huge amount of more or less bright people from so many different organisations and countries that one would meet at such occasions. And, of course, the presence of Mitterrand. 32 A Unique Platform for youth organisation A Unique Platform for youth organisation 33
As a newcomer, I was allowed to ask all the stupid questions, and especially that big leap forward that led to the establishment of the European Diogo Pinto was born in one of them was obvious : Why did we need three different youth platforms in Youth Forum, were led by a certain set of objectives that remain more or less Nampula (Mozambique) Europe ? I was comforted to find that I was not the only one to ask the question the same and keep surfacing whenever changes are envisaged, discussed and in 1974. He got in- and to learn of the discussions over the merging of the three platforms into finally implemented in the structures and working methods of the European volved with youth organ- one. So, in a nutshell, my first steps in the wonderland of European youth Youth Forum and in those of other European civil society platforms. isations when he was 15 platforms coincided with the beginning of the journey that would lead to the During my tenure as Secretary-General of the European Youth years old through the lo- establishment of the European Youth Forum. I was privileged enough to take Forum, I did my best to remain loyal to the principles that had inspired the cal chapter of the Catholic part in this journey, get to the destination and sign, on behalf of the Portuguese changes in 1995-1996 and of which I had been a close observer. Thanks to Students’ Movement National Youth Council, the constitutive act of the European Youth Forum. the understanding and the support of the Board and of the decisions made (MCE) in Guimarães Apart from the historical and emotional value of the process, it is by the Members, a policy of rationalisation and optimisation of the resources (Portugal). Later, he was worth looking, from the organisational development aspects, at what the most was implemented, based on a strict control of the expenditures and an active elected President of the important drivers of this merge were. I think we can classify them into two search for diversified sources of incomes, and sound management practices, Guimarães’ Municipal Youth categories : the practical and the political. transparency and accountability became rule. At the same time, and probably Council (1992), National The practical aspects are probably the easiest to understand and more importantly, the enthusiastic openness to new members was kept, the Coordinator of the Catholic relate to. Having one platform instead of three meant more concentration and, inclusiveness towards different actors was developed, and a genuine drive Students’ Movement therefore, more availability of resources (all the grants in the same account), to improve the internal democratic procedures became self-evident. The (1993) and President of the very important savings (one office instead of three, one secretary-general assumption of its responsibilities as a major player in the youth field at a global Portuguese National Youth instead of three, one Board instead of three, one membership fee instead of level, as well as the awareness that its capacities and resources needed to Council (1995). He studied two, etc.), less meetings to attend, less flights to take and more focus on the be shared and put at the service of the less capable and less resourced, Sociology at ISCTE – Lisbon implementation rather than on the discussion. contributed to make the European Youth Forum a respected partner and University Institute. The political aspects are probably more interesting and more interlocutor of governments, European and international institutions in various Diogo worked as important, though. First and foremost, there was the idea that by working policy fields and in diversified political stages. And all this was possible, at Coordinator of Participation together and speaking with one voice, youth organisations would be stronger, the end of the day, because the European Youth Forum and its members and Programming at the louder and more efficient. They would appear to be more serious and more accepted and were ready to undergo the changes that allowed it to implement World Youth Festival that capable too, and hopefully they would achieve more and better results. This its mission better and more efficiently. took place in Portugal in image, which 15 years later seems simple and almost simplistic, was a blurry I am deeply convinced that the success of the European Youth Forum 1998 and later as Secretary- one, though, and many diverse fears threatened its implementation at the time, among the myriad of European civil society platforms that exist lies exactly General of the Portuguese such as mistrust between National Councils and International Organisations, with this simple proposition : Being able to remain faithful to its objectives, National Youth Council mistrust among countries and regions, mistrust among party-political families, refusing corporatism and promoting openness and making its organisational (2000-2001) and National etc. All these fears and mistrusts had to be overcome, and it took perseverance development an engine rather than an obstacle to achieve these objectives. Director of Intercultura and lots of patience but also a future-oriented vision to succeed. Therefore, the lessons to learn from this success are simple too, and they AFS Portugal (2001-2005). Then, and still among the political aspects, there was the aim to be apply both to the future development of the European Youth Forum and to He was elected Secretary- open to the Central and Eastern European neighbours and inclusive of the new the development of any other given European civil society platform : If you’re General of the European realities and structures in the youth sector landscape. Keep in mind that 1995 for representation, you need to be representative ; if you’re for democracy, Youth Forum in April 2005 was only six years after the fall of the Berlin wall, that the EU was made of 15 you need to be democratic ; if you’re for openness and inclusiveness, you and was reelected in 2006 member states and the Council of Europe of 38, that countries such as Russia, need to be open and inclusive ; if you’re for accountability and transparency, remaining in office until May Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan but also Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, you need to be accountable and transparent ; if you’re for policy, you need 2009. In June that same Montenegro and Serbia were not integrated in the European institutions yet ; to be political ; if you’re for Europe, you need to be European ; if you’re for year, Diogo Pinto was ap- and that wars were still being fought in Croatia and especially in Bosnia. Having youth, you need to be young ; if you’re for solving problems, you need to be pointed Secretary-General the young people of Europe state that they were ready to work hand-in-hand solution-oriented ; and more importantly, if you’re for people, you need to be of the European Movement as equals regardless of whether they came from an “old” EU-founder Member people-centred. International, the European State, a newly independently established former Yugoslav republic, or even a This is what I learned at the European youth Forum, and this is what civil society platform es- former Soviet republic across the Black Sea, was a revolution that I believe I try to implement in the European Movement International. This is also what tablished in 1948 for work- paved the way for the Europe we have today. I would like to see all civil society organisations doing. This would definitely ing in favour of European And finally is the aim to establish youth policy as a serious, important, contribute for a better and more democratic Europe. integration. He lives in well-resourced and results-oriented policy area or competence at the European I wish and count on the European Youth Forum to remain as an Brussels and has one son. level. In 1995, it was still five years before the White Paper on Youth and 15 inspiration, an example and a lives-changing experience so that we can keep years before the Treaty of Lisbon fully recognised the rights of young people being proud of the past and hopeful on a better and brighter future for all. to participate in the democratic life of the European Union. Many of the things we take for granted today were nothing more than grandiosity dreams then. The point I try to make here is that the process and the history of the early organisational development of the youth platforms in Europe, and 34 A Unique Platform for youth organisation A Unique Platform for youth organisation 35
Speech delivered by Mr. François Mitterrand, President of the Republic, at the opening ceremony of the XIth General Assembly of the Youth Forum of the European Union Paris, Friday 31 March 1995
Ladies and gentlemen, I accepted your invitation with pleasure. It has been a tradition for several years, long before I was elected as President of the Republic, that I take part whenever possible, in European events and mainly European youth activities. It seems to me, and what you just said Mr President confirms it, that whatever interest and enthusiasm young people are showing for Europe, a substantial part of Europe’s youth has no direct link with Europe, is not admitted to the institutions. In other words, you have the feeling that you are there as witnesses or assistants and not as active partners. With my presence here today, my intention was to express my opinion, i.e that it would be crazy for Europe, as well as for any society, to cut itself off from its youth. As I said on several occasions before, and I apologize for repeating it once more, I still remember that day in 1948, almost 50 years ago, when the first European congress met in the Hague. It was an informal Council of course, which was the result of some goodwill and of some vague ideas which had emerged very soon after the second World War. Everybody agreed that it could not go on like this. I was myself born during the first World War, I fought in the Second. I could see what the consequences would be. It was Winston Churchill who chaired the meeting, he who two years earlier in Zurich in 1946 had proposed what he called “the supreme solution” to combat a possible return to old nationalist…and belligerent tendencies. The solution he said and I quote “is to reconvene the European family and to give it a structure which can develop in peace, in security and in freedom”. This is what was said by one of the main actors of the Second World War, one of the most prominent and respectable personalities of that period, a citizen from a country which was not expected to be particularly in favour of this type of organisation. As a young member of Parliament, I was there at that time. I can also remember how enthusiastic I was to be there with the founding fathers of Europe, from Robert Schuman to De Gasperi. There were also many parliamentarians and organisations with no mandate, who were simply there to offer the world, and at least Europe, a response to its evils as Europe had just been torn apart by World War II. The destructions and casualties were incalculable. Millions and millions, not to speak about the material damage which even today, are not totally repaired. I am trying to think how you, in the same situation, would have reacted. And now, are we already preparing the Third World War ? Will Europe continue to destroy itself in the form of a collective suicide ? And why ? First of all for financial interests, like in 1914, then for violent 36 A Unique Platform for youth organisation A Unique Platform for youth organisation 37
and simplistic ideologies as was the case in 1939. I therefore ask you : is it not But why would workers, who have to work very hard to earn a worth reacting, protesting, opposing these tendencies, organising ourselves modest salary, to keep their job in a situation of high unemployment, to fight and inventing another way of organising the relations on our continent. for their health and security, for their children’s education, who are concerned This process has already started, for better or worse, but more for about many events that threaten their living, suddenly have been motivated better than worse. Sometimes the process was slow, there were also steps to vote for Europe ? As the European project appeared to them as a longer- back. And by chance it happened that I was present at all these different term objective than their immediate concerns, it was not a priority for them. stages. People also started to believe that the European project was to blame for the First of all, there was the Treaty of Rome, followed by a long period under-developed social state where too many people had to live like them. of uncertainty where we had to see if the veto of each member state could They usually do not express their opinions in newspapers, they do not hold prevent the others from moving forward. congresses and when they were interviewed for an opinion poll, their answer Then there was a new start, with the European Parliament, the is usually : “Europe, of course I am in favour”. But who was against Europe ? European Council, the very important agreements leading to the adoption Nobody probably. But when it comes down to prioritising interests, which of the Single Market which led to the automatic ratification of other Treaties are sometimes contradictory, European interests are always put on the back (otherwise the Single Market would have added new disorders and new steps burner. The result was narrow, while forecasts had all, except mine because I backwards although in itself it was a good idea) and of course of the Maastricht was convinced that it would be difficult, predicted that the referendum would Treaty which I proposed for ratification in 1992 to the people of France. I was be a formality. not too sure of the final result, but was convinced that I had to consult the I think that you are in an almost comparable situation. It might citizens and not just the members of Parliament and the elites. happen that you make progress or steps forward like the ones that I mentioned Today Europe is to some extent back in the slow lane, and in a way earlier on. But we are not at the eve of the signature of the Treaty of Rome, it is very often slowing down itself. This is due to the fact that it has created we are no longer in 1957. We now have institutions, laws, a European market, institutions which are too finicky, whose perspectives are too restrictive, common policies, but we have reached a sort of deadlock, and if we do not with the installation of a big bureaucracy with a big “head” in Brussels and manage to make progress in the coming years, there is a risk that we threaten elsewhere. They forgot that there were also people, citizens, and that among the previous stages. This is your responsibility, your job for the future. those citizens, there are young people, without whom nothing can be built, Fortunately, we are starting to a abandon the narrow “market because as you mentioned it earlier on, young people should not be excluded approach”. It is true that we started the European project with an economic from the period you will live in. This is one of the strongest ideas one can market and I do not think that it was a mistake on the part of the founders express. of the EEC. They managed to gather a number of interests in the context Today we are discussing the future of our society, that of the XXIst that I described above. It was followed by a period of liberalism which I century, in which I will not live. But I discuss it, I am interested. It is not because believe, and this is a personal opinion, was completely unreasonable where I will not be there that I am not interested. But you will be there, for better or the tasks of the State and of public authorities were completely neglected, worse and as we are living on a continent where the institutions are generally showing an absolute lack of interest for the needs of the citizens (the thirst quite developed, living in a given period also means participating, making one’s for deregulation, the triumph of individualism). I am an individual and I like to voice heard, being present and not only from time to time with a ballot paper, be listened to as an individual. But I can not take individualism as the basic but an active presence such as yours here today. philosophy of a society. It would be a contradiction, even in the words. And One can measure the progress made since the times that I was this is precisely what the wild liberal tendencies did over the last decades. referring to earlier on. We should be happy when looking at the long way since The common market was the basis of Europe. I approved this in the the establishment of the European Steel and Coal Community until the decision fifties, and still do. to abolish frontiers, and so the common foreign policy which will inevitably lead But that was not enough. Europe as a mere economic area would to a common defence policy. But all this was not sufficiently prepared and it have interested nobody. But passing from the economic market to a wider therefore had to overcome the legitimate opposition of nations with a long form of cooperation took 10 to 15 years. Plus the fact that people started to history and tradition which cannot be abolished. lose interest, which made our task even more complicated. In other words, there are many contradictions to overcome. And Europe as a mere economic area, or the Europe of capital and this is why Europe is being contested in many circles but, in my opinion, less goods is not very exciting, although it gives some return (and even very high than what people say. When we organised the referendum in 1992, I knew profits) to a few, but not to the majority of us. A sort of new god, of golden that we could take for granted that almost everybody was in favour of Europe. calf has taken an important place in all of our cities. It seems that one has If I had submitted the law to the two houses of Parliament, the text would forgotten that money is not the only force that drives people forward. People have passed with 90 % of the votes in favour. It would have been easy. As a need more profound values, if we want them to get involved. Otherwise only politician you meet other politicians, representatives from associations, trade those who have a clear interest will do so. And what about the others. All they unions, institutions, all those who in our cities and towns have the possibility, do is work to produce profit for a few. But when your work is badly paid and through their job, to travel and to see Europe. All these people knew that it insecure, it is not very exciting. was necessary to build Europe and they had good reasons to contribute to its More and more people get convinced that we need to base construction. Europe on a number of values in order to get that support, to awaken the 38 A Unique Platform for youth organisation A Unique Platform for youth organisation 39
enthusiasm or to give a meaning to people’s lives. But which kind of values ? we need to be able to fulfil our basic education tasks. You must make your I could suggest a number of them, and you can guess which ones I have voice heard ; you want to anyway. But you are not always given a chance to do in mind. But you are the ones who will have to defend these values for the so, in which case you have to fight for it. It will never be given automatically. coming 50 years. After centuries of war, social conflicts, violent repressions, Nothing is ever just given for free. This has been the subject of numerous a set of rights have finally been commonly accepted, not so long ago in fact. songs and poems. Both in public and private life, nothing is given very The right to self-determination is recognised by the international community easily, everything must be gained on the basis of effort, determination and but is often violated. The respect of minorities : we all know that every day, persuasion. somewhere in the world an army represses rebellions preventing minorities Just look at how long it took for Europe to give a chance to its youth from expressing their culture, from enjoying the minimum of autonomy which to make its voice heard. You had to wait until 1978, i.e more than twenty years they need. It is easier to talk about tolerance than to be tolerant. Pluralism is after the signature of the Treaty of Rome, for the establishment of the Youth also developing, especially in Africa, where an increasing number of countries Forum. You are a young organisation. have established institutions and more than one political party, they have You have mentioned the topics that are of concern to your guaranteed the freedom of the press, organised free elections. But all these generation : training, employment, professional integration, racism but you liberties still need to be strengthened. Political democracy, political liberties : could have added so many others : drugs, the fight against poverty, heath, how many countries still have political prisoners, i.e people who are in prison new epidemics that affect our daily lives. On all of these important issues, because of their opinions ? Equal opportunities : it is a matter that concerns you certainly have an opinion : state it. The European Union, to which I have more particularly young people. Solidarity, the protection of the weakest, the contributed for almost 50 years since it exists, is quite remote from the primacy of intelligence and human creation over the power and value of goods. daily concerns. It has made progress in many respects, but not on the above Europe has to respond to social needs, to cultural ambitions ; it must issues. This means that there is a gap, and you have to fill it. If you do not do try and solve the democratic deficit (a very trendy concept). There are many it, I do not see who will stand up and do it. countries in Europe where this deficit exists and we are all responsible for it. All this should also in a way reassure us, because we are only at It is only if Europe sets for itself the objective of reinforcing and the beginning. Europe up to now has been the job of a generation that is now protecting these values that it will become interesting again, that you will feel ageing. It will now be a matter for a new generation. This means only two like committing yourself. And not only to get involved yourselves, as you are generations, which is not very much (you are not yet at the age where you already active, but to convince others to get involved. realise that time flies) taking into account the difficulties and obstacles that we This Europe, that I see as democratic, the Europe that managed over have known in Europe. Mr President, you said that you want no more war in the last forty years, and especially over the last six years to offer a source of Bosnia, or in Algeria, but this is not enough. You have to say how you want to inspiration, how does it work ? You are the representatives of national youth avoid these conflicts. One of the best ways to do it is to make sure you have councils of all European countries. You are the main actors of what we call “la the means to enforce this, to work at the diplomatic level and at the same vie associative”, which gives you a specific responsibility. But are you sure that time to demonstrate your strength. The Society of Nations lost its influence you effectively represent your constituents ? I have also had the same problem because it took initiatives at the legal level, which was already very good for in my various political mandates : we are supposed to represent a group and that time, without ever becoming a law-enforcing body. The United Nations did when you turn back, you realise that there are not so many people behind you, more, but not enough. and in the end there is nobody at all. We praise ourselves in speeches, we So continue, keep on trying, do not give up your main task and have speak on behalf of others, and in fact nobody listens any more. confidence in yourself. You have to raise awareness and convince millions of It seems to me that European construction too often gives the Europeans. Open wide the doors of your organisations and of the European impression to citizens that it is paralysed by administrative structures. I do not Union to all kinds of young people. Make sure your organisation is not an rigid want to interfere in the debates for the presidential campaign in France, but it structure, a beautiful abstract concept or an endless series of assemblies is true to say that we cannot make Europe only with experts. This all seems too with numerous mandates. Let it not become a matter for professionals only. distant for citizens who have to cope with the difficulties of daily life. Life is where everybody is involved. Men and women only feel like getting I wonder who, better than you, could, if you manage to make your involved when deep inside them there is something that one could call faith, a voice heard, pass on this message. Who could, better than you, pass to others necessity, a need, when their mind starts to take over from the rest. Otherwise the indispensable conviction and enthusiasm. everything rapidly collapses. The understanding of the matter through the Your are one of the components of European democracy. Together development of science requires that in all countries, research is given the top with political parties, trade unions and community organisations, you are an priority. I repeat this every day, and I would like to convince more people about essential element in the freedom of expression and representation of men and this in my own country : the role of the human being is to harness the world women in our countries. Democracy needs organisations such as yours, which around him. But to harness our environment, we need to understand the world mobilise people for collective action and establish contacts between citizens in which we live, this planet on which everything is strange : the elements, the and institutions. minerals. We don’t know how all this works. People managed to discover their Your organisations and associations of popular education also composition, to understand the reason how things are, but we do not know contribute to promoting active citizenshi p. From one generation to another, we why they are as they are. And this small planet in this huge constellation, how pass on the awareness to learn about democracy. This means that in Europe, does it work ? Everybody has once in his/her life asked these questions. 40 A Unique Platform for youth organisation A Unique Platform for youth organisation 41
But it is such a huge task that you should only start with it if you really believe in it, if you really feel that it is worth devoting part of your life to it, an important part of your life. Otherwise you better go home, where there is always something to do. There are always things to be repaired, there are always windows to be closed, children who break things. Maybe there should be no more windows, no more doors, and no more children. And progressively there would nothing at all any more. What a beautiful world it would be if there would be no more drafts, no water, no fire, no germs, no viruses. One could build a wonderful world, a little bit boring maybe. And you will make nobody enthusiastic about such a world : it is like a fairy tale. By chance, Europe is more lively, and it could be even more so, even if it is out of breath after 400 meters while it still has 8 kilometers to go. And this is where I need your energy, between the 400 meters and the 8 kilometres. Keep your energy safe, or try and recuperate it if you have lost it. I have participated in European Council meetings for the last 14 years. I followed their work in the years before this period. I know how it all works. I also know very well why sometimes it does not work. I have always been surprised to see that in the worst circumstances, when everything seems to be lost (during the discussion on the Single Market in Luxembourg in 1985, the situation was totally blocked). Ten minutes before the end, when there seemed to be no more hope, when everything had failed, suddenly there was a breakthrough. The countries that were against the agreement gave in. It was suddenly like a light over the place where we were, the light of evidence, maybe that of history. It is now up to you to defend these values. I wish you good luck. 42 A Unique Platform for youth organisation A Unique Platform for youth organisation 43 44 A Unique Platform for youth organisation A Unique Platform for youth organisation 45 Grégoire Audeguy — Signes 48 A Unique Platform for youth organisation 49
A Larger Forum, a larger Europe
A larger Forum, words by Renaldas Vaisbrodas
This entry is likely to be the closest I have ever been to writing an autobiography. However, I’d rather see this text as a testimony to those a larger Europe young people that the European Youth Forum (YFJ) represents. I shall focus on the years I served the organisation and what changes Europe and its youth underwent in that brief period. From the transition to democracy to the full membership of the European Union, the Central and Eastern European “Cinderella” story was mirrored in every sphere of societal life. Young people and youth organisations experienced similar developments from Communist youth to the emergence of vibrant civil society structures. I joined youth organisations unconsciously. At the time, Lithuania was building its democratic infrastructure, and civil society organisations were mushrooming all over the country. Young and old alike felt exhilaration over the re-establishment of Lithuanian independence. This represented a break with the past and was the right moment to cement our future. In those years, youth leaders were improvising by creating organisations and merging them while competing for the same target grou p. It was everything but boring. Volunteering, youth activism and youth advocacy were recognised unknowingly while hardly ever called by their names. It was sporadic, often opportunistic, but without doubt bona fide. One could end up as I did, among the founding members of three different youth organisations. Not because one organisation was not enough but because all of them were necessary and relevant, and the vacuum left by the Soviet past had to be filled. And filled it was. The NGO sector thrived, spurred by outside investment from various foundations, international organisations and foreign governments. At the same time, a phenomenon of MONGOs (My Own NGO) and GONGOs (Governmental NGO) took off with a detrimental effect and little sustainable value. European experiences were precious and still too few. Hence, being part of it made a difference. Travelling in Europe still meant visas ; most often, travel would involve lengthy hours on a cramped bus. Understanding the language, the functioning of European youth structures and being able to express oneself in a foreign language was yet another “wall” to be broken down. Young people in Lithuania were hungry for European experience, and the organisations were greatly committed to European youth cooperation. For many in my generation of youth activists, the first points of call were the Council of Europe’s European Youth Centres in Strasbourg or Budapest. These unforgettable evenings in the “Austrian room” or on the terrace overlooking the Danube made many feel much more European. These were the places where the European project was discussed and made real. For us in Lithuania, after the reestablishment of independence and following a lengthy Soviet occupation, the Council of Europe meant international credibility and dignity, yet everyone knew that the European Union was the final destination. Despite this fact, I found myself many times discussing with friends from EU Member States that the EU was not Europe ; the Council of Europe was. This debate is recurring, despite the increased overlap of the membership of the EU and the CoE. The European Union can still be seen as the arrogant construction that questions the European 50 A Unique Platform for youth organisation A Unique Platform for youth organisation 51
aspirations of Turkey, Ukraine, Georgia or Russia. Are the European aspirations Coordination, a Youth Pact, a Structured Dialogue on Youth, etc. Effectively, of youngsters in Kyiv, Tbilisi or Ankara any different to that in Vilnius, Prague the pretence of youth participation in the EU often had a negative spin on the or Budapest in the late nineties ? exemplary cooperation existing in the Council of Europe. All in all, the struggle The European Youth Forum and its membership were and remain continues. open. In fact, the YFJ is one of the few organisations that build on difference. Challenges that our societies in Europe face require something Its diversity is its strength. No matter your country of origin, specific interest more than just a structural argument. It is about the commitment to respond or agenda, you have the same rights and same votes in the European Youth effectively to these challenges, youth unemployment, demographic decline Forum. For an up-and-coming youth activist, this was a valuable lesson. In and the rise of extremism in Europe. Following 9/11 and the terrorist attacks in fact, this example determined the direction youth advocacy developed in Madrid and London, the debate in Europe was taken over by security. Europe many Central Eastern European countries. seemed to be under threat, and the solution that was often discussed related to stringent border controls and effective re-emergence of “Fortress Europe”. Participation, human rights and diversity In this light, those that were “different” became “alien”, and those views that before seemed extreme turned into mainstream. Racism, xenophobia, and In the late 1990s, “youth power” awareness was to be discovered. Youth Islamophobia were on the rise across the continent. The European Youth organisations in Europe fought hard to be heard and hoped to be listened Forum with its partners launched a campaign “All different, all equal” to to. The levels of emancipation of young people were growing, but their role confront the trends and to pursue greater participation, human rights and in society was still minimal. To bring change to this phenomenon, youth diversity agenda. Even if the impact and the scope of the campaign could not organisations brought about an ambitious agenda, which is well represented compete with the similar initiative of 1996, the fact that youth organisations by the slogan “Nothing about us, without us !” There again the Council of made a conscious effort to identify a problem and take up responsibility to Europe was an example to look up to. With its co-management structures and find a way of tackling it was meaningful. In many ways, the “youth rights” the credible role that youth organisations played in defining policies, activities agenda that European Youth Forum pursues in this decade is derived from and even funding for European youth organisations, it was evidence to the this campaign and the remaining urgency to promote greater awareness of fact that ambition was not based on empty words. society in general and young people in particular of the unequal opportunities The European Youth Forum, in all these processes, played an and discrimination that mire Europe. essential role. The fact that in Europe there was a structure that united The enlargement of the European Union gave a sense of justice to youth organisations, no matter whether they were national youth councils or those that were destined to stay on the other side of the iron curtain after international youth NGOs, for common purpose and action representing joint the Second World War. So on the 1st May 2004, as the fireworks covered the interest was special if not exceptional. My first impressions of the European sky over Vilnius, the feeling that the European Union has a lot to celebrate, Youth Forum were overwhelming. but is likely to have even more to overcome in the coming years, was ever I was 18. It was an Executive Committee meeting in Geneva in present. Ten new member states gave a boost to the economy, to the October 1999. Hundreds of youth representatives from all over the continent political credibility of the European project and the long-awaited return to the discussed highly charged issues, debated, disagreed, lobbied and drafted European family of eight Central and Eastern European countries. statements, resolutions and amendments ; it was a whole new dimension of The European Union on the 1st May 2004 was very different. civil society in action. Disagreement during the day was often accompanied Economic and social differences between the EU member states were by great fun during the night. Unforgettable. Being there and then also had significant. In these circumstances, being a new Member State meant being a sensation of how privileged I was to enjoy this bunch of fun loving, hard half way out not half way in. The ability to be equal was often undermined by working volunteers and at the same time the responsibility not to waste the glaring gaps in the economic and social development of our countries. This trust vested in me as a delegate and represent my organisation in the best feeling was less evident in the Youth Sector, but even there integration meant possible manner. some hard lessons. Participation was not about Olympic spirit ; it was about democratic The youth sector in the Central and Eastern European countries necessity. Building a fairer society required engagement and commitment by that experienced a period of boom before the EU accession was averted. all parties. Confidence was yet to be built. It was quite fascinating to observe Unfortunately thereafter, or just before that, came the realisation that while the difference in perceptions and evolution of the youth sector in different European integration and EU enlargement was hugely supported by civil institutional milieus. In the Council of Europe, YFJ representatives and member society organisations, accession also meant a runaway by number of big states’ representatives took decisions together. In the European Union, YFJ donors further East or down South to the Western Balkans. Central and representatives and member states’ representatives had a joint reception or Eastern European countries had to face hardly existent state funding for a declarative session. Curiously enough, all the players on these two different youth activities and fight for the resources provided in the Youth programme “stages” played their script. Some member state representatives raised while hoping that one day they would be strong enough to have the capacity questions on the representativeness of the YFJ, though the same people to participate in the European Social Fund funding initiatives. This heralded accepted the YFJ’s nominated President of the CoE Joint Council for Youth a relative decline or the consolidation of the NGO sector. As the youth NGO Affairs. Arguments would go that the European Union needed time to get to sector consolidated, governments discovered a powerful, yet underfunded where the CoE was. So it did. It took time. A White Paper, the Open Method of and often undermined, lobby at their footsteps ; at least this was the 52 A Unique Platform for youth organisation A Unique Platform for youth organisation 53
Renaldas Vaisbrodas, born experience in Lithuania. In this light, the training, partnership and co-operation The President responds : interview in 1981, is Lithuanian and that ensued were of great support. to Romano Prodi holds a Master’s degree in The young generation is changing politics. It is doing so in many international communication ways today. The events of 2011 in the Southern Mediterranean are the alarm Extract from Youth Opinion Issue 1 and a Bachelor’s degree in bell for European societies. In Europe, young people, though undoubtedly political science from Vilnius much more comfortable with their lives than anywhere else, feel squeezed by October 2003, P p. 15-17 University. He is found- the lack of employment, education that does not result in sustainable career er of the Lithuanian School opportunities or a responsibility that will fall upon them due to massive ageing Students Union (LMS), long of our societies. Challenges transcend national borders, but the solutions The Convention was an open, participative democratic process in which young time international secretary remain ineffectively national and often are void of real deliverables. Problems people’s organisations could contribute to decision-making. Do you believe of Lithuanian Youth Council persist, discrimination has not been overcome, obstacles are still many. But, that the work it accomplished -- in general and specifically as regards youth (LiJOT), 2003-2004 Vice the European spirit that dominated the European Youth Forum in the years of -- was satisfactory ? President and 2005-2006 transition has not disappeared. The European Union is going through a period of extraordinary President of the European Looking at it from this perspective, the YFJ at the time was quite progress. The draft Constitution put forward by the Convention has great Youth Forum. Currently sophisticated and fairly bureaucratic. It also was an incredibly professional symbolic value as this is the first time the Union’s foundations have been he is foreign affairs ad- and youth policy standard-setter. I bow to the people that led the Secretariat debated in an open, democratic forum by representatives of the peoples and viser in the liberal demo- and those that worked there with so much dedication and love. I cannot avoid States of Europe. Moreover, this innovative endeavour to build a new political crat group (ALDE) in the mentioning some people to whom I will remain forever grateful : Fidelma Joyce, reality is unprecedented and unparalleled in our history and it was certainly European Parliament, mem- a true mentor for all of us youngsters from Central and Eastern European not a straightforward task. It brought much encouraging progress as well as ber of the President’s Guy countries and Katy Orr, a sharp policy eye and analysis best to none. For some deadlock and some bitter defeats. We must draw the lessons from both Verhofstadt cabinet respon- those many, of which I am one, who volunteered to lead the European Youth the victories and the battles lost if we are to move ahead. sible for external relations. Forum, there was no greater gift than making friends, building relations and “The quality of the input of youth organisations in the Youth He is married to Neringa and experiencing Europe at first hand. The European Youth Forum lives beyond Convention ensured that these consultations were not just window-dressing” has a son, Herkus Mantas, the years of ones’ involvement into the friendships and generations of young The Laeken Declaration marked the beginning of a new period and and a daughter, Grytė. people who are changing the world. set the Convention its main challenges of bringing the EU institutions closer to the people, particularly young people, and of making the EU more efficient, democratic and transparent. Any analysis of the Convention, which offers a new model as a constitution-building process, should take these goals into consideration. What is important is whether this process has managed to narrow the gap between the institutions and the people. The Union will face the challenge of proving this true in the future. On the question of young people, I welcome the fact that efforts by youth organisations to have stronger references to the role of young people in EU political life included in the draft Constitution were successful. This was achieved thanks in particular to the work of the Youth Convention. The quality of the input of youth organisations in the Youth Convention ensured that these consultations were not just window· dressing. I am convinced that politicians should encourage young people to get involved. That is why we are drawing up a special strategy within the scope of our responsibility. Our White Paper on Youth aims to foster partiCipation, information, voluntary service and mutual understanding. I am convinced that voluntary service in particular could be a big factor in promoting the active involvement of EU citizens. That is why it is a great step forward for the draft Constitution to have proposed setting up a European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps for joint contributions from young EU citizens. I also believe that within the Union, the various agencies and the voluntary sector should set up networks and structures to make coordination and exchanges possible.
What do you think of the way the IGC is dealing with the results of the political negotiation process at the Convention ? Clearly this Intergovernmental Conference cannot be compared with any previous IGC since it has the excellent work of the Convention to 54 A Unique Platform for youth organisation A Unique Platform for youth organisation 55
base itself on. But it still has its primary function, which is to allow the heads “Your commitment, I am sure, will encourage young people to take of State and government to exercise their political responsibility and present part in the democratic system and cast their votes.” the final text for approval to the institutions and the people in their Member The Convention’s success has brought a lasting change in States. There are aspects of the draft Constitution that bear clear witness democratic life in the European Union. It was a great job well done and an to the fact that the compromise reached is incomplete or does not go far unhoped-for result. The EU is in the midst of a new phase of constitutional enough and the result achieved to date is not the end of the line, as we had development and is taking a fundamentally important step towards creating a originally hoped. So the Member States, in whom sovereignty is ultimately political union. It will soon be the citizens’ turn to speak their minds, and all the vested, should be able to discuss it once more and see whether areas for effects and political implications of the process need to be explained properly, improvement do not exist. including the enlarged EU and the “wider Europe”, the new arrangements for The goal is to equip the Union For a larger number of members running the EU and the Union’s role in the world. This process of discussion and at the same time to make it more efficient and more transparent and will have to be taken further than within the Convention, which opened a strengthen its democratic legitimacy. debate that must now be thrown open to all citizens so the foundations for a Over the past few months, the Commission has expressed its views genuine European political area can be laid. on the future of Europe on a number of occasions. We have consistently In the light of these developments, I believe that you can play a pushed for an ambitious, high-quality text that can meet the challenges that lie very important role in the election process as organisations representing ahead. The draft Constitutional Treaty prepared by the Convention provides young people. You work directly with young people and the Union needs you an excellent basis for the final negotiations. This is good for Europe, it is good to spread the message that each individual must take part actively so his or for our nations and peoples and it is good for the EU institutions. But it is now her opinion counts. Your commitment, I am sure, will encourage young people time to concentrate on the points where it still needs improving. to take part in the democratic system and cast their votes. “Young people should not be mere spectators or addressees of As we speak, a new Europe is in the process of construction, Millions of young decisions handed down by the Union, but protagonists.” people will become part of an expanded European Union. How can these young people with their different cultural, economical and social backgrounds How do you see the EU in 20 years’ time, when today’s young EU citizens wU/ identify with the Union ? be running and leading the Union ? You are all as aware as I am of the scale of the challenges facing To say that European integration is dedicated first and foremost to us over the next few months. The European Union will embark on its biggest young people is not just an empty claim. The process of European integration adventure ever when it prepares to welcome in ten new members and is designed to benefit our youth, and its success depends above all on their to reshape its institutions and decision-making procedures. The goal is to involvement. equip the Union for a larger number of members and at the same time to As I said a couple of months ago when I addressed the European make it more efficient and more transparent and strengthen its democratic Parliament, what we need is a Constitution that lays the foundations for the legitimacy. The Union’s values should inspire the process of integration and Europe of many years to come while preserving what we have achieved so far should help citizens identify with the Union, regardless of their cultural and for future generations. This is the Europe we have built and are in the process social backgrounds. of consolidating. Over the years we have noticed that those most convinced of the One of the challenges facing Europe and the world in general is to opportunities the EU offers in new Member States are the young people. accept differences, which cause so much fear and mistrust. Young people Europe is becoming a common area of opportunities for education, for finding need to make it possible for people with different cultural backgrounds, a career and for developing a new sense of citizenship beyond the borders of different ethnic origins and different economic circumstances to live together. one’s own country. It is a question of public responsibility and human commitment. This is why As the Draft Constitution states, peace and solidarity are founding I am convinced that politicians should encourage our young people to get values of the EU. So I believe in the idea included in the draft Constitution involved and why our White Paper on Youth aims to encourage participation, of establishing a European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps for joint action information, voluntary service and mutual understanding. by young Europeans as it fulfils the aspirations of many young people who Young people should not be mere spectators or addressees wish to contribute to peaceful development in Europe and beyond. This may of decisions handed down by the Union, but protagonists. We should think seem ambitious at the moment, but we believe this positive idea deserves to of the European Union as our own concern. It is not an area to explore as be explored further, and it could also bring further development of voluntary tourists, but to be lived in as citizens. Learn the languages and history of civilian services in a European framework. Young people need to be given the the other countries. Take advantage of the opportunities the Union offers, opportunity to offer their help and to learn through experience in Europe and starting with the Erasmus programme, which we recently proposed extending abroad, thereby encouraging a sense of a shared active EU citizenshi p. worldwide (Erasmus Mundus). The European Union is our -- and your -- chance for fulfilment. Its future depends on us and on you. Statistically, young people are those who vote least. With the European Parliament elections due in 2004, how can the Union be brought closer to them and how can they be encouraged to vote ? 56 A Unique Platform for youth organisation A Unique Platform for youth organisation 57
Interview with Margot Wallström Vice-President of the European Commission, responsible for Institutional Relations and Communication Strategy Extract of Youth Opinion Issue 1 2007.
In August 2004 Margot Wallström was appointed Vice President for Institutional Relations and Communication at the European Commission, a post created by ‘President Barroso in order to improve the way the Commission communicates ‘Europe’ to citizens. Vice President Wallström has been working in collaboration with the European Youth Forum in the framework of the Rome Youth Summit, held from 23-25 March 2007.
1. As the EU celebrates 50 years, what do you see as its main achievements and shortcomings ? As the Rome declaration states, thanks to the European building- process we have been living in peace, freedom and prosperity for 50 years. We have a single market, a common currency shared by 13 Member States, and we are one of the biggest trading powers in the world. The European Union is influencing world events in a unique manner. The initial economic community developed into a ‘European way’ : a social market economy with an overall objective of sustainable development - showing that economic growth can be combined with social security and environmental protection. I can also speak about gender equality, anti-discrimination policies and protection of human and civil rights. Speaking about shortcomings, I think it’s high time that we end the elite-driven integration. That’s the objective of the communication policy we launched two years ago - a long-term and ambitious but highly necessary project.
2. What do you see as the main challenges for the next 50 years of the European project ? The major challenge currently facing us is the need to equip Europeans for globalisation. In a globalised world, the Member States have everything to gain from pooling their resources. It is clear that 27 Member States together are stronger to face the challenges of the 21st Century - terrorism, state-building, conflict resolution to name but a few - but they need the institutional wherewithal to do it. Further enlargement is also contingent on this. Energy security and energy efficiency will also be at the very top of the EU’s agenda in the coming years. I also think that sustainable development should be at the heart of all European policies. 58 A Unique Platform for youth organisation A Unique Platform for youth organisation 59
3. The need to bridge the gap between the citizens and the EU institutions education, with the highly successful Erasmus program or the equivalency was stated in the White Paper on European Communication Policy programs for studies and trainings. With real mobility - no matter if you - what is the Commission doing to reduce this gap ? are a student, or you want to find a job in another country. I think in the We have launched several projects such as the European Transparency future, there will also be more scope for voluntary work thanks to EU Initiative to make institutions easier to understand and bring the European programmes : I wish we had a truly ‘European solidarity’ corps ! processes closer to the people. We are trying to move closer [to the There are so many young Europeans who want to have a say. They want public] in the way we communicate our initiatives and ideas, by getting to be involved. I am motivated by that. The European Union is also helping local authorities and local media on board. We are working to make our young people outside the Union and I think this is important ; as we are information tools for the public, such as Europe Direct, better known. living in an increasingly globalised world, we cannot stay focused only I see three elements where more can still be done : firstly we should on the European situation but need to be aware of what is happening work on building up a European public sphere, where we have a stronger elsewhere and be willing to engage and to hel p. European political culture - we need European parties. Secondly, we need a media culture which is truly European. We have to give the media 7. How could a young person get involved in European policy debates ? the resources to cross borders to report from neighbouring countries. You have the traditional way : European Parliament elections, and getting Without, of course, interfering in the editorial independence engaged in European associations and political parties for instance. we can at least give some support to journalists. You also have the new tools we have developed in our communication And thirdly we need the meeting places to be able to debate European policy such as the website ‘Debate Europe !’ or the meetings organised in identity, or simply to get together and to get to know each other. In my Member States with European leaders. view this is the best and easiest way to deepen Europe and to give back Above all you should go for the “non-institutional” way of debating Europe ownership to the citizens. with other young Europeans you might meet… e.g. via the Internet. You can create or join a local NGO, and try to influence your local MEPs, the 4. What is the main role of civil society, and in particular authorities. youth organisations, in the construction of Europe ? Europe belongs to its citizens. Civil society should be our main partner 8. How would you evaluate the cooperation between the YFJ when launching new policies or discussing changes. Civil society and the European Commission ? How do you see it in the future ? organisations are here to help us respond to citizens’ expectations I had a very positive impression of the first Youth Summit. Therefore I am regarding the Union. Youth organisations have a particular role in that looking forward to future cooperation with the YFJ - you are one important respect, as we draft tomorrow’s Europe : they are discussion fora platform to reach out to young Europeans and make them interested in necessary for real democracy. what goes on in Europe. Civil society also has a role to play in the building of a European solidarity which is a necessary prerequisite to a real European citizenshi p.
5. How do you assess the process of the Rome Youth Summit ? And what do you think the consequences will be ? Further to the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Treaty of Rome, the Rome Youth Summit was a concrete step toward structured dialogue with youth. The Youth Summit turned out to be a real success thanks to the meticulous preparation through national and pan-European debates. The Rome Declaration shows an open and ambitious, yet realistic attitude of young Europeans towards the Union. The European Commission is already paving the way for the follow-up of this event. The dialogue will continue.
6. How do you see the situation of young people nowadays ? What role can the European Union play to improve the lives of young people today ? Today’s European young people are a key generation, the first one to live Europe on a daily basis, through their studies, their job opportunities, their friendships and leisure. They also have to face unprecedented problems such as environmental threats. The European Union is helping them out in many different ways. Through Hélène Bedouet — Définition de la jeunesse (Extrait ; ensemble dessins et textes) 62 A Unique Platform for youth organisation 63
Working in European Youth Forum Working in European Secretariats words by Luc Rummens
When I graduated from university, I started working as free-lance interpreter Youth Forum Secretariats for ETUC and ETUC-YOUTH. The latter structure was a member of the Provisional Committee that was preparing the establishment of the Youth Forum of the European Communities. My contact person in ETUC advised me to follow the developments of this emerging structure, as they would probably need interpreters for their meetings. I dropped into the office at 66 Avenue de Cortenbergh and left my name and telephone number in case they needed translations or interpretation services. And on the eve of the first General Assembly of the Youth Forum of the European Communities in Brussels in 1979, they called me to see if I could help with translation (interpretation was not needed as the European Commission had offered to put its interpreters at their disposal during the meeting) as the workload had slightly ran out of control. This is how I got into contact with the Youth Forum. From then on, I was one of their two regular interpreters for all statutory and thematic meetings. As it was the habit to translate documents overnight during the meetings, I quickly started to feel a sense of solidarity with the two staff members who had to do this in addition to all their other tasks ; very quickly, they offered me a job as part-time translator. The first years were quite hectic ; there were two political staff, two and a half administrative staff members and no board. The two political staffs, a Secretary-General and a Deputy Secretary-General, each represented one of the two pillars, international non-governmental youth organisations and national youth councils. As they usually both ran for the same position of Secretary-General, the winner of the elections would become Secretary- General and the defeated candidate became the Deputy. This most certainly led to significant tension in the office, a tension between INGYOs and NYCs that was also present in statutory meetings from the organisation’s creation in 1978 until, I would say, the late 1980s. This was mainly due to the fact that the Youth Forum of the EC was, in fact, a get-together of organisations that already had coordinating bodies (ECB for the international organisations and CENYC for the national youth councils) and that many organisations inside these two structures saw the Youth Forum as an intruder, which would get money from budget lines from which they would get their own funds. Several organisations did not see the added value that the Youth Forum would bring. But I will concentrate on what it was working in the Secretariat of the Youth Forum of the EC in 1981 and in the Secretariat of the European Youth Forum in 2011. The work and life at the Secretariat were completely different from what they are now. With four or five people and no Board, one can imagine that it was these people doing all the work and that there was more overlapping between the political and technical work. In terms of content, we worked on far less issues that we do now. There were three Permanent Commissions : - Permanent Commission 1 dealing with development cooperation ; - Permanent Commission 2 dealing with social affairs ; - Permanent Commission 3 dealing with education and culture. 64 A Unique Platform for youth organisation A Unique Platform for youth organisation 65
Each Commission met three times a year. The Executive Committee, Halfway through the nineties, the three platforms CENYC, ECB an the Luc Rummens graduated as now the Council of Members, met twice a year, and the General Assembly met Youth Forum started to realise that a lot of energy got lost in fighting against interpreter from a Brussels- every year. Although there were less member organisations than now, it is each other, and maybe the institutions also gave a sign that funding, though in based high school for interesting to note that at the General Assembly, each national youth council different ways, three platforms would not be sustainable for much longer. There translators and interpreters. was represented by six delegates and each international organisation by three was also of course the fall of the Berlin wall and the opening to what used to He worked for three years delegates. be called Eastern Europe. The national youth councils of Eastern Europe were as a freelance teacher and The Executive Committee was composed of the nine national youth knocking on our door and integrating them in the Youth Forum of the EC was a interpreter before joining councils representing the nine countries of the European Community and bit difficult. In 1996 in Cork, the European Youth Forum was established, and the Youth Forum of the EU nine international organisations elected by the General Assembly among all ECB and CENYC disappeared. as a part-time translator in international organisations in order to guarantee the balance between NYCs This was probably the most significant political move since 1978. 1981. In 1983, he became and INGYOs. We now have a system of weighing the votes. Although the first years were a bit hectic, responding to the prediction of full-time employee of the As I said before, the CENYC/ECB tensions, contradictions, and someone who was standing next to me at the moment of the vote establishing Youth Forum and now differences in approach and philosophy very much dominated the whole work the European Youth Forum : ‘Welcome to Jurassic Park’. However, the positive works as coordinator of and the meetings. It was quite normal practice that a statutory meeting was was that there was only one dinosaur left, which reduced the risk that they the Administration and interrupted several times to have separate CENYC and ECB consultations, would kill each other. Translation department. thereby very much preventing any sense of ownership of the Youth Forum by On the Secretariat side, the merge of the platforms also led to the its member organisations. The climax was an Executive Committee in 1985, integration of three new staff members, two from CENYC and one from ECB) which actually never started as there was a strong disagreement over the in the new platform. For them, it must have been quite a change coming from adoption of the agenda. an organisation working with two or three staff members to an organisation About this period, I can say that the meetings were very political, very working with 15 is quite different. tense and that there were many different division lines : north-south, left-right, I must say that after all this, the Youth Forum has found real stability, pro-EU and anti-EU, NYC v. INGYOs. All this sometimes turned the meetings both internal and external ; the relations with the institutions and the credibility into sessions that were quite tense, with many interruptions to find ‘corridor have improved considerably. The work inside the Secretariat has become much compromises’. They were a bit like the COMSOMOL meetings (the youth division more professional, and the staff has increased to 22 staff members. of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union) where the actual meeting time However, the main change that I noticed in the content of the meetings in plenary was shorter than the corridor sessions and where the habit was to is that, whereas in the late 1970s and early 1980s there was a very strong work through the night. political debate on issues such as the Lomé Convention, the apartheid regime Let us say that the period between the creation of the Youth Forum of in South Africa, the unemployment situation in Europe, the poverty issue, the the EC in 1978 and 1983 was a difficult one, as the Youth Forum had to find its sovereignty issue, education programmes, the accent is now much more on EU place next to CENYC and ECB, had to gain the confidence of the EC institutions programmes and budget lines on European presidencies and international fora and had to get recognised and respected both by youth organisations and the and institutions. I would say that the Youth Forum changed from and opposition institutions as the voice of young people in the EC. and counterforce (a sort of youth trade union), to a discussion partner for After three Secretary-Generals coming from the National Youth institutions. Councils’ ‘family’, 1987 marked a turning point with the election of a Secretary- It is clear that this change also led to a more stable situation for the General with a clear INGYO ‘hat’. But 1985 had also been the year where the Secretariat ; we feel more trusted by the Commission. The period of uncertain Youth Forum decided to work with a political Bureau (now Board). This again budgetary situations, payment in provisional twelve’s and late payments by the was a development that required some time and adjustments in order to work European Commission were also resolved. smoothly. As a conclusion, I would say that the Youth Forum of the EC had a The stories we heard about the CENYC and ECB meetings were that difficult start and that at some point there were quite a number of people who everything was collegial, smooth and friendly there. It was quite frustrating to were prepared to throw out the baby with the bathwater. But there were always work for an organisation where, when these two groups of organisations came enough people who realised the advantages of keeping the structure alive, by together under the umbrella of the Youth Forum, everything became more introducing some changes both in the structures and in the content. difficult. There was a lot of mistrust, suspicion and antagonism. But at the same It is now a pleasure working for the Youth Forum, even after so many time, it was also quite challenging. years. The high rotation of delegates and political staff is probably the reason Until 1993, the system of a Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary- why I always managed not to get bored and to pick up new challenges. I consider General was maintained. Although this system had some disadvantages, it was it an honour and a privilege to work for this organisation, which, in many ways, also a guarantee that in the daily work, there was a political balance and a sort is more professional than most adult structures and private companies. The of shadow leadershi p. frustrating part might be that some ideas or projects come up, which I know that The early nineties also saw the creation of the Student Forum inside we already had and tried before and did not work. But, that is part of the game. the Youth Forum. This development very much happened following the more Finally I would like to say that I have worked with some fantastic active role of student organisations in the Youth Forum and the fact that two people in the Youth Forum, some of whom are still friends. I also hope that I have successive Secretary-Generals came from student organisations. contributed, even if just a little, to raising the standards of this organisation. 66 67
Norma Cohen Magdalena Kurz Anna Ranki Mary Creagh Louis Leblique Tuula Ratia Mark Davies Anne Lemaire Philippe Renard DeniseDe Beaufort John Lisney Valérie Rive Mark De Meyer Anthony Lockett Kathy Robertson Anne Debrabandere Ante Martic Roberto Rodriguez Jo Deman Alix Masson Ewoud Roes List of the staff Anne Deneyer Linda Mc Avan Donatella Rostagno Finn Denstad Roisin McCabe Véronique Rousseau of the European Youth Forum Jan Dereymaeker Ad Melkert Julie Rowan StefaniaDi Paola Antoine Mertzeisen Luc Rummens 1996 − 2011 (as at 27/06/11) Pedro Dias Christian Meseth Wojtek Rustecki Richard Doherty Henri Monceau Patricia Sanchez Aymeric Dupont Delphine Moralis Anna Sellberg Barbara Engelstoft Caroll-Ann Morris Christopher Sharp Erik Eudeline Silke Mueter Thomas Spragg Gisèle Evrard Marie-Aimée Musanase Patricia Spreutel Charles Faid Linda Musch Kim Svendsen Laura Alcovero Ana Felgueiras Elizabeth Niland Julie Teng Ines Alves Noreen Fitzpatrick Daniel Nuijten Gabriele Trapani Luis Amorim Tobias Flessenkemper Lauren O’Connor Johnna Tzanidaki Estefania Asorey-Souto Rafael Font Helen O’Sullivan Sara Ulfhielm Marisa Atienza Vania Freitas Pia Olsson Cesar Valor Laura Bacci Letizia Gambini Katy Orr Emmanui lVergis Jan Bal Anton Gazenbeek Santa Ozolina Gilbert Veron Luiza Bara Martin Georgi Vera Pasynkova David Wahli Tatiana Basarab Marta Gomez Mark Perera Bénédicte Walter Dagmar Beernaert Maider Goni Marco Perolini Nicole Wauters Benoi tBenich Stephen Grogan Bengt Persson Paulette Weiss5 John Blaschette Suzanne Hanna Agata Petcov Patrick White Thérèse Boutsen Anja Hartwig Jessica Petter Christopher Williams Anne Brébart James Higgins Hrönn Pétursdottir Marc Xhrouet Nicole Burlet-Parendel Pacal Hildebert Ioannis Piliouris Irene Zeilinger Adelheid Byttebier Ludvig Hübendick Diogo Pinto Jorge Camara Marianne Huusko Ruxandra Poppa Pablo Camesele Fidelma Joyce Giuseppe Porcaro Brian Carty Emel Kaba Mateja Prosek Klavdija Cernilogar Anna Keep Drazen Puljic Maxime Cerutti Gillian Kelly Kelig Puyet Mathias Christensen Henriette Korthalz Elisa Carlotta Quadri Maarten Coertjens Emilie Bruyere — Gobelet stagiaire 70 A Unique Platform for youth organisation 71
Engagement for Participation and Human Rights – Is there a role Engagement for youth organisations ? for Participation Words by Bettina Schwarzmayr
On 10th December 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with the first article opening with the famous lines, “All human beings are born free and and Human Rights equal in dignity and rights.” Yet, can we genuinely say that now – more than 60 years later – there is really respect for the inherent dignity and for the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family as a foundation for freedom, justice and peace ? On 11th September 2001, a series of coordinated suicide attacks on the World Trade Centre in the United States of America took place. Almost 3,000 people died because of this terrorist act. The United States responded to the attacks by declaring a War on Terror, launching the invasion of Afghanistan to depose the Taliban, who had supposedly harboured al-Qaeda terrorists. Many other nations also strengthened their anti-terrorism legislation and expanded law enforcement powers. Although the great majority of Muslim political and religious leaders condemned the attacks, numerous incidents of harassment and hate crimes were reported against Arabs or Muslims (or any individuals resembling media stereotypes of Arabs or Muslims). With the stated purpose of breaking up military cells around the world, law enforcers arrested many people and labelled them as suspected terrorists. In March 2003, a multinational coalition of forces, mainly American and British, invaded Iraq and has occupied the country since then. Millions of young people all over the world protested against this war. This was the state of the world in the spring of 2003 when the priorities for the upcoming three years for the Council of Europe’s youth sector were first discussed among the members of the European Youth Forum (YFJ) and the Advisory Council on Youth. This was the moment where the YFJ suggested organising a campaign for peace across the whole Council of Europe. The original proposal, then entitled “A Campaign to Promote a Culture of Peace”, was put forward by the YFJ as the optimum method to mobilise Europe’s youth beyond demonstrations against the war in Iraq. In its first concept note, the necessity of such a campaign was described as follows : “A Campaign is the only way to bring large-scale awareness in a dynamic manner, thus involving millions of young people around Europe. As said before, many projects have already been developed and realised to promote Peace in Europe, but nothing but a European Campaign starting at the local level can succeed in bringing millions of young Europeans under the same project to construct a European identity based on shared values.” Global responsibility of Europeans and international interdependence were at the core of the original initiative. Already in 2004, the idea of having a large-scale, pan-European campaign on peace was dropped as the working title. The first ad hoc working 72 A Unique Platform for youth organisation A Unique Platform for youth organisation 73
groups on the campaign at a Joint Council meeting in 2004 felt that the notion Although there has surely been social progress and better of “a culture of peace” might be considered too abstract. The title of the standards of living, many more countries live in self-determination and campaign finally adopted was “For Diversity, Human Rights and Participation”, democracy. The iron curtain fell, and civil rights increased all over the world. which, to be honest, was not much more figurative. But there it was born, The preamble of the Human Rights Declaration talks about freedom from the second “All different – All equal” campaign for “Diversity, Human Rights fear, and unfortunately we are still far from this. Fear is the true barrier and Participation”. The “All different – All equal” campaign pooled together between people and nations and, sadly, a fuel for racism and xenophobia, thousands of young people all over Europe campaigning for a better Europe. Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, sexism and homophobia. Even for the people However, it was surely only the beginning. who do succeed, questions of race, racism and sexism continue to define As for youth organisations, they must be conscious of the risk of their worldview in fundamental ways ; the memories of humiliation and reproducing structures of exclusion and serving as the hothouse for the elites doubt and fear have not gone away nor have the anger and the bitterness. of the future themselves. In seeking to demonstrate that youth organisations Those feelings and memories need to be treated equally seriously and with are the leaders of today, we must embody the diversity of our constituencies respect. Glass ceilings prevail almost everywhere power and money lies. recognising their heterogeneous needs and duly articulating them. For youth We need to break the cycle of those in power by merely reproducing their organisations, reaching out goes beyond quota systems, political correctness power. or ill-thought out idealism ; reaching out means providing excluded youth with Where underdevelopment, corruption or poverty reigns, human opportunities for participation and access to those opportunities. Although rights will never be realised. this might entail vulnerability, it also signifies a true acceptance of the agency The decisions taken by the majority are becoming less reflective of of young people to make decisions and act on their own behalf. young people’s views and expectations. Lowering the voting age to 16 could Youth has always been at the front line of social change, and through ensure a broader representation of young people in collective decisions this campaign youth organisations aimed to be the guardians, promoters and affecting them. Young people between 16 and 18 years old often have multipliers of the principles of diversity, human rights and participation. responsibilities as employees, taxpayers or parents ; lowering the voting age The emphasis was on the principle of universal and indivisible to 16 would restore the balance between their rights and responsibilities. A human rights, which must prevail in a real and genuine manner. Many public minimum representation of young people in elected positions should also authorities and institutions still fail to provide adequate answers to severe exist in order to lower this demographic ga p. Any political strategy for youth human rights violations and discrimination. We believe that we must hold cannot succeed without the engagement of young people themselves. An everyone accountable for their actions and their lack of action in promoting investment and empowerment strategy for young people is what we need to legal and social rights. overcome all these current social challenges. After all, youth prosperity is Furthermore, youth organisations continued to be steadfast everybody’s responsibility. advocates for the participation and inclusion of young people in all levels Through protests and struggle on the streets and in the courts, of decision-making. The mainstream media continually portrays an image civil disobedience or through innumerable campaigns, many courageous of young people as passive and apathetic. This is a simplistic view and not women and men have tried to narrow the gap between the promises of reflective of our true diversity, potential and passion ; yet, youth organisations these ideals and the reality of their times. need to be provided with the means and the space to use ideas and the energy Although young people are often seen as those most susceptible of young people constructively. There are also widespread stereotypes of to influence and of having their opinions and ideas swayed by trends, it is stuffy, bureaucratic and unreachable public authorities, and it is up to youth young people, in fact, who commit to democratic movements and cling to to challenge these views, to open up to civil society and to prove those clichés a long-held vision of peace and cooperation. Sustainable development must wrong. be the basis for all our political work. Many instruments are already in place ; there is a relatively high level Yet, inhuman treatment, modern slavery, social dumping, of political commitment, declarations, in the shape of nice words on patient discrimination in schools and at the work place, unfair trade conditions and paper, but to achieve sustainable improvement we have to work together and integration policies that permanently put pressure on the already oppressed at least on the following three different levels : and extend the notion that migrants are just not good enough are, despite everything, a dismal reality for many people. Although the list of problems 1.We have to work on a legal level – guaranteeing rights, prohibiting that need to be tackled continues to grow, the willingness and enthusiasm discrimination and assuring access to, for example, infrastructure, goods of young people and youth organisations to contribute to the global and services. partnership for development remains unbroken. Politicians too often resort to stereotypes or amplify the negative 2.We have to work on a cultural level – raising awareness of problems, to the point of distorting reality, falling short on providing solutions through changing hostile attitudes and being agents of this change. which all can progress in their lives. Politicians might exploit anger and fear to divide electorates along racial lines or social class to make up for their 3.We have to work on the level of individual support – enabling and own failings. Fading welfare policies might have, for many years, worsened empowering the marginalised and discriminated to make choice possible. the situation and widened the gap between those with access to resources and opportunities and those left excluded. 74 A Unique Platform for youth organisation A Unique Platform for youth organisation 75
Young people, who are more likely to have dubious work contracts, confident and daring but also capable of making positive choices to enable Bettina Schwarzmayr was be unemployed or be highly indebted due to student loans, face many fears, them to recognise and realise all these new options. The empowering role born in 1979 in Salzburg and though society expects them to settle down and contribute to the prosperity that youth organisations can play is also about enabling and showing young active in the school students of their countries. This pressure is enormous, and if our efforts do not pay off, people how they can engage in society, become active citizens and recognise organisation “AKS” from populist answers are often welcomed. “Foreigners” then serve as a simple the validity of their role in the community and for society. 1994 to 1998. From school target for all problems and fears, but the true front lines are not between As long as people are scared and feel the appearance of other students representation she ethnic lines. They remain between those with opportunities and resources cultural traditions in their immediate environment as a threat to their own moved on to higher educa- and those who do not have access to them. Ignoring and/or manipulating culture, youth organisations have the responsibility to build mutual trust and tion student representation. fears have far too often shaped the political landscape in history. Similarly, it respect. Youth organisations must be ready to support intercultural learning Among others she worked in does not help to dismiss legitimate discussions of injustice and inequality as where the understanding of “the other” is complimented by the understanding the international office of the mere political correctness ; intellectual dishonesty self-evidently also blocks of ones own culture, where the development of a common learning practice national Union of Students in the path to understanding. Youth organisations act as true learning spaces for and living strategy is wanted and stipulated. Intercultural learning must Austria (ÖH) member of the democracy. aim at the development of competences that enable people with different European School Students We need to make urgent investments in better health care, better cultural backgrounds to find solutions from the local to the global level when Union. Bettina was in the schools and better jobs, especially in times of financial crisis. We need to living with each other and that enable the preservation of ones own cultural bureau of the European enforce civil rights laws and ensure fairness in our criminal justice systems. experiences and rituals, as well as the further development of one’s own Youth Forum from 2005- Establishing lasting peace and combating poverty and unemployment demand cultural identity to find new strategies for living together. Interculturalism 2008, the last two years an emphasis on education, as well as economic and social cooperation. must denounce cultural separatism and fundamentalism, as well as any kind as President. In Vienna she It is unfortunately the case that many people seem to be stuck in of global monoculturalism. studies social and cultur- a lifetime of disadvantage ; the problems they face are multiple, entrenched There is something about Europe, this continent that is at once al Anthropology and is dis- and often passed down across generations. To break such enduring cycles grand, solemn and sentimental, that is moving. When recalling the idealism trict councillor since 2001 of adversity and lack of human rights, action is needed that will allow every and faith shown by the founders of the European project and their vision of a for Vienna’s district Penzing. person to realise their aspirations and potential. Such action implies the peaceful Europe, I know that today – more than 50 years after the treaties of Currently Bettina is working genuine extension of opportunities to the most marginalised in society in Rome were signed – this is not enough to justify the EU to young generations. for wienXtra, the equivalent order to enable them to exercise the power that the rest of society takes An appeal to sentiment is an unsatisfactory basis on which to solve the to a youth agency for the city for granted. For youth organisations, this means reaching out to oppressed practical, contemporary challenges Europe faces. of Vienna, and is responsible youth and making sure they are provided the space to speak for themselves, Europe today needs to reconnect its priorities and preoccupations for international youth work. as well as a space where they are listened to and heard. It is high time to with the challenges its people face and policy answers to these challenges provide this generation with ladders of opportunity that were unavailable to must be determined. Establishing lasting peace and combating poverty and previous generations. Such investments will eventually be to the benefit of our unemployment demand an emphasis on education and cooperation, and we entire societies, and it might help us to rise above the divisive, conflicting and must remain cognisant that these will not be easy tasks. Whatever solutions we cynical politics. Human rights will remain a dream to many if they cannot get a come up with will require consensus among groups with divergent interests. decent job and, therefore, a decent living. That means everybody has to contribute, and this is why, in the interest of In the past 60 years, the world has not only changed economically. all European youth, the work of each of us, individually and collectively, is so Globalisation has brought migration streams from further away than fundamental for the achievement of these goals. neighbouring regions, which is a particularly new phenomenon for countries Still, it needs to be repeated that many of us are not satisfied without a colonial history. This has challenged the openness of every society with the world as it is today. Wealth is atrociously unequally distributed ; and many individuals. Clothing styles that were only known through books discrimination, violence and hostility are an all-too-common phenomena. We or TV documentaries now appear in local neighbourhoods ; religions that are all hindered in our development because of outdated and rigid role models we only read about and exotic food that seems alienating are all becoming that we should follow but that no one will ever be able to live up to. Young more prevalent in our everyday lives. These influences are also affecting our people are committed, engaged and motivated to address these difficult but patterns of consumption, our behaviour and our experiences. life-changing issues. These social developments show the fluidity of culture as a set of We all have different stories but share common hopes – a better values and norms. They also point to the multiplicity of our own identities. future for us and our families, living a life in dignity and without fears. Let’s As youth organisations, we can help young people to navigate these often- work together to get there. conflicting traditions and values. We need to enable young people to find a way between feeling comfortable with their initial cultural roots and these new influences, no matter if they are introduced to us by moving to another country or by new people joining the neighbourhood. Often, widening cultural influences are seen as a threat to tradition and customs. But inclusive and open youth organisations can offer a perspective of opportunity. Young people have to be empowered to be 76 A Unique Platform for youth organisation A Unique Platform for youth organisation 77
Opening address by the Vice-President of the European Youth Forum, Bettina Schwarzmayr at the official launching ceremony of the “All Different, All Equal” Campaign (12h30, Thursday 29 June 2006)
Ladies and Gentlemen, The idea of having a campaign was developed when working on the future work priorities of the youth sector of the Council of Europe. It was the suggestion of youth organisations as a contribution to furthering the priority of intercultural dialogue. So standing here today, at the official launch ceremony, is a great testament to that original idea. Yet it is crucial to remain conscious that this is just a starting point to realising the vision and ambitions at the centre of the European campaign. ‘All different - all equal’. Youth has always been at the front line of social change, and through this campaign, we are aiming to be the guardians, promoters and multipliers of the principles of Diversity, Human Rights and Participation. We have many ideas on how to work with our peers to ensure true intercultural dialogue and social inclusion for all. Several projects have already taken place and many more are planned all over Europe. We want to reach out to more young people and also to those who remain unconvinced that the core values of the Council of Europe are still valid, relevant and should serve as the basis for contemporary societies. We wish to emphasise that the principle of universal and indivisible human rights must prevail in a real and genuine manner. Many public authorities and institutions still fail to provide adequate answers to severe human rights violations and discrimination. We believe that we must hold everyone accountable for their actions and their lack of action in promoting legal and social rights. Furthermore, we continue to be steadfast advocates for the participation and inclusion of young people in all levels of decision-making. The mainstream media continually portrays an image of young people as passive and apathetic. This is a simplistic view, and not reflective of our true diversity, potential and passion ; yet we need to be provided with the means and the space to use our ideas and our energy constructively. There are also widespread stereotypes of stuffy, bureaucratic, and unreachable public authorities, and it is up to you to challenge these views, to open up to civil society and prove those cliches wrong. To transform all the ideas on which the Campaign is founded into action we need to work together. Moreover, any actions undertaken will not have impact or be sustainable if they are one-offs ; so they need to be done jointly between public authorities and youth organisations. Changing hostile and humiliating attitudes will be a lengthy process and there is still a need to provide more support ; both politically and in terms of adequate resources. Fears are the real frontiers in Europe ; today’s borders 78 A Unique Platform for youth organisation A Unique Platform for youth organisation 79
are in our heads. I do not want to be afraid of who I am and I am sure that you Racism and its impact on young all agree that no one should be. The reality though, is that in many places and people – call for a renewed situations I do have to be afraid of who I am, afraid of being open about my faith or who I am in love with. I want to dare to be who I am, otherwise I will youth commitment not be able to live up to my aspirations. This Campaign has then, also to address difficult and often In European Youth Forum controversial issues : this is the only way to assure real impact. Europe needs Report 2008 a daring campaign to fight the fears of its own citizens, and it is us - together - who have to realize it. Our differences can be our strength if we build this Foreword by Thomas Hammarberg, Campaign on shared values. We young people are committed, engaged and motivated to Council of Europe Commissioner address these difficult but life changing issues and we’ll also have some for Human Rights fun running this campaign : a Campaign that matters and that can make a difference. We have to be the change that we want to see. Racism, xenophobia and discrimination continue to be serious problems in all parts of Europe today. They are often manifested through the discriminatory treatment of minorities and migrants in education, employment, housing and access to health care. Racism may also be compounded by multiple forms of discrimination when members of ethnic and religious minorities become victims of discrimination on additional grounds such as their gender, disability, age or sexual orientation. While patterns of discrimination and intolerance continue, there are also reports about violent hate crimes against minorities. Such incidents include crimes related to racism, anti-Semitism, anti-Gypsism, Islamophobia and homophobia. Black Africans have been stabbed or beaten to death ; Roma groups targeted in mob violence ; Jews physically attacked ; synagogues and cemeteries vandalised ; Muslims have been assaulted, and their mosques and Islamic schools damaged ; gay and lesbian demonstrators and persons with disabilities have also been targets of hate crimes and violent attacks. Physical attacks on individuals from minority groups are often perpetrated in communities where extremists have spread hate propaganda. I have personally seen examples of how minor incidents under such conditions can ignite mob tendencies against, for instance, Roma communities. The long-term result is continued discrimination, inter-communal tensions and segregation. These are situations in which politicians and other opinion leaders as well as the society at large must stand up and defend democratic values and human rights for everyone. Youth organisations can make a real difference. A vibrant civil society could provide a “vaccination” against racism. The European Youth Forum has taken up the challenge and this report serves a multiple purpose. Not only it documents manifestations of racism affecting young people but it sets out an agenda for youth organisations to fight racism. Through awareness raising and inclusiveness in their activities, youth organisations strive towards a democratic way of life without discrimination and violence. They can also empower young people from minority communities by informing them of their rights and offering them a platform for participation. Peer support to young victims of violence is yet another way to act against racism. I hope that this report reaches all the young people who need it and that its message is widely heard and responded to. National governments and international organisations bear a particular responsibility for creating an enabling environment for youth organisations to act. Alternatives to extremism must be supported. 80 81 A European (Youth) History
The Grand Anti-Fascist Alliance, 1941 to 1945 Geopolitics of youth policy in post-war Western Europe (1945-1967) European Youth Policy from the 60s to the 90s Youth organisations and the European Communities Building blocks for a European Youth Policy Architecture No Rights, No Way ! 82 A European (Youth) History 83
The Grand Anti-Fascist Alliance, 1 This article is an extract from Kotek J. (1996), Students 1 and the Cold War, London, The Grand Anti-Fascist 1941 to 1945 Macmillan Press, p p. 44-61. 2 Zeman Z. A. B. (1989), words by Joël Kotek Pursued by a Bear : the Making of Eastern Europe, London, The Great Patriotic War Chatto & Windus, p. 175. Alliance, 1941 to 1945 Ibid., p. 189. By launching his troops against the USSR, Hitler pushed Stalin into the same camp as England. By declaring ‘war on the United State six months later, he managed to create the coalition which would at last get the better of him. The defence of the USSR was of course the supreme objective of the Comintern, so once more the machinery was thrown into a 180° ideological reversal. So far the war had been described as ‘imperialist’ and ‘unjust’ : now it was ‘anti-fascist’ and ‘just’. The new order of the day was to form popular fronts, side by side with those who had up to that point been denounced as the agents of British imperialism. The communists of France were summoned to collaborate with de Gaulle, those of Yugoslavia with Mihailovic, those of Czechoslovakia with Beneš - and those of the youth movements with non-communist youth, in the common struggle against the Hitlerites. All people of good will were mobilised for the defence of the USSR. When on 3 July 1941 Stalin addressed his people, he called them ‘brothers and sisters’, no longer, as before, ‘comrades’. The churches were reopened and the Orthodox Holy Synod was restored. Marxism seemed firmly buried. In September 1941 a meeting of all the allied governments in London subscribed to the principles of the Atlantic Charter. Ambassador Maisky spoke in the name of the Soviet government : the USSR supported the fundamental principles of the Charter ; and he added that his government defended the right of every nation ‘to independence and territorial integrity’.2 A few weeks after the invasion of Russia, in the summer of 1941, the first Pan-Slav Congress met. In the presence of eminent ‘Slav’ intellectuals, the ‘Russian’ author Alexander Fadeyev read out an Appeal to the Slav Nations. In October 1941 a Pan-Slav Committee was set up in Moscow, which would help to organise Pan-Slav organisations in the United States (at Detroit, on 25-26 April 1942) and elsewhere.3 Also, in October 1941 Lavrenti Beria had two Polish Bundists, Henri Erlich and Victor Halter, released from the Gulags and asked them to set up a World Jewish Committee to mobilise all Jews, especially those of America, against Hitler. Erlich and Halter would be executed in the night of 3 to 4 December 1941 ; but that would not prevent Stalin from creating, in the following April, a Jewish Anti-Fascist Committee under the presidency of the comedian Salomon Michoels. The USSR needed all available help ; and of course the youth organisations were also immediately mobilised.
Youth and the reversal of June 1941
For young communists, Operation Barbarossa was a blessing in disguise. Though they had been too disciplined to show it, they had found the Hitler- Stalin Pact hard to swallow ; but now they and the various front organisations they controlled could revert to their pre-Pact anti-fascist speeches and 84 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 85
4 Lash J. p. (1964), Eleanor slogans as if these had never been abandoned. In Philadelphia in the first week of July the annual conference of 11 University Forward, vol. 7, Roosevelt : A Friend’s Memoir, no. 2, December 1941, p. 18. New York, Doubleday, p. 790. In the United States ; as soon as the invasion of Russia was known, the great American Youth Council went on record as supporting the fullest The Canadian Youth Congress the American Youth Congress (AYC) contacted Mrs Roosevelt and invited her cooperation between America, Great Britain, China and the Soviet Union for 12 University Forward, vol. 8, likewise straightaway sent no. 3, February 1943, p. 3. a message of anti-fascist to support its campaign to help the USSR : the defeat of Nazi Germany… President Roosevelt thinks the Youth Congress solidarity to British youth, worth addressing ; Mrs Roosevelt has given it her time and - as a rule - her Challenge, 16 August 1941. 11 13 This expression was used They even sent me a telegram saying, ‘Now we can work together again.’ warmest sympathy. by William Rust in The Road to Victory, ibid., p. 7. This 5 During the annual congress The war was suddenly no longer an imperialistic war, and the pickets were In fact, the Roosevelts had wanted nothing more to do with the AYC William Rust is the future of the AYC in 1940 a resolution 4 called off at the White House. after the manipulating episode back in 1940. University Forward also altered editor of The Daily Worker, was carried there condemning and is not to be confused with American rearmament. A genuine its anti-colonialist rhetoric. In February 1943 we read that only the clearest the President of the NUS. antifascist motion gathered a mere 10 votes against 533. But the First Lady declined to work with them after the support anti-fascist lead can show the Indian people that the way to independence lies 12 After that Eleanor Roosevelt given to them back in 1939 and then manipulated in 1940 to endorse anti-war not with the disruptors, the hooligans, the provocateurs. 14 Youth News, August 1941, p. 5 broke off all official contact 5 13 with the AYC : whatever their positions of AYC . The frustrated AYC militants protested that she was being It demanded that the authorities should ‘scotch the Fifth Column’ reasons, she wrote to their ‘badly misinformed’ about them.6 In September 1941 the AYC asked to be which prevented the total mobilisation of Britain and thereby prevented the 15 ‘A Report on the Development leaders, the resolutions of and Activities of the WFDY’, the congress appeared to her received by the President so that it could submit to him ‘several ideas on how opening of a Second Front. Times had certainly changed. FO 924/674, p. 1 to be too close to the theses to combat the “appeasement” forces at work in the United States which were The National Union of students of England, Wales, and Northern developed by the communists. 7 16 National Archives of America holding back the strong anti-Hitler sentiment of our generation’. On his wife’s Ireland (NUS) also dropped its anti-military rhetoric of the two preceding (NARA), 800 4089/12-547, 6 Ibid. p. 770. advice, Roosevelt declined their advances. years. The theme of its congress in Birmingham in 1942 was Students Against 5 December 1947. In Britain the communists instantly forgot their vitriolic attacks Fascism. The Czech Jew Eduard Goldstücker, who presided over one of the 7 Ibid. against Lord Halifax, who had previously been denounced for having called workshops, was at last free to denounce Fascism. From June 1941 onwards,
8 British youth had of course on British youth to mobilise against German youth. As Challenge wrote in its then, the communists showed themselves the most resolute opponents of been mobilised by the issue of 16 August 1941, Britain could count on her young people in the fight Nazism. Indefatigable as organisers, it took them only three months to create government since September 8 1939; but Challenge now against fascism. There were no more campaigns against the Hitlerisation to new front organisations to attract the elite of British youth. issued its own call under the which British youth had been said to be subjected. Now Challenge criticised heading ‘Another Nail in Hitler’s Coffin : British Youth Turn on the the public authorities for the feeble results of their mobilisation efforts. All First stage : August 1941 - the creation in London Heat’. The opening paragraph that would change, ‘now that the young people had decided to organise boasted that, in addition to the of the Anglo-Soviet Youth Alliance already impressive panoply of themselves’ - meaning now that the communists had decided to take matters sailors, soldiers and airmen there must ‘now’ be added the in hand. On 31 July 1941 Betty Shields-Collins’ headed a delegation ‘representative youth of the country which, It was all as if the young communists had never given up the of the leaders of British youth’ which deposited at the Soviet Embassy a numerically at least, could be considered as Britain’s principle struggle against Nazism ; and when Challenge expressed solidarity with the message of solidarity with their Soviet Colleagues : weapon. Without mentioning ‘enthusiastic proposal’ of the Canadian Youth Congress that a Third World We welcome the youth of the Soviet Union as our brothers-in-arms. the true reason for this call – the enormous danger in which Youth Congress be organised, there was no hint that the original summons for We greet the peoples of your country now suffering with us the horrors of war. the Soviet Union now found such a congress dated back to a period when the communists had planned to Your magnificent resistance to the invading Nazis has inspired all freedom- itself – the various articles in that 14 issue led one to understand that use it to denounce an imperialist war. loving people. henceforth everything would be done to mobilise British youth. Youth News, of course, took the same line as Challenge. This This delegation really was a representative one, since by the side periodical, which had started life as the organ of the now defunct British Youth of the crypto-communists like Shields-Collins there was a whole clutch of 9 Youth News, November/ Peace Assembly, carried an editorial in its issue of November/December personalities across the political spectrum : the socialist Lena Shivers (NUS), December 1941, p. 2. 1941 which reads strangely when one remembers its previous campaigns the young Tory Estelle Login, the future minister Hector McNeil (Labour), the
10 Kit Meredith in Students against the Hitlerisation of British youth : Liberal Mark Bonham-Carter, etc. Abroad, vol. 6, no. 5, p. 16. At last the government have realised that youth has an important Following on from this visit to the Embassy, the Anglo-Soviet Youth task to play in the war effort. Everyone between 16 and 18 is to be registered Friendship Alliance was formed. When he had been ambassador in Moscow, and given a chance to train for national service.9 Sir Stafford Cripps had become friendly with Maurice Hookham ; and it was Its new masthead replaced the two young footballers with two on Cripps’ advice that Maurice’s wife Kutty Hookham, a young NUS activist, young women and three young men in uniform or in workmen’s clothes ; the was made (General) Secretary of the new body.15 Without being aware of it, message was the need for general mobilisation, in the factories as well as in Cripps had introduced the wolf into the sheepfold. Like so many others, Kutty the barracks. Hookham was a Party ‘submarine’. Her Party membership has been confirmed University Forward, the organ of the University Labour Federation, in numerous interviews with the author, and also by a document of the Cold which had been expelled from the Labour Party in 1940, followed the same War period, drawn up by the US State Department : line. In the month before the invasion of Russia, it had attacked the imperialist Kutty Hookham, whose full name is Hilda Henriette Hookham, née war and praised the American students’ fight for pacifism.10 Now, just as Kuttner, is a British subject who was born in Hampstead on 22 May 1915. She emphatically, it espoused totally opposite ideas. It sent a special envoy to the is a member of the Communist Party, as is her husband Maurice Hookham, youth of America : Arnold Kettle, an official of the NUS and the future (second) with whom she visited the USSR in 1936. She became organiser for the husband of Margot Gale (Carritt). He reported back : National Union of Students in 1937.16 86 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 87
17 ‘Youth Against Hitler. The terrible times through which Britain was passing naturally we worked at the Czech Embassy in 18, Grosvenor Place. I knew Beneš and 25 Her friends had no doubt Appeal and Report of the that at that time she was a Youth Conference held in created what would under other circumstances have been unnatural alliances Masaryk very well. Masaryk was particularly wonderful, a real charmer. You Party member, and she for Moscow, 28 September, 1941’, and solidarities ; but the initiatives came heavily from the Soviet side. The know, I was very young, only just twenty, and he liked to call me ‘his blue-eyed her part has not denied it. published by the Anglo-Russian 24 Parliamentary Committee, USSR sought to enrol world youth by setting up new ad hoc bodies. The first secretary’. I worked there every day. 26 The complete list of the Buckingham House, London. step was the creation in the autumn of a new youth organisation which would Whether Phyllis Williams was a Party member or not is a mere Committee members is on be more attractive than the Komsomol. So on 28 September 1941, in the detail.25 What matters is that at this period she behaved exactly like a the cover of the souvenir 18 Spelt thus in the official brochure, International Youth brochure. Challenge of 4 famous Hall of Pillars of the Soviet Trade Union House in Moscow, there was communist. She had believed that the Moscow trials had revealed the truth Rally, 11.IX.41, Grosvenor October calls him Hans Muller. an ‘International Meeting of Anti-Fascist Youth’.17 The heroic combat of Soviet and she had accepted the necessity of the German-Russian Pact. But the Place, London, 24 p p. India had only one representative, youth, which ‘was taking the brunt of the blows of the Fascist troops’, was fact that at that time she behaved like a communist did not mean that she the young communist 19 Ibid., p p. 9-10. p. N. Hansar, a regular extolled to an audience of 1500 people by prestigious young anti-fascists was a fanatical Stalinist or a cynical agent of the Comintern. Far from it : she contributor to Youth News. 20 Challenge, 4 October such as the Russians Nikolai Mikhailov and Eugene Fedorov, the Spaniard was a sincere idealist who did not hesitate to sacrifice time and money for 1941. p. 10. 18 Ruben Ruiz Ibarruri (son of La Passionaria), and the German Hans Mahler. causes she believed to be just. In the author’s view, she and her husband were 27 Note the tone of Maisky’s message : ‘it is obvious that at 21 Interview, and Youth Their message, Appeal to the Youth of the World, would be reproduced in all rather ‘fellow-travellers’. As in the case of her friends and colleagues - Marian this precise moment the most News, October 1941. the crypto-communist periodicals. One passage reminded young Americans Wilbraham, Margot Gale/Kettle, Joan Peel and Elizabeth Shield-Collins - it important sector, the most decisive battle in our common that ‘the struggle against Hitlerism is the struggle also for the freedom and was the Spanish Civil War and the growth of Fascism which had driven her cause, lies in my country. Here 22 Interview with the author. independence of the peoples of America’ and that ‘Peace for the young people to become an activist for several organisations to which she wholeheartedly our gallant Red Army, supported by the entire people, men, 19 23 See the article by Lubo of America will not be guaranteed as long as Hitlerism exists.’ devoted herself. She worked with the Spanish Aid Committee, and took women, and even children... Havel in Pejskar J. (ed.) (1982), A vast unitary anti-fascist movement was born. To place it on into her own home young Czech refugees and young Britons who had been risks everything, sacrifices Posledni Pocta, pamatnik na its soldiers, and defends not Zemwelé Cseskoslovenko a sound basis the Soviets created a new organisation, the Youth Anti- tortured in Spain. Politically she retained sufficient independence of mind to only its motherland but also Exultanty Vletech, 1948-1981, Fascist Committee, and, in May 1943, they dissolved the Young Communist find herself gradually replaced ‘in the various crypto-communist structures by the freedom of independence Switzerland, Konfrotace, of other countries... That is p p. 144-5. This work is International (KIM). The new body looked more broadly based than the KIM Kutty Hookham. why at this moment there can a biographical dictionary be no task more urgent or in Czech of the Czech had been. After 1941 the Komsomol was rarely mentioned ; but the Anti- The Preparatory Committee, once again representative of various more important than to see 26 victims of communism. Fascist Committee was of course, like its predecessor, the foreign section ideological and national groups, was bound to be widely , attractive. Among the slogan “All Help for the USSR” inscribed everywhere of the Komsomol and was totally subordinate to it. Almost all visiting Soviet the patrons of the Albert Hall Rally were the Archbishop of York, Victor and translated into reality” 24 Interview with the (International Youth Rally, p. 23). author in London. delegations abroad now declared themselves to represent the Anti-Fascist Cazalet MP, Dame Katherine Furse and Dr Julilian Huxley, who would become
Committee rather than the Komsomol ; and all references to Marxism were the first General Secretary of UNESCO. Personal messages were received 28 Betty Shield-Collins, once again proscribed. from : King George VI and Sir Winston Churchill ; the Belgian Colonial Minister, ‘International Youth Council’, Youth News, De Vleeschauwer ; the Foreign Minister of China, Dr Kuo Tai Chee, and his November / December 1941, Second stage : 1 October 1941 ambassador in London, Wellington Koo ; the President of the Czech Republic, p. 15. See also the souvenir brochure, International - creation of the International Youth Council (IYC) Dr Beneš, and his foreign minister, Dr Ripka ; Maurice Dejean, the Free French Youth Rally, 11 October Foreign Minister, and Professor René Cassin, the Free French Justice and 1941, Grosvenor Place, London S.W, 27pp. The message was received loud and clear by the British communists. Less Education Minister ; Emmanuel Tsouderos, the Greek Prime Minister ; R. A. than a fortnight after the Moscow meeting, Challenge announced a great Butler, British Education Secretary ; the President of the Polish Republic, International Youth Rally for Victory, to take place at the Albert Hall on 11 Wladyslaw Raczkiewicz, and his Prime Minister, General Sikorski ; King Peter October. There ‘British and Allied Youth will answer the call of Soviet Youth in of Yugoslavia ; and finally, the Soviet ambassador in London, Mr Maisky.27 London.’20 There followed messages of support from a host of Allied youth Betty Shields-Collins was once again entrusted with the task of organisations. The Rally began with the reading out of all these official setting up the Preparatory Committee.21 The former General Secretary of the messages, which was then followed by a speech from Ernest Bevin, Minister World Youth Congress was the ideal person for this new undertaking. ‘She was of Labour. Then, interspersed with folk dance displays (from Czechoslovakia an extraordinary young woman,’ Eduard Goldstücker remembers, ‘very active and Poland) and songs (from Chinese partisans, Polish soldiers, Belgian and and persuasive… and she applied all the tactical and strategic tactics of the French sailors, etc.), there was a parade in which anti-fascist representatives Centre.’22 She ably fulfilled her task. She used the worldwide network woven filed past in military uniform, national costumes, or working clothes (factory in the 1930s, and within a few weeks she had involved particularly well-known workers, nurses, etc.) people with the Preparatory Committee : Sir Stafford and Lady Cripps and The climax of the Rally came when the thousands of delegates rose Mark Bonham-Carter from Britain ; and from Czechoslovakia Eduard Beneš, to pledge themselves to the ‘Declaration of Purpose’ : Jan Masaryk and Vaclav Palaček, a former official of the International Student We swear that… we will never rest until the world has been freed Confederation who was now in exile in London.23 from the plague of Nazism and Fascism.28 Phyllis Williams, one of Shields-Collins’ assistants, recalls : She The communists had gained their objective. After the Anglo-Soviet contacted Lady Violet Bonham Carter, a very well-known Liberal figure, and Youth Friendship Alliance, they were in a position, less than three months after Sir Stafford Cripps. She also contacted the Czech government in exile, whose the invasion of the USSR, to create their second front organisation. support was essential for our work. Beneš not only financed us but put his According to plan, then, the Preparatory Committee dissolved itself embassy at our disposal ; and until we moved to the International Centre, at the end of the Rally, to be reborn under the name of the International Youth 88 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 89
29 Shield-Collins, ‘International Council in Great Britain (IYC), a body ostensibly representative of the twenty beginning : all round the world, students rendered ‘homage to the Czech 37 ‘International Council of Youth Council’, o p. cit. 29 Students in Great Britain : allied nations present in Britain. comrades who had been sacrificed by the blood-stained Nazi hordes’. A Report of its Work from its Inauguration to its Close’, 30 Interview with the author Phyllis Williams recalls, ‘The London Conference created the In December 1941 the NUS took the initiative in organising an International Youth Council in Britain. It goes without saying that we had been International Council of Students in Great Britain (lCS),37 on the model of the (London, 1945), p. 2. 31 Douglas Cooke (ed.) well organised before its formal creation and even before we were installed International Youth Conference (IYC). The NUS lent its premises and technical 38 Rust W. (1943), ‘The Road to (1944), Youth Organizations Victory’, in University Forwards, of Great Britain, 1944-45, in the Czech Embassy in Grosvenor Place. The Albert Hall meeting did not assistance to the ICS throughout the war (the Secretariat of the ICS was vol. 8, no. 3, February, p. 15. London, Jordan & Sons, p. 288. appear out of thin air.’30 generously taken on by Margot Gale/Kettle). The following points figured in the The text relating to the IYC was supplied by the IYC itself. On the Council were to be represented ‘five representatives from ICS programme : contact between England and the student groups of China, 39 International Council of the youth organisations set up in Britain of each of the United Nations and five the USSR, the USA and occupied countries ; help to British students and to Students in Great Britain, p. 2. 32 One major organisation from each of the democratic youth groups supporting the Allied cause, such allied refugees in Britain ; cooperation with the International Youth Council refused to join it : this was the 31 Standing Conference of National as the Free German Youth’. and the World Youth Council ; and discussion of student problems that would Voluntary Youth Organisations or SCNVYO. The SCNVYO would Clearly the IYC was nothing other than the old British Youth Peace arise after the war. But the absolute priority of all front organisations was not take part in a body it knew Assembly, whose periodical, Youth News, it took over. It also assumed to urge the Allies to open a Second Front as soon as ever possible. Margot to be under communist control. the BYPA’s responsibilities for looking after young refugees in London. Its Gale/Kettle recalls that the Soviet delegate, Bogatyrev, insisted that the ICS
33 Marian Slingova (1968), prestigious patrons had, to paraphrase Karl Marx, created an organisation programme should specify the precise number of tanks which the Allies were Truth Will Prevail, London, without knowing the organisation they had created. Their blessing caused the to send to the Second Front. University Forwards, the organ of the University Merlin Press, p. 24. IYC to be widely perceived as representing British anti-fascist youth.32 Labour Federation, would attack until 1944 the refusal of the Anglo-Saxons to 38 34 Half-dandy, half politician, open the Second Front in Europe instead of in North Africa. the socialist-national Palaček, Despite the communist influence, tradition still weighed quite heavily then aged 40, was an ideal target Third stage : December 1941- creation of the for the young communists. He International Council of Students (ICS) in Britain in the NUS. As a result, the ICS turned out to be less political and less militant was a former university tennis champion and former leader of than its two counterparts in the youth movement. The ICS would last until the the non-political International The communist students similarly did not remain inactive. For them, too, the end of 1944. Then, according to its Secretary, Margot Gale, it dissolved itself Student Confederation. 39 He had come to London with opportunity for great unifying initiatives had arrived. The NUS - more than ‘to give way to a new and better form of student cooperation’. the remnants of the Czech ever under communist influence and at last liberated from the German-Soviet But while it lasted, the ICS had strengthened emotional and army in France, and presided over a Union of Czech Youth Pact - quickly harnessed itself to the task. psychological ties between the allied youth leaders. These relationships would and Students in exile. He As in the youth movement, so in the student movement it was the be very important after the war, when new youth and student organisations was close to Beneš and to Masaryk, and worked for the Czechs who were the most dynamic element in the grand coalition. Czech would be formed. Ministry of Finance in exile. He was at the time the lover communists and non-communists had resumed relationships after the of the socialist Vice-President Germans had invaded the Soviet Union ; and young communists had joined Communists Legitimised : of the NUS, Lena Shivers. 33 In 1941 it was he who brought the Czech army en masse. Eduard Goldstücker recalls : The role of Sir Stafford Cripps together the communist and The Nazi attack allowed the Czech communists to modify their In 1941 it was he who brought together the communist and position vis-a-vis the Beneš Provisional Government in London. Until then In Britain the main advocate of the Anglo-Soviet Alliance was Sir Stafford non-communist groups who, there had been no question of us joining the Czech army in exile : The Czech Cripps, formerly British ambassador to Moscow. Cripps entered politics very up till then, had been enemies. Communist Party had its own military structure in London which refused late in life - in 1931 when he was over 40 - and when he did, he was the odd 35 The French Communist to participate and forbade its members to do so. After June 1941, the man out in the British political landscape. He came from a strictly Anglican Party followed the same course when the député Fernand communists joined it en masse. Having been reconciled with Beneš, they were and Conservative family - his father had been a Tory member of parliament. Grenier arrived in London also permitted to join the Central Union of Czech Students. This had been Cripps was profoundly religious, but politically he immediately positioned and declared that the French communists wanted to join established in London by former Czech student leaders, like Vaclav Palaček, himself on the left wing of the Labour Party. Austere and idealistic, he the Free French forces. 34 who had been fighting with fragments of the Czech Army in France and had seemed fascinated by Stalinist Russia. Between 1936 and 1939 he was the been evacuated from Dunkirk. I became the Vice-President, while Palaček, chief advocate in Britain of a Popular Front ; and for this purpose, in 1937, he 36 Interview in Brighton 35 with the author. who had led the Central Union before the War, was officially its President. founded Tribune, a weekly paper that was progressive and pro-Soviet to the It was as on Goldstücker’s recommendation that the Czechs point of attacking the Trotskyists. instituted World Student Day to commemorate the execution of the Central In January 1939 Cripps, together with Aneurin Bevan and George Committee of the Czech students and the closure of their universities on 17 Strauss, was expelled from the Parliamentary labour Party. When Britain and November 1939 : the Soviet Union did become allies after 1941, he was sent as ambassador to A few weeks later I proposed to Palaček that we should initiate the Moscow in 1942. Back in England he held various ministerial posts and was, commemoration of November 17th. In November 1941 some students, I don’t within the coalition cabinet, the most ardent defender of the Anglo-Russian know from how many nations, were already celebrating it as Student Day… alliance. In a speech to the Youth Alliance in the spring of 1942 he spoke of a That idea could never have come from Palaček himself. Only the communists Soviet Russia in which ‘a religion based on idealism was practised seven days were then thinking in terms of National or International Days.36 out of seven’. The world should acknowledge the valour of Soviet youth which International Student Day, which until 1989 was the chief event had come to the rescue of the entire world. in the student calendar throughout the world, was a success right from the Without being aware of it, Cripps made himself the best champion 90 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 91
40 Soviet Youth Calling, of the Moscow-orchestrated campaign to blot out the memory of the Pact, Early suspicions of the British authorities 45 Private papers of Sir Stafford A-SYFA, 104 Wigmove Street, Cripps, Nuffield College, London WI, p p. 2-3. bring about a Second Front and prepare for the postwar period. The Anglo- Oxford, Box 10. The signature Soviet Youth Alliance, sponsored by Cripps, published dozens of pamphlets In certain government circles the IYC was almost immediately suspected of on the letter is illegible. 41 ‘Soviet Youth at War’, such as ‘Soviet Youth Calling’ : being a cryptocommunist organisation. The files of the Home Office and MI5 published by Hutchinson & Co. 46 Letter of 26 January 1942, for the Anglo-Soviet Youth Already thousands of the young people of Britain have given their remain closed, so it is difficult to form a very precise idea. But the archives Foreign Office to Sir Neville Friendship Alliance, p. 3. lives in the Allied struggle… but the news from Russia is a constant challenge. of Sir Stafford Cripps and the Foreign Office enable us to speak of a real Bland, FO 371/30861. To every farm and factory, to all the Services, to every boy and girl in Britain battle between departments. Opposing the IYC were the Foreign Office and 42 Blumenau R. (1953), 47 Commentary of Bruce The Fringe of Politics, p. 6. comes the call for greater and greater efforts… the Home Office, the latter under Herbert Morrison, the most anticommunist Lockhart, February 1942, in ibid. And while [the Russians’] bitter sacrifices continue, we are able to of socialists. Supporters were the Ministry of Information and Sir Stafford 43 We learn this from a Foreign have a breathing space. Our comparative safety, even if temporary, is being Cripps. On 20 May 1942 a Foreign Office official wrote to Cripps : 48 War Cabinet : ‘Attitude of Office note, which greatly Government Departments astonished her daughter, Peggy paid for with the blood and tears of the Russian people… Let the question be My dear Cripps, When I came to see you the other day, you asked towards youth organizations’, Cripps. The note says that Lady 40 secret memorandum by the Cripps was the anonymous donor for every reader : ‘Am I a worthy ally of these boys and girls ?’ my views about what our attitude should be towards the International Youth Lord President of the Council, whose gift made possible the In 1943 a new pamphlet of the Alliance stressed that ‘Soviet youth Council. I have looked up our records and find that the Home Security 19 May 1942, Ref. CAB. foundation of the International 66/25, copy no. 29, p. 85. Youth Centre in Pont Street has already given 5 million of their number for the order and peace of the Executive decided in December last that all government departments should (FO 924/674, 19 April 1948). world’.41 decline invitations to assist the International Youth Council on the grounds The Crippses organized, among other functions, That the Soviets were paying and would continue to pay the that it was a communist-penetrated organisation… You may perhaps care to a grand reception at the heaviest burden in the antifascist war cannot be denied ; but that the British raise it with the Home Security Executive ?45 Czech Embassy in Grosvenor Place, in the presence of Lord people should feel guilty, when they had stood alone against Hitler until the This struggle led to the first Cabinet meeting intended to clarify Bennett of Canada, the Queen of the Netherlands, Lady Astor, summer of 1941, is more difficult to accept. However this implication of guilt the government’s attitude towards those youth organisation believed to be and even the Queen Mother was almost taken for granted. In an unpublished typescript, the young Jewish communist. In particular a conflict had arisen in January 1942 between the (interview between the author and Phyllis Williams). refugee from Germany and future vice-president of the NUS, Ralph Blumenau, Ministry of Information and the Foreign Office on whether the IYC should be wrote as follows : involved in BBC radio programmes that had ‘the double object of thwarting 44 On 10 June 1945 the IYC All of us… experienced a tremendous feeling of relief and incredulity German efforts to woo European youth to the ‘New Order’ and of countering organized a mock election 46 prior to the General Election when, in July 1941, Hitler attacked to the East instead of to the West. The communist propaganda’. For the Foreign Office, there was no question of that year. 36 votes went Russians, whom we had reviled so bitterly for the deal they had made with the about what line to take, as we can see from an internal note on the folder ‘directly’ to the communists, 46 to Labour, 16 to the Liberals, Nazis and for their attack on tiny Finland, became overnight our allies. It did of the dossier. It could hardly be more critical of the Ministry of Information, II to the Conservatives, and 6 to the non-Marxist socialists. not take long before we gave them our unstinted admiration. In particular, I which had suggested involving the IYC when the Foreign Office had already I say ‘directly’ because it well remember the reports from Alexander Werth on the BBC… They painted shown that ‘(i) the IYC was highly suspect of communist sympathies ; (ii) the seems certain that some of the submarines would have a picture of the undying heroism of a simple and peaceful people… When one Security Executive had ruled that it should be refused any official recognition abstained from showing their real thinks back on those broadcasts today, one remembers how vast was the or support’.47 Matters did not rest there. Presumably at the request of Sir preference; ‘Democracy at Work’, in Youth News, published by the store of good will for the Russians in almost every household of the British Stafford Cripps, the question of the attitude of government departments IYC in the summer of 1945. Isles, and how difficult it was for many of us to believe after the war that towards youth organisations was taken up at war cabinet level. the rulers of Russia were not the simple and lovable characters of Werth’s Sir John Anderson, the Lord President of the Council, had drawn reports.42 up a preparatory memorandum for the Cabinet. This presented the issue not It was largely thanks to Sir Stafford and Lady Cripps that the IYC so much as a matter of principle - ‘that no grant of public money or other could create in 1942 a recreation centre, intended to provide comfortable forms of assistance should be afforded to youth organisations connected surroundings for the many foreign exiles in London and for those young with a political party’ - as of its application. That was a problem particularly Britons who wanted to meet them. The couple personally raised the with ‘youth organisations of an international character such as the Anglo- necessary funds and contributed handsomely themselves. ‘M. Smith’, the Soviet Youth Friendship Alliance and the International Youth Council… These generous anonymous donor who offered £5000, was almost certainly Lady organisations are not connected with any political party, and their avowed Cripps.43 This International Centre was a veritable haven of peace for the objects are unobjectionable. Some of the persons concerned with these many refugees in London. It was run by Michael Wallace (the husband of Betty organisations are, however, believed to have connections with the Communist Shields-Collins), Kutty Hookham and J. B. Priestley. It offered its members party’.48 (about 3000 in 1944) a restaurant and a bar and provided many recreational So as not to divide the Cabinet on such a relatively minor matter, activities : conferences, dances, bridge and chess tournaments, exhibitions, and particularly so as not to attack Sir Stafford Cripps who was then Lord films and so on. Michael Kaser, who was then a young Liberal activist and is Privy Seal, Sir John Anderson’s conclusion allowed the benefit of the doubt to today an eminent Sovietologist at Oxford, remembers that the centre was one the two suspect organisations : of the few well-heated places in London during the war.44 I have discussed this question with some of my colleagues, and we have come to the conclusion that assistance should not be withheld from such organisations merely because some individuals connected with them also have, or have had in the past, connections with the Communist Party. Organisations of this nature are bound to appeal to persons who, at one time 92 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 93
49 Ibid., p. 85. or another, may have been attracted by Communism ; and to discourage the from the USSR, Captain Vassily Bogatyrev, 58 Interview with the author. organisations on that account would, in our opinion, be to invite them to seek from ‘British India’, Kitty Boomla of the All-India Student Federation, 50 Conclusions of a meeting 59 ‘Youth of the World : Reports of the War Cabinet held at 10 from the Communist Party that guidance and assistance which they were from France, J. F. Chabrun, of the Forces Unies de la Jeunesse of the Tour to America’ (London : Downing Street on Monday 8 denied by the Government… Democratique, World Youth Council, (944), p. 1. June 1942 at 5.30 pm. War Cabinet 72(42), 72nd conclusion, In our view the test should be whether or not an organisation is in from Britain, the ever-present Margot Gale/Carritt/Kettle, 60 The American Youth Congress Secret, Ref, CAB.62126, 9th practice controlled or materially influenced or directed by a political party or from Yugoslavia, S. Komar (Anti-Fascist League of Yugoslav Youth), disappeared in the course of decision, p. 110. Also see letter 49 1942, soon to be reborn under (‘most secret’) from Sir John is being run to serve the interests of a political party. from Mexico, E. Madero (Confederation of Mexican Youth), the name of American Youth Anderson to Brendan Bracken If that were not the case, it ought to be treated in the same was as from ‘Free Austria’, Fritz Walter, for a Free World. Cf. Youth, MP, in FO 371/30861. any other organisation. from ‘Free Siam’, S. Tanbunyuen (Treasurer). issued by the National Youth Commission, Communist Party, 51 p. F. Magnelia (in The The War Cabinet of 8 June 1942 was attended by Winston Churchill, 35 East 12th Street, New York. InternationaL Union of Students, That pamphlet is reproduced University of Geneva, Thesis Clement Attlee, Ernest Bevin, Sir John Anderson, Sir Stafford Cripps and Apparently because the Americans were not in a position to send anyone in extenso in Communist 184, Peninsula Lithograph, 1967) Herbert Morrison. It decided that the two suspect organisations should be at that time to represent them on the Executive, the place allocated to the Tactics in Controlling Youth is mistaken when he writes Organizations : Hearings Before that the World Council replaced subjected to a rigorous investigation by the Security Executive at the Home United States was left unfilled ; so only the Dane Svend Beyer-Pedersen (a the Subcommittee to Investigate the International Council. Office.50 They should not be allowed any benefit of the doubt. fellow traveller who at the time was pro-Soviet) and Vaclav Palaček were not the Administration of the Internal 55 Security Act and Other Internal These suspicions notwithstanding, the IYC continued to make under Party control. In addition, the General Secretary was Kutty Hookham, Security Laws of the Committee 52 The BBC broadcast of the Judiciary, US Senate. a substantial part of progress and to attract ever more young people and personalities of the NUS militant who had been a clandestine member of the Communist the proceedings. standing ; and in the winter of 1942, after the second International Youth Rally Party since 1935 and whose friendship with the Crippses had recently led to 61 Forward for our Future!, for Victory, it created yet another front organisation : the World Youth Council her appointment as General Secretary of the Anglo-Soviet Youth Friendship official report of the World Youth 53 It seems that none of her Conference, London, November biographers have pointed (WYC). Alliance. Like Betty Shields-Collins before her, Kutty Hookham, by her 1945 (Paris : WFDY,1946), p. III. out that Mrs Roosevelt had once again allowed herself to dynamism and devotion to the cause, soon established herself, together with 56 be manipulated, despite her 4th stage : November 1942. The creation of the Beyer-Pedersen, as the driving force of the WYC. 62 Cf. Earl Browder’s speech unfortunate experience with at the Convention, quoted in the American Youth Congress. World Youth Council (WYC) From various interviews, it emerges that Palaček owed his ‘Report on American Youth The role of Mrs Roosevelt is presidential position to his unbelievable political naïveté. Interviewed in for Democracy’, investigation confirmed by an exchange of of un-American propaganda letters between John Winant, To refine their strategy of infiltration yet further, the Soviets created, on 14 Prague, Josza Grohman described him as ‘a naïve person who loved honours’. activities in the United States, the American ambassador and 15 November 1942, the World Youth Council. The International Youth Viktor Fischel, who was Masaryk’s secretary during their London exile, US Congress, House Committee to London, and the White on Un-American Activities, House (US National Archives, Council (IYC) remained in being and became to the World Youth Council confirmed this : ‘There was nothing of the communist about Palaček ; he Washington DC, 80th Congress, Washington, doc. no. 58-B). what the British Youth Peace Assembly (BYPA) had been to the World Youth belonged to the socialist-national party ; but in my opinion there was nothing 1st session, 17 April 1947, p. 2. 51 57 54 ‘Call for Action’ (p p. 10-11) Congress - namely its sole British section. to him’. And Phyllis Williams recalls : ‘Palaček ? We made him President. On 52 and Maisky’s speech in Youth and 400 young people from 29 countries took part in the WYC. the one hand because he was neither too left-wing nor too right-wing ; on the the Fight for Freedom, London, International Youth Council, p. 19. Among them was an American delegate, Louise Morley, specially chosen by other, because he enjoyed the full support of his government, which was very Eleanor Roosevelt,53 Svend Beyer-Pedersen from Denmark and Fritz Walter generous to him’.58 55 Historical section of Forward from Austria ; and also President Beneš, American Ambassador John Winant, So, to make the organisation seem respectable, Pala ek was for our Future, official report of č the World Youth Conference, Sir Stafford Cripps, and the Free French Ministers René Cassin and M. systematically paraded by it. Because of his bearing and position in the Finance London November 1945 (Paris : Boucher. The opening reception was organised by the ‘les Français de Grande Ministry of the Czech government, he was the ideal person to guarantee the World Federation of Democratic Youth, 1946), p. 112. Bretagne’ at Grosvenor House, which the Czech embassy had generously legitimacy of a body like the WYC and to secure its financing. The Czech made available to the IYC as its headquarters. government paid for his triumphal tour of North America (2 August 1943 to 56 Not only can one draw a legitimate conclusion from Officially the World Youth Council was created to supervise the 10 January 1944) to bring the work of the WYC to the attention of young 59 their respective biographies distribution and application of the Mobilisation Appeal adopted at the Americans and Canadians. The pamphlet commemorating this tour shows (for example what their attitude had been to the Pact); but their conclusion of the IYC’s second International Rally. The text gave fulsome due his extraordinary stamina : in those five months he visited 39 states in the membership of the party has to the USSR and priority to the question of the Second Front : USA and Canada, travelled some 14000 miles, took part in 167 discussions been confirmed to the author by their former party comrades. We are filled with the desire to share in the sacrifices, to take some and made 40 speeches. What is more, he carried a letter of recommendation Other proof can be found in the weight off their shoulders… We must continue the great offensive on the from Sir Stafford Cripps, which won him productive meetings with Eleanor biographical notes produced during the Cold War by various European Continent and strike the German Army where it will hurt it most and Roosevelt and Vice-President Henry Wallace. Western intelligence agencies, for example State Department where it will have to split between two powerful fronts. In this way we will help The pamphlet devoted six of its 13 pages to two gatherings in which 54 document NARA 800 4089/12- our Soviet Allies. Palaček had not taken part : the Youth Conference of the Western Hemisphere 547 (1948) relating to the Indian representative Kitty Boomla. The new organisation was made up of one representative of and the annual meeting of a new federation of American youth organisations, each nation and five representatives of the IYC. It immediately set up a American Youth for a Free World.60 The promoters of this body - the American 57 Interview with the author in secretariat with executive powers. A non-communist, Vaclav Pala ek, became Young Communists - intended the new organisation to replace the American Jerusalem, II December 1994. č Fischel emigrated to Israel after President of the WYC, but the real power was concentrated in the hands of Youth Congress, which had been irretrievably damaged by its support for the Prague cou p. Under the the communists. Of the nine members of the Executive Committee at least the Pact. By devoting such a long description to those two gatherings, the name Avigdor Dagan he has had a diplomatic career (and is also seven were cryptocommunists or close to the Communist Party, as was the communists legitimated those cryptocommunist organisations that were to the author of many novels). Treasurer : join the World Youth Council in London - and in fact the 300 participants from 94 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 95
63 Youth. An issue of this 14 countries in the Western Hemisphere Conference did decide at the end of Joël Kotek teaches at the ‘communist’ magazine is quoted 61 Free University of Brussels in extenso on p. 242 in the their meeting to cooperate with the London body. The pamphlet ended with Conclusion : The World Youth Council as a substitute Report on American Youth for a message from the President of the Soviet Anti-Fascist Committee, Eugene for the KIM (1942 to 1945) (ULB) and the Institut Democracy : Investigation of Un- American Propaganda Activities Fedorov, congratulating Palaček on his excellent work in promoting the unity d’Etudes Politiques de Paris. in the United State, US Congress, of Progressive Youth. The Soviets managed to convince people such as Sir Stafford Cripps, Eleanor After completing research House Committee on Un- 65 American Activities, Washington, Roosevelt, and even General Eisenhower that the World Youth Council was at St. Antony’s College at 80th Congress, First session, a kind of League of Nations for the younger generation. Some in the British Oxford, and one semes- April 17 1947. US GPO 1947. 4 May, 1943 : Dissolution of the young communist international (KIM) establishment, however, became suspicious of the WYC from the beginning ter of teaching a course in 64 De Launay G., Murat C. of 1942 onwards. We can see this from some Canadian Foreign Office Europe’s Political Systems (1948), Jeunesse d’Europe, at the University of Ottawa, Paris, Pion, p. 152. In France On 15 May 1943 the members of the Comintern executive signed a resolution documents, such as the telegram sent on 23 March to his Secretary of State the communist appeal was announcing the dissolution of their movement. At the time speculations were for External Affairs by Vincent Massey, the Canadian High Commissioner in he successfully defended the stronger for having no competitors. Apart from the rife about the reasons for this move. Probably Stalin had become aware that London : his doctoral thesis at the Young Communists, there was the organisational form fashioned in the 1920s no longer corresponded with No. 615. Confidential. Your telegram No.398 of 11 March. Institut d’Etudes Politiques practically no other political youth movement. The socialists, the realities of the alliance with Britain and the United States. International Youth Council. United Kingdom does not propose to give any de Paris (IEP). The thesis whose youth section had played This tactical change corresponded precisely to the general support to World Youth Week. This Week is being organized… by World Youth was published in French as a great role before 1939, had not been able to keep going. tendency of Soviet foreign policy : to gain and to keep the good will and the Council. The latter body, although its membership is open to youth of all ‘La jeune garde’ in 1998 The movements on the right 66 and a short English ver- were barely organised : the youth cooperation of the Allies in the great antifascist alliance. The dismantlement shades of opinion, is connected with subversive organizations. of the RPF (the Rassemblement of Comintern did not of course mean the release of communist parties from This telegram reproduced, almost word for word, the confidential sion, titled ‘Students and de la Jeunesse Française) was not a significant body. Only Soviet tutelage. The Twenty-One Conditions that the Comintern had adopted at note that a Dominion Office official had sent to a diplomat at the Canadian The Cold War’ was published 67 the Catholic and/or Christian the time of its birth remained fully in force. All that was happening - as the text High Commission. There are other indicators of suspicions about the WYC. in 1996. In 1983, he was movements were able to compete with the communists. of the resolution indicates - was that the organisational structures were being For instance, during his extended stay in the United States, Beyer-Pedersen chairman of the European L’ Association Catholique de la modified, that they had to adapt and modernise themselves to take account was interrogated at length by the FBI on the subject of Pala ek, whose naïveté Union of Jewish Students Jeunesse Française, which had č 68 been founded in 1886 by Albert of the new world situation. By disguising the pro-Soviet and internationalist (or else opportunism) caused him to be thought of as a Party ‘submarine’. (EUJS), when the organisa- de Mun, was some 350 000 tion became member of the strong, and was made up of character of the various communist parties, the Russians hoped to allay the Pedersen went straightaway to the Danish embassy in Washington to complain La Jeunesse Ouvrière Chrétienne, anxieties created by the spectre of an international communist conspiracy, about this interrogation and was told ‘that the Council was in fact working for European Youth Forum. La Jeunesse Etudiante Chrétienne, and similar groups. and thus make it possible for these same communist parties to participate in the Communist Party’. Of course Pedersen refused to believe a word of this ; antifascist fronts after the war. but on his return to London, he had to admit that Kutty Hookham must be 65 On 30 July 1944 Eisenhower What was true of the Comintern applied even more so to the KIM, working for the communists.69 sent Kutty Hookham a letter of thanks for a consignment of which had been created in 1919 to contribute to the impetus of world revolution What seems scarcely credible is that despite all these indications morphine sent by the WYC for and then to the expansion of the leading communist state. It was dissolved that the WYC was a Moscow set-up, important individuals continued to give wounded soldiers. A facsimile of this letter is reproduced in at the same time as the Comintern, in May 1943. It was not a question of it their support. Even Jacques de Launay (normally so swift to denounce a the first (undated) of a series of newsletters under the letterhead the KIM having fallen into disgrace : on the contrary it had been particularly communist, on occasions even wrongly) allowed himself to be hoodwinked by of the World Youth Council. efficient and disciplined, had made remarkable advances among large sectors the apparent neutrality of the WYC. In 1948, while denouncing the ideological of world youth, and had faithfully conformed to every twist in Stalinist policy. drift of the World Federation of Democratic Youth, he in effect expressed his 66 National Archives of Canada, Ottawa, External Affairs But the Soviets now regarded the World Youth Congress as the ideal type of regret at the passing of the late antifascist WYC which, he thought, had had Records, file No. 4554-4. organisation, and rightly so from their point of view : that type seemed better been able ‘to remain above partisan struggles during the war’.70 suited to win over non-communist sympathisers and thus contribute more The name of the World Federation of Democratic Youth been 67 Eleanor Emery (Dominion Office) to Ignatiev, ibid., substantially to the victory of communist propaganda. The time was right for launched, and that enterprise deserves closer study. Ref. Z.524, secret, Dominion ‘decommunisation’. So the American Young Communist League changed its Office 20 March 1943. name and, at its convention in Manhattan on 15 December 1942, transformed 68 ‘A Report on the Development itself into American Youth for Democracy. This group described itself as ‘a and Activities of the WFDY’, 62 6 undated and unsigned united anti-fascist youth organisation’ or as ‘a democratic, non-Marxism 63 pages, p. I. FO 924/674. organisation including both communist and non-communist youth’. The Australian Communist Party followed suit when the local Young Communists 69 Ibid. transformed themselves into the EUREKA Youth League. In France the Young
70 De Launay and Murat Communist Federation dissolved itself ‘spontaneously… out of devotion for (1948), o p. cit., p. 60. the youth of France’ - and immediately formed the Union de la Jeunesse Républicaine de France, the UJRF. This new movement, which officially did not have a political label, was created by the communists to bring together all the Resistance movements. It became an umbrella organisation for a host of subgroups, for example les Jeunes Filles Patriotes, Ie Front Patriotique des Jeunes and les Jeunes Paysans Patriotes.64 96 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 97 Anne-Claire Humblet — Les pots de verre 100 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 101
Geopolitics of youth policy in post-war 1 Methodological and Bibliographical Note : This is 1 only a first contribution to the Western Europe (1945-1967) research on youth policy in this Geopolitics of youth specific historical period. Further research is required on the words by Giuseppe Porcaro past 60 years of the History of European Youth Movements and Youth Policy. I will not give an extensive bibliography but some guiding references. Concerning policy in post-war The institutional landscape of European youth movements is a fascinating the role of youth movements in the building of the Modern field of research which has yet to be completely disclosed, but undoubtably Nation State it is worth reading offers interesting reflections in various fields : from the history of European the works on the Nationalisation of Masses by George Mosse. On integration to the evolution of social movements, from the rise of a the European Youth Campaign transnational civil society at continental and global level to the changing very little has been written so Western Europe far, but it is traceable in many notion of citizenshi p. The list could go on and on. books speaking about the history In this short article, I will invoke an approach that combines history of the European Movement International. A lot of information with political geography. In particular, I will outline how the emergence of is also included in the golden mines of the archives of CENYC, a European Youth Policy field has been influenced by the power relations which are hosted at the European (1945-1967) embedded in the system of international relations. At the same time I will University Institute in Florence. describe how, almost paradoxically, this geopolitical situation laid the basis for the consolidation of an independent youth civil society as one of the main features of the youth policy landscape in Europe. This is only a first attempt to approach this issue from this perspective. In this regards it constitutes mostly a seminal work that would require further intellectual and historical investigations.
(re)Construction
The initial youth organisations, which emerged in Germany towards the end of the 19th Century as marginal social movements in reaction to the problems of Wilhelminian society but without a political agenda for reform, gradually became in the first half of the 20th Century, under influence of the more disciplinary British youth movements, engaged in the national politics of societal reform. As they became powerful elements of mass culture, their political importance culminated in the 1930s with their adoption by the modern state. In their efforts to influence society through the practices of hiking and camping, the youth movements in pre-World War II Europe can be understood as key elements in the project of modern governance, employing the cultural meanings of landscape and community to mobilise youth at national level, and to eventually reproduce them as governable subjects. This incorporation by the modern nation state of youth movements led to political distortions and manipulations that became evident after World War II. Lessons were drawn from the most evident cases of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, but also with the incorporation of youth movements in the Soviet regime and its satellites. In this context, it is not surprising that most of the Western European governments pulled out from active engagement in youth policy development, and left the field to youth organisations themselves. At the same time, something was happening at international level : the incorporation of youth organisations by the system of international relations. In London in 1945, the youth movements from the states that had signed the UN Charter formed the World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY). The dream of a unified world youth constituency, suddenly collapsed however with the beginning of the Cold War. Almost all Western organisations pulled out of WFDY due to it being controlled by Soviet-aligned socialist 102 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 103
and communist parties. In 1948, a World Assembly of Youth (WAY) was institutions ; one of the first resolutions of CENYC, already in 1964, asked the established, this time only with the movements that were outside the Soviet Council of Europe for the creation of a European Youth Centre. sphere of influence. This clearly set two sides in international youth affairs and tied them up with the geopolitical reality of the time. International youth work The young, the student and the C.I.A. was definitely in the realm of foreign policy and youth organisations became sensitive actors and forerunners in keeping the channels of communications By the mid of the 1960s, the system was quite consolidated. But this was soon between the two sides open. shaken. A first explosive article was published in the Californian magazine Ramparts in 1966, and on 15th February 1967, it was the New York Times Campaigning for Europe publishing another article with a self-explanatory title “Foundations linked to C.I.A. are found to subsidise 4 other youth organisations”. Nothing really new The big absent actor of this first period was Europe. Europe was a construction was revealed, but it was now public. In particular, the article showed how the site (and still is). First of all, it was divided, thus entirely immersed in the Cold “Foundation for Youth and Students Affairs” subsidised the World Assembly War logic. However, the European project was about to take its first steps, of Youth, the United States Youth Council and the International Student and from the European Movement International and the World Assembly of Conference (western counterpart of the soviet-led International Student Youth itself came the first big wave of Europeanisation of youth organisations : Union). The European Youth Campaign. The echo of the revelations crossed the ocean very fast. Both This campaign, launched in 1951, supported a series of European governments and youth organisations could not stay silent on the conferences, cultural events, and support to youth organisations aimed matter. at promoting a European identity among youth from all over the (Western) Most youth organisations wanted to clearly mark the distance part of the continent. The campaign was funded as a part of the post-war and their independence from the C.I.A. funding. This resulted in a first reconstruction, by the American Committee for a United Europe, again in the disempowerment of the WAY and the consolidation of CENYC as an context of the Cold War to consolidate Western European democracies and independent self-funded platform. co-operation within the “free” Europe. The campaign was definitely a success European governments, which so far had pulled out from mixing for the dissemination of books, events and creating a cultural humus for too much with international youth policy, started to seriously play a more European cooperation. proactive role. Youth was suddenly re-discovered as a crucial actor. This At the same time, the decolonisation process with the subsequent was not only the consequence of the confrontation between East and West change of the scope and of the geopolitical balances fostered the European and the role played by youth groups. Only few months after the C.I.A. affair, Committees of the World Assembly of Youth to gather more closely together. students and young people were marching on the streets in 1968. The “youth In this climate, a major date to be remembered is 1958, when the French issue” was definitely a priority for internal policy as well. committee pulled out of WAY as a consequence of the positioning of the These years were a turning point towards a new phase. A European platform towards the war in Algeria. This environment led to an informal WAY- Youth Policy was about to be set up (with different approaches) by the Council Europe grouping to be established, creating the conditions for the creation of of Europe and, a bit later on, by the European Communities. However, the the first European Youth Platform. Cold War continued to play crucial role until the end of the 1980s. East/West The Council of European National Youth Committees (CENYC) was relations were one of the main focuses of the pan-European youth dialogue eventually founded on 23 March 1963 in London as a voluntary association of that was developed after the Helsinki Agreement in the mid-1970s. But this eleven National Committees of the World Assembly of Youth (WAY) (Austria, time, the West European field was definitely acting more independently from Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the US than in the earlier phase, were we saw the direct intervention and Turkey and the United Kingdom) and the two National Youth Councils of France support. and Luxembourg. Italy and Switzerland participated at the founding meeting, but only decided later to participate in the CENYC. (partial) Conclusions The principal tasks of CENYC were to serve as a forum for the exchange of information, to collect and study material concerning youth What is the sense of looking back at what happened 60 years ago now, in the problems, to co-operate and obtain assistance from organisations and second decade of the 20th Century 2010 ? There are several lessons that we institutions active in the field of youth work and education, and to support could already draw from this short introduction. national youth committees in activities aiming at European unification. Firstly, this historical moment reminds us that investment in the The creation of CENYC constitutes the bridge towards the next youth sector of civil society (or the lack of) is a strategic choice of governments phase of development of European youth policy. If on the one hand it allowed and institutions. This should, in my opinion, serve as a reminder for these the achievement of a coordination among “western” National Youth Platforms actors to continue to provide the necessary support to youth civil society, in the frame of the WAY, it also crystallised two important principles. Firstly, especially in a moment of the individualisation of public life. Secondly, this the independence of national youth councils from their governments ; which episode traces the origin of dialectics between the actors and the origin of an was to become one of the constituting pillars of the youth sector of civil independent youth civil society, which is now, decades later, institutionalised society. Secondly, the institutional dialogue towards the new European and re-balanced. In particular, it stands at the very beginning of a story that 104 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 105
Giuseppe Porcaro was born would lead to the creation of the European Youth Forum in 1996. Last (but not Foundations Linked to C. I. A. in 1979. He is the Secretary- least) it shows how youth policy had, and still has, a role in challenging the Are Found to Subsidize 4 Other General of the European concept of the Nation State, contributing to the creation of an international Youth Organizations Youth Forum since June European scale. 2009. He previously worked I think these three lessons are today important to strategically plan in the secretariat of the the future of youth work and youth policy in Europe. In a period of economic Funds identified as go-betweens Forum as United Nations crisis, young people are becoming more and more subjects of policy-making. and Global Youth Affairs Policy consumers, not policy producers. The recent launch of the new One Student Group, a Rival Coordinator, between 2007 European Commission flagship initiative : Youth on the Move is an example of of Soviet-Controlled Body, and 2009, and as Youth this trend. Participatory youth work risks being challenged and investments Was Established in 1950 Specialist for the World on participation and on the youth sector of civil society might be sidelined Bank in Kosovo, in 2006 to the advantage of other important priorities. In this situation, the delicate and 2007. He volunteered balance among actors can easily break to the advantage of state-oriented By Neil Sheehan in youth movements in his top down policies. It is perhaps time for brave decisions. Besides the different community since the age of size in numbers, the positive value of the contribution to European societies 7. He represented the World of independent youth organisations is definitely as strong and strategic as 60 Special to The New York Times Organisation of the Scout years ago. WASHINGTON, Feb. 15- Foundations identified by officers of Movement between 2003 the National Student Association as channels for money from the Central and 2007 in various Intelligence Agency have also been helping to subsidize at least four other European and global events youth organizations. It seemed clear that some portion of the subsidies came and chaired the Advisory from the C.I.A., but inquiries here failed to determine exactly how much, if any, Council of Youth of the was given to each group by the intelligence agency and how much was given Council of Europe between by private sources, either independently or at the request of the agency. The 2005 and 2007. He holds a four other youth organizations are the International Student Conference of PhD in Political Geography, Leyden. the Netherlands ; the Independent Research Service of New York : the he researched and United States Youth worked at the Geography Department of the University Council of New York, and the World Assembly of Naples “L’Orientale”. of Youth of Brussels.
Officers of the two foreign-based organizations could not be reached for comment. Eugene A. Theroux. a graduate of the Pratt Institute and director of the Independent Research Service, said in a telephone conversation that his group had received funds from the Independence Foundation. He said, however, that he had not been able to talk to officers of the foundation to ask whether the funds came from the C.I.A. James D. Fowler, president of the United States Youth andStudent Council, acknowledged in a. telephone interview that his organization had obtained money from the Foundation for Youth and Student Affairs, but he said he had no reason to believe that his group had been “covertly funded.” Neither he nor the other officers have a “relationship with the C.I.A.” he said. Mr. Fowler said he had called the foundation and had been told that the funds his group received did not come from the C.I.A. According to records uncovered today. all of the organizations have been receiving funds from the Foundation for Youth and Student Affairs of New York, the Independence Foundation of Boston and the San Jacinto Foundation of Houston. Those are the three foundations named by officers of the student association as conduits for funds from the C.I.A. to their organization.
Funds to Women’s Group
A fourth foundation with apparent C.I.A. connections, the J. Frederick Brown 106 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 107
Foundation of Boston, Mass., has been making contributions to a New Denies C.I.A. Funding York-based women’s group called the ? Committee of Correspondence. The committee works with women’s groups in foreign countries. The most He also denied that foundation funds originated with the C.I.A. and said important of the four organizations is the International Student Conference, that “all the money has come from the Houghton family and members a confederation of student unions from 80 non-Communist countries. It of the board.” The Houghton family has a major financial interest in the has served as a counter-poise in international student affairs to the Soviet- Corning Glass Company of Corning, N. Y. Mr. Lunn acknowledged that the controlled International Union of Students. The organization was founded in foundation had made substantial contributions for many years to the four 1950, shortly after the outbreak of the cold war when it became apparent youth organizations. The San Jacinto Foundation of Houston, the other major that without an effective rival, the Communist organization would dominate contributor to the International Student Conference, has not registered with international student politics. It finances international student conferences either the Internal Revenue Service or the state authorities in Texas. Its officers and such publications as the multi-lingual magazine, The Student, as well as have been unavailable for comment for several days. The World Assembly holding student seminars and financing student exchange and scholarship of Youth, the other foreign-based organization that has been receiving funds programs. It has taken a liberal but almost always pro-Western position on from the Foundation for Youth and Student Affairs, is a confederation of world issues. 51 youth groups from Western and non-Communist countries. It publishes pamphlets and a monthly magazine called Way, finances youth seminars and Analysis of Support youth leadership conferences and international youth meetings. While the International student Conference competes in international student affairs with According to a study of the International Student Conference’s financial the Communist-controlled International Union of Students, the World Assembly statements for 1964-66 made by the Canadian Union of Students, the of Youth counters the World Federation of Democratic Youth, which has its organization received most its support during this time from the Foundation headquarters in Warsaw. The World Assembly of Youth was also founded at for Youth and Student Affairs and the San Jacinto fund. In this period, only the outbreak of the cold war, in 1948. The United States Youth Council of New about $45,000 of the conference’s yearly income came from dues and York, a coordinating body for 37 American youth and student groups ranging contributions of member student unions, while about $650,000 a. year from the left wing Students for a Democratic Society to the Young Democrats was supplied by foundations, most of the funds by the two C.I.A.-connected and major religious youth organizations, has reportedly sent delegates to foundations. The San Jacinto fund for example, paid the $125,000 yearly World Assembly of Youth meetings. The Independent Research Service, costs of the magazine, The Student, and half of the expenses of the the other New York-based organization that received funds from the C.I.A.- organization’s conferences in 1984 and 1966, which cost about $270,000 connected Independence Foundation of Boston, has existed almost solely each. The Foundation for Youth and Student Affairs paid for most of the other to finance thesending of delegations of American students and intellectuals conference projects during those years, including many seminars and student to Communist-sponsored international youth festivals. The organization meetings. The Canadian Student Union estimated that between 80 and 90 was founded in 1958 by Paul Sigmund, now a professor at Princeton, and per cent of the total conference programs were financed by funds from Gloria Steinem, a New York journalist, just before the Vienna youth festival American foundations. Officers of the International Student Conference could of 1959. In 1962, the Independent Research Service sent a delegation of not be reached today for comment. Arthur Houghton Jr., president of Steuben more than 100 students, teachers and intellectuals to the Communist youth Glass of New York and also president of the Foundation for Youth and Student festival in Helsinki. A report filed by the independence Foundation with the The Affairs. obliquely acknowledged in a statement issued today by his office Massachusetts State Attorney General’s Office in Boston shows a grand of that the foundation had cooperated with the “Government,” but he refused to $125,000 to the Independent Research Service that year. elaborate. “It at any time I have cooperated with our Government on matters affecting the national interest, that is my own affair,” the statement said. Mr. Disruptive Element Houghton asserted that the foundation had “never placed conditions on the grants that it has made.” Harry H. Lunn. secretary of the foundation and a National Student Association officers have said that the foundation was president of the National Student Association. in the 1954-55 period. denied one of their sources of C.IA. Funds and that its trustee, Paul Heimut, was today that he was an employe of the C.I.A. He declined to say, however, one of their contacts with the intelligence agency. Mr. Heimut, a member whether he had served as an intermediary between the agency and student of the prestigious law firm of Hale & Dorr, has, according to his secretary, groups. Mr. Lunn has been identified by student association officers as one been at meetings for the last several days and unavailable for comment. The of their principal contacts with the C.I.A. After his student work in the mid- delegation sent to the Helsinki festival was liberal and did not reflect official 1950’s, Mr. Lunn is reported to have served as a research analyst for the United States policy at the time, but the delegation did serve as a disruptive Defense Department. He then was assigned to the political section of the element in the festival. It published a newspaper, ran an information bureau American embassy in Paris, and later worked for the Agency for International and participated in a number of the forums and seminars. As a result of its Development before joining the foundation. efforts, delegations from a number of countries, including Ceylon, Uganda and Nigeria, left the festival to protest the attitude of the Communist youth groups and the festival’s sponsoring committee. W. Dennis Shaul, a former Rhodes scholar who was head of the Independent Research Service in 1962 108 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 109
and president of the National Student Association during the same period, The European Youth Campaign said in a telephone interview today that he was uncertain whether the C.I.A. had indirectly financed the research service, but that he was certain most Extract from Hugh Wilford, David of its funds had come from legitimate foundations. As a president of the NationalStudent Association, Mr. Shaul would presumably have known that Caute (2003), “The CIA, the British the Independence Foundation was a conduit for C.I.A funds. Both current Left, and the Cold War”, London, association officers and State Department officials have said that two to Routledge, p.239 (…) three senior members of the student association knew each year of the C.I.A. subsidy.
Still Gets Funds Other ACUE Activities in Britain Combined with the mounting evidence that Winston Churchill’s new Although the Independent Research Service has been relatively inactive in Conservative government was no more interested in European federation public since 1962, it has continued to receive funds from the Independence than its Labour predecessor, the failure of the Mackay Plan in the summer Foundation. In 1965, according to foundation records, the Research Service of 1951 added further impetus to a new trend in the federalist campaign, received $20,000 from the foundation. Mr. Helmuth is also the trustee of already apparent in Paul-Henri Spaak’s leadership of the European Movement, the J. Frederick Brown Foundation of Boston, which is reportedly said to away from the cultivation of élite support and towards the agitation of mass have offices at the same address there as the Independence foundation. opinion. The J. Frederick Brown Foundation made contributions in 1962, 1963 and This shift of emphasis was reflected in the domestic campaigns of 1965 according to Internal Revenue Service records, to the Committee of the American Committee on a United Europe, which shifted up several gears Correspondence of 345 East 46th St., New York. The contribution in 1965 in 1951. Its clearest manifestation was the creation of the European Youth was $15,000. Public affairs organizations, a reference work, describes the Campaign (EYC), a unity drive amongst western European youth devised by Committee of Correspondence as “not a membership organization,” but Retinger, Spaak and André Philip, with the encouragement of such Americans a “committee of 18 American women and 12 associates.” The purpose of as Shepard Stone, in particular youth support considered that, after 1951, the the committee, the reference work says, “is to strengthen voluntary and majority of ACUE funds earnmarked for Europe were spent on the EYC, which professional organizations and to encourage women to exercise local, used them to conduct ‘a massive propaganda campaign of conferences and national and international leadership among women outside of the United exhibitions, cinema shows, radio broadcasts and a large array of publications.’ States. “Through personal correspondence, printed materials and travel The Launch of this youth campaign in Britain was greeted with by committee members and staff, [it] maintains communication with about some suspicion. Ìn the early days, the EYC was subject to attack and ill feeling 6.000 women in more than 100 countries and territories. [It] holds leadership by various youth and student organisations ; Barney Hayhoe, President of the training seminars in the U.S. and other countries ; supports a leadership organisation’s British Committee, told a visiting ACUE officer in 1957. training specialist in Africa.” The committee also publishes a bimonthly This might have been a veiled reference to the decision of the newsletter and a monthly bulletin. The executive director, Anne B. Corlius, Labour League of Youth (LLY), the youth section of the Labour Party, to could not be reached today for comment. disaffiliate from the EYC in 1952 due to suspicions about the source of its funding. Later, however, according to Hayhoe, the EYC was ‘accepted’ and its Scope of Control Uncertain programme ceased to be a ‘matter of controversy’. Indeed, from the mid-1950s the Campaign mounted an impressive It was difficult to determine what control, if any, the C.I.A. exercised as a range of activities in britain, including, for example, the organisation and result of its use of funds. The current officers of the National Students financing of ‘an extensive young adult debate competition on European issues’ Association have said that they believe the C.I.A. exercised some control over and the mounting of conferences for ‘young business executives’ on various their programs after the subsidy began in 1952 because the programs were aspects of the European economic union. approved by C.I.A. representatives or go-betweens before the money was This improvement in the EYC’s fortunes was due in part to the hard given. They also say they are reasonably certain that some, although not a work of its British Secretary, the future Labour MP and minister Maurice large number, of the association’s officers over the years were recruited for Foley, who was generally recognised as ‘an able man… doing an excellent work with the C.I.A., once their service with the association had eded. They job’. Another important Labour supporter of the EYC was the MP Geoffrey note, however, that their programs and policies were often at variance with de Freitas, an ardent federalist who sat on the Campaign’s International official United States policy. They feel that the C.I.A. probably supported the Commission.” (…) programs because it believed them to be in the national interest, however they may have varied from Administration policy.
The New York Times Published : February 16, 1967 Copyright © The New York limes Mathieu Lautredoux — Kit-Cycle 112 A European (Youth) History 113
A glimpse into European Youth Policy from the end of the 60s till the end European Youth Policy of the 90s
words by Laurence Eberhard Harribey from the 60s to the 90s In 1972, the Council of Europe created the European Youth Centre and the European Youth Foundation. This marked the starting point of a European youth policy that would eventually develop in a rather original way. A few years later, within the framework of the European Community, a certain number of actions and programmes came to complete the process that had been initiated by the Council of Europe - the creation of a Youth Forum of the European Communities (1978) and the launch of a youth exchange programme (1988), amongst others. Similarly, the necessity for an approach to youth was quite frequently included in other policies : in the fight against unemployment, in training, and in the reflections on mobility and citizenshi p. More recently, after the collapse of the Berlin Wall, the Council of Europe’s interest in youth issues was further strengthened with the opening of a second European Youth Centre, in Budapest (1995). So what is the picture to be taken of these forty years of European youth policy (1970-1999) ? Questioning the nature of the policies that were developed and their evolution within both the Council of Europe and the European Community also enables to measure the importance of youth related issues in the shaping of Europe, as well as in the assertion of a European society that is based on democracy and the respect of human rights. A question all the more interesting as this European youth policy firstly developed ‘internally’ at the international level - independently from the territorialised national policies. Hence, a first question : how can European policy be “fabricated” ? And can this policy build a meaningful political space or not ? Second interest related to this historical panorama : the institutional duality Council of Europe/European Community, within which this European youth policy developed. We thus have two institutions with different foundations, and this means inevitably different conceptions of youth policy. Can we distinguish a long-term trend in European youth policy over this long period, from the beginning of the 1970s till the end of the 1990s ? In fact, over 35 years, European youth policy really seems to have changed. From an exclusively institutional conception of youth - where participation in democratic institutions seemed to be the means to insert youth into adult society –, we moved to a conception of youth that was caught in the logic of economic insertion – one in which young people were linked to demands and needs, to which public actors sought to respond, offering them specific action programmes. This evolution happened in three rather distinct steps, even though the borders that separate them were not always straightforward : A first, initial period, which covers the 1960s and most of the 1970s. In a global context, marked both by the Cold War and the crisis of 1968, “youth policy is dominated by an institutional and transnational logic of a relatively closed system of actors”. 114 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 115
A second period, from the end of the 1970s till the end of the 1980s, International organisations coming from the Scout movement (of British 1 De Launay and Murat which relates to the progressive reconsideration of the institutional model. In origin - with Baden Powell, beginning of the 20th century) : the European (1948), o p. cit., p. 60.
a global context marked by the economic crisis, the concern about youth was Scout Movement Organisation dating back to 1907, and its feminine 2 Pierre Bourdieu “La jeunesse one of economic and professional insertion. Programmes were multiplied and counterpart, born in 1919. n’est qu’un mot”, Questions de sociologie, Paris, Edit the “youth” public was fragmented. Indeed, this period is characterised by de Minuit 1980 p 143-154. the modification of the game theory and in the assertion of the Community in European organisations coming from churches or from the Christian circle relation to the Council of Europe. of influence : YMCA (Young Men Christian’s Association – 1855), CMP 3 Daniel Menschaert, “Etude sur les politiques et les activités A third period, which covers the end of the 1980s and the 1990s, (Christian Movement for Peace, 1923), IYCS-IMCS Europe (International du secteur jeunesse du Conseil marked by two major events that had clear repercussions on youth policy : Young Catholic, 1956, and International Movement of Catholic Students de l’Europe”, expert consultant of the Secretary-General, the creation of the Single Market and the European Monetary Union, with 1921), YCW (Young Christian Workers, 1925), MIJARC (International Strasbourg, 27 August 1997. a view to the Single European Act and Maastricht Treaty on the one hand, Movement of Catholic Agricultural and Rural Youth (IMCARY),1954). and to the Cold War, with the collapse of the Berlin Wall, on the other. A period which, from the youth policy point of view, was notable for a certain Organisations coming from political movements : IUSY (International Union number of changes : the territorialisation and “nationalisation” of actions, of Socialist Youth – 1907), and IFM-SEI (International Falcon Movement- the revitalisation of the institutional framework, the diversification of the set Socialist Educational International- 1922). IFLRY (International Federation objectives, and a more open system of actors. of Liberal and Radical Youth- 1947), EDS (European Democrat Students – 1961), DEMYC (Democrat Youth Community of Europe – 1964), EUYCD 1. The “first age” of European youth policy (1960s (European Union of Young Christian Democrats – 1947) and JEF (Young and 1970s) : A conception of youth that is “caught” European Federalists – 1948). at the level of the institutions. Organisations coming from trade unions : the “youth” section of the ETUC Several factors are going to foster the emergence in this period of a European (European Trade Union Confederation – 1948). youth policy of an institutional nature. The handling of the post-war years and of the Cold War incited states The crisis of 1968 and the emergence to refuse an interventionist model for youth policy. In the post-war period, the of the “Youth seen as a generation” concept still vivid memory of ideologically motivated youth policies (notably in France, the Vichy’s legacy) led to the rejection by youth movements of all attempts The way the youth issue was perceived partly explains the answer that by the public authority, however weak they were, to implement a unified and was given to it. In the 1960s, youth was seen as a “generation”. Youth was centralised youth policy. This contradiction perhaps explains the fact that, at considered as a mobilised group or as a group that could be mobilised. the time, youth was both largely present in the ideology of reconstruction, yet The crisis of 1968 is best described as the unrest among a generation, as so absent in concrete policies. illustrated in the debate held on the 24th September 1968 at the Consultative Second important element : the reassertion of the Western model Assembly of the Council of Europe on the Report by Marcel Hicter1, devoted of representative democracy compared to the East. The West’s approach to “a world sick with its youth”. With youth crises spreading to many European was, therefore, one of an opposing and alternative model to that of the countries, youth participation becomes a recurrent theme in the political management of youth in the communist countries. Both governments and debate. parliamentarians were unanimous in considering that any youth policy had to At the same time, one could note the desire of politicians to link be based on the promotion of youth organisations, which were recognised youth to European issues, as if European construction was the legacy that the as an ideal framework to promote democratic participation and as offering, post-war generation wished to pass on to the next. For the Council of Europe, through their diversity and autonomy, the necessary conditions for the a Western conception of human rights and democracy needed to be defended. absence of governmental control of youth. This conception was intended to For the Community, however, ensuring the dissemination of the European be promoted by Western Europe in terms of its contribution to democracy idea and the perspective of the EEC enlargement was a priority. All this for and to the respect of human rights ; a conception that was nourished by the the sake of peace in Western Europe and for the sake of defending Western recent experience of youth indoctrination by the fascist and Nazi powers, and Europe’s social model. Hence, the historical situation was characterised characterised the “Western” approach, in opposition to the way in which youth by two quite different aspects of it : on the one hand, the inheritance of a was organised in the communist States at the time. movement of dissent, which Bourdieu would qualify as a “fighting age class”2, The display of independence and internationalism of INGYOs the 1968 years, and on the other hand, an international context that leads to (International Non Governmental Youth Organisations), when facing their the “instrumentalisation” of youth. governments, all the more enhanced the latter’s position on the issue. The will to institutionalise social dialogue in the industrial society At the beginning of the 1960s, few of them existed on the European of the 1960s : the economic situation and the functioning of the 1950s and scene, yet they often predated European institutions, and could easily be 1960s industrial society provided a context that fostered the development “classified”. of this model. As underlined by Menschaert’s report3, the political system of these two decades generated a social cohesion, which built itself upon 116 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 117
4 Etienne Grosjean, high the institutionalisation of social dialogue between hierarchical social classes, a policy of financial support to youth activities, through DG ICC (Directorate 5 Olivier Galland, “Sociologie civil servant of the Belgian de la Jeunesse” Edit. Armand government, representing through intermediary representative associations. The report also stated that General Information Culture Communication / the current DG X). (Colin, 1997, p. 92). Belgium towards the Council “youth organisations take part in this social dialogue… This is the shared This difference was logical, seen the different nature of both of Europe for youth and culture 6 Op cit. Olivier Galland, p. 53. issues during 25 years. conviction, whereas social progress is linked to economic progress, and the institutions. Since the Council of Europe answered a political and cultural ongoing construction will give way to a society based upon a greater social challenge, i.e. the “promotion of a democratic model”, the existence of 7 In briefing document prepared justice. The associative life’s participatory model is conceived as a way to independent youth organisations was one of the characteristics of this by the Council of Europe’s reach this objective”. democracy. On its side, the Community answered an economic logic of Youth Directorate Secretariat for the 5th Conference integration and focused its action on information and mobility programmes. of Youth Ministers, Bucharest, 27-29/04/98, “25 years It is in this context that an institutional framework of youth policy in the Council for youth participation emerged. 2. The second era or the transition period of Europe”, May 98. (end of the 1970s – end of the 1980s) : 8 Final text of the Following May 1968, the Council of Europe’s Consultative Assembly (known The progressive reconsideration of first Youth Ministers’ today as the Parliamentary Assembly) included in its agenda a systematic the institutional model of participation. Conference, Strasbourg, review of the European policy in relation to youth. The debate of the 24th 17-19 December 1985. September 1968 on Marcel Hicter’s report dedicated to “ a world sick with We progressively moved from youth representation, seen as a “potential its youth” led to a new meeting (1969), during which a second report was deviation” that needed an insertion through politics, to an image of “victim discussed that was devoted to the review of European policy in relation of the economic crisis”, which required economic and social insertion to youth. In 1972, a resolution by the Committee of Ministers set up the programmes. The rise in social malfunctioning, coming from the urban and European Youth Centre (EYC), followed by the European Youth Foundation industrial development, slowly modified the youth image. “Young people (EYF, established in 1973). “Therefore, the creation of the EYC and the EYF no longer represent the idealised future of society ; on the contrary, they are the expression of a dual political awareness. On the one hand, of the represent the potential ferment of social disaggregation”5. We could then necessity to provide youth with a real space for creation and participation in refer to a “socialisation rupture”. Indeed, “…social workers are going to take society, and, on the other hand, of the new steps of European construction in over from volunteers coming from youth movements”. which not only governments, but also the society as a whole, were called to This uneasiness became stronger from the beginning of the take part in.4 1980s, with the aggravation of youth unemployment, which completed the To consolidate this perception, the EYCs and EYF were then created, transformation of the image of youth. From a potential deviation, youth based on the co-management between representatives of youth organisations became the victim of the economic crisis. All countries recentralised their and of governments. In this sense, the organisations represented completely youth policies, targeting youth employment and professional insertion : “the new experiments, which did not have any equivalent in existing international question of economic insertion will supplant the one of youth ways.”6 bodies. An institutional group, composed of the EYC, EYF and co-management On the European level, this transformation of national youth was born, and has since always been considered as “one” if not as “the” policies resulted in a progressive contestation of the institutional model essential character determining the angle with which to approach any debate of youth participation, put in place within the Council of Europe and in the on youth policy. reconsideration of the traditional representativeness of youth organisations. On the Community side, another approach to the issue prevailed. First pointer : the creation of CAHJE (Ad hoc Committee on youth questions), In 1960, the Kreyssig Fund was established, devoted to youth information. which became the CDEJ in 1988 (European Steering Committee for Youth) : In 1966, a debate took place in the European Parliament for the creation of “the need to see the advance of a youth policy that is common to the European a European Youth Office to replace the Kreyssig Fund. The crisis of 1968 plan requires the creation of an intergovernmental cooperation structure”7. relaunched this debate on youth, and in 1969, the final declaration of the Within the context of the International Year of Youth, in 1985 Heads of States and Governments stated, in what concerns the adoption of the CAHJE organised the first conference of European Youth Ministers, the Community’s enlargement principle, “the necessity to ensure the active which, although devoted to the topic of participation, reaffirming the role youth participation in the ongoing transformations and in the important of international youth organisations, also emphasised the new situation of enterprise of the European construction”. economic crisis and the need to involve young people at all levels (local, Following this statement, the Commission tried to involve youth regional, national and international).8 It was the emergence of the concept of organisations in the implementation of a community youth policy. A youth “unorganised youth” that gave way to the “reserve” of 5% of the funds to be colloquium took place in Brussels in June 1970. However, the enlargement allocated to the European Youth Foundation, for projects linked to “new youth perspective led the Community bodies to postpone the setting up of such a representation modes”, and to a seat in the co-management bodies for the policy. It was only in 1978 that a Youth Forum was born in France. Compared representation of these new movements. to the EYC and the EYF, its nature was completely different. It was a platform One major event here was the European Youth Week, organised financed by the EEC, which could be consulted on youth issues, but which did in Strasbourg, which was a specific contribution of the Council of Europe not have any particular status within the EEC. Nowhere was it question of co- to the International Year of Youth. A mass meeting (almost 1.000 young management, nor of the institutionalised participation of youth organisations. people) with a high media coverage, which was totally new compared to the On the other hand, independently from the Forum, the Community developed traditional activities of the EYC and EYF. On the occasion of this big event, 118 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 119
9 It will be followed by a second local associations and more or less informal youth groups took the floor and and dispersed credits by the Structural Funds (ESF, FEDER, notably through 10 C.G. Lazos, 1995 “Youth programme “Youth for Europe policies in the European Union ; II” in 1991, then by Youth participated to the debates and activities. It was the start of a progressive the obj. 2-3 and 5b or through the PIC) that enabled the emergence of other structures and formation”, for Europe III that covers opening-up to new youth organisations. types of actors in the field of youth, in particular local administrative or political Edit. European Commission- the period 95-99. authorities according to the programmes and the territorial organisations of Studies n°7, Luxembourg
This change in the governments’ discourse found a countries. 11 “25 years of youth policy hook in the community context. This change in the global context provoked a mutation of youth in the Council of Europe”, Briefing document prepared organisations, which were striving to adapt themselves. As soon as resources by the Secretariat of the CoE The majority of community actions in the youth field had until then been limited were available, more and more already existing organisations and new Youth Directorate for the 5th Conference of European to the financing of programmes by DG ICC (Information Communication), which organisations (established under the influence of European policies) applied Youth Ministers, May 98. became DG X, mostly on information topics. However, this conception of for funds and sought the membership of coordination bodies (CENYC and “youth information” was systematically questioned by most of the international ECB) and of co-management authorities. youth organisations, which saw in it a technical and instrumental approach to Three types of organisations appeared : many exchange youth. They believed that the only valid information was transmitted through organisations, which structured themselves on the European level in order training. to have access to European funds ; in the same way, one could see the move As soon as the enlargement process became effective, the debate towards the “Europeanisation” of the youth sections of a certain number of on the reality of the community policy in the youth field was back on the big popular education associations ; a third type concerned the organisations agenda. The theme of mobility was brought back as a way to integrate the that regrouped young people around precise themes, revealing new enlarged Europe. This completed the one on information. It was a theme that preoccupations - the “federation of conscientious objectors”, the “federations appeared in the Community in the 1960s, notably in the final declaration of of young lesbian and gay people”, organisations of underprivileged youth, etc. the Heads of States and Governments Summit of December 1969. Youth Simultaneously, one notices the formation of national youth exchange programmes were to be put into place, first in the field of “Young committees where they did not yet exist : new Member States of the workers exchanges”, involving young workers organisations amongst others. Community, Greece, Spain, Portugal, but also Member States of the Council With the second and third wave of enlargement, this theme of of Europe, such as Cyprus, Malta, and San Marino. mobility reaffirmed itself in the context of the Single European Act. In the Thus, at the end of the 1980s, there was a relatively conflicting White Paper on Growth, Competitiveness and Employment, youth is depicted situation : the reconsideration of the institutional model of participation, at the as one of the central engines for the realisation of the Single Market and benefit of the logic of programmes, stigmatised a certain number of balances as one of the vectors of the free movement of people. The Green paper on of power, while also creating new ones. Social Europe tackles youth employment and insertion, and the need for a It fuelled, at first, the rivalry between national youth committees more open training on Europe and the European dimension of the employment and international youth organisations. East-West relations became the priority market. The Charter of Youth Rights in Europe identifies a certain number of of CENYC (European Committee of National Youth Committees), whereas the rights, such as the right to work, to housing, to training and to leisure time. It International Youth Organisations prioritised their capacity to negotiate with therefore seemed logical that most of these elements were to be part of the the European institutions for funds for their activities. considerations that preceded the decision by the Council creating the youth Then, it also fuelled the rivalry between political and non- exchange programme “Youth for Europe”. This programme, implemented political organisations within International Youth Organisations : the birth of following the decision by the Council 88/348/EEC9, generalised the principles a European youth policy at the beginning of the 1960s was nurtured by a of the youth exchange programme for young workers to young people outside political discourse, and was marked by confrontations between political the school circuit. The objective was clearly to enable the biggest number youth organisations. The multiplication of technical or thematic organisations of exchanges possible. A simple international partnership was necessary, changed the debate : there was a transition from a political confrontation to whereas this partnership needed to be formalised in the framework of the the “management of resources allocated by the institutions”. Council of Europe. This inevitably resulted in a increasingly conflicting situation On the other hand, the objective of economic and social cohesion between governments and youth organisations, but not in a Manichean way, also became obvious, in particular the issue of youth unemployment and its as the disagreements were the same between governments. This mainly consideration in the community programmes. Two references were almost came down to the confrontation between countries that reconsidered the systematic : “unorganised youth and underprivileged youth” ; two criteria that “narrow and privileged” nature of the policy developed within the Council of modified the terms of implementation. To reach out to the unorganised and Europe (the United Kingdom in the logic of Thatcher’s government, France, underprivileged youth, the Commission favoured local partners and fostered but also the Netherlands) and the Nordic countries that remained both outside a decentralised and “nationalised” or regionalised implementation. This could the European Community (except for Denmark, which was nevertheless still be translated by two joint phenomena : just as critical towards the Community) and fervent supporters of the Council The development of national technical agencies, quasi-public of Europe, revealed to be stronger and stronger. agencies for youth, and the use of local groups. The actors in the youth policy There was a divergence in the conception of youth policies, as field were thus less and less international and territorial policies. shown by C.G. Lazos, in a study ordered by the European Commission10. In The diversification of the actions for youth through decentralised Northern European countries, the responsibility of actions in the youth field 120 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 121
12 Alain Borredon “Young people fell to non-governmental organisations, and public authorities were in charge deemed it necessary to develop a new European youth policy. Two expert and social change”, review Futuribles, April 97 n° 219. of organising this space of responsibilities. On the contrary, in Southern reports determined the nature of these changes : European countries, the responsibility of youth policies fell to the State and A first expertise on “Young people and associative life in Europe”, public administration. assigned to a group of sociologists under the direction of Martine Vanandruel Logically, this led to a last type of rivalry : the inter-institutional (Belgium) and commissioned by the Governing Board of the EYC/EYF rivalry between the Council of Europe and the European Community. From the (November 1995) ; very first Conference of Youth Ministers in Strasbourg in 1985, the Ministers A second expertise on “The study of the policies and activities of recommended to maintain and encouraged an ongoing cooperation with the Council of Europe in the field of youth”, accomplished under the direction the European Union in the youth field. Nevertheless, 13 years later, the civil of Daniel Menschaert (Belgian high civil servant) and commissioned by the servants of the Council of Europe’s Youth Directorate were rather pessimist11 : Secretary-General of the Council of Europe (August 97). “In spite of the promising perspectives, this cooperation remains at the Both reports concluded with the need to change the actions’ stage of a reciprocal sending of observers to meetings, notably because of a approaches and to adapt to the new situation, “don’t stick an old model to a certain reluctance of the Union to consider the Council of Europe as a genuine new situation” (Daniel Menschaert). partner”. This new context generated a revitalisation of the institutional It is actually the fall of the Berlin Wall and the following upheavals framework characterised by the “marginalisation of the institutional that enabled a certain number of deep modifications in European youth policy. participation issue” at the benefit of the reinforcement of a logic of programmes. 3. The third age (end of the 1980s and 1990s) : Youth organisations were the first to experience this mutation. A youth policy settled in the economic logic After 1989, CENYC (European Council of National Youth Committees) went where young people are linked to a demand through an identity crisis for two main reasons : CENYC had as its main goal to position itself as the privileged framework of East-West relations. The End of the 1980s and beginning of the 1990s, youth actors faced two issues fall of the Berlin Wall and the successive membership requests by national at stake : youth councils of Eastern and Central Europe to CENYC certainly increased The fall of the Berlin Wall redistributed the European cards. What the number of its members, but led it to lose a part of its purpose. Second was at stake for the Council of Europe was no longer to defend the model of reason : the perspective of the enlargement of the EU to the Nordic countries, participation that was proposed as an alternative to the undemocratic model, which limited the interest of these countries in CENYC, since when becoming but was rather the integration of Eastern and Central European countries members of the Union, they could also become members of the Youth Forum in the Council of Europe. In the youth sector, it was translated by a will to of the European Communities. Until then, they could not and were using develop European youth policy in those countries. Thus, in 1990, the 3rd CENYC (and largely financed it) as the bridge that enabled them to participate Conference of Youth Ministers in Lisbon recommended the possibility to in the European debate. It is within that context that one may understand create a second European Youth Centre in Eastern and Central Europe. The the union strategy of youth organisations and the fusion of ECB (European same year, a training session for youth leaders was organised in the ECE. Coordination Bureau of INGYOs), CENYC and the Youth Forum of the European In 1992, the Committee of Ministers decided, in principle, on the creation Community in one single organisation, named the European Youth Forum. Its of the Centre, and in 1993, the 4th Conference of Youth Ministers, which main objective consists in positioning itself as the representative of young was devoted to “Youth in the bigger Europe”, accepted the proposal by the people, both towards the European Union and the Council of Europe, and to Hungarian government to create a Centre in Budapest in 1995. Finally, in be as present as possible in the programmes elaborated by the European 1998, the 5th Conference of Youth Ministers took place in Bucharest on the institutions. theme “Young people, active citizens of the future Europe”. One could think of In parallel to that, the European institutions also drew the lessons a logical prolongation of the great historical themes of the Council of Europe, from the new European situation - in particular in the Council of Europe, such as democracy, human rights, cultural dimension, etc.. but, in reality, the with the reform of the youth sector. This reform could be summarised in situation is quite different, seen the second issue at stake : the evolution of three main points : the marginalisation of the co-management system in the the situation and the behaviour of young people in all European countries. administration and management of the budget of the EYC and EYF activities, If one examines and assesses what happened in a certain number the reinforcement of the intergovernmental side, and the validation of new of European countries in 1986, 1990 and 1994, one notices that young partners that opened the way of European youth policy to themes such as people had been the actors of important social and student movements. research, information and networking. This opening confirmed the evolution However, what is most interesting is the new shape of mobilisation through towards a policy that was focused on the development of youth “services”, coordination. “A short-term mobilisation, although the commitment may be rather than towards a policy of participation. strong… the object of the struggle is limited and is not asserted in terms of On the Community level, one notices an institutional dispersion, political or ideological interpretation and affiliation”12. such as programmes around three issues : youth mobility (Youth for Europe III Facing both challenges, which were, on the one hand, the need to and the European Voluntary Service with DG 22), training and the fight against answer European enlargement and, on the other, to find forms of actions that unemployment, together with actions in favour of underprivileged youth (DG 5, took into account the new reality of youth, a certain number of governments through the different programmes for employment and the decentralised 122 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 123
Laurence Eberhard Harribey actions), and, finally, the relations with the Eastern and Central European is Doctor of Political Science countries through specific programmes. from IEP Paris and holds a Master of Advanced 4. Conclusions Studies in Public Law. She is currently research As a conclusion of this little story of European youth policy from the end of the professor at the Bordeaux 1960s till the end of the 1980s, one can summarise its long-term evolution School of Management, in the following way : as long as the way to conceive the insertion of young responsible for the Chair people in society was of a political nature (i.e. involving young people in the “Sustainable Development structure of democratic representation), and this in the European context of and Global Responsibility the Cold War, the system of co-management and institutional participation of Organisations”. Before implemented by the Council of Europe prevailed. From the moment when the embarking on a career problem became one of youth unemployment, the fight against the exclusion as research professor, and marginalisation of young people in a more and more open Europe, the she served as Secretary- programmatic logic of the European Union became stronger and imposed General of an international itself, also modifying the actions of the Council of Europe in the process. non-governmental youth Globally, this change was characterised by two other important changes : organisation, President of BEC/ECB, Policy Officer at The transition from a system of actors, founded on representative the Mutual Bank and Head democracy (youth organisations are then considered as representative) of development projects to a system of actors rather legitimised by their competence (it was the in a regional development people who “deal with” youth who are representative). This happened agency. She is an expert through the parallel assertion of both experts and technical services for analysis of European public youth, to the detriment of traditional forms of representation. policies and their impact on national and regional Whoever wants to reflect upon European youth policy and its role in European policies. In recent years integration, and the assertion of a European society project funded on she has worked particularly democracy and human rights, could not do so without an in-depth questioning on the question of the on these deeper evolutions and their meaning. emergence of a benchmark for Global Responsibility and Sustainable Development in these policies and on territorial governance issues involving private actors and public actors. 124 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 125 126 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 127
Parliamentary Assembly Assemblée parlementaire Recommendation 592 (1970)[1] on youth problems in Europe
The Assembly,
1. Having regard to the report presented by its Committee on Culture and Education on youth problems in Europe (Doc. 2610) ;
2. Recalling its Recommendation 531 (1968) adopted by the Assembly on the basis of a report on the present crisis in European society (Doc. 2432) ;
3. Considering that the student unrest which led the Consultative Assembly to pass Recommendation 531 (1968) is in fact only one expression of a world crisis of society ; 4. Noting that this process is characterised in the political sphere by an increasingly acute conflict between the growing and often arbitrary demands of state organisation and an unreasoning attitude of total protest, and in the social and economic sphere by an increasing imbalance between artificially stimulated individual consumption and the requirements of providing collective facilities ;
5. Convinced, therefore, that what are generally called youth problems are in the final analysis only the “youth” aspects of a global problem, that of the reform and consequently of the future of society ;
6. Being convinced of the urgent need for appropriate measures to maintain, or to re-establish, dialogue and then to overcome the negative consequences of this conflict, in order to achieve the necessary reforms ;
7. Convinced that the Council of Europe has an important part to play in this field, and that the action it has already taken represents a step in the right direction ; 8. Noting with satisfaction, moreover, the appeal addressed by the non- governmental youth organisations to the Council of Europe and that, when consulted on this subject, they manifested their approval for dynamic initiatives in this field ;
9. Considering that youth problems can be solved only by a comprehensive, forward-looking policy based on scientific data, a methodology and cultural options common to the member states of the Council of Europe ;
10. Being of the opinion that it would be advisable for the Council of Europe to arrange a European symposium on interdisciplinary problems in European society regarded in their youth context ; 128 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 129
11. Emphasising that, in the long run, no reform of society can be and especially the Council for Cultural Cooperation (CCC), to co-ordinate effective without a thorough going reform of education ; the separate vertical projects of the various international organisations, projects which should be replaced by comprehensive horizontal projects, 12. Considering, therefore, that there is urgent need for reform in in the elaboration of which all interested parties should take part ; education, in which it must henceforth be regarded as the teacher’s primary task to stimulate his pupils and not merely to expound knowledge 3 - to grant youth organisations, national, regional and local, all the ex cathedra, that this reform must be carried out in an integrated system material assistance they need to pursue and develop activities which they of permanent education, and emphasising once more the need for a alone are able to carry out ; European long-term cultural development programme ; 4 - to accelerate the reform of systems of education, adopting methods 13. Recalling the growing importance of the role of youth in an ever more and aims which truly meet the demands of present-day life in society ; rapidly changing world, and the crucial importance of permanent dialogue such reforms should be particularly concerned with the following points : with youth and of the effective participation of young people in political, (a) permanent education, permitting especially man to overcome social, economic and social life ; scientific, aesthetic and physical “illiteracy”, and to adjust to successive changes in society ; 14. Being of the opinion, therefore, that all possible steps must be taken, (b) the new role of the school, whose efforts must be directed towards especially by providing material assistance, to help youth organisations in the acquisition of method by its pupils rather than the accumulation of their work, not only at European and national level but also at regional and knowledge ; the school must help to form the character of young people local level ; and must both prepare them for working life and train them to make choices in the consumer society ; it must be the centre where the child’s 15. Considering, moreover, that a special effort must be made in the field creative ability is developed from an early age ; to that end, the child of European civic education, and being of the opinion that the question should be encouraged to participate in decision-making ; of lowering the voting age must be examined in the light of recent (c) the training of teachers, which must be re-orientated to produce experience ; teachers capable above all of stimulating their pupils ; (d) leisure activities, for which a leisure policy must be elaborated which 16. Recalling its views on the desirability of giving the European will make leisure an opportunity for creative activity and for man’s Youth Centre a role which goes beyond pure and simple socio-cultural development as an individual and as a member of society ; leadership, and emphasising once more that this body is by its very nature (e) civics, in connection with which appropriate steps should be taken to a forum in which all kinds of problems relating to the lives of young people develop young people’s civic sense ; can and must be discussed ; 5 - to examine the advisability of lowering the voting age ; 17. Considering also that a body must be created at European level which is capable of co-ordinating and promoting the united activities of II. youth organisations, and welcoming in this connection the results of the meeting of the ad hoc working party of government representatives held 1 - to call under the Council of Europe auspices a European social and in Bonn on 8-9 January 1970 on the subject of the proposed creation of human science conference of experts on youth problems, such as a European Youth Office ; noting furthermore with interest the statement sociologists, psychologists, biologists, doctors and lawyers, to be by Mr. Westphal, Parliamentary Secretary of State of the Federal Republic assisted also by representatives of the Assembly, for the purpose of : of Germany, (a) studying the “youth” aspects of the problems of present-day European society in a comprehensive forward-looking light ; 18. Recommends that the Committee of Ministers : (b) working out a co-ordinated plan of research into the youth problems thus brought to light, concentrating essentially on the points most I. valuable for the enlightenment and guidance of public authorities ; invite the governments of the member countries : 2 - to give the European Youth Centre a dimension enabling it to play 1 - to take the necessary steps to ensure a more strictly scientific the role of a forum where all kinds of problems concerning young people approach to youth problems by better co-ordination of terminology and can be discussed between representatives of youth organisations and methodology ; governmental and parliamentary representatives ;
2 - to maintain the closest possible contact with all the international 3 - to provide the Centre with a type of organisation inspired by the will organisations which are concerned with the same problems and are to engage in dialogue and the need for participation, these being the seeking adequate solutions, and to encourage the Council of Europe, prerequisites for dynamic action ; 130 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 131
4 - to instruct the CCC to consider as quickly as possible, in the light of the results of the meeting of the ad hoc working party of government representatives held in Bonn on 8-9 January 1970 at the invitation of the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, ways and means of meeting the demand formulated by the non-governmental youth organisations for the creation of a European Youth Office (Foundation). [1]. Assembly debate on 26 January 1970 (21st Sitting) (see Docs. 2713 and 2610, reports of the Committee on Culture and Education).
Text adopted by the Assembly on 26 January 1970 (21st Sitting). 132 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 133 134 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 135 136 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 137 138 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 139 Louise Mollard la Bruyere — Manif altermondialiste 142 A European (Youth) History 143
A Case Study of transnational linkage and “engrenage” of non-governmental Youth organisations actors in the European Community The remarkable case of youth and the European organisations words by Richard Corbett
Communities In the aftermath of the student upheavals of the 1960s, a rapid development of European structures of youth and student organisations took place. Initially, this development was facilitated by the setting up of two unique agencies at the Council of Europe level, but subsequently, and after considerable conflict among the youth organisations themselves, a “Youth Forum of the European Communities” was established providing a vehicle for contact and interaction with the European Community. In going through the somewhat complex, though fascinating, history of these developments, one can illustrate a number of processes that have been considered significant by integration theorists and others that have not been subject to academic attention. This case study sheds light on
1) How actors who initially perceived little direct interest to themselves in Community affairs can become caught up and, ultimately, devote a large proportion of their activities to Community affairs ;
2) How actors who are initially hostile to European integration can nevertheless be brought in reluctantly to a bargaining process ;
3) How the supranational authorities themselves can stimulate and manipulate the process through financial stimulants, seeking allies and playing on divisions ;
4) How a perceived lack of relative influence does not hinder the development of activity by the actors ; and
5) How the European Community has built on a basis laid down by the Council of Europe.
Significance attached by theorists
Integration theorists of many schools (neofunctionalist, transnationalist, federalist and others) have frequently attributed considerable importance to the process whereby actors and pressure groups begin to react and interact directly with supranational institutions, by-passing national governments, sometimes on a transnational basis. For example, Philippe Schmitter, in his revised theory of regional integration, constructs a model whereby integration proceeds in successive cycles, in which he suggests that in a third phase of transforming cycles “sub- national actors each with their respective strategies, will combine into stable 144 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 145
1 1 Philippe Schmitter « A revised transnational coalitions of support and opposition . Donald Puchula sees as occupying positions as president or secretary-general of international youth 11 E.g. Mr Brok (Christian theory of regional integration » 11 Democrat), Mr Fich and Mrs in Lindberg and Scheingold Eds. one of the most interesting features of his “concordance system” model organisations . Even organisations that proclaim their non-partisan nature are Wieczorek-Zeul (Socialist) and 2 Regional Integration Theory and that national governments are not the only important actors . Juliet Lodge inevitably caught up in political issues ; the Scout Movement has to handle Mr Spencer (Conservative). Research (Harvard University Press, 1971, page 260). develops an argument that public loyalty towards the EC will only develop delicate negotiations with governments in a number of developing countries 2 Among the participants at its with an increase in the possibilities for citizens’ participation in Community and has to decide where to place Israeli and Arab tents at their jamborees early congresses were Rosa 2 Donald J. Puchula : « Of blind activities3. Federalists have argued that the development of “transnational and whether to continue to recognise their South African section. The Luxemburg, Karl Liebknecht, men, elephants and international Leon Trotsky and others. integration » - Journal of Common movements constitutes a strategic objective for federalists in order to create leadership of the Scout Movement in Geneva is, thus, a politically sensitive Market Studies, Volume 10, 4 5 a European political culture” . Other observers such as the Agenor Group have body, conducting delicate negotiations. The leaderships in most educational, 13 The most impressive bilateral No. 3 1972, page 278. developed arguments that can be interpreted as perceiving the development pedagogic and social youth organisations are similarly well-versed in political scheme is the Franco-German Youth Office, set up Under the 3 Juliet Lodge « Loyalty and of transnational issue-based and left/right cleavages, with a corresponding skills, and such organisations, though usually avoiding party politics, often Elysée Treaty which finances the EEC : the limits of the exchanges of young people, functionalist approach » decline in national cleavages, as being the salient factor in integration. Such a take an active part in campaigning on particular issues. teachers, classes, etc. between Political Studies Volume 25, line of argument is not far removed from transnationalists, such as Deutsch, In almost every western European country, the youth organisations France and Germany. No. 2, page 244 onwards. who have argued for the development of compatible sociological communities of all denominations are grouped together in a national youth council that
4 Report to the 6th European with unbroken lines of social communication as a prerequisite for a political take positions on “youth issues”, such as youth unemployment, exchange Congress of the Executive community. Leon Lindberg in his impressive construction of a multivariate programmes, education policy, vocational training, etc., and determine Bureau of the Jeunesse 6 Européenne Fédéraliste measurement of political integration argues that the development of non- common positions for negotiating with government ministries on subsidies (Brussels, 1981). governmental actors is important in a number of respects. For example, it for youth organisations. This involves them all in detailed policy discussions is important in creating a “demand flow” for collective political action that and bargaining. In the Scandinavian countries, Germany and the Benelux 5 See in particular their pamphlet « An opposition for stimulates governments, which “articulate at least some of their expectations countries in particular, these national youth councils are involved in a very Europe » (Brussels, 1978). and aspirations in terms of the collectivity” and “do not just constitute a wide range of QUANGOS and government consultation procedures, and, in 7 6 Leon Lindberg « Political source of stress but represent the leading edge of the integration process” . addition, substantial public funds are devoted to youth organisations in these intégration as a multi- It is also important to measure how far interest groups come to identify the countries. dimensional phenomenon requiring multivariate furtherance of their interests with the creation of a community decision- measurement » in Lindberg making capability (i.e. with an extension of the scope or capacities of the The development of youth organisations and Scheingold ibid. page 75. system). He suggests that students of integration should measure the rate at at the European level
7 Ibid.page 75. which new interest groups are set up at the level of the collectivity, the growth in their staffing and budgets and the increases or decreases in the volume Until the 1960s, only a few youth organisations possessed a European or 8 O p. Cit. page 78. of their activity8. He repeats his assessment when assessing the outcomes international structure bringing them together with like-minded organisations of collective decision-making9 attributing importance to how interest groups in other countries. The International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) could 9 Ibid. p p. 106 and 107. might alter their political strategies. He says they might turn from national to boast of its continual existence since 190312 and remained a predominantly 10 There are numerous examples transnational lobbying activities at the same time causing large numbers in the European organisation. The European Union of Young Christian Democrats but among the more striking are Wilfried Martens, current Prime general public to develop awareness of and effective orientations towards the (UEJDC) had come into being in the early 1950s. The World Federation of Minister of Belgium and Enrico system and its works. He calls for more empirical research and conceptual Democratic Youth (WFDY), which was set up as an all-purpose organisation Berlinguer, former PCI leader. clarification of these relationships and those who are affected by them. by the Allies at the end of the Second World War, had become de facto Thus, whatever the particular emphasis and perspective, a wide the Communist Youth International with the withdrawal of the western variety of theorists have attributed some degree of importance to the organisations at the outset of the Cold War. But, other party-political youth development of the position of non-governmental actors and especially to their organisations had only sporadic contacts with their counterparts. Among non- development of transnational groupings corresponding to the supranational party-political and European structures with considerable financial resources, organisations that have been set u p. the focus was mainly on exchange activities. The Young European Federalists had made quite a mark in their first years after the war by burning down Youth and student organisations frontier posts, but their international structure collapsed not long after the split in the Federalist Movement in the 1950s. The European Trade Union To the uninitiated, “youth organisations” evoke an image of a boy scouts’ Confederation (ETUC) set up a Youth Committee of young trade unionists, but cam p. However, the world of youth organisations is in fact highly politicised. its status as a youth organisation was questionable. Few others had any form Among the most active are the youth sections of political parties, which, of European structure. in central Europe and Scandinavia, tend automatically to include all party Until 1968, neither the Council of Europe nor the EC had in any members under the age of 35 and form an important part of the career extensive way developed programmes or policies to which internationally structure of politicians. The JUSOS in Germany and the Young Christian organised youth organisations could respond, react or participate. Although Democrats in Belgium, for example, are never long out of the headlines. Many some proposals, particularly from Scandinavian governments, were on the party leaders made a rapid transition from chairman or secretary-general of table in the Council of Europe framework, they were not taken up because the youth section to leadership of the national party10. At EC level, several most governments were satisfied with the existing national or bilateral of the MEPs elected in 1979 came directly, or within a few months, from schemes they had at the time13. A combination, on the one hand, of the 146 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 147
student militancy around 1968 and, on the other hand, at a major scandal Here is not the place to analyse the development of the EYC and the 14 E.g. European Confederation of Youth Clubs (ECYC), involving the acceptance by many non-Communist youth organisations of EYF, though much could be said about the evolution of the co-management International Youth Federation money originating with the CIA had the effect of shaking governments. But formula and the trans-group coalitions that developed, as well as some of the for Environmental Studies and Conservation (IYF), European out of their complacency, it seems, in retrospect, to have shocked them more interesting events supported by the EYF and the EYC. Suffice to say Democratic Students (EDS). into taking up the Scandinavian proposals and agreeing to schemes that in that the cooperation between what tended to be rather left-oriented youth normal times would surely not have received assent. These schemes were organisations (at least in the 1960s and 1970s) and rather conservative 15 e.g Jeunesse Européenne the European Youth Centre and the European Youth Foundation. governments has not been as conflicting as one might have expected and has Fédéraliste (JEF).
The European Youth Centre (EYC), established in 1972, is a led to fruitful creative tension, which has been one of the more lively areas 16 E.g. The European national research and educational centre in Strasbourg with accommodation and of the Council of Europe’s work and one that ventures beyond its traditional sections of the American Field Service (AFS) at last conference facilities. It provides international non-governmental youth intergovernmental approach. having the means to set up their independent body organisations (INGYOs) with the possibility to hold seminars, colloquies, Our interest here is that these bodies transformed the world of European Federation for conferences and training courses on subjects that they themselves European youth organisations and created the basic infrastructure, which the Intercultural Learning (EFIL). choose, with participants that they themselves supply and with experts or European Community was later able to benefit from. The combined effects pedagogical input that they themselves select with the assistance of tutors of the EYC and the EYF on European structures of youth organisations were 17 According to EYF Secretariat. from the Centre‘s staff. Such conferences are financed almost entirely from dramatic. Within a few years, new organisations14 sprouted up bringing the Centre’s own budget. The most striking innovation of the Centre is the together like-minded organisations in different countries, old organisations “co-management system” by which it is run. The governing board consists were revived or strengthened15, and European sections of world organisations of eight governmental representatives (rotating among the 21 governments were created16. In 1973, there were 11 INGYOs with members in seven in the Council of Europe) and eight seats for INGYOs (rotating according countries or more ; in 1987, there were 4317. Many European INGYOs were to systems devised by the main INGYOs themselves). In addition, there is for the first time able to set up full-time secretariats. The circulation of their an advisory committee composed exclusively of INGYOs. Within the limits newsletters and magazines was extended to reach beyond the national of the budgetary and the staffing constraints laid down by the Committee secretariats of member organisations, often being sent directly from the of Ministers of the Council of Europe, it is the co-management organs of European office to regional and local branches. Contacts among members the Centre itself that decide on which organisation will be entitled to hold ceased to be the privilege of a few national leaders, either at statutory seminars in the Centre, on the type of training courses to offer and on the meetings or at conferences, seminars and other events organised with the other main activities of the Centre. The Centre also houses a library, which assistance of the EYC and the EYF. includes a unique collection of the main publications of youth organisations These sorts of development were seen by many governments to and of many research documents on youth-related issues. It has excellent be in themselves fulfilment of the goal sought by establishing the EYF and audio-visual production facilities. the EYC. The bringing together of young people from different countries for The European Youth Foundation (EYF), established in 1973, meetings, the gaining of international and intercultural experience and the disperses grants to international youth organisations for their activities and regular exchange of information and ideas (together, perhaps, for some, to cover their infrastructure costs. It can also give grants to national youth with the channelling of youthful enthusiasm into constructive channels) were organisations for international activities. Formally the EYF is not part of the the be-all and end-all of the EYF and the EYC. Others, though by no means Council of Europe, though the latter does provide its secretariat facilities. underestimating the importance of these aspects, foresaw and understood Like the EYC, it is run on a co-management basis with an advisory committee that activists of INGYOs would not simply be content to meet regularly but composed of youth organisations, an intergovernmental committee would seek to pursue the aims of their respective organisations at European composed of youth organisations and an intergovernmental committee level. In particular, full-time members of the secretariats of INGYOs would be composed of member governments each electing eight representatives seen on the lookout for issues and projects that could develop their own role. to the governing board. There is, however, one significant difference with A whole process had been set in motion. the EYC ; the youth side of the co-management formula is shared equally One of the first developments to take place, indeed concurrent with between INGYOs and National Youth Councils (NYCs). In theory this difference or even preceding the final establishment of the EYC, was of structures to reflects the fact that the Foundation can also give grants to national youth defend the collective interests of youth organisations at the European level. organisations, but in fact it reflects the fact that National Youth Councils in the Reference has already been made to the existence of national youth councils member states had woken up to the fact that they were missing out on some in each country. These joined together in 1963 into an organisational forum important developments at the European level and wished to participate know as the Council of European National Youth Committees (CENYC), which, in the co-management formula. Having close relationships to many of the in addition to providing a means of contact and of exchanging information national governments, they were easily able to persuade these to modify the between national youth councils, also lobbied for their interests at the co-management formula to include them. They did not succeed in attempts European level in particular during the creation of the EYC and the EYF. On to change retrospectively the formula as it applies to the EYC. The INGYOs the INGYO side, the major organisations established a liaison bureau in 1971 strongly resisted these moves, arguing that national organisations have their that became one year later the European Coordination Bureau of International main sources of support, as well as their main tasks at the national level, Youth Organisations (ECB). This was also to defend their collective interest vis- whereas it is up to INGYOs to act at the international level. à-vis European and international institutions but was at least partly in response 148 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 149
to the pretence of CENYC to represent, by virtue of the fact that it included (1) The fact that an important part of their funding came from the Council 18 The EYFF funding mechanism for infrastructure support all the national youth councils, European youth. ECB made specific provision of Europe had led to awarded extra points to INGYOs in its statutes for CENYC to join it as a single international youth organisation, for every country in which there existed an affiliated national as bait it was offered three votes (instead of the usual one per organisation) a) a concentration on Council of Europe activities, which indeed are section within the Council and other privileges. CENYC, however, preferred to remain unaffiliated to ECB largely in the youth/education/culture area and of Europe plus Finland. and regarded itself as a separate representative body. This division, which b)the establishment of European INGYOs on wider geographical basis 18 19 The account of these continues until the present day, was to be a vital feature in the establishment than the EC, which meant that any undue concentration on EC affairs negotiations and of the roles of European youth structures. was unlikely to be of interest to those national sections from non-member played by CENYC, ECB, WFDY and others would in themselves For many, the division was one of principle. Some national states of the EC. be Worth a lengthy article. youth councils argued that they were in fact more representative of youth 20 Of particular interest was organisations than were the internationals, as only a minority of organisations (2) Many INGYOs did not perceive the EC to be particularly relevant to the Secretary-General of CENYC had at that point developed international structures. Most work of youth the issues they were dealing with. For example, virtually all the main from 1975-1980, Bjørn Hansen, who rose the prominence organisations is carried out at the national level, closer to the grassroots, and INGYOs were involved in protracted negotiations with East European within the youth world as national youth councils have years of experience of working with governments youth organisations following the signature of the Helsinki Agreement the leader of the students’ movement for a « no » vote and ministerial departments. On the other hand, some international in 1975, which had specifically called upon the youth organisations to in the Norwegian referendum organisations pointed out that INGYOs had been specifically created by those set up a framework for East/West youth and student contacts. Many on EC membership in 1972. organisations wishing to be active at the European level. These had already organisations had policies giving high priority to supporting détente and 21 Named after the member developed policies, attitudes and working relations with European institutions, wished to devote a considerable proportion of their time and resources of the European Parliament whereas the NYCs were set up primarily to act at the national level on in developing these contacts19. Furthermore, many youth organisations who first proposed it. national issues. They felt that any coordinating body to act on behalf of the did not perceive the EC as being particularly relevant to “youth issues”, collectivity of youth organisations at the European level should bring together though this was partly due to lack of information. organisations active at that level, just as national youth councils in a particular country normally brought together youth organisations active at the national (3) There was considerable anti-EC feeling among a large proportion, level and were not a sum of regional youth councils. The NYCs were free to possibly at times a majority of youth organisations, at least as far as EC participate through CENYC as single organisation. involvement in youth politics was concerned. This was due to In addition to these arguments of principle were clear clashes of interest. Reference has already been made to the conflict between INGYOs (4) a.the strength and influence of the Nordic youth organisations who and NYCs over the composition of the statutory organs of the EYC and feared a division within Western Europe between EC countries and the the EYF. This conflict was to resurface periodically at such times as the wider Council of Europe and who consistently argued for as many matters appointment of new officials in these bodies and occasionally in the allocation as possible relating to youth, social affairs and cultural exchanges to take of resources. As we shall see, new areas of conflict were soon to emerge. place within the Council of Europe framework and sought to minimise The relationship, however, was rendered more complicated by the fact that contacts, even on other issues, with the EC. It was also due to the strength a majority of NYCs. Therefore, CENYC itself were dominated in the 1960s (in terms of membership numbers, finance and facilities) of youth and and 1970s by the political centre-left, and there was considerable overlap students’ organisations in the Nordic countries – they almost invariably among persons occupying positions of responsibility both in the NYCs and played a very strong role in any given European organisation20 – and national sections of IUSY or other socialist INGYOs. On concrete issues, it b.hostility from the left, notably British, Danish, Greek and some German was not infrequent to see a convergence of positions between CENYC and the and Dutch left-of-centre organisations, which, together with Nordic and socialist-inclined organisations within ECB, and this in turn led IUSY and some other non-EC sections, could form an anti-EC majority in left-of-centre of its allies to perceive it to be in their interest to have a strong presence of INGYOs. national youth councils in certain youth fora. c. As a result, non-political youth organisations and also national youth Youth organisations at the EC councils were often reluctant to become too embroiled in an area that promised much controversy, preferring to concentrate on their more By the mid-1970s, youth organisations of all the main political families, settled relationships with the Council of Europe, UNESCO, etc. pressure groups and sectorial interests were established on the European scene and strong enough to take part in lobbying activities vis-à-vis European These attitudes were compounded by the EC position on finance institutions. In fact, however, European INGYOs paid little attention to the for youth organisations. Since the mid-1960s, the Commission had at the European Community with the exception of those with a particular interest, disposal of its Directorate-General for Information a small fund, known as the such as Young European Federalists (JEF), the ETUC Youth Committee and Kreyssig Fund21, which was devoted to information activities for the benefit the Young Farmers. This can be attributed to a number of factors : of young people. A small part of this fund was used to subsidise international youth organisations for certain activities related to the EC. These funds were allocated purely by administrative decision within the responsible directorate 150 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 151
22 Point 16 of the of the Commission. INGYOs did not fail to note the contrast with the co- training schemes, equivalence of diplomas, youth travel, exchanges and Final communiqué management formula of the Council of Europe that involved them in such education. In view of the lack of interest or open hostility shown by most decisions and very soon strong criticisms developed of the “paternalistic” youth organisations, as described above, which became apparent during a and “bureaucratic” methods of the Commission. The Commission pointed out seminar the Commission organised with them in 1970, the Commission first that, unlike the Council of Europe instruments, the Kreyssig fund was not set put forward in 1972 a proposal for a body set up on a governmental basis. up for the benefit of INGYOs but was set up as part of the Commission’s own Governments of each member state would nominate experts in the field information policy, and it refused to be drawn into any discussions on co- to sit on this body. Predictably, this proposal met with the hostility of the management, though under pressure from ECB it did eventually reveal more youth organisations. Although they had shown little interest in participating details about which organisations received how much. themselves, they were certainly opposed to another body being set up In itself, however, this information only worsened the conflict. It was composed of government-nominated experts supposedly knowledgeable revealed that more than half the funds went to three other organisations : the about youth affairs when they themselves claimed to represent youth in Youth Committee of ETUC, JEF and ECB itself. In other words it appeared Europe. In the climate of the time, youth across the continent was up in arms that the Commission was deliberately using this fund to support those against “paternalistic” attitudes, of which this seemed symbolic, all the more organisations that it perceived as being more useful to the Community. The so at a time when the Council of Europe was launching its co-management difference in the level of support for ECB and CENYC (the latter receiving about structures. National Youth Councils put pressure on national governments, one-tenth of the amount of the former) was fuelled the controversy between and the proposal was rejected in the Council. internationals and national committees, though the arguments by the ECB The Commission then came forward with a proposal for a “Youth secretariat to the effect that a higher level of subsidy to them was justified Forum” that would be composed of youth organisations themselves. Finance because INGYOs. With relatively few sources of support at the international was obtained for a “temporary secretariat” for this Youth Forum, which would level, they could not be expected to finance their activities to the same extent be charged with preparing the statutes, etc. This placed the youth organisations as NYCs with their relatively high national sources of finance did not go down in a dilemma : on top of the generally hostile attitude referred to above, many well with all of its own member organisations, many of whom did not receive pro-EC organisations had also reasons to oppose the establishment of such a anything from the Kreyssig fund. In short, although the Kreyssig fund enabled body. The ETUC Youth Committee, for instance, under pressure from its adult some youth organisations to finance some important activities on EC affairs, section, was reluctant to see another representative body established in the its overall impact on INGYOs was rather small. If the Commission had hoped Community with pretensions to speak on such issues as youth unemployment to purchase the goodwill of INGYOs, it certainly failed. Even the generous and vocational training. Others feared that once the Forum was established, subsidies given to the ECB had little impact on ECB policy ; it enabled the financial support under the Kreyssig fund would cease and all sums being ECB to survive financially and, therefore, to exist and to carry out its activities swallowed up by the Forum itself. Nevertheless, few organisations felt able largely at other levels (Council of Europe, European, United Nations). Yet to take a position of opposition on principle to the creation of the Forum. although its overall effect was to alienate the youth organisations still further This was firstly because, having successfully opposed the creation of a from the Communities, it did introduce a note of caution in the policy of ECB, “paternalistic” committee of youth experts, they could hardly turn around and the prospects of financial benefit from a reformed Kreyssig fund were not and say that they themselves were not interested. This would reopen the without interest for a number of organisations. prospects for such a committee of experts. Secondly, some organisations did favour the establishment of the Forum and, though they did not say in The proposal for an EC Youth Structure public that they would be willing to participate in it by themselves without the majority of youth organisations, such an eventuality was considered to be The 1969 European Summit in The Hague, which influenced like the Council feasible. Thirdly, even within the organisations hostile to the establishment of Europe at that time by the recent student revolts, had adopted in its final of the Forum, minorities existed that were favourable, for example within declaration22, a reference to the need to involve young people more closely CENYC, the French and Italian National Youth Councils within IUSY the Belgian, with the process of European integration. It was on this basis that the Luxembourg, French, Italian and later Spanish sections. Fourthly, some Commission was to put forward proposals, which, though only after many organisations wished to maintain goodwill towards the Commission, either for years of negotiation, were completely to transform the relations between the financial considerations or because they were involved in joint projects, and EC and the youth organisations and were to refocus the attention of youth did not wish to appear to be too negative. These pressures led to an overall organisations on the EC. negotiating position by the youth organisations, thrashed out through ECB The Commission was not interested in proposing a new means of and CENYC, which agreed to enter into exploratory talks with the Commission assistance to youth organisations, preferring not to duplicate the tasks of in view of setting up the Forum provided that certain conditions were met. the Council of Europe’s specialised agencies in this field (and probably not These were principally : interested anyway in setting up a system in which it would itself have had to share control on how money was actually spent). Instead, the Commission put (1) that the Forum be granted adequate rights of information, consultation forward a proposal for a consultative body on youth affairs that would advise and initiative on Community policies related to youth, it on issues relating to youth policy. “Youth policy” was not clearly defined but was generally understood to relate to matters such as youth unemployment, (2) that it be financed entirely out the Community budget, 152 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 153
23 The controversy was re- (3) that it must not be at the expense of existing funds for the benefit of the finance and rights of information, consultation and initiative for the 24 Letter reprinted in Youth opened some three years after Forum brochure May 1981 the establishment of the Forum youth organisations, Forum still preventing its establishment. A general meeting in December (Unitex, Brussels). by which time an increase in 1977 charged the Temporary Secretariat (which was renamed “Provisional the number of affiliated INGYOs 25 Some pro-Forum had tipped the balance in the (4) that the Forum be involved in the allocation of grants under the Executive Committee”) with finalising the negotiations in time for a general organisations such as the JEF, General Assembly strongly Kreyssig fund (initially the demand was for co-management). meeting in June 1978. By this meeting, the Commission had drawn up its which had built up their credibility in favour of the internationals. among other organisations In the end, the issue was final offer on these matters in the form of a letter from the President of the by taking a tough line on the settled by bringing in a voting 24 This negotiating position was tolerable both to those supporting the Commission (Jenkins) to the Youth Forum . In this letter, the Commission conditions, skilfully shifted system guaranteeing absolute position at this stage. parity between the groups. establishment of the Forum, who were pleased that talks were at least getting stated that it was ready for “dialogue” with the Forum on matters of concern underway, and those who were hostile, who felt that the conditions were so to young people and youth organisations but that this “would not imply a right 26 Article 50 EEC Treaty. stringent that the EC was unlikely ever to be able to meet them, e.g. it was of consultation”. On the other hand, the letter contained undertakings that inconceivable that the Forum be given a right of initiative, which even the “individual members of the Commission will seek the views of the Forum on a 27 Ad Melkert, now a member European Parliament does not possess. case by case basis” and that “the relevant Commission services (will) make a of the Dutch Parliament.
This was a sufficient basis on which to establish the temporary point of developing a close working relationship with the Forum” and “enable 28 Strengthening of the young secretariat in 1975. In fact this did not consist of a secretariat but of a small the youth organisations to be well informed on the progress of Community workers exchange programmes, launching of ERASMUS, COMET working group composed of ECB and CENYC (providing the secretariat activities”, as well as that “the Commission will be ready to propose to the and YES projects, development facilities) the Danish, Belgian, French and Italian National Youth Councils, IUSY, Budgetary Authority, the Council and the Parliament, a reasonable regular of Commission publications UEJDC, ETUC and YMCA. This represented a delicate balance of national contribution to the running costs of the Forum”. He stated that he awaited directed at youth, etc.
committees and internationals, political and nonpolitical, pro-Forum and anti- “with great interest the initiatives which the Youth Forum will take and present 29 Indirectly, far more young Forum. The secretariat reported to periodic general meetings at which all ECB to the Commission”. people were involved in events organised under the and CENYC member organisations were represented. These undertakings, though important, clearly fell short of the auspices of the EYC and the EYF, but these activities were One of the first issues to be resolved was a conflict among youth conditions that the youth organisations had laid down. Nevertheless, the usually those of the individual organisations themselves, once again the old issue of INGYOs versus NYCs. necessary majority was obtained by one vote for the formal creation of the organisations, not of the The arguments put forward were along the lines of those described earlier in Youth Forum. How had such a shift in position come about ? institutions themselves.
this paper. The divisions among the internationals were also along the lines First, it should be remembered that the youth organisations’ original 30 With Gorbachov’s “Glasnost”, described but reinforced the fact that anti-Forum internationals welcomed demands were a compromise, and some organisations saw it at most as it has now been revived. CENYC and, in particular, certain national councils as allies and supported an initial bargaining posture. The tougher aspects of which were a sop to 25 31 When the Portuguese their presence in the Forum. It was, therefore, established right from the the more hard-line youth organisations . Second, the Commission officials National Youth Council was beginning that both sorts of organisations would be present. However, there had carefully explained why the youth organisations’ requests could not be established, it joined the Youth Forum before joining CENYC. was still much scope for argument over the position of each in the structure met for legal and constitutional basis, an argument unlikely to carry weight and on voting power. This was finally resolved when a structure for the Forum with organisations opposed to the Forum’s creation but which did have some was agreed whereby in the general assembly NYCs were each to have six impact on the middle ground. Third, interest in the potential of the Forum was representatives and INGYOs three (given the respective numbers of each, growing among organisations because youth related issues were becoming these figures gave a very small majority to the internationals23. In the Executive more important in the Community at that time (e.g. Youth unemployment Committee one seat would be given to each NYC, and an equivalent number of measures, young workers’ exchange programme, discussions on a “European seats were granted to the internationals to be filled by election among them. Foundation”). Last but not least, the process of creating the Forum had This compromise, which was highly favourable to the national committees developed its own momentum ; after years of negotiations and preparations given that they each sat permanently on the Executive Committee, was only many of the individuals concerned were interested in something coming out achieved after much wrangling. Naturally, some organisations involved that of it. Expectations had been born in other circles, and names of possible were not particularly enthusiastic about the establishment of the Forum did candidates for Secretary-General and President of the Forum were already not hesitate to prolong the discussion. Similarly, other discussions over the beginning to circulate. This latter aspect generated its own momentum, and structure, working methods and conditions for membership of the Forum anti-Forum or reluctant organisations knew that their candidate would stand were also protracted. little chance if they had been too strongly opposed to the Forum. The results Statutes for the Forum were ready only after three long years of of all these factors were to create a climate of expectancy at the General negotiations. They included a controversial clause to the effect that the Forum meeting such that less than one third of organisations held out against the would only start operating and formally come into existence following a vote Forum’s creation. by a two-thirds majority in a plenary meeting of all the youth organisations. As soon as it was created, the Forum entered into a bitter election. Obviously, such a vote would only take place when the conditions laid down by The first ordinary General Assembly was held in December 1978. Attention the youth organisations had been met. Significantly, a one-third minority would focused on the election of the Secretary-General and the deputy, as well be able to block the establishment of the Forum ; clearly the organisations as the President of the Forum and the Chairmen of the three “Permanent hostile to its creation felt that they would be able to secure such a blocking Commissions”. ECB and CENYC had agreed to share these posts equally, but minority. the various organisations, political tendencies, and pro-Forum and anti-Forum With statutes and other preparations finalised, there was no factions hotly contested the posts within the balance. The ultimate outcome issue other than the fulfilment of the youth organisations’ conditions on of the various alliances that took place was to defeat both of conspicuously 154 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 155
Richard Corbett, born pro-Forum and anti-Forum candidates for the Secretariat (two low-profile organisations. With the annual General Assembly, they involved a far greater Corbett was Secretary- 29 in 1955, Southport, candidates were elected by a narrow majority), the election of a pro-Forum number than those involved directly in any of the existing frameworks. It General of the European Lancashire is currently work- President and the election of two anti-Forum Permanent Commission involved them, as representatives of their organisations, in policy discussions Co-ordination Bureau of ing in the Cabinet of the Chairmen out of three. and meant that for the first time youth clubs in Denmark, Scouts in Belgium, International non-govern- President of the European young Socialists in Germany. All the other organisations had to discuss a mental Youth Organisations Council. He was a Member The impact of the Youth Forum variety of EC matters and come up with policy positions for their delegates. (BEC) from 1977 to 1981, of the European Parliament EC affairs were placed firmly on the agenda of young political activists in all representing youth organ- for the Labour Party for Having had a delayed and difficult birth, how did this initially unwanted child the Member States, not just in terms of general notions in favour or against isations in the Council of Yorkshire and the Humber, develop ? Very soon, and in spite of its weak or lukewarm leadership, the Forum the EC but in terms of a variety of EC policies or potential policies. Many Europe’s European Youth serving between 1996 and developed a high level of activity and participation by youth organisations in organisations were for the first time put in contact with the Commission and Foundation and European 2009. Corbett was educat- its events. The three Permanent Commissions dealt respectively with political, found they could develop fruitful activities with it. In turn, more and more Youth Centre, helped to ed at Farnborough Road economic/social, and cultural/educational matters. Within two years, the of the time and resources of the various INGYOs and NYCs were devoted set up the Youth Forum of School in Southport, the political commission had taken up such matters as the renegotiation of the to Youth Forum matters, both because of the high level of Forum activity the European Community International School of Lomé Convention, EC-South Africa trade, Youth rights, enlargement, and the (which generated increasing demands but also gave more raisons d’être and represented western Geneva and Trinity College, reform of the CA p. The social commission had worked on the Commission to the Secretariats of INGYOs and NYCs) and because of a relative decline European youth organisa- Oxford and later did an ex- proposals for linked work and training, Social Fund aid for youth employment in some of the other international youth frameworks : the East-West “All- tions in negotiations with 26 ternal doctorate at the schemes, the young workers exchange programmes , and the social European” framework entered a period of deadlock in 1981 caused ostensibly Eastern European organ- University of Hull. He co- situation of young workers. The third Commission had looked at problems by a dispute over membership but in fact reflecting the deterioration of East- isations pursuant to the 30 ordinated the Oxford stu- of equivalence of diplomas, access to higher education, illiteracy, youth West relations in the early 1980s ; the EYF and the EYC statutory organs Helsinki Treaty (as well as dent “Yes” campaign in the exchanges and the position of foreign students. The Forum also organised a had settled into rather routine management procedures, as well as being at the World Festival of 1975 referendum on mem- successful public hearing on the employment of young women. constrained by budgetary restraint at Council of Europe level. UNESCO was Youth in Havana in 1978 bership of the European This range of subjects was not without controversy in the Forum preoccupied and handicapped by the withdrawal of the USA. From being, ten along with Charles Clarke Community. He was part itself ; the Danish Youth Council opposed Forum discussion of educational and years earlier, an inconvenient distraction, the Youth Forum had become the and Peter Mandelson). He of the youth board of the cultural matters, just as the Danish government did within the Council. Some main focus of the work of many INGYOs and NYCs in Europe31. worked with Altiero Spinelli European Movement in political issues were deliberately avoided. Some used the South African issue MEP on the latter’s propos- Britain and then to the inter- as a way of discrediting the community. Nevertheless, once a functioning Conclusions al for a draft treaty estab- national presidency of the instrument existed, the natural dynamics of those involved was to use it lishing a European Union, Young European Federalists and to expand its activities. Individuals holding positions of responsibility Looking back at these events, it is clear that they illustrate the five processes adopted by the European (JEF), a post he held from had a vested interest in being seen doing a useful job on behalf of their outlined on page one. The shift in the focus of attention of youth organisations Parliament in 1984. 1979 to 1981. membership, and they consistently sought new themes to take up the classic took place despite initial lack of interest, despite the fact that one can way of lobbyists. question what real influence they have on Community policies and despite The actual influence and impact of the Forum on the Community the internal problems caused for INGYOs whose geographical basis is wider was another matter. The Forum was granted observer status and allowed to than the EC. This development has taken place with the active connivance speak at the meetings of the European Parliament’s Youth Committee and of the Commission, which was able to use the ground laid previously by the Social Affairs Committee (thanks partly to influence exerted via members Council of Europe. Political, financial and other incentives or threats, as well of party-political youth organisations on political groups in the EP). The as the natural dynamics of pressure groups and institutionalised structures, Forum developed a network of contacts with the Commission and its were among the instruments available to the Commission. As a result, the relevant Directorates-General. A newspaper “Youth Opinion” was created “youth elite” of the 12 is embroiled in Community affairs to a significant by its second Secretary General27 in 1982 and widely circulated in the EC degree. Furthermore, this embroilment has contributed to a shift in attitude of institutions and among member organisations. Nevertheless although these youth organisations and was illustrated by the fact that the Forum lent strong things are by nature difficult to assess, the impact of the Forum on policies support to the European Parliament’s draft European Union Treaty, something of the Community was probably minimal except where they related to matters unthinkable just a few years before. Many young political activists, and others, of direct concern to youth organisations themselves, which is where it did now spend part of their formative experiences on European issues and contribute to the major development of Community policies on youth and become familiar with the workings of the Community. student exchanges in the mid-1980s28. Yet, the modesty of its impact was hardly relevant. The structure had been created, vested interests were there, and the youth organisations were embroiled in something they could no longer sto p. The impact and influence of the Forum was at another level, on the youth organisations themselves. The Forum altered the international youth scene within a few years. It involved a large number of people from INGYOs and NYCs in its activities. Each Commission met three times a year involving leading officials of member 156 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 157 158 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 159 160 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 161 162 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 163 164 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 165 166 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 167 168 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 169 170 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 171 172 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 173 174 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 175 176 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 177 178 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 179 180 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 181 182 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 183 184 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 185 186 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 187 188 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 189 190 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 191 192 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 193 194 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 195 196 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 197 198 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 199 200 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 201 202 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 203 204 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 205 206 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 207 208 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 209 210 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 211 212 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 213 214 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 215 216 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 217 218 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 219 220 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 221 222 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 223 224 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 225 226 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 227 228 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 229 230 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 231 232 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 233 234 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 235 Sébastien Salord — Carrés flottants 238 A European (Youth) History 239
Building blocks for a European Youth Building blocks for a Policy Architecture words by Jan Dereymaeker
“The authorities keep telling us ‘Don’t panic, we’re building Europe and we’re European Youth Policy thinking about you’. But we must tell them that we do not want Europe served up on a plate, given to us like a present ; we want to build Europe ourselves. We want to be involved in the construction process, put forward our own ideas and suggestions and take part in the creation of a genuine European area in which freedom, democracy and human rights for all young people are Architecture respected. “
Antonio Seguro, Youth Forum President at the 8th YF General Assembly, March 3-5 1989.
“Merci papa” were the famous words that were sent by telegram to Council President Harmel as a thank you note for organising, in the aftermath of the social unrest that rocked Europe in 1968, a “youth conference” in order to seek support from the stone-throwing European youth for the European construction, and offering them more civilized channels for dialogue. That this “Merci Papa” made it into the European Parliament for interpellations by worried conservative MEPs on “how the Commission spends its money talking to derailed youngsters”, is part of history’s fait-divers, but the crux of the matter was that, despite all good intentions by the European leaders, this was obviously the wrong way of going about it.
Getting the basics rights
It took nearly ten years before the European decision makers finally understood that youth organisations are much more than service providers to young people or watchdogs of policy, they are fully responsible and self- governed social actors in their own right. There was no way they would accept a Commission-driven, ill-focussed, pseudo-“participation”-structure. Even after the agreement with the Commission in 1978 to launch and finance an autonomous and self-governed platform of the national youth councils and the international youth organisations, the Youth Forum had to fight in Parliament, year after year, right up until the end of the 1980s, due to the unwillingness of the Commission to make the necessary provisions in the draft budgets for the working of the Youth Forum. There was no “legal base” for this was the ultimate argument. It would be the standard opposition argument to all new policy proposals that came to the table for the next decades. We indeed had only Article 50 in the Treaty of Rome (“Member States shall, within the framework of a joint programme, encourage the exchange of young workers”). However, looking back, this same article allowed us, through the most creative readings and interpretations, to get major youth and student exchange programmes and stepping stones for youth policies on the rails in the 80s. Eventually, we won the budget battles with the help of the Parliament, and we gained an essential part of the enabling environment for youth organisations : not only the recognition but also the support from public 240 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 241
authorities for the social relevance and essential contribution of organised for youth affairs in the EC/EU and a renewed attention for the contribution of youth to the functioning of our democratic societies, support for the Youth youth organisations to the European construction. Forum’s annual budget and, later also, support for individual European youth In the second half of 1988, the Greek Minister of Culture and Youth, organisations. Melina Merkouri, called for the first ever informal European Community Council Not that this “recognition” was in any way achieved easily. The for Ministers of Youth. It was the first success following a long struggle with European Community (EC) at the time was expanding from six to nine Member the institutions. “It is a scandal that it never happened before, in 30 years !” States, and in the 1980s to twelve. As youth organisations we made, it Merkouri proclaimed at the press conference when presenting the outcomes of was very clear from the beginning that the institutional borders of the EC the first informal council.It was but a small victory, as the bottleneck for any EU were not our political borders as Europeans. The longstanding cooperation policy, let alone youth policy, was the unwillingness of the Commission to take at European level through the Strasbourg-based European Youth Centre initiatives and propose action. and Youth Foundation under the Council of Europe generated intensive and The creation in the same year of the Task Force on Human Resources, strong network of youth policies and youth cooperation that would last for Education, Training and Youth, within the Commission under Commissioner decades. Those networks helped overcome the the mistrust that some had Vassa Papandreou, was therefore a timid first step into a more proactive for youth organisations (“what/who do they represent ?”, “who gives them approach. However, our demand for a Youth Commissioner never materialised their mandates ?”, “these are the privileged : what about the unorganised ?”, at the time (again, the argument of the “legal basis”…). etc…), the political opposition and the institutional adversity. The European In 1989, the French Presidency endorsed the Greek initiative and Community, and the Commission in particular, realised that they needed to organised a further Council Meeting, inviting not only the Youth Forum but also respect youth organisations as actors in their own right and build upon this allowing each minister to bring along representatives of the national youth respect, putting aside its institutional pride and superiority discourse. organisations. The Ministers endeavoured to call for a first formal meeting of a Although the above may create the perception that we were Youth Ministers Council in the EU, under the upcoming Luxembourg Presidency merely focussed on our institutional statutes, the reality was exactly the in 1990. contrary. Whilst the Commission sought an “advisory” type of role in order to “legitimise” its policies, youth organisations sought to put young peoples’ real Setting the agendas problems on the agenda. We had major campaigns on youth unemployment, vocational training for young people, initiatives to improve the situation of Meanwhile, the “Twelve stars” programme for European Youth, presented at young women and girls, anti-racism campaigns, drug prevention activities, the occasion of the European Parliament Elections in 1989, again listed the self-employed initiatives for young people, east-west relations in Europe concerns of Europe’s young people : and North-South (ACP-EU) cooperation amongst young people. These were the real issues that we wanted to be tackled at European level. We quickly realised that the institutional framework, by itself, would not allow for this (see the discussion on Article 50 above).
Fighting the way through the institutions : Council of Ministers for Youth and the Youth Commissioner ?
It was therefore important to create political leverage, and the visionary Jacques Delors’ Presidency of the Commission in the mid to late 1980s proved to be the fertile soil for planting the seeds of change. Although youth policy will always remain a fringe “priority” on the political agendas of many, we felt at the time that it was worthwhile trying to create our own institutional and political decision-making channel. The Parliament had long since a “youth committee” (and much more, but, to a certain extent, it was truly committed to being “the EP Youth Committee”). However it was especially at Commission level and in the Council that the roadblocks and stumbling stones were to be found. The Commission had a self-centred, unilateral, and at times arrogant discourse in its short-term institutional programming ; and the Council had no overall youth policy agenda as such. The entrance of Spain, Portugal and Greece to the Union in the mid-1980s changed the political sensitivity. At a major conference on the accession in Madrid, which was opened by Javier Solana, the Spanish Minister of Youth at the time, the leadership of the Spanish, Portuguese and Catalan youth councils confirmed the pre-existing integration of Southern Europe networks in the European youth organisations. This represented a major boost Supplement to Youth opinion Nr. 24 July 1989 p.1 242 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 243
Jan Dereymaeker was The Twelve Stars programme did not limit itself to the daily The wall is tumbling down European Secretary of the small-print project-policy by the Commission, but essentially addressed the International Young Christian broad political concerns of young people in Europe, starting with the lack Editorial, in Youth Opinion, Students from 1975 to 1984 of democracy and accountability in the EU - more than ten years before the December 1989 and, as such, member of European Convention, leading to the Treaty of Lisbon, ever started. The the provisional and “offi- agenda also addressed, way beyond the narrow market-based EC agenda, the cial” Executive Committee need to come to grips with the borderless environmental challenges and to of the Youth Forum of the address the North South divide, as essential for the future of Europe. The events of the night of November 10th - 11th in Berlin were without a doubt EC. He was elected General The Youth Rights Charter that was adopted at the Youth Forum symbolic of a turning point in Europe’s future. Secretary of the Youth Symposium in the early 1990s, with the presence of Commission President Politicians are increasingly bewildered as events move faster than Forum in 1986, after hav- Jacques Delors and Danielle Mitterand, President of the France Liberté anyone had predicted. In European Community circles, there is consternation ing served as Deputy SG Foundation, was another stepping stone in the uphill fight of European youth as awareness grows that the Community of 12 may be merely a transitory from 1985. After his man- organisations to set a meaningful and politically relevant European agenda for phase. European history is indeed being rewritten in these last days of 1989. date at the YFJ, he joined addressing young people’s needs with a rights-based approach. But is Western Europe and in particular the European Community the Organising Committee able to meet the new challenges ? This is not a rhetorical question, coming as of the Barcelona ’92 The ice melts down, the wall falls,… the irrelevancy it does at a time when the negotiations with the ACP States on the Lome IV Olympics. Between 1990 of the Europe of the 12 ? Convention are deadlocked. and 2006 he was Head of Of course the two situations are quite different, but can the liberal the International Department The events in the night of November 10-11th in Berlin transformed Europe economic system, so dear to the Community insofar as it works within the at the Confederation of and, as from that date, European history would have to be rewritten. The EC, offer a credible and realistic solution to the problems of development, Christian Trade Unions European Community of the 12 doubted and struggled to understand both whether they be in the South or in Eastern Europe ? in Belgium. He is cur- its contributions the response to the disintegration of the old and to the Should not the changes in Eastern Europe lead to changes in the rently Senior Advisor for building of the new Europe, and its sudden irrelevancy as a sub-continental West so as to avoid endless moralising and triumphalism about the virtues of Development Cooperation at grouping. Although youth organisations were again at the forefront, through liberal democracy and to prevent a situation in which the Eastern countries the International Trade Union the Framework for Pan-European Youth Cooperation, the dramatic changes become aid-dependent. Confederation, where he inside countries and across the continent also called for new responses and Yet, if we are to prevent the development of aid-dependent was appointed since its foun- forms of organising youth representation in the new European context. societies, we must mobilise local human resources and therefore, both in our dation at the end of 2006. objectives and mechanisms, strengthen democracy within civil society. One Looking backwards. key element in this process will be in the voluntary and community sector which guarantees and symbolises Western democracy and the EC should My personal involvement in European youth organisations over nearly 16 envisage action in this area. years ended in the beginning of the 1990s, at this historic turn for Europe. It Youth organisations throughout the continent must work to build was a privilege and an incredible source of experience to have lived through on the foundations laid since the creation of the Framework for Pan-European all this. From the poor resources, understaffed, semi-voluntary work in one Youth Cooperation following the Helsinki agreement. With the support of the of the “grass-root” European youth organisations, to the well-structured and EC, we can and must strengthen our dialogue, cooperation and common organised joint Youth Forum platform. It was a tremendous experience in initiatives. This will enable us to leap over the ruins of the Wall towards the political and organisational know-how, and, experience showed, in no way less Common European House. effective and professional than the “adult” environments. To the contrary, the youth organisations, unlike many others, showed their ability to be respected Jan DEREYMAEKER in their own right and to construct participative structures allowing them to set the agenda and demand the institutions to address the real issues. They were able to manage their diversity, politically and culturally, and to make of it the strength of their collective action. It may not have been the most spectacular page of European history, but it has certainly contributed to shaping Europe’s approach to young people and, for many today in positions of responsibility throughout national and European and international institutions, it was a formidable training ground for meaningful policy making. Besides that, it has indeed also created great camaraderie, and was a source of lasting friendships across European and international borders. 244 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 245
Speech by Antonio Seguro, President of the Youth Forum of the European Communities, at the Youth Forum Symposium on Youth Rights, Avignon, 1990
Dear Friends, It is difficult to take the floor after the excellent presentation by Laurence, which not only summarized our three days of work in this Symposium, but al~o gave an overview of our work and experience regarding the European dimension. I would first of all like to apologise for my French, obviously my Portuguese is much better, but speaking French is one of the conditions of the closing session of a European meeting. I would also like to thank Mr Guy Ravier, Member of Parliament and Mayor of Avignon for hosting this Symposium, the Secretariat of the Youth Forum, the volunteers from Avignon for their help, the participants, and also of course Madame Mitterrand for the excellent co-operation between the Fondation France-Libertés and the Youth Forum since April 1989. Together we have demonstrated that when working on the development of the European Community, we can exchange experiences and at the same time do some useful and political work in relation to E.c. social and cultural policy. To speak about youth rights and human rights is not new, but these topics still remain topical. We should stop talking however and start implementing a genuine policy which will guarantee real access to rights. All of us in this room have the possibility to buy a Rolls-Royce, but how many of us ca.n really buy one ? We do not want rights to be guaranteed on paper, and then in reality find that only a small minority has access to these rights. The debate on youth rights inside the Youth Forum started a longtime ago. This topic has been a major concern in our work on the European dimension. 1992, the Single Market and its impact on young people has been a priority for the last two years and this Symposium in Avignon will not be a one-off event ; it is only a step, a tool for discussion on the basis of our knowledge and our expertise and a way of making our own contribution to this new Europe that we have the right and duty to help develo p. This is why we should also take concrete measures in favour of children, minors, immigrants ; improve the situation of employment and training through joint actions between the European Social Fund and the PETRA Programme. There is also a need for action to combat marginalisation and special attention should be given, as Laurence pointed out, to housing for young people as this is a means of promoting young people’s independence and puts young people in a position to make their own decisions about their future. There should also be a debate on a guaranteed minimum income, following mutual recognition of diplomas and vocational training qualifications. But Europe is not just a Single Market, it is much more than that ; it is about creating the conditions that will enable us to live together ; it is making sure that European citizens have the possibility to learn about the history of other countries, to accept the differences that exist in Europe. This is why a fair knowledge of history, of ways of living and of thinking are 246 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 247
key elements for European construction. In this respect, mobility is very Speech by Jacques Delors, President important. We know that there are several European programmes on youth of the Commission of the European mobility in general and for students in particular. But it should be stressed that these programmes affect 2 to 3% of Europe’s youth. It is not possible Communities, at the Youth Forum to build Europe when the priority is given to products and when goods are Symposium on Youth Rights, treated better than people. Is this the type of Europe that we want ? There is Avignon, 1990 of course a difference between what people say and what they actually do. A survey carried out by the National Youth Council of Ireland indicated that only 12% of young Irish people know how many countries are members of the European Community. An IFOP study (French polling institute) Ladies and gentlemen, indicated that 40% of young people, if they had the possibility, would want to Madame Danielle Mitterrand asked me to participate in this work in the U.S and 36%, if they were given a chance, would wish to study in Symposium organised by France-Libertes and the Youth Forum of the.C. Also the U.s. We should create the best conditions for living together in Europe, present are some Commission officials who follow closely the work of the Youth and most of all we should make sure that Europe is open to others and that Forum. We have studied carefully the results of your meeting and workshops it becomes a Community where human rights are respected and serve as an during this Symposium, as well as the Synthesis Report prepared by Laurence example for the whole world. Eberhart. This is the first time that a President of the Commission of the E.C I would like to conclude by addressing myself to you Mr Delors, has attended one of your meetings, and listening to what Antonio Seguro said, in your capacity of President of the Commission of the E.c. As President of I think I understand what you expect from us : to develop a closer and more the Youth Forum of the European Communities, I would like to say how glad positive relationship between youth, which may be a rather vague and noble I am to have you with us in a Symposium on youth rights. It is the first time concept, but which has been held by the Youth Forum, and the institutions in Youth Forum history that we have this opportunity, and if you allow me to which are involved in European construction since 1978. The participation of say so, I’d say that your presence shows a will to build stronger links between France-Libertés, and of its President, Madame Danielle Mitterrand, gives a the Commission and young people, who do not want to remain passive in special dimension to your work. I understood you well, what you are demanding, tomorrow’s Europe, but rather be active from today on. and the principle in which young people find their motivation and enthusiasm, We cannot block motorways, we cannot organise demonstrations is the refusal of all forms of exclusion, general exclusions but also selective or go on strike, but our strength stems from our ideas, our experience and exclusions whereby people end up being totally cast aside, marginalised to the our approach to European construction. So I would like to state Mr President, extent that we do not know they live or all they do is just survive. But as I am that we are prepared, in co-operation with the services of the Commission closely involved in all these developments, I feel I should explain the stage we to continue working on harmonisation of youth rights. But even today, a have reached with European Union, what its limitations are, without ignoring young Greek could not come to the meeting because he is a conscientious what has been achieved, and to conclude I try and respond to the demands of objector and the Greek authorities took his passport. I know that this is not youth. I worked with several Heads of governments, and when I was a young your responsibility, but it is our common responsibility to prevent new cultural civil servant, I was very often invited to write speeches for Ministers or Prime barriers from slowing down European construction. Ministers who had to address an audience composed mainly of young people. Mr President, I would like to conclude by putting a very clear I always refused, as I felt unable to do so. So I will speak about what I do, and request to you. I am requesting your support for youth organisations as places trust that there will be some aspects of our work which will be relevant to what where young people learn the principles of democracy and your support to you are doing. make sure that under the Italian Presidency, on 27 November, the E.C holds First of all, the state of development of European Union. Let’s its first FORMAL Council of Ministers responsible for youth. We do not want to imagine that we are in 1982 and that there is a European Youth Forum. What imitate senior politicians, but we believe it could be an excellent experience at would you be talking about ? Probably of your expectations, as you are doing least to try and involve young people more deeply in European construction today. But what would those who at the time were building the new Europe, be than they are at the moment. talking about ? About the family quarrels between the ten member states of the I thank you. Community ? Or else they would talk about the light at the end of the tunnel, because European economies had been in a situation of crisis for almost nine years and unemployment was rising. Although everything may not be perfect in Europe today, the old days are definitely over. About family quarrels ; should I remind you that it was Francois Mitterrand who, under French Presidency in 1984, put an end to them. As François Mitterrand reminded me some time ago, there were nine bones of contention, and if they had not been solved, it would not have been possible even to propose the 1992 objective, and certainly not possible to change the Treaties. While Europe was on the decline some years ago, it now seems to be quite attractive to several countries and the climate inside the E.C has changed. 248 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 249
We can see how attractive it is by the number of countries which not very much at all. We still have a long way to go. But this does not mean want to join the E.C and those who want to work with us. But we are also that young people should water down their demands, but we should know that criticised : just listen to all the attacks.coming from the United States and time is our ally ‘in this field. Japan, or from other countries. So where do we stand ? Before we relaunched the European But the main thing which has changed is the atmosphere : you no construction, the annual growth rate of the European economy was 1.5%, longer find a press cutting talking about Euro-pessimism, now the newspapers compared with 5 to 6% for Japan and 4 to 5% for the U.S.A. Between 1989 talk about Euro-dynamism. Americans have re-discovered Europe. Just listen and 1990 it has gone up to 3.5% in Europe, which is more than in the U.S.A to the difference in the way the new American President, George Bush, talks and equivalent to that of Japan. Still for the period 1982-1984, i.e before the about Europe compared to the former one, Ronald Reagan. Just look at who economic recovery, investment in Europe was stagnant, which means that we the Eastern countries are addressing themselves to in their difficult process had lost our economic dynamism and had stopped creating jobs. Between of transition towards freedom and democracy and in their efforts to adapt 1988 and 1990, investment has increased by 7.5% per year. Finally, in terms their economy. You probably know that the E.C, and more particularly the of employment, between 1982 and 1984 in the 10 European countries, Commission, was charged with the coordination of cooperation and aid, some 1.8 million jobs were lost, which had to be added to the millions that initially to Poland and Hungary in July last year. Since this period we have had been lost since 1973. Between 1988 and 1990, some 5.3 million new given some 6 billion ECU in financial aid which is only a small part of the jobs will be created in Europe ; this means that since 1985, i.e the economic total aid we are giving. As you can see, Europe has gone through quite a recovery period in Europe, some 8 million new jobs will have been created in number a changes, but a lot remains to be done. However, we should also the Community. This of course is still not enough and youth unemployment be aware of our limitations, but at least the picture is a bit more optimistic. remains at a level which is much too high, particularly long-term unemployment We are no longer talking about the economic decline of Europe but rather which is one of the major causes of marginalisation. of how competitive our enterprises are. We are actually creating jobs now Still one should be aware of what has been achieved. We are not but I’ll come back to that later. Of course all this is not enough. I would like limiting ourselves to establishing a Single Market. Through common policies, to remind you that the founding fathers of Europe spoke more in the style of we are taking action in the field of training ; indirectly with development Antonio Seguro and Laurence Eberhart than myself. They were talking about programmes for regions either lagging behind or in a conversion process ; a common ideal, of a Europe where there should never again be civil war, of or directly and here I would like to mention our two priorities in the field of a Europe which would regain its traditional values, the ones which Madame employment : access of young people to the labour market and the fight Mitterrand also mentioned. They were talking about politics. Unfortunately against long-term unemployment. Of course, as Laurence Eberhart remarked, or fortunately, we have used the economic way around to restore Europe’s with a budget of only 1 % of the total wealth of the Community, we cannot confidence. And as I said before, in spite of this new dynamism, a lot remains do very much. Let me just remind you that in France, public expenditure to be done ; and to be quite honest with you, nobody ever fell in love with a represents 42% of the national product. But at least we are initiating actions Single Market, and this Single Market is only a way of uniting and associating and the total amount of aid to regions lagging behind or in a conversion nations. In this respect, I see very clearly what the Youth Forum, which unites process is higher than the Marshall Plan after the war, and therefore it is of young people, can and should do. great help to these disadvantaged areas. But Jean Monet only used one of these two ideas ; he said “Uniting In the social area, we are trying to improve working conditions with nations”. I added “associating nations”. Because 32 years of European an upward harmonisation. This was included in the European Single Act, i.e history have demonstrated that all those who wanted to build Europe by the revision of the Treaty of Rome. Finally, during the French Presidency, at erasing national traditions, had to overcome impossible obstacles. And they the initiative of François Mitterrand, a European Social Charter was adopted. were wrong. All of Europe’s differences contribute to its richness, and this is not a binding charter, but I refer to it, it is because you are preparing a should remain the same in the future. This is why, beyond the starting point Charter on Youth Rights, and I will come back to this point at a later stage. of the Single Market, what we are actually trying to do is to build a common This European Social Charter without binding effects will give a new impetus economic, social, financial, monetary, possibly even cultural area. I hope that to our Community social policy. I repeat once more that we are not building we will be able to add a common political area through increased cooperation an Internal Market, but rather a common space where equal priority should be between the States. But we had to start or re-start somewhere. After all the given to social and economic considerations but also to solidarity and to the work done by François Mitterrand to reconcile the ten.C. countries, then the development of responsibilities. In terms of concrete action, already this year access of the two new countries, we had to build on from the existing common we will present the Council of Ministers with legislation aimed at limiting the denominator, the common feeling. And the only thing on which we all agreed creation of unstable jobs which are mostly taken on by young people, and at in 1985 is that we were threatened by economic decline. So let’s assess trying to get rid of the most useless training schemes, which do not improve where we are today and let us not forget what we have already achieved, even workers’ ‘qualifications, where young people loose all their confidence and so much still needs to be done. we look at all the attempts that were made enthusiasm. is obvious that when you have attended one or two training in the past to try and unite the future of various nations, either imposed by courses and you still cannot find a job, you don’t want to hear people talking force, which never lasts for very long, or through mutual agreement, we must about training any more. There are millions of young people who have had come to the conclusion that 32 years of Community history is not very much. this experience. We will also table a piece of legislation on re-organisation of 32 years with only two distinct dynamic peaks, 1957-1962 and 1984-1989, is working time, and here we will duly take into account the principle of equality 250 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 251
between men and women in order to avoid unfavourable working hours which only understandable for politicians, at least for those who are interested, for interfere with family life and indeed life in general. And finally we will table a people who are active in professional, agricultural work, for employers, trade- proposal which will give rise to a political battle, and I hope that you will be on union organisations, for those in youth organisations and for a part of the our side, on information to and consultation with workers in enterprises and population which has received higher education. But it is not understandable in companies which have branches in various European countries. When the for the public at large. And this is what we call a two-tier Europe. And I must administrative headquarters are, for instance in Frankfurt, and the company admit that up to now we have not succeeded in getting the message across has branches in the U.K and France, who will be consulted when a change is these limited circles. This is why I understand that you want to keep up the coming up which will affect employment, and the working and living conditions level of your demands and try and make sure that young people do not of the workers ? limit themselves to watching us building the European Community, but are These three pieces of legislation be discussed as a consequence closely involved in its development, as they are the future of the European of the adoption of a Social Charter. This charter is therefore a political event, Community. we fail, it is they who will be denied the right to make their voice even though ,t is not binding. As you can see, even if a lot remains to be heard at international level, both regarding security and prosperity. we fail, done, our European Community is not just a Single Market, and in fact I it is 4 billion people who live in what we call the “South”, who will make one would refuse to work for it, be it only for one week, the ultimate goal was billion people, who live an almost decent life (although there are some poverty to create an Internal Market. But I know what the advantages and assets of areas here too) feel uncomfortable. So you have to keep pressing us, but this Internal Market can be. Through i~creased competition we have regained you must not forget that at Community level at the moment we can only do some dynamism. But what would be the purpose of this competition if at three things : propose new or brilliant ideas such as 1992 ; change the Treaty ; the same time we were not developing co-operation ? Co-operation in the and finally encourage member states to co-operate and help all those who field of research and technology, co-operation in order to better understand need assistance. In this respect, I can already assure you that the European the problems of youth and facilitate their transition to adult life, cooperation Commission will back up the proposal of a FORMAL Council of Ministers between macro-economic policies to make sure that competition does not for Youth and if you come up with a charter of rights which is based on an tear us apart, that it would not become the story of the fox in the henhouse. agreement between the twelve states, I am convinced that will help us, just This is the type of Europe that we want to build, and is also the type of Europe as the Social Charter did, to enter new areas of work. Of course you might that is in line with the traditions of our countries, even if, from time to time, hear some people saying that the Community has no competence on youth some ultra-liberal lobbies try and divert us from our goal. policy, but the Community had no competence on health isSues either, but we But Europe is also a type of civilization where one tries to make sure nevertheless managed to get useful programmes off the ground, programmes that society does not crush the individual, and that in return, the individual recognised as such and not only by us. I refer mainly to the programmes on contributes to society and is aware of his duties. This is why, I was the only cancer and AIDS. We have produced information which should reduce by half one to decide, there would only be charters of rights and obligations, and the risk of cancer, which is not negligible. The reason why I am saying this is not simply charters of rights. But anyhow all this contributes to the type of because the dynamism in Europe today is such that the Community should society that has always existed in Europe, i.e with a balance between society not limit itself to its Treaty. Because a Treaty is something which is there to and the individual, which does not exist in the U.S and Japan. This is the type be changed. of common background that we should revive. But we can only revive it we But before we change it, young people in Europe should see what we exist. our economy is weak, you do not look after our security and leave it are doing, they should be informed through their Minister for youth, education, up to others, how can we defend our culture and our values. Only recently sports or leisure (according to the country) that the twelve ministers who are some intellectuals have come up to me saying “We should develop a cultural responsible for youth are meeting and are preparing legislation which will Europe”. And I always answer quite aggressively, “Can we really talk on an give us a new impetus. A new impetus, but not in the form of a youth policy. empty stomach ?” Just incentives which will have a horizontal impact and inject new blood in all Well now we have made sure that we have something to eat, we our policies : the structural development policies which I mentioned earlier, can start to discuss and develop a cultural Europe. The reason why I said the social dimension of the Community. This new momentum should also this, and I am not going to repeat what Laurence Eberhart said, is because be an opportunity to learn from each other, from our different experiences. I believe that you should keep up the level of your demands. Of course we Because as I said before, with 1 % of European wealth, we cannot take over need to be criticised, we need to be stimulated and when I say we, it is not all the national tasks. But at least the European institutions can create an only the Council of Ministers, the governments, the European Commission environment which will promote economic dynamism, equal opportunities for and the European Parliament, but all those who belong to my generation and all and allow our education and training systems to improve, then we have laid know why we are building Europe : it’s because we do not want any more wars down the foundations. will then be up to you to continue building in the years between us, we want to promote fraternity, to be more united, we have a to come. common heritage to protect. I thank you. But I have to admit that we are not involving you enough in our work. The results of the European Elections have clearly indicated this. Whatever the other reasons are for low participation in the elections, there is one which we should take into account : Europe as we are developing it at the moment is Carole Stoltz — Ronds bleus des ages (Extrait ; ensemble images et textes) 254 A European (Youth) History 255 No Rights, No Way ! No Rights, No Way ! words by Dominique Geeroms
A European Community is a vital concept, a democratic and intercultural space based on the values of peace and reconciliation, an open window on the world where human development and hospitality are core values. Among the major achievements of the EU since the Declaration of Robert Schuman on 9 May 1950, we can mention the creation of a community of common policies and rights while at the same time integrating an increasing number of countries, the reorganisation of the coal and steel market, the abolition of the dictatorships in Greece, Spain and Portugal, the resistance to the cold war strategy and to the American hegemony, the smooth transition of Eastern and Central European countries towards democracy after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the guarantee of stability for a community of 500 million inhabitants, the creation of a single currency (the Euro) which reinforces the position of European economies on the international market. But Europe is more than that. It is also a number of institutions based on democratic decision-making which, even though still unsatisfactory, nevertheless allow a public debate and give power to the citizens through European elections and referendums, but also through the national elections whereby each country can send Ministers to the European Council meetings and to the meetings of the Heads of States and Governments. But what is required is an even more democratic and participatory Europe with a real European public space for debate. However, we have to admit that at the moment, Europe does not arouse enthusiasm. It is facing a crisis that again awakens old fears and fosters isolationism, encourages sub-nationalistic attitudes inspired by the past and by populism. In such a context, it is quite difficult for European citizens to grasp the challenges and above all the advantages of the ongoing European construction. The European model is very often questioned. However one should not mix up criticisms against capitalism and globalisation with the European construction. Europe should not be a tool at the service of world markets. Europe is about having a vision and a soul, and that vision is the community of people and civilisations with a view to building a better future, a better world based on progress and pluralism. The European Union is the ideal place to take up the social, environmental and economic challenges. But this requires better governance focussed rather on European co-operation than on economic competition.Regulating capitalism also requires investing in European policies. Political integration is a pre-requisite for the development of a conflict prevention policy in Europe and for the development of a policy that can regulate globalisation and encourage a drastic change of our modes of production and consumption. We want to promote quality jobs in a social Europe and give workers rights that at the same time do not put them in competition with workers from other countries. We must promote a fair taxing system in Europe and put more money and efforts in research and development, in training, in integration and culture, and ensure a smooth transition of our economy towards a more sustainable and socially fair model, develop fair trade in order to guarantee food safety. We also want a Europe where mobility of citizens is an asset, by giving all individuals equal rights of residence, in terms of social security, work, health and education. 256 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 257
Geeroms DOMINIQUE, It is in this spirit that the European Youth Forum organised a Symposium born on 3rd March 1956, on Youth Rights in Avignon (France) from 22 to 24 February 1990 in presence is currently Federal of Mrs Danielle Mitterrand (Fondation France-Libertés) and Mr Jacques Delors Secretary of the MOC (President of the European Commission at the time). (Christian Workers The Charter on Youth Rights was meant to allow all young people top Movement) Hainault Centre have access to these rights and to be active partners in our society. in Mons-La Louvière, The topics dealt with during this Symposium are still on the agenda Belgium. He is a former today and still require strong social actions mainly in the field of youth (transition Secretary-General of the from childhood to adulthood, political commitment and youth participation, the Youth Forum and has been rights of women in the fields of training and employment, youth from ethnic active in several European minorities and multicultural relations, the role and values of the education and international platforms, system, the legal protection of minors, homeless young people, young people responsible for several and employment, social and professional integration, European identity etc.) European projects, and has In the Autumn of 1990 I had the opportunity to write about all this, in various political roles in the middle of the process of drafting a Youth Rights Charter in the editorial of the field of social policy. the Youth Opinion (n°29, September 1990). The words written so long time ago reason still of an incredible force of inspiration for the current and future action of European Youth :
Why bother with a Youth Rights Charter ?
“A veritable challenge to democracy, the question of youth rights shows the absolute necessity to identify the fundamental basic rights recognised in each EC Member State. The Youth Forum is currently drafting a Youth Rights Charter which will be launched in Rome in October under the Italian Presidency of the European Community. But why have a Charter ? The concept of “Youth” is not taken into consideration in Member State legislation. People are either minors and totally dependent, or adults and totally responsible for their actions. This principle, that reaching the age of majority would give people their rights and obligations as well as the maturity to deal with them, is divorced from social reality. In some cases, the young are recognised as responsible people, the clearest example of which being the recognition of youth as consumers. They are encouraged to open bank accounts and to spend their money, yet have no power to take a shop-keeping to Court. However, this idea of the age of the majority is outdated, young people nowadays gradually take on more and more responsibilities well before the age of majority. This process makes them more independent, and likely to face legal problems when trying to make their own way in life. This can be seen with regards to parental authority, social obligations, employment rights, unemployment benefit, rights to justice, military service, the handling of property, etc. Young people want to build a society open to new ideas and which highlights the human dimension to life. This must guarantee that everyone has a decent quality of life. In order to maintain this quality, we as a collectivity should guarantee a number of services to everyone. This Charter should lead to the application of some concrete measures to give young people access to rights, additionally it should lead to a comprehensive information policy in conjunction with various youth organisations. Giving every one rights will allow young people to be actors in our society.” 258 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 259 260 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 261 262 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 263 264 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 265
European Charter on Youth Rights, 1993
Introduction
The adoption of a Youth Rights Charter at European Community level is both necessary and inevitable. The confidence of this assertion comes from a growing recognition throughout the Community of the needs and aspirations of a generation which represents the Community’s future. As the European Commission has itself noted - identifying that of the 340 million people in the EC, 130 million are under 25 : “It is on these young people that the future the Community will depend”. The Youth Forum of the European Community is the recognised political representative of those young people and it is out of its pioneering youth rights work that this document has emerged. The publication of the Charter forms part of the Youth Forum’s ongoing work towards the development of a coherent policy for young people at EC and the broader Council of Europe level. Inspired by a Youth Forum conference in February 1990, addressed by Jacques Delors, President of the Commission of the European Communities, this document represents the culmination of a year of research and consultation among young people and youth organisations, and of discussion and debate with politicians, the Commission and the legal profession. It aims to set in statue - in the form of political directives or statutory regulations - the rights and standards which young people need in order to fully realise their potential in an emerging Europe.
Charter on Youth Rights
For quite clearly, young people do not enjoy the same rights as those in an older age grou p. Many forms of legislation discriminate quite blatantly against young people. More often, however, the discrimination is less obvious : young people being denied access to jobs…
Article 1 Under the present Charter, the terms “youth” and “young people” shall be considered to comprise all persons between the ages of 15 and 25.
Article 2 The signatory States commit themselves to recognise the rights and liberties as defined in the present Charter to all young people who fall under their jurisdiction.
Article 3 The enjoyment of the rights and liberties which the signatory States commit themselves to recognise under the present Charter has to be ensured, without any distinction whatsoever, based notably on gender, sexual orientation, race, colour, language, religion, political or other opinions, nationality, national or social origin, belonging to a national or ethnic minority, physical or other aptitudes, wealth, birth or any other situation. 266 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 267
Article 4 In this respect, all young people have the right to adequate social security Young people have the right to appropriate professional training which protection. responds to their aspirations and which respects their freedom of choice. In view of the recognition of this right, the signatory States will duly take Article 12 into account the capacities of each beneficiary, in order to reduce the The signatory states should guarantee to young people access to decent social and cultural inequalities among young people. and quality housing. Access to social housing should be given with priority to young people Article 5 with low income and the rent should be adapted accordingly. The signatory States commit themselves to ensure to young people a free and good quality education at all levels, including at university level. Article 13 Young people have the right to live in a clean and health environment, as Article 6 well as the right to inform themselves and to be informed by the public The signatory States commit themselves to guarantee to young people authorities with regard to the evolution of the state of the environment. adequate information and advice in order to facilitate their free choice of the type of vocational training or education which suits them most. Article 14 The signatory States recognise that all appropriate measures should be Article 7 taken in order to ensure the effective participation of young people in The right of young people to work should be guaranteed, under reserve political, economic, social and cultural life, in the framework of structures of article 23. like partnerships at schools and enterprises, or through youth In view thereof, the signatory States will notably take all necessary organisations or any other platform. measures to allow the creation of stable jobs, in the framework of an In view thereof, young people will more particularly have the right : employment policy which is specifically designed for young people. a) to choose their own forms of organisation with a view to defending their Particular attention has to be paid to non-qualified young people. In this interests in the best possible way, and to establish links of cooperation respect, the need exists to turn atypical jobs into stable ones and to among themselves or with other areas, irrespective of boarders. encourage companies to contribute to integration/training programmes b) to create places where they can express themselves and learn about for the least qualified. democracy, national and international youth organisations having to be More generally, young people should benefit from concrete and effective recognised as privileged training places. measures aimed at their harmonious integration into social and active life. c) to participate, on a level of equality, in the development of policies which affect them, especially by becoming active partners in the co- Article 8 management of their interests in all areas which influence their lives, like Without prejudice to the provisions of articles 4 and 5, the signatory States school, the workplace, public life at all levels (local, regional, national or commit themselves to provide all adequate aid to young unemployed, Community level). long-term unemployed or those threatened with unemployment. Article 15 Article 9 The signatory States will do their utmost to accord to young foreign Young people should be protected against all forms of labour which are migrants, who are legitimately on their territory, the same rights and potentially threatening their health, their education or their physical or obligations as their own young citizens. moral development. The signatory States will recognise and promote the taking of training Article 16 leave during working hours, by means of appropriate measures. The signatory States commit themselves to recognise the freedom of movement in and between all EC countries to their citizens and to the Article 10 citizens of non-EC states who are legitimately on their territory, whether Young people who do not have access to a suitable job, have the right to these citizens have been authorised to establish their residence in one of a sufficient minimum income in order to allow them to live a dignified and the signatory states of not. decent life. This income has to be paid at regular intervals and over a sufficiently long Article 17 period of time in order to ensure indispensable security for the beneficiary The signatory states commit themselves to recognise that all non-EC to follow a training course and to be able to find a job or a new job. citizens who have have legitimately resided in an EC country for at least five years, have to enjoy, in that country, the right to vote, at least in the Article 11 local elections. Young people have the right to quality health treatment, irrespective of their income of social situation. 268 A European (Youth) History A European (Youth) History 269
Article 18 have the right to a regular review by an independent committee of the The signatory States commit themselves to recognise the rights for legitimacy of their placement, notably in order to verify whether the young migrants to choose the nationality of those country which they live, circumstances which motivated the placement continue to exist. following five years of continuous and legitimate residence. Article 29 Article 19 Young people have the right to social security. The signatory States commit themselves to ensure the continuous training of trainers and decision makers who deal with young people. Article 30 Young people have the right to conscientious objection against military Article 20 service. The conscientious objector has to have the choice between The law has to guarantee to young people the respect of their private various alternative services, which should not contain any heavier and family life, as well as the inviolability of their residence and obligations than military service. correspondence. Article 31 Article 21 The signatory States commit themselves to provide sufficient structural The integrity of young people is guaranteed against all treatment which and financial measures in order to develop genuine policies I solidarity threatens to affect their healthy and normal physical, intellectual, moral, with and in favour of young people. spiritual and social development in free and dignified circumstances. These policies have to contain specific measures in favour of disadvantaged groups in order to ensure equal opportunities for them. Article 22 No young person should be submitted to torture nor to inhuman or Article 32 degrading sanctions or treatments, even id these sanctions or treatments Young people have the right of free access to pluralist and reliable were to be inflicted by members of the family. information, with full respect of ethical considerations. Young people have to benefit form special protection against the This right comprises the right to free, independent, clear, easy, accessible treatments mentioned in the previous paragraph, taking into account and qualitative information, provided in one’s own language. their specific condition. Article 33 Article 23 The signatory States commit themselves to provide logistical and The signatory States will ban, without delay and permanently, work for financial support to critical information. young people under the age of 16. Article 34 Article 24 The signatory States commit themselves to put at the disposal of young Young people have the right to be raised in their family of origin. people a list of all their rights, in a clear way which is comprehensible to young people. Article 25 The placement of young people in care is a serious measure which affects Article 35 their right to a family life. The public authorities will only exceptionally The signatory states will appoint a mediator responsibly for providing impose such a measure, if all the measures of support to the family and information to young people about the legal problems with which they are the other accompanying measures appear to be ineffective. faced.
Article 26 Article 36 In no way should minors be imprisoned. All young people whose rights and liberties, recognised in the present Charter, have been violated, shall have the right to an effective recourse Article 27 before a national or supranational authority. The signatory states will create as many specialised pedagogical To this effect, young people will have the right to benefit from free legal institutions as necessary. The placement of young people into those advice and to get free representation by a solicitor of their choice. institutions can only be imposed by the competent authorities, which are legally established, and only for purposes of care, protection or treatment aimed at facilitating the social reintegration of the young person in care.
Article 28 All young people places into a pedagogical institution under Article 27, 270 271 Back to the future, youth policy in the 2000s
Youth policy and advocacy development in the 2000s EU White Paper on Youth European Youth Convention The Structured Dialogue Co-management and the Council of Europe The European Youth Forum Acting Globally 272 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 273
This article will not tell you everything Youth policy and you wanted to know about… Youth Forum policy and advocacy advocacy development development in the 2000s words by Luiza Bara and Klavdija Černilogar
in the 2000s Writing about the policy and advocacy development of the European Youth Forum (YFJ) in the 2000s is almost an impossible task. The multitude of actions undertaken makes it very difficult to choose the ones to put forward. In an attempt to give a taste of the policy making and advocacy undertaking of the YFJ, we are subjective. Unfortunately we will not be able to mention every single activity of the YFJ, as each of them constitutes a piece of a huge puzzle. Young people have been setting up or joining existing youth organisations continuously. Reacting to social injustice, health and environmental challenges, human rights disrespect and discriminations is often the cause for young people to take an active stand in society. But, most of all, young people are critical about the environment they live in and care about their present and future. They take their share of responsibility, and they act, react and engage on a growing number of issues, which are evolving as fast as their access to new information and their interest in new issues. The European Youth Forum (YFJ) is an expression of all of that. The policy and advocacy work of the organisation has evolved over the years as a consequence of the youth engagement in new areas and the expertise built up by different generations. While the core policy business of the European Youth Forum has always been centred around education, human rights and participation with a view to develop a meaningful youth policy, over the years the YFJ developed expertise and opinions on new topics : employment, migration, health, climate change and sustainable development – to only quote a few. This impacted the networking activities of the YFJ with new alliances and partnerships being built at the civil society level, as well as with European and international organisations and their institutions. The Youth Forum, however, always acted in a political context, often being considered as a policy-maker given its active involvement in the shaping, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the European and global policies relevant for young people. Connected to the institutional agenda of the European Union, Council of Europe and the United Nations System, the YFJ also reacted to the major policy developments that impacted the lives of the young.
A glimpse at the advocacy work of the European Youth Forum
Always ambitious. Always ready to challenge. Always aiming high. The European Youth Forum has enjoyed a privileged position in the European and global policy-making landscapes. A constructive though 274 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 275
critical partner for policy-makers, the YFJ has been present on the key 2010, the Asia-Europe Young Political Leaders Conference in 2005, the EU- arenas for youth policies or policies that impact youth in various European China Year of Youth 2011, the World Bank Youth, Development and Peace Union settings, e.g., presidency events, EU summits and celebrations, policy Conference and many, many others. The advocacy strategy for most of these development consultations and conferences, as well as regular meetings ; processes was to secure a youth event prior to a major summit, which would within the Council of Europe, e.g., nominating two-thirds of the Advisory constitute an opportunity to gather youth views in a document that would Council part of the co-management of the Directorate for Youth and Sports, then input the final outcome of the political leaders. summits and conferences ; and within the United Nations, e.g., the General Let’s take the example of the Rome Youth Summit. Fifty years after Assembly and civil society consultative structures but also relevant settings the signature of the Treaty of Rome, hundreds of young people gathered in of the UNESCO, UNPFA, UNICEF and others. The European Youth Forum also the same room where the leaders of the six founding Member States signed cooperated with other high-level organisations and institutions, including the Treaty. It was a celebration moment but, most of all, an opportunity the Ibero-american Youth Organisation, the League of Arab States, the Asia- to reflect on the progress made so far and the shortcomings. It was an Europe Youth Foundation, the World Bank and many others. opportunity to shape the future and an opportunity to propose changes The very high-level presence at the YFJ General Assemblies and that will bring positive impacts on young people’s lives. The challenge is as Council of Members is only a reflection of the recognition for the organisation’s big as the opportunity. The need to put forward the right demands is huge. constituency and work. Was there a tradition set up in the ‘90s when French The process to achieve that is huge, as well. During the Pre-Summit, which President François Mitterrand addressed the YFJ General Assembly (GA) ? In brought together representatives from the National Youth Councils and other the 2000s, the practice if not the tradition was continued. For example, Guido youth organisations from the 27 Member States, candidate countries and di Marco, President of Malta, addressed the YFJ GA in Malta in 2002 ; José- European organisations set up the process. A massive consultation, which Luis Zapatero, Prime Minister of Spain, welcomed the participants at the YFJ was coordinated by the European Youth Forum, started taking into account General Assembly in 2004 at his residence in Madrid and spent several hours policy demands from all corners of the EU and further to national debates with the young delegates ; and Valdas Adamkus, President of Lithuania, spoke and European consultations. The negotiation of the final text, which was done at the YFJ GA in 2006 in Vilnius. during the Youth Summit itself, led to clear requests despite the diversity of Looking back at the very high-level politicians that the YFJ had the youth interests and opinions. Communicated to the top representatives of the opportunity to meet with and discuss policies relevant for youth is simply European Institutions, these demands remained in the history of the European breathtaking : Romano Prodi and then José Manuel Barroso (Presidents of the Union and certainly of the Campidoglio. European Commission), Josep Borell (President of the European Parliament), In terms of advocacy, the YFJ has experienced change in almost all Giuliano Amato (Vice-President of the European Convention), Terry Davis and its forms. Starting with Treaty modifications. One of the major achievements Thorbjorn Jagland (Secretary Generals of the Council of Europe) and James in 2003 was the inclusion of the Youth Article in the EU Draft Constitution, D. Wolfensohn (President of the World Bank) to only count a few. When the which was the basis for the Lisbon Treaty later on. The Youth Convention YFJ went on a study visit to Israel and Palestine, a meeting with Yassir Arafat and its leadership had been successful in convincing the Praesidium of the took place. Opportunities to meet politicians continued with several European European Convention that a new Europe can only built with its foundations : Commissioners and leading Members of the European Parliament attending young people. And the most prominent result was the amendment of the third various YFJ events, high level representatives from the Council Presidencies part of the draft Constitution that made specific reference to the participation being present at every Presidency youth event and Heads of State attending of young people in the democratic life of the European Union. crucial Youth Summits that defined European and global youth policies.Looking Securing funds for youth organisations not only in the format of at the Annual Reports of the organisation, names of those met are barely project grants but also mainly through administrative grants has been at the mentioned. The focus is on the meetings between the youth organisations core of the advocacy work of the YFJ, in order to allow youth organisations to and the decisions taken, and this is how it should be. simply function in an independent way and carry out actions to improve the As the authors, we agreed to only mention a few highlights of policies that concern them. Consolidated action at the national and European the YFJ’s advocacy work, though this is an extremely difficult exercise. The level led to tens of millions of euro for administrative grants for youth multitude of events and YFJ interventions in policy making makes you feel so organisations and a lot more for projects secured in the Financial Perspective small and at the same time raises a level of pride that is difficult to explain 2000-2006 and the Financial Framework 2007-2013. in words. Being an almost insignificant part of the YFJ giant is though so The number of declarations the YFJ fomented is immense. Each of rewarding. Each part of the youth puzzle can lead to huge achievements when them constituted one more step forward in accumulating policy demands and put together. The European Youth Forum has been tireless in its efforts to commitments to improving the lives of young Europeans and their fellows advocate for better living conditions and rights for the youth. around the world. The Rome Youth Declaration, the Tianjin Declaration, the In the 2000s alone, the European Youth Forum was present as an Warsaw Youth Summit Final Declaration, the Euro-Arab Ragusa Declaration organiser, co-organiser or key partner at very high level events : the European on Youth, Migration and Development, the Tripoli Declaration from the Africa- Youth Convention in 2002, the Council of Europe Youth Summit in 2005, Europe Youth Summit, the European Parliament Written Declaration on Youth the Africa-Europe Youth Summit in 2007 and 2010, the Rome Youth Summit Empowerment are few examples of texts to which the YFJ has contributed. celebrating the 50th anniversary of the European Communities in 2007, the Prior to the European elections in 2004, the European Youth Forum World Youth Festival in Barcelona 2004 and the World Youth Conference in engaged in a sustained campaign, in close partnership with the youth party 276 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 277
political organisations, in order to ensure young elected representatives to When it comes to participation in institutional processes at the EU the European Parliament and, most of all, defenders of youth rights and level, the year 2001 definitely marks a change. The focus on youth issues has youth friendly policies. YOUth DECIDE was the title of the action, which grown with the adoption of the White Paper : A New Impetus for European mobilized young people and their youth organisations all over the European Youth. It and the subsequent processes developing a youth framework in EU’s Union. Similarly, the Get-out-the-vote campaign in 2009 coordinated with policy-making have been supported by the Forum, albeit always with a critical members, as well as aimed at boosting youth participation in the 2009 EP eye on the needed improvements and with the requirement to include youth in elections and putting youth issues higher on the agenda. Following these the debates about the policy that was supposed to work for their benefit. The elections, an intergroup on youth was established, which is becoming first years of implementing the open method of coordination in this field faced another advocacy channel for the YFJ. some challenges in terms of effectiveness, in terms of putting theory into But the YFJ always stayed closely connected with the EU, CoE action and in terms of developing evidence-based youth policy. The Forum was and UN’s institutional agendas. In this framework, the organisation was the consistently vocal about the need to improve and invest even more in order voice for the young Europeans in the decision-making processes and on for the EU to really give the promised impetus to European young people. policy-making tools as diverse as possible : Open Method of Coordination, For the purpose of contributing to the improvement of the process, the regulations and directives relevant for youth (on anti-discrimination issues, YFJ, based on its members’ contributions gave inputs on both the structure mobility, sustainable development, etc.), white papers, communications, and the content of the “dialogue”. Among other things, it commissioned a Council conclusions, written declarations, recommendations, CoE study on the evaluation of the open method of coordination in the youth field conventions, charters and recommendations, UN resolutions, etc. For every and also produced shadow reports on the OMC’s priorities. With a cautious single process, a consultation with the members was organized. approach, the YFJ then addressed the legacy of the framework of cooperation, In the late 2000s, the European Youth Forum realised that a lot had which ended in 2009, and mobilised Member Organisations to take part in been achieved through political declarations. Demands had been put forward the evaluation and in gathering proposals for the new cycle. The on-going and commitments made. The YFJ never forgot those. But have the politicians cooperation in the field of youth witnesses a stronger structured dialogue, always remembered them ? The YFJ started using them as frameworks for a but it remains to be seen in which direction the implementation will go in the much more technical expertise provided to the European and international next years to come. It is to be hoped that the structured dialogue will develop organisations and institutions in order to support them to develop concrete into a solid practice with clear goals, with involvement of youth organisations, tools for the implementation of those promises. Although the YFJ always while always leaving the space for evaluation and improvement. carried work at a technical level, this was now recently intensified with the At the same time, the engagement and active participation of young “youth mainstreaming in all policies” direction. While high-level meetings people in the Council of Europe framework has continued through these years continue, the focus, however, is now to advise public authorities and policy- based on co-management and with involvement of YFJ membership in the makers in general to move on with concrete achievements. The framework Advisory Council on Youth . The YFJ also developed closer cooperation with demands had been crucial, though, in order to situate the YFJ as a relevant bodies beyond the Directorate of Youth and Sport, its “natural” partner, all actor in the scene. This permitted the elaboration of policy contexts in an effort to mainstream youth issues throughout the Council of Europe essential for carrying out the work of the YFJ nowadays, achieving every and, more recently, to advocate for better legal recognition of youth single day a new step forward, as its constituency has been demanding. rights ; however, youth participation in decision-making on youth policy and Looking back at the past decade, it was exactly the combination of high- programmes at this level has remained crucial. The Forum has both benefited level and working-level advocacy, with sometimes the former or the latter from and contributed to a range of soft-law instruments adopted by the taking the lead, that has brought the YFJ to its current, respected position in Committee of Ministers, as well as from other measures. If there is one the European political landscape. challenge that remains to be implemented with more vigour, it is the Revised This strategic switch in the advocacy work of the European European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Youth Forum was only possible with the steady development of intelligence Life. It is an important document, which, albeit not binding and thus left to gathering, analysis and policy proposals articulated into more and more the goodwill of decision-makers, contains a vast array of good principles and sophisticated policy documents, which were always drawing on the recommendations. It is hoped that 10 years from now, youth organisations expertise and the needs of young people and their youth organisations and and local and regional authorities will be able together to report on many being supported by dedicated and qualified staff. good practices emanating from the Charter. It would be a loss to let it pass unnoticed, which happens to so many policy documents. In this sense, the A glimpse at policy (not only politics) European Youth Forum and its Member Organisations can still do much to revive its value. Policy development and advocacy are a bit like two sides of the same coin. Within the United Nations (UN) System, the YFJ has enjoyed One cannot exist without the other. It is impossible to say on which side the consultative status with the Economic and Social Committee (ECOSOC) coin came first.. Whiles being an astute advocate for the youth interest, since 1996. Thus it has been able to take part in a range of meetings and be the YFJ saw its own policy development work as no less of a priority with recognised as a stakeholder by a number of agencies. While it does not have the aim to express the views of its members on a wide variety of pertinent a global constituency and can speak on behalf of its European membership, issues. it has always been concerned with global issues and has cooperated 278 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 279
with partners at the global level, as well as with those from other regions “Concretely, it is vital to have school student representative bodies in of the world. The Forum would like to see more attention to be given to all schools (also in primary education) where the students elect their youth issues within the UN and would like to see the implementation of the representatives and engage in the democratic governance of schools. World Programme of Action for Youth in close connection to the realisation Such a culture can also be developed through improving and enhancing of Millennium Development Goals. Through direct advocacy at high-level formal education curricula through the integration of non-formal education meetings, through side events organised together with Member Organisations methodologies. Youth-led organisations can back public efforts and be the and partners and through working-level exchanges and other means, this think tanks and examples of best practice for new approaches in this regard.” message continues to be passed. (2008 YFJ approach to child policy) Moving from institutional processes to internal strategy, it is “Alongside the formal education system, non formal education interesting to note that in 2006, a landmark framework was adopted by the contributes to the development of young people, empowering and enabling Forum for its internal policy development : a long-term vision on strategic them to actively participate in a rapidly changing environment. Volunteering priority areas for youth organisations. Until the end of 2012, the main concern within youth organisations should be recognised by society as a relevant was decided to lie with education, youth work development, participation experience for the labour market.” (2005 Embracing the Future : Bureau and youth policy mainstreaming, human rights, and employment and social Position Paper on the Green Paper on Demographic Change) affairs. Correspondingly, advocacy plans were included in the strategy to fully “The YFJ defines youth training as a non-formal education support these policies. While more detailed Work Plans delineate two-year process, based on values such as volunteerism, autonomy, independence, foci within these strategic priorities, it is important that the platform have a participation, solidarity and inclusiveness, and one aimed both at ensuring the solid, long-term vision, which enables it to deepen expertise on a manageable development and the sustainability of youth organisations and at providing set of issues and thus become a more solid partner with thought-through young people with knowledge, skills, competences and the space to develop opinions. At the same time, it gives the opportunity to Member Organisations their attitudes.” (2007 Policy Paper Youth Training – Sustainability of Youth to build capacity in these same areas and to become effective multipliers Organisations through Volunteering) at their levels. We chose some highlights from the various areas the Forum When thinking about the efforts invested in quality of all forms has developed expertise in during the past decade, those that we felt would of education and learning, one of the major obstacles the Forum has faced illustrate both the variety of issues and approaches to advocating for them. was related to the difficulties that young people come across when entering Since its foundation, the European Youth Forum acted and was the labour market. They very often realise that formal education systems recognised as a key stakeholder in education policies. The challenge to are largely incompatible with labour market reality and that their non-formal advocate for the recognition of non-formal education along formal education experience does not count. The onset of the economic crisis in the last and informal learning has always been one of the most difficult ones. In a years has prompted the European Youth Forum to again be vocal about sustained manner, the YFJ further developed every year the content of its the consequences these developments have had on the situation of young policy on non-formal education with new policy and position papers providing people in the labour market and on their inclusion in the society. The crisis more and more content and put them to the attention of the European was the occasion to highlight the need not only for emergency measures but institutions. Notwithstanding the lack of institutional progress towards for structural changes in the system, so the quality formal education and giving non-formal education its deserved place in the European educational recognition of skills gained through non-formal education would give every landscape, the YFJ continued engaging with its members on improving the individual the opportunity to enter the labour market without having to face quality of non-formal education they provide and on giving it proper recognition precarious conditions. The discussion on “flexicurity” has re-emerged and by developing a quality assurance process. First adopted in principle by the has prompted the YFJ to strengthen its advocacy efforts based on both the Member Organisations through a policy paper, the process has so far passed counter-crisis measures and the plans for the post-Lisbon agenda. the first implementation phase in a pilot group of members and is moving Nevertheless, it was not the crisis that first sparked the YFJ’s towards a fully-fledged, peer-reviewed system of quality assurance in non- interest in economic matters that heavily affect young people. Employment formal education. and social inclusion have always been among the main concerns of youth Non-formal education was also mainstreamed into other policy organisations. This has been reflected in numerous positions : “Social areas. Almost every policy document of the YFJ shows the potential it has to Inclusion through Youth Participation” in 2006, “Youth Employment” in 2007 channel knowledge creation and participation in processes for young people. and “Towards adequate, sustainable and safe European pension systems” in 2010. As youth is a time of transition from the relatively protected state of Cases of NFE advocacy in other documents childhood into adult life, it also marks the struggle to find stable employment “A key element is education, including its formal, non-formal and infor- and social security. Correspondingly, then, when the EU flew on the high mal components. As highlighted by the experience of youth organisations, expectations the Lisbon strategy promised in 2000, youth organisations were specifically their educational work (including intercultural and inter-reli- concerned with a lack of attention given to young people, as workers, citizens gious dialogue) is crucial both in times of peace and in phases of conflict and simply as individuals. The European Youth Pact from 2005 aimed to or conflict latency. Youth organisations are key providers of non-formal patch up the missing link. While its content was good, its implementation was education opportunities and have a strong impact on raising civil soci- not. Youth organisations were disappointed to see that the good principles ety’s awareness of a culture of peace.” (2009 Policy Paper on Peace and of the Pact were not properly followed up through national measures. What Non-Violence) is more, the Pact had no special reporting mechanism in place, which would 280 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 281
have made Member States report on the implementation. In this sense, when into daily life of European youth. This initiative, concretised in a Resolution the Lisbon strategy came to an end, youth organisations were unable to make adopted in 2008 and implemented from 2009 onwards, is directly linked an assessment whether the European Youth Pact had any impact on the lives to the principles of the Revised European Charter on the Participation of of young people at all. Young People in Local and Regional Life, adopted by the Council of Europe’s Therefore, the YFJ called for a renewed and updated European Congress of Local and Regional Authorities. It is an approach to boost Youth Pact when the post-Lisbon agenda was discussed in 2009. It proposed awareness of youth issues and participation of young people in the lives of to widen the scope of action and to improve implementation and monitoring, European cities and towns and to showcase good examples that can perhaps thus mainstreaming youth in the new strategy. In this sense, the Europe be multiplied elsewhere. It is important that the local level is the principal 2020 strategy does take a step forward and does include young people one in this process and that cities large and small, within or outside of the more clearly and with more ambition. The European Youth Forum does not European Union, can compete on an equal footing. The European Youth necessarily agree with all the proposed measures and is critical at the low Capital has immense potential to bring change to the way young people are ambition of some of them. Nevertheless, at least at the European level, they considered in processes developing local policies and will hopefully develop are part of the main documents and not of appendices. At the national level ever further and ever better. where the concrete implementation of measures will take place, it is to be While selecting a European Youth Capital is something the YFJ can seen whether the youth cohort will be given any particular attention. This influence, there are other issues that it cannot, which it nevertheless needs is a task for both the YFJ and even more so for its National Youth Councils to take on. Inevitably, intergenerational solidarity is one which is step-by-step to ensure that the youth aspect does not get lost in the general statistical taking an ever greater piece of attention from the side of the European Youth measurements of progress. Forum. Despite demographic change being a looming reality, rendering Europe The Forum and its members will not sit idly but will surely continue ever older and more dependent on the work force of migrants, the need for working on this area of concern. On the one hand, the YFJ has already in the intergenerational solidarity has risen in prominence only in the past couple of past years included a range on new issues in its work, which now also feature years with 2008 marking the first step in this direction. The annual EU day of in the post-Lisbon agenda : quality internships, youth entrepreneurship, intergenerational solidarity celebrated on 29 April is the outcome of efforts of overcoming of poverty but also the above-mentioned quality assurance and an NGO coalition of which the Forum has been a part. Mentioned already in its recognition of non-formal education. On the other hand, recognising the position on the European Social Model earlier, the YFJ reiterated in its Position need to showcase what youth organisations can do themselves, the Forum Paper on Solidarity between Generations that “every year, greater numbers of launched a Youth Employment Action in 2009, a transnational consortium of Europeans reach retirement age : the European Youth Forum believes that the its Member Organisations that works to improve the position of young people retirement of older people without a useful transmission of their knowledge is in Europe with regards to their access to the labour market, enhancing their a waste of valuable human resources. The European Youth Forum therefore employability and making them aware of their working rights. calls for the design of an ‘intergenerational learning scheme’. Such a scheme That young people should have all their rights recognised has long should accommodate job-sharing between older workers who want to move resonated along the corridors when the Forum discussed youth matters with progressively towards retirement and younger people in the process of its institutional and civil society partners and specifically together with the entering or moving within the labour market.” Advisory Council on Youth. The Forum has produced a range of important Obviously, the European Youth Forum has invested considerable documents to this end : Policy Paper on Equality and Diversity, the Opinion energy in developing its policies also in areas that, at first sight, might not Paper on Multiple Discrimination and several positions and opinions on anti- seem to be of its core business. Nevertheless, in line with the conviction that discrimination. For a long time, the institutions probably thought that this was youth has a stake in all issues relevant for the society and in line with its call another temporary matter that would go away. It didn’t. Instead, the advocacy for a cross-sector approach, it has become pertinent to also have a say on process towards stronger recognition of the rights of young people has issues such as sustainable development and climate change, e-society, global developed further and has led to serious discussions within the membership governance and other areas. With this, the Forum has shown in practice that before the YFJ finally endorsed the idea in the Work Plan 2009-2010 to young people and their organisations feel that they are relevant stakeholders call for a Convention on the rights of young people to be developed by the in the development of public policy and that their opinions should be heard Council of Europe. This battle is far from won, but several smaller victories whenever decisions are being negotiated, implemented and evaluated. have been recorded thus far. It is also an example of how the European Youth In reaction to the European Commission’s campaigning work Forum’s research and policy making are intertwined with advocacy. It takes against tobacco, the YFJ decided first to consult its members, starting from an enormous amount of day-to-day communication with the Council of Europe the standpoint that it does not act as a public health organisation and needs bodies, people of the secretariat and elected officials. It takes highlighting the to represent the views of its members. Through a large project focused issue at important meetings, it takes developing a communication approach, on young people and tobacco consumption, the YFJ organized large scale and it of course takes finding strong arguments. In this specific case, the consultations via its members at the national level. Youth organisations argumentation combines specifically past work on youth autonomy, fighting came back to the YFJ with a clear message : youth organisations are against multiple discrimination, and ensuring equality. tobacco. A manifesto calling for a life without tobacco thus came into place Moving a bit from the European to the local level, the European with the Youth Forum having a mandate to advocate for tobacco control Youth Capital is an example of how the European Youth Forum tries to reach policies from a public health perspective and in full respect of the views of its 282 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 283
members. This process developed in parallel to the elaboration of YFJ policy Youth - not just a sector and position papers in other health areas, including alcohol-related harm and action in the field of sexual reproductive health and rights, which culminated in Is youth policy something that is really so inferior that it deserves to be put 2007 with the adoption of the “Health and Well-being of young people” policy as an appendix to other more important portfolios in national ministries, be it paper which now constitutes the framework of the YFJ action in the field. education, family or social affairs, or sports ? Or should it actually feature far Another important area in which the engagement of youth is more prominently as a transversal issue that should have a say in all matters absolutely crucial is sustainable development and more specifically climate pertaining to young people ? Should young people not have a say in how the change. Youth organisations have been aware of it just like the rest of the pension reform is formulated ? It will be them bearing the consequences. world. They have consistently included debates on contributing to sustainable Should young people not be asked what they think about climate change development in their meetings, events and policy demands and with the policies ? It will be them and their descendants who will be affected most. adoption of Millennium Development Goals, another incentive was brought up The Forum has always believed in the transversal, cross- for the engagement of youth both locally and globally. sector character of youth policy and has devoted a good part of its policy The YFJ has played its part in awareness-raising, policy development and advocacy efforts to persuading decision-makers that development, mobilisation and advocacy for sustainable development. Be it transversality is the direction to take. Internally, this approach can be seen the guidelines for its policy work on sustainable development from 2005, the through the gradual widening of policy areas, as outlined above. Without the subsequent policy paper in 2006 and the Position Paper “What kind of global self-confidence of young people and youth organisations to know that they do deal do youth deserve” from 2010, as well as related institutional events. Be have things to say on matters outside the strict scope of youth policy, there it the mobilisation of a huge number of young people to take part in the 2009 would have been far fewer inputs to institutional processes on, for example, climate conference in Copenhagen, the participation to several meetings of Millennium Development Goals, climate change, the economic crisis, e-society the UN Commission on Sustainable Development, the coordination with its and so on. partners from other regions or the kick off of the preparations for the Rio+20 In the sense of mainstreaming, the situation within the Council of conference due to take place in 2012. The YFJ ensured that the concerns Europe is a bit different. Strictly speaking the co-management bodies, which of youth were heard by decision-makers. At the same time internally among are composed of both governments and youth organisations, have a much Member Organisations, capacity building, engaging and progressively better legal basis and allow youth to be a full-fledged partner in developing changes to a more sustainable manner of work and life have been taking youth policy and determining the way funds are spent in the youth sector. place. Practically, however, it is not always self-evident that the co-management The rather recent work of the YFJ on new media is an example of bodies will get consulted whenever some other part of the Council of Europe how developments in a specific area challenged the platform to both develop develops policies related to young people. The European Youth Forum has a policy approach and to engage its members in a new process, which is over the years tried to increase such practice through advocacy with other in line with its strategic priority of advocating for youth participation and bodies of the Council of Europe. In some occasions this effort was more mainstreaming of youth policy. Not only was the institutional push mentioned successful than at other, but it is worth mentioning at least one : later on, a clear sign that a policy sector not directly working on or with youth The first Council of Europe Conference of Ministers Responsible for recognised the need to have one of the main stakeholders involved, but also Media and New Communication Services in 2009 was a landmark not only it was first and foremost an opportunity for the YFJ to show that there are for its topic, tackling a new area, but also for the initiative of Member States both expertise and interest in venturing into areas, which are growing in to involve young people in this event, in the discussions and in the follow up importance. processes. It was the European Youth Forum that organised a youth event prior to the conference and involved the Advisory Council on Youth, and it was From policy development to membership empowerment the Forum that delivered the messages of young participants to the ministerial Recent years have led the Forum to not only advocate but to actively em- meeting. Young delegates were able to participate in the conference and power youth organisations in having the capacity and the opportunity to, engage with national representatives also during informal moments. This themselves, take the floor in such relevant discussions. The 2011-2012 was an event similar to conferences of youth ministers within the CoE, but Work Plan, for example, foresees stronger engagement of Member Organ- importantly, another sector recognised that youth might have a relevant say isations in policy debates at the institutional level on health, sustainable and thus decided to engage young people, through the Forum, in discussions. development and new media. For this purpose three distinct databases Subsequently, the YFJ has developed its own position on e-society, has taken have been created, giving Member Organisations the opportunity to bring part in several CoE-related events on this topic and has set up a database together young experts in the mentioned areas, in order to allow the YFJ of youth experts on new media, thus enabling youth participation in relevant to draw upon their knowledge as well as to give them a chance to partici- processes. pate in relevant meetings and events. This should also partly reflect the Such engagement of the European Youth Forum strengthens general understanding that the Forum is only as strong as its Member Or- the principle of cross-sector youth policy and brings a variety of benefits ganisations are and should consequently contribute to strengthening this for young people, for youth organisations and consequently also for the indispensable link between the members, the Board and the Secretariat. co-management system. For one, youth aspects get integrated in such processes, thus paving the way for interpretation and implementation of the 284 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 285
outcomes also with consideration of young people’s concerns. This is how the state of youth policy in the country helps the YFJ to see whether there is opportunities are created for youth organisations to use such documents also interest in working towards the establishment of a National Youth Council. in their own advocacy, if they so wish. What is sometimes less obvious to At the moment, the Forum has successfully mapped all the countries in youth organisations is that achieving the adoption of a document that includes the Western Balkans, has conducted study visits and has thus created an youth concerns is only the beginning of work. Implementation, especially of all-encompassing range of reports that give a quite detailed overview of the Council of Europe documents, is largely voluntary and not bound to sanctions. situation. In certain of these countries, the Forum supported capacity building Member States are one obvious actor, but the civil society is another one, and was happy to see that some National Youth Councils have eventually been especially when it comes to advocacy for implementation at the national level. established. In others, more work needs to be done, and more time is needed Youth organisations have the immense potential to be vocal about issues that for a consensus on the need for and form of a national coordinating structure the Council of Europe stands for and promotes, and they can help to advocate for youth organisations to emerge. for their implementation. Balkan Youth Project Does youth work work ? It is worth mentioning the good practice that paved the way to the devel- opment of youth councils in the region : the Balkan Youth Project, which Youth work in youth organisations is an indispensable element of the ran between 2002 and 2005. As one of the pioneer projects, it focused on development of European society. The YFJ is aware of that and of the regional youth cooperation in Southeast Europe and was very successful need to support the sustainability of youth organisations –both its Member in reaching the wider youth population nationally and regionally with its Organisations, as well as organisations and networks which aspire to become activities. The project was unique in its approach because it was flexible members in the future. The work of the Forum is guided by a clear youth work towards the region’s youth needs and combined various actions under Eu- development strategy, which outlines a proactive approach, responding to ropean Commission YOUTH Programme Support measures in a coherent the needs of youth organisations while being in line with the YFJ’s priorities. format in order to have larger impact with implemented activities and to When it comes to current members, the YFJ works along four main enable youth groups to benefit from the implemented activities. lines : capacity building, tailored support, increasing youth organisations’ sustainability and regular monitoring of the situation through the membership It would be false to assume, however, that the Forum goes into a country survey. All these can take place through YFJ events and activities in which and establishes a National Youth Council almost by decree. This is neither Member Organisations have the space to exchange, share experience, find its right nor its wish. Unless there is impetus from the national level from solutions to common concerns and also support each other. The membership the myriad youth actors, the European Youth Forum cannot even hel p. The contact system, which aims at bringing the Board closer to the day-to-day strongest support it can provide, if the national actors so wish, is to share reality of Member Organisations, is a potentially immensely valuable channel good practice of its existing National Youth Councils from the region or from for the YFJ to increase its sensitivity to specific needs of its members and to a similar background to help networking through national-level members of its better take into account national, regional or subject-specific needs. International Youth Organisations and to support national level contact-making However, the YFJ does not only work and advocate with the aim and capacity building. However, the Forum will not invite itself to the party ; to support its existing Member Organisations ; on the contrary, the platform the invitation must come from those wanting to strengthen youth work in a has been actively supporting youth work development throughout Europe and country. sees this as one of its main priorities. The YFJ consistently advocates for The Forum also does not assume that Member Organisations, once youth organisations’ financial, political and content sustainability. Moreover, it on the list, no longer need support. The Eastern Europe and Caucasus (EEC) engages in supporting youth initiatives that are at the inception stage of their is one such case in point where Member Organisations identified the need development, be they international youth NGOs or aspiring National Youth for more networking between National Youth Councils and International Youth Councils. This is in order to render youth work more inclusive, reach out to NGOs and have thus followed this up through the European Youth Forum. The more young people and achieve more recognition and stronger support from Youth Work Development Fund on the one hand and the EEC Project Group the authorities and the rest of the civil society Europe-wide. As determined are only two such recent examples. The knowledge and the capacity, as well by the YFJ, youth work comprises actions, activities, processes and projects, as the willingness to work together, come from the Member Organisations which are undertaken by, with or for youth with the aim of providing a space themselves, and the Forum is indeed only a platform enabling them to mutually for young people and their personal development and for their needs. support each other and to strengthen their presence and sustainability. There are still regions in Europe, in which a vibrant youth sphere Strengthening issue-specific youth organisations is another exists but is not consolidated. In such countries, the YFJ first conducts research approach that Member Organisations themselves see as a priority. In the and information gathering, which might take the form of study or support past, a Faith-based Expert Group, for example, brought together both faith- visits. This helps to establish contacts with youth actors, such as NGOs, based members and non-members among youth organisations in order to authorities, relevant international stakeholders, and detect opportunities for develop capacity together and to work towards inter-religious dialogue in a cooperation all with the aim to strengthen the voice of youth in shaping the joint manner. Another case is the wish of Member Organisations to themselves political agenda. Assessing the relationship between domestic authorities, become more inclusive, focusing on young migrants and young people with international actors and youth organisations and obtaining information about migrant background. Not only did the members work on strengthening 286 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 287
their own capacity, they also mandated the Forum to explore ways towards or later. When it comes to documents that tackle specific areas and that are establishing a platform of European youth migrant organisations. This led to given for consultation by the Board before it adopts them, contributions are a project, which was run with the support of the European Programme for naturally fewer and mostly come from those Member Organisations, which Integration and Migration, to set up such a platform with on-going activities work closely on the topic in question. throughout 2010 and 2011. Whether the platform will apply for membership in the Forum is to be seen. It would definitely be welcome but will be left up to the platform itself to decide. The most important point is that it becomes Engaging the membership in policy development a sustainable network that is capable of advocating for the rights of its Consultation meetings : Consultations on the Work Plans 2007-2008, constituency at the European level. 2009-2010 and 2011-2012. About a third of member organisations have It is also worth mentioning at this point that the YFJ constantly attended each of these two meetings, organised in Brussels. For the fur- revisits its own approach to inclusiveness. A set of guidelines exists that put ther elaboration of the Work Plan and for the clarification of potential forward relevant assessment questions and action proposals on how inclusive misunderstandings, this was an extremely useful exercise, which would an organisation is and what it can do to improve its track record. Concrete not be as successful if the entire consultation had taken place online. tools and ideas have been developed in these guidelines, which are valid for youth organisations from the grassroots to the European level and which the Working groups at statutory meetings : These are used in two ways : Forum itself strives to adhere to. Another useful way of demonstrating the Firstly, six months prior to foreseen approval of a policy document willingness and capacity to reach out to young people is through collecting and to discuss the content and directions such a document should good practice among the Forum’s membershi p. Such cases can be found in take. This is an important exercise that helps in drafting a paper for it several publications, which have been developed over the years. While most to be in line with members’ needs and aspirations. Secondly, at the of them have a specific thematic focus, the examples contained in them can meeting where the decision on a document is foreseen, another work- definitely be an inspiration for other youth workers and youth activists. ing group takes place this time to discuss the already solid drafts of Since 1996 and in line with the United Nations recommendations policy documents before going for approval at the statutory meet- concerning development aid, the European Youth Forum dedicates one percent ing in order to ensure ownership of the document by the members. of its annual budget to finance concrete development projects involving young people. This commitment is geared at promoting the experience of youth Online consultations : Knowing the limited time youth NGOs often have organisations in the field of development co-operation at the global level to give input to institutional processes, the online approach to gather- and promoting representative, democratic and sustainable regional youth ing inputs sometimes turns out to be the most practical route. The platforms that act as models to strengthen youth work development in other YFJ has used this for several reactions and contributions that were continents. The fund also aims at contributing to the implementation of the then submitted to the EU, CoE or UN. While there is never an abun- World Programme of Action for Youth, the Millennium Development Goals, dance of contributions received from members, they do give impor- the EU Sustainable Development Strategy and the plan of implementation tant added value by ensuring that the views of either the national con- adopted at the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development. text or inputs from specific areas of expertise are taken into account.
All these policies and youth work… Working structures : The YFJ has, for several years, consistently used who influences them ? working structures to support the implementation of the Work Plan. These can take the form of working groups, expert groups, project The Member Organisations of the Forum are the ones who initiate, influence groups, advocacy teams, etc. Because they bring together experts in and finally adopt policy measures with the strong support of the experts in specific areas from a number of members, they can really be the cat- the secretariat. Member Organisations have at their disposal a wide variety of alyst of knowledge and ideas and can in this sense be of added value means to contribute to the development of policy documents of the Forum. not only to the YFJ but also to the Member Organisations themselves. \ It is their right and duty to give input on areas they find most relevant and that touch them most directly. Moreover, the YFJ needs such inputs from the Resolutions : Another channel for Member Organisations to point out a national and international perspectives, as the only way to develop a paper pressing issue that requires the attention of the entire YFJ membership that will be useful and efficient is for it to come from those most directly are in resolutions. Statutory meetings are an opportunity for Member Or- concerned with individual issues. ganisations to put forward resolutions, which, if they receive sufficient It needs to be taken into account, however, that most Member support, will be followed up either through advocacy actions or, if needed, Organisations have limited resources and that the requests from the Forum development of new policy approaches. Some resolutions that have led to come on top of their usual workload and in addition to their own national or underscored existing advocacy are, for example Resolution on a youth- or international priorities. Therefore, the feedback might vary a lot. Inputs proofing campaign from 2006, Resolution on EU funding for international to strategic documents such as the Work Plan will typically attract more youth NGOs from 2007, Resolution on lowering the electoral age to 16 reactions than drafts of policy documents. Both of these get to be discussed from 2006 and several resolutions asking for the removal of visa obsta- and amended also at the statutory meetings, so the input is guaranteed sooner cles for young Europeans, to name but a few. 288 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 289
The evolving structure of the YFJ Secretariat above. The Forum also takes seriously its other policies : sustainable development, quality internships, (gender) equality, etc. The role of the Secretariat has always been the same in the YFJ landscape, Following the adoption of the Policy Paper on Sustainable supporting the Board and the Member Organisations in the implementation of Development in 2006, an environmental plan for the Secretariat was set up the Work Plan of the organisation. However, its actual structure evolved over and is being followed through in matters ranging from buying fair-trade coffee the years, as it needed to be adapted in order to ensure proper implementation or tea, non-use of disposable cups, energy-efficient handling of lighting, channels for the provisions of the Work Plan. computers and other gadgets, use of recycled paper and green electricity. In the beginning of the years 2000, the Secretariat of the YFJ When it comes to internships, in line with the Forum’s policy of consisted of teams dealing with finances, translation and administration, preventing exploitation of young work force, interns who join the YFJ outside as well as two departments clearly identified in the organigramme of the an educational programme are remunerated according to the expected Secretariat : the Youth Policy Department and the Youth Work Development. workload, have guidance and several among them have had the possibility Each of them was dealing with separate policy actions and activities, and the to continue working for the Forum with a full-time contract at the end of their capacity-building work was concentrated in the latter one. A few years later, internshi p. These and other recommendations are included in the Forum’s the two departments were merged with a view to ensure more synergies Opinion Paper on Internships from 2009 and form the basis for a wider between the capacity-building work and the policy and advocacy actions. advocacy, which is not only for internal implementation. Also, while policy officers could have held in the beginning responsibilities on Gender equality is another important goal of the Forum. One one or several policy areas combined with a coordination role in relation to hears very often, how women are less visible in decision-making bodies and a European or international organisation, the task division was made clearer at higher levels of organisational and business structures. It is sometimes in 2005. The portfolios of three staff members were then focused on the a challenge also in the YFJ, especially at its statutory meetings to ensure implementation of the management of the YFJ relations with the European equal opportunity to speak and contribute for both women and men. For this Union, the Council of Europe and the United Nations and the other members purpose, the Forum has introduced an approach to monitoring gender balance of the Policy and Advocacy Department focused on specific policy areas. or imbalance at its Councils of Members and General Assemblies. The results The line between policy development and advocacy action is thin, though. All show a mixed picture ; however, presenting the outcomes to the delegates staff members were involved in both aspects of the work of the organisation. has sometimes worked to achieve a more balanced outcome. This and other But the split, which was operated in terms of denominations at that moment, actions are based on the Policy Paper on Achieving Equality between Women represented maybe a wish to underline the need to structure further the and Men from 2007 and moreover on related Internal Guidelines. Secretariat’s composition. This would allow the Secretariat to better respond Similarly, gender equality is sought when selecting members of YFJ to the challenges posed by the implementation of the more and more working structures and participants at YFJ events, and it is not the only balance demanding Work Plans of the YFJ both in terms of policy development and in that needs to be considered. Ensuring equal opportunities is fundamental, not terms of advocacy achievements. because it is included in most of the Forum’s policies, but precisely because Later still, with the Work Plan taking a less detailed form and it is one of the platform’s main principles. In this sense, though solving the allowing the implementation mechanisms to be developed by the Bureau/ puzzle of balance between experts and non-experts, National Youth Councils Board together with the secretariat, the Policy Development and Advocacy and International Youth NGOs, between different European regions and Department attempted to work in implementation teams. While the idea between genders is quite a tough one to solve. It is nevertheless an exercise needed a certain time to develop and solidify, by the entry into force of the that is worth taking in order to ensure equality, quality and representativity. Work Plan 2011-2012 the approach of mirroring the main priorities within Moreover, it helps the YFJ to empower more multipliers that will be able to the staff structure had been fully achieved and also showed the flexibility of take the newly acquired knowledge and skills to their daily environments. This the secretariat. The Policy Development and Advocacy Department are now is particularly the case with the Pool of Trainers and Facilitators, in which also sub-divided into three chapters, which are coordinated by three respective less experienced individuals get the opportunity to learn, grow and increase coordinators, in order to ensure the implementation and communication to be their skills. as smooth as possible and that each of the three chapters receives sufficient Reconciliation of family, private and professional life has been a attention also in terms of human resources. The capacity-building aspects transversal policy demand of the European Youth Forum to the EU institutions. and the institutional relations aspects are fully integrated into this structure. When formulating this demand into a public statement (with the publication in 2006 of the European Youth Forum “Bureau’s contribution to the European We practice what we preach Commission’s Consultation on the Reconciliation of professional, family and private life”), the YFJ had already had in place for years an internal document Youth organisations often ask policy makers to apply what they stand for in securing provisions for its staff members from this perspective. Moreover, their policies. The Forum is similarly strict to itself and is not satisfied simply the guidelines for the advocacy work developed in the framework of the “YFJ with demanding ever more and ever better approaches. It does not leave Policy Paper on achieving equality between women and men” indicated the policies on paper but actively works to put them into reality also in the daily need to advocate for a fully paid maternity leave. Published in 2007, this life of the platform. This applies to several areas and next to setting a good document did not call for action that the YFJ had not implemented internally example to supporting development through its 1% Solidarity Fund mentioned first, thus indicating a model in employment policy from this point of view. 290 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 291
Luiza Bara, born in 1978, Women becoming mothers during their employment with the YFJ had the worked for the European opportunity to receive support from the European Youth Forum, a responsible Youth Forum between 2002 employer who compensates financially the pay loss during the maternity leave and 2008 and was Head of its employees. of the Policy Development and Advocacy Department A flavour of what it is to be a YFJ between 2005 and 2008. Secretariat member A Romanian national, she holds an MA in European Being part of a structure where policy demands are actually implemented Policies and a BA in internally first is of course motivating. But has this been the main reason for Political Science. She is our long term involvement in the secretariat of the European Youth Forum ? now Director for Policy and The answer is rather simple : No. Although continuously challenged to put into Strategy of the European practice the many demands of the members of leaders of the YFJ, we have Public Health Alliance. always kept a natural smile on our faces. We have been enjoying this. Being part of this gigantic organisation and of the European and global processes Klavdija Černilogar has the YFJ has been engaged in is a wonderful learning, professional and personal worked as the Head of the development exercise. Maturing in an organisation like the YFJ sets strong Policy Development and principles and values in terms of doing the right thing for the society and in a Advocacy Department continuous belief that change is possible. at he European Youth We cannot end this article without mentioning how important the Forum since late 2008. contribution of the various staff members has been over the years. The A Slovenian national, she excitement, curiosity, motivation and engagement that builds on strong holds an MA in Human expertise leads to excellence. Rights and Democratisation We owe this article to all our colleagues that we have had the and a BA in International pleasure to work with in the department over the years. We would have had Relations. She has been little to write about without them. Yes, we realise that we have both been employed at the Forum particularly spoiled. We had the chance to work together with magnificent since 2006, after having professionals and wonderful people. And this is the most precious souvenir worked for the Council of we take from our engagement with the European Youth Forum. Europe Office in Belgrade. Thierry Thioux — Le funembule 294 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 295
EU White Paper on Youth 2001 EU White Paper New élan - but not without battles
words by Henrik Söderman
on Youth Forever young
Young people are looking for acceptance and recognition. From their parents, teachers, the opposite sex, from other young people. Without recognition, a young person becomes desperate, ready for anything. The need for recognition can lead to heroism, rebellion, revolution, responsibility, innovativeness, courage or self-sacrifice. These powerful motivations are intrinsically associated with being young. Like individuals, entire generations also aspire for recognition. That much greater quest is even more difficult to respond to. A young generation, in order to feel satisfied, needs to achieve something significant, something that sets it apart from the previous generations. The cause must be commensurate with the dimensions of the challenge. This eternal phenomenon, the permanent will of youth to do something remarkable, is also beneath the story of the EU White Paper on Youth. “EU White Paper – a New Impetus for European Youth” was adopted by the European Commission in November 2001 after a vast youth consultation exercise. The White Paper took the development of European youth policy to a new level of ambition and provided for an increased recognition of youth perspective in EU policy making. It was also an engaging experience for thousands of young people everywhere in Europe who participated in the consultations leading to the White Paper. As president of the European Youth Forum during this period, I had the privilege to live directly this process and witness the birth of a European Youth Policy.
European Youth Policy, a long-standing demand of young Europeans
The demand of a cross-sectoral, holistic European Youth Policy had been one of the long-standing demands of the Youth Forum and its predecessors, subject to numerous documents and declarations in the years that preceded the White Paper process. The demand for a European Youth Policy arose from the gradual emergence of the EU as a political framework of increasing relevance to youth organisations. The EU funding for youth and student exchanges offered fantastic opportunities to young Europeans. The concept of European citizenship had been launched. Mobility and reduction of borders within Europe opened up wider horizons for young people. Generally, young generations were enjoying the benefits of increased European cooperation. Nevertheless, the opinion of youth organisations about the EU was not only positive. EU appeared as an economic project, with few opportunities to participate and engage with youth in a political sense. Youth was tired of being mentioned in speeches but lacking the opportunities to speak itself. Compared with some good examples of national youth policies and with the decades of solid youth policy work by the Council of Europe, the EU seemed to be behind and ignorant of the aspirations of the young generation. 296 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 297
The Youth Forum had adopted its own Youth Policy Document in not only the objects of the new policy ; recognition of non-formal education 1997, setting out a comprehensive vision for a youth policy in Europe. As and of the role played by youth organisations ; and robust mechanisms on many of the Youth Forum’s policy papers, the achievement of the goals was the European level guaranteeing the implementation of the policy, not just a uncertain. The Commission seemed satisfied with the funding programmes declaration of good intentions. targeting young people and didn’t appear enthusiastic to develop a European The Commission officials in charge visited all Member States and youth policy. The legal basis in the EU Treaty was extremely narrow ; it only met both youth administrations and youth organisations. In some countries, spoke of exchanges of youth workers. The EU institutions could hardly this opened up a new level of recognition of youth also towards their national be required to open a new policy area on such a weak mandate. The administrations. Youth researchers contributed with elaborate submissions. programmatic approach could be justified by legal constraints. The large number of proposals was a clear proof that there was a strong underlying demand for more European action in the field. The difficulty was Commissioner Viviane Reding takes going to be to choose on what to focus. up the challenge Overall, the most impressive feature of the period was the commitment demonstrated by the young people who took part in the The appearance of a White Paper on Youth on the European stage took place unprecedented consultation exercise both nationally and in the European in autumn 1999 after the European elections in June 1999. events. It is fair to say that no other EU process has generated as much In the hearings for new Commissioners at the European Parliament, energy, positive debate and contributions to an EU issue. In this sense the the Luxembourgian Commissioner-Designate Ms. Viviane Reding set to take White Paper fulfilled the role of a generational ambition : the idea that the EU the youth portfolio and told the MEPs that one of her aims as Commissioner was finally going to recognise the needs of young people and put its weight would be to develop a European youth policy by publishing a White Paper on behind solving them by establishing a European youth policy that captured the topic. the imagination of young people. Everything that the national administrations had not managed to do, all the difficulties to engage adequately with youth There it was. The announcement of a European Youth Policy on a representatives, the shortcomings in the living conditions of young people. high political level was enthusiastically endorsed by the youth organisations, The EU was going to force all national administrations to take the issue even if they perhaps didn’t initially have a clear view on what a White Paper seriously and raise the youth issues to a new level. With such a level of was exactly. The idea of a White Paper had not appeared in Youth Forum’s expectations, it was foreseeable that the end result would have difficulties to demands, but it was Commissioner Reding who brought the idea to the live up to the hopes. public. In any case, the demands of the youth organisations had been finally heard. Quickly the youth organisations also understood the significance of White Paper in danger choosing White Paper as the instrument ; a high-level political document of the Commission was what was needed to push the boundaries of EU integration Obtaining the approval of the White Paper was in the end not as smooth and and to open a new policy area, even in the absence of a strong legal basis. A peaceful as had been planned. In May 2001, alarming rumours reached the whole horizon was opening to take youth policy in Europe to a new level. Youth Forum : the White Paper had encountered opposition and was not going to be published ! This was surprising because the reception of the idea had Europe-wide consultations been triumph during the consultations. The rumours soon became more to prepare the White Paper specific ; there was internal resistance in other Commission departments against publishing a White Paper on an unimportant topic such as youth. In order to prepare the White Paper, the Commission organised a vast Perhaps the status of the paper could be lower, even though the content consultation exercise in 2000 and 2001. Young people were the main invitees, would not change ? and they responded enthusiastically. Youth conferences were held in Member The Youth Forum reacted swiftly. It was clear that in addition to States, and youth events were organised together with the EU presidencies the usual institutional lobbying something more visible was needed. After in Paris, Umeå and Ghent. Countless debates and workshops were arranged all, countless young people everywhere in Europe had contributed to the to collect the suggestions of young people. The other EU institutions also shaping of a White Paper. For them, a paper by any other name would be engaged in the process : I spoke at hearings in the European Parliament and in a disappointment. The status of the document had become a symbol. The the youth working party of the Council of Ministers ; the European Economic Youth Forum, therefore, decided to organise demonstrations in Brussels and and Social Committee prepared a positive opinion, drafted by Jillian Hasset in the national capitals in defence of the White Paper. who was the only youth NGO representative in the EESC and to which the Youth To my knowledge, this is the only street demonstration (or Forum also contributed. Numerous positions papers and written contributions “manif” as they are called) that the Youth Forum has organised. The date were submitted by the Youth Forum and its member organisations. chosen was 28 May 2001, the day of the meeting of the Council of Youth The main ideas that were advocated from the side of the European Ministers in Brussels. We were there in front of the Council building with a Youth Forum were a truly cross-sectoral policy encompassing various policy big banderole and with a group of 30-40 young people. The attention was areas and departments, not only the narrow field of youth exchanges ; a intense. The ministers going into the Council building knew many of us from strong focus on youth participation in order to make youth the subjects and the consultations and stopped to say hello and discuss. Minister Britta Lejon 298 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 299
from the Swedish presidency said she fully agreeing that a White Paper was The realisation that youth issues were being constrained by lack Henrik Söderman, born in what was needed. Journalists were intrigued by this odd event : young people of adequate legal basis in the EU treaty led the Youth Forum and the youth 1976, was President of the who were demonstrating on the street, asking for an EU document and being organisations to work for an increased EU competence and for a youth article Youth Forum 2001-2002 ; friendly with ministers ? Not the usual story. in the EU Constitution. Bureau member 1998-2000. In the Member States, the recommended place to demonstrate was Mrs. Viviane Reding became one of the longest-serving Represented the Finnish in front of the Commission representations, which in turn surprised the EU Commissioners, starting her 3rd five-year term in 2010 as Vice-President of Youth Council (Allianssi) civil servants, who used to inform citizens about the EU but not be the target the Commission in charge of justice. Mr. Joao Vale de Almeida, the director and the World Organisation of protests. Perhaps an unavoidable result of the EU’s increasing political for youth affairs who piloted the White Paper process, became the head of of the Scout Movement significance ? cabinet of President José Manuel Barroso. The thousands of young people – European Region (WOSM) The Youth Ministers “unanimously voiced political support for the involved in the consultations lived a transnational political experience, a in the European Youth elaboration of a meaningful White Paper”. This was very important news generational project aimed at making a change. They succeeded in leaving Forum. Current occupa- for the youth organisations. A few days later, Romano Prodi, president of their mark in the development of the EU and in improving the focus of the tion : official at the European the Commission, declared at a Youth Forum’s 1st Youth Convention on European institutions on the living conditions of young people. Commission, Directorate- Volunteering that the Commission was going to publish a White Paper. The General for Competition downgrading of the White Paper had been avoided. Disclaimer : The views expressed in this article in Brussels since 2006. are the sole responsibility of the author. Previously worked i.a. as Adoption of the White Paper a bank analyst in Helsinki, at the World Bank in Paris The Commission adopted the “EU White Paper – a New Impetus for European and at the World Scout Youth” on 21 November 2001. This was a landmark event bringing the two- Bureau in Geneva. Master year process to an end. Essentially, the document proposed an Open Method of Science (Economics) in of Coordination in the youth field in order to improve coherence of youth 2003. Current involvement policies on European and national level. Secondly, it advocated for increased in non-governmental organ- mainstreaming of youth into other policy areas. The key topics identified were isations : Scout Movement ; participation, information, volunteering and greater knowledge of youth. vice-chairman of the The youth organisations welcomed the important step in the European Scout Committee. development of European youth policy but at the same time expressed that Union of European they would have liked a more ambitious document. Indeed, compared with Federalists ; member of the many far-reaching proposals that had been collected at the consultations, the Federal Committee. the final document only contained a limited number of moderate proposals. Nevertheless, everyone recognised that the White Paper was a useful first step and that the future years would show the full potential of the new policy.
Impact of the White Paper
The White Paper established a cycle of European coordination in youth affairs for the future years and set the agenda for increased youth cooperation in Europe. Apart of its impact on the strengthening of youth issues on the EU level, the White Paper also provided support for national youth policies. In the context of the EU enlargement, the existence of an EU policy was a powerful argument to take the youth issues up in the accession countries and also in many old member states. The White Paper concept became a landmark in the development of international youth policies. For the European Youth Forum, which was at the time still a new structure emerging from a prolonged internally-focused setting-up period, the White Paper challenge was a major development stimulus. Coordinating a process and liaising with all stakeholders placed the Youth Forum at the centre of the political landscape and forced it to put advocacy and policy work first instead of focusing on its internal organisational life. The difficult moments with the Commission gave the Youth Forum additional self-confidence but also made it clear that the platform needed to be set up politically and financially in such a way that it could survive even a potential political tension with the Commission. 300 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 301 302 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 303 304 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 305 306 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 307 308 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 309 310 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 311 312 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 313 314 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 315 316 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 317 318 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 319 320 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 321 322 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 323
Speech of Romano Prodi at the Ist Youth Convention on Volunteering
Brussels, 21 May 2001
Dear young people : It gives me great pleasure to be here today. For twenty-five years I taught students, and I love being in touch with people of your age. Your energy, enthusiasm and freshness of imagination are tremendous assets for Europe. I am impressed that so many young people are willing to commit their time and energy to working for others. And you are involved in an extraordinary number and variety of community service projects. These projects meet all kinds of needs in our societies. Needs that are recognised by the public authorities but cannot adequately be met by the public services. So the work you are doing is very important and greatly appreciated. The European Commission wants you to know this, and I assure you that we shall continue actively supporting you through our Youth Programme. We also want to make sure European policymakers take real account of the concerns and wishes of young people. That is why we have spent a lot of time consulting youth organisations and holding youth conferences to find out what people your age think, want and are most deeply concerned about. Later this year, in a White Paper, we shall announce what we intend to do to answer your concerns and to improve life for young people in Europe. This brings me to an important question. What sort of EU will you be living and working in, ten years from now ? A dozen or more countries may have joined the EU by then, making it a much bigger and more diverse Union. So, what sort of European Union do we want to build together ? Whenever I get the chance to discuss this with young people I hear that you want, above all, a just, inclusive society where every individual is valued and rewarded. A tolerant society where people of different cultures and ethnic origins respect one another, and diversity is regarded as a positive asset. A genuine family of European peoples in which the different nations states, regions and social groups show real solidarity with one another. Well, I have news for you : that is exactly the kind of Europe I want too. Youth organisations and the other associations that make up “civil society” have an extremely important part to play in building that fair and caring society. Civil society is often in the front line of action when it comes to social work and protecting the environment. That is why the European Commission wants civil society to become much more involved in helping us design EU policies and programmes. After all, the EU exists for the people of Europe, and they need to have a real say in how it is run. This is especially true of your generation. The future of Europe is your future. So my message to you is this : get involved in the debate ! You are already very involved in practical projects : so you have 324 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 325
important, practical things to say about the kind of European Union you want to help us build. Tell us ! I assure you, the European Commission will give serious attention to your suggestions. Moreover, you are the decision-makers of tomorrow. The future of Europe will soon be in your hands. Start discussing it today ! Thank you. Sophie Vanderveken — Préservatif sonor 328 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 329
The European youth Convention, or how we convinced the Union The European to put Youth in its Constitution
words by Giacomo Filibeck Youth Convention “We can indeed dream of Europe and persuade others to share the same dream ! We must embark on our task without preconceived ideas and form our vision of the new Europe by listening constantly and closely to all our partners but also to those who have no other identity, as they are just as part of Europe as the rest of us. In listening, we must pay special attention to young people, for whom I would like us to be able to organise a “Convention for the Young People of Europe”. With these very few words in his inaugural address to the European Convention on 28 February 2002, President Valery Giscard d’Estaing opened one of the most important historical chapters of the Convention on the future of Europe : the European Youth Convention. Recalling this event with Giscard’s words, if on one hand it offered the possibility of paying homage to the historical protagonist of the “convention” experience, on the other, it gave me license to comment with a critical point of view, his approach, as well as that of the political world and the European Institutions, with respect to the dialogue with the youth world. The reason for these pages are in fact, twofold : remembering a passage of the European Youth Forum (YFJ) history and reflecting more in general on the hardcore business of the youth world organised in Europe and its representation and its participation. I believe, after many years of political activity at the European youth level, that very few past experiences of YFJ’s life have known such hard confrontation on what was the true meaning of youth participation and representation as the ones that came out of the European Youth Convention.
A question of representation
It was the year of consulting the Youth White Book proposed in 2000 by Commissioner Viviane Reding. Under the guidance of Henrik Söderman, the YFJ bureau experienced dialogue with the European Institutions, particularly the Commission. During the organised consultations with the Commission for the drawing up of the White Book we often found ourselves, as representatives of structured organisations and associations, in the position of having to defend ourselves from the critique of being capable of representing. The elements of the matter in question were very simple : In European society the majority of youth are “unorganised” compared to those “organised” in associations, voluntarism and/or political parties. Because in politics numbers count, many in the Institutions sustained that on the basis of a quantitative analysis it was inappropriate for the European Institutions to limit themselves to an exclusive structured dialogue with the European Youth Forum. Our answer was just as simple : If it were true that few young people got involved through associationism and organisations, then it would make sense to support them in expressing all of their potential in order to multiply 330 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 331
1 From the inaugural address rootedness in their society rather than limiting their tools and acknowledgment The final composition of the group was thus very heterogeneous for the diverse 2 In my case it was the Euro 28th February 2002 “to representative Elena Paciotti organise a “Convention for just because they were a minority. cultural and political paths. However, among this varieties of experiences, you to select me on the basis of the Young People of Europe”, After all we were not aware that an anthropological difference would recognise the majority group who shared the culture of a democratic the indications received from which would meet using our the Left Democratic Party and own model as their basis [...]”. between youth that are involved in an NGO and youth that are not has ever youth participation on the basis of which the same membership to the YFJ its Left wing youth organisation. Using their Using their same been proven. The only difference was that when the Institutions wanted to was founded. model resulted in being quite 3 Instituted by the Minister complicated to imagine. dialogue with the youth world they might have found themselves talking with In those years in Italy, a National Youth Council did not yet exist for European Affairs, Rocco a single individual who in “the best of cases” expressed his own ideas “uti and thus to comply with the deficit of preparation and coordination, inevitably Buttiglione, and coordinated singuli”. Instead when they dialogued with the young representatives of youth lacking due to direct and name designation from the Italian2 members of the by Francesco Tufarelli, the Observatory on the European associations, they might have found themselves in the “worst scenario” to European Convention, preparatory meetings were held and promoted by the Convention constituted an 3 open table, one where many have listened to the ideas and proposals shared by a plurality of subjects. Observatory on the European Convention . political, institutional, academic We have to remember, though, that those were the years when Even if not fully satisfied with the whole designating procedure, and associative realities which dealt with Europe, could make on one side the European youth unemployment was starting to rise, and as the Youth Forum we offered the Convention our availability to partner up comparisons. During the period on the other the alter globalist movements conquered the headlines in the in the organisation of the event. The intention was, on one hand, to offer of the Convention and of the Italian semester of Presidency of international press. Thus, the political world found itself without the proper our know-how on the topic of youth meetings to the Institutions and, on the the Union, it was the laboratory tools to respond to such requests, and we who continued to believe in our other, to avoid the risk that the entire event would be nothing other than a for numerous initiatives on the entire territory and addressed so called “zipper function” between the decision makers and our generation media affair. This cooperation allowed us to participate to the last few weeks to every social sector. matured the awareness that the goals in sight were in danger. of preparation and to attend the secretariats of the Convention and of the The youth question then like now remained always a rhetoric European Parliament, which both involved with the DG EAC of the Commission, priority, but rarely it was transformed into a political priority. Thus, just the and allowed us to discover that some of our fears were more than justified. fact that the president of the French Republic had anticipated what would later We came to know that at the 13th June 2002 meeting the Praesidium dealing become a request for involvement on behalf of the youth movements of the with the last minute preparations of the event noticed with satisfaction that YFJ in the drawing up of what should have been the last treaty and the first the numerical balance between men and women was in favour of the latter Constitution of the European Union had a surprising effect for most of us. and taking this into consideration it would have been logical to elect a woman After Giscard’s announcement to the Bureau of the Youth Forum as a chairperson of the youth Convention. Furthermore, the Praesidium and to the European youth organisations, there was great ferment. On one hoped that the chairperson in question would not be from the Brussels-based side the wait took shape while the idea of youth being the protagonists of a machinery. Exactly the opposite of what we had thought inside the YFJ with Convention’s session. On the other was fear. The fear was based on Giscard’s the representatives of the political European youth movements. It was in fact same words1 that the same composition of the youth assembly in itself was a common agreement that the best candidacy, in competition with whomever not really a reflection of the principles of representativeness and legitimacy. else, woman or man, to the leadership of this exercise was entitled to the The opportunity was surely of historical proportion. Being able to highest representative of the youth platform present on the continent : in contribute on behalf of a generation to the project of a constitutional treaty other words, the President of the European Youth Forum (then being Henrik for the European Union, which was on its way to opening up to 10 newer Söderman). members, didn’t have any precedents. Even though Söderman was a few months over the age limit fixed The final proposal, prepared by the Convention’s secretariat led by the Praesidium, he was allowed as in president of the YFJ to take part in by Sir John Kerr, together with the Commission and the PE was approved the same way as the other juniors. Moreover, we considered certain arbitrary by the Praesidium on 27th March 2002. It foresaw the participation of 210 positions as an insult to the idea of free and independent participation, of youth between the ages of 18 and 25 selected directly from the titular and which we had always been promoters. Nevertheless we were told on the last temporary members of the European Convention representing the national useful day, just before the beginning of the proceedings, that Giscard d’Estaing Parliaments and Governments (a total of 168 members, six per country), 32 was inflexible on the inadmissibility of Söderman’s candidacy (officially) due to from the European Parliament’s representatives, four nominated from the anagraphical reasons. Because other candidates were present, there was no representatives of the Commission and six from the Praesidium. risk in being without leadershi p. The only element that we were able to affirm in that phase was That was the moment in which the representatives of the liberal, that in the designation the senior conventional would be invited to keep into people’s and socialist youth organisations asked my availability to stand as a account the proposals made by the active youth associations at national and candidate in the name of both unity and self-government of the YFJ. Honoured, European level, such as the National Youth Councils and the YFJ. I accepted the request and strength of the support that went beyond the In the majority of cases the seniors followed these indications and political movements, involving also the youth of the European Trade Union’s involved the National Youth Councils respectively, or they selected among the Confederation (ETUC), the Scouts and other NGYOs. I was thus elected youth movements of the political parties of origin. In other cases, they would president together with the two vice presidents Ellen Trane Norby, Dane and have competitive entrance examinations on a national scale, and a minority liberal, Roberta Tedesco Triccas, Maltese of the people’s party, eight other would choose for the co-optation of youth close to them but not directly members of the presidency and the three speakers of the group proceedings. involved in politics.
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4 Tuesday 9th July : end of the The Convention takes off fulfil “what the generations before considered a dream : A political European 6 Rethinking European division afternoon, introduction session, on the invasion of Iraq which election of the president and community which would live in peace, it would be able to resolve conflicts on would have followed up in a few of the Praesidium; Wednesday The first act of the YC ended just as described above but in the evening the basis of law and no longer with force, and it would be a model for the rest months and to the difficulties on morning, 10th July : opening the subject which we continue to of the CEG proceedings ; hours the proceedings continued happily for most of us in order to make sure of the world. Therefore the youth ask… ambitious reforms”. encounter, we had to recognise afternoon : meeting the press that, even with a program4 prepared on such short notice, we could succeed The first part defined the democratic values of the Union. It that the clarity in the analysis and and work groups ; Thursday in the proposal was considerable. morning, 11th July : continued in developing a political proposal for the future of the Union that would be concentrated on European citizenship, “which compliments and does not proceedings in groups and a considered in itself worthy. substitute national identities”. After the common market and the Euro, it was 7 It’s possible to consult the plenum on the group results ; integral text of their speeches afternoon : Convention joined The YC started officially on the morning of the 10th and among necessary to build a true common citizenship and through which a “cultural and of the entire subsequent session and Convention, debate, on the site of the PE in beginning of the amendment the speakers at the opening ceremony, Giscard wanted to be the protagonist European space”. For that purpose, it was proposed to increase exchange the session of 12th July 2002. voting; Friday morning, 12th July : giving a “winged” speech “We need you (appealing to the youth).… the real programs for youth, to recognise diplomas, professional qualifications and final presentation of the findings to the Convention and press treasure of man is the green youth(quoting Ronsard, the poet).…You can to teach the history of European integration in all of its schools. In asking for conference ; afternoon : closing conduct your proceedings in whatever way you see fit. The only rules are the inclusion of the Bill of Rights in the Constitution, we hoped to see in the session of the Youth Convention. tolerance and freedom of expression… Tell us what your dreams are for the very near future an immigration and asylum policy so that Europe could truly
5 The speakers of the three next twenty years… Become builders of dreams on our side ! You are the become a welcoming land. It was also asked to develop a European welfare groups were, respectively : citizens of the future Europe.” Half way through the “poem” a young Italian system and an environmental policy, dedicating thus an ample space to the 1) Akos Komassy (Ecosy, young European socialists) ; conventionalist Samuele Pii stood up from the back of the hall and yelled out Union’s budget. To increase the financial resources “a system of European 2) Jan Kreutz (Jef, young European Federalists) ; 3) to leave the platform to the youth members of the praesidium elected the taxation” was suggested, “which foresaw a consumption tax”. Eric Varadkar (Yepp, Youth of night before, asserting that the platform belonged to us. That wasn’t the first In the second part we had the outline of the institutional reforms. the European People’s Party). or last signal of suffering, will and determination showed to those who wanted We identified democracy, transparency and efficiency as the main objectives us there merely as props on the world media stage, which took place during of a Union that should have a tendency in establishing a federal model, the path of the youth convention. The applause that followed Samuele’s call founded on parliamentary control and on a clear balance of power. Most was the proof that the convention was ours and that we would have not of all we emphasised how important it was to abolish the right to veto and allowed anyone, even Giscard, to predetermine or influence our results. to a have a parliamentary form of government, an evolution of the Council We considered that pondering the idea of the “Dream” when the in a second chamber and the transformation of the Commission in a true European reality offered very little of oneiric was an ulterior signal that we European executive branch that would be responsible in front of the Council were running the risk of being considered unpredictable and over ambitious and the Parliament. with our ideas. We advanced the hypothesis of a European referendum on the Instead we decided that our mission was not any different and of the results of the Convention “because the citizens should have the last word same importance as that of the senior convention. The main questions were on the future of their Europe”. If they only would have listened and voted it already clearly outlined in Laeken’s Declaration on the future of the European on the same day of the European Parliamentary elections of 12th and 13th Union : “The Union has to become more democratic, more transparent and June 2004, I had no doubts that the referendum would have passed with a more efficient. She had to also answer three essential challenges : How to great majority and that the debate that would have preceded would have draw up citizens – first of all youth – to the European project and to the been captivating and centred on the European vision rather than the national European institutions ? How to structure political life and the European political questions. space in a broader Union ? How to transform the Union in a stability factor and The third part stated the values which distinguished the international in a point of reference in a new and multipolar world ?” relations role of Europe : democracy, freedom, equality and respect of human rights. To be able to face global challenges (the gap between North and South, The proceedings and the outcomes disarmament, terrorism, environmental protection) Europe had to operate together with the supranational institutions, and of the utmost importance To answer those questions we structured our proceeding in three work it should have a common Foreign and Safety policy. “Foreign policy has to groups : one, missions and visions for the European Union, two democracy become exclusive competency of the European Union. Safety and foreign and participation in the European Union – For a European democracy and policy should integrate with the choices made by the European Parliament and three, Europe in a globalised world.5 Council. A single Foreign Affairs Commissioner to execute common policies”. After two intense working days, the final document was voted in the In addition, it was added that a “European Army would be less expensive and middle of the night between 23 and 24 hour. The voters were 146 on 210 who militarily more efficient”. Lastly, it was pointed out that the European Union had active right to vote (64 absentees). For the high number of amendments should speak with one voice within international institutions and should also to vote (about 100), the final vote took place at two in the morning, thus the promote regional integration in the other areas of the planet6. morning of 12th July. The entire document was composed of an introduction, In the conclusions we urged to open a debate on the future of Europe the resolutions of the work groups included in three distinct parts and the to all of the citizens and take the responsibility in bringing in their contribution. conclusions. Presenting briefly the main proposals : In the morning of 12th July together with the two vice presidents, the Dane The introduction opened by quoting the three main challenges Ellen Trane Norby and the Maltese Roberta Tedesco Triccas, we presented in defined in Declaration and continued on with stating the will to contribute and front of the plenum of the Convention the youth proposals.7 334 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 335
8 It was known that Jens Peter Particularly presenting the intense work done, I justified the voting the federalist. Chosen according to arbitrary criteria and immediately handled 9 In the letter that Giscard Bonde had followed up close wrote on 17th June 2002 the proceedings of the EYC as choice for the final document with far-sightedness : “Voting implies a majority by the political parties, our young conventionalist spent much enthusiasm and visiting the EYC, to every young an external coordinator of the and a minority. We, as youth, see the future of Europe this way. We cannot talent without being able to express an authentic generational sentiment”. conventionalist, it stated that : anti-European branch of the “On the occasion of my inaugural assembly. Particularly, since the proceed with a consensus or unanimously. We have to be brave enough The hypothesis of a federal minority organised within the assembly address, I hoped that a Youth first session, Sam Dobbyn and to confront with one another, so to try and imagine the future of Europe seemed to be quite groundless. In reality within the EYC, a convergence of the Convention would gather, others started out by critiquing so that your generation, from the non transparent composition according to the opinions of a minority and a majority. This is fundamental for majority of the participants, who were inspired on the federalist project, took 18-25 years of age, would make of the Convention, the funding us, otherwise, Europe, which is a grand project, will not be able to progress place independently from the different affiliations and places of origin. The their opinions of today’s Europe of the youth organisations known, but especially so that represented and on the methods any further”. After which, Ellen Trane Norby described, together with the generational element prevailed over the national and political one. you could point out the elements for the proceedings, putting which you think essential to a the secretary, represented youth policies, the institutional proposals : “The majority of us believe that a Without dedicating too much time to the question at hand, it was long term prospective. In fact, by Annalisa Giannela who was federal structure based on the Union of citizens is the only one feasible for the difficult to understand fully the reasons for that criticism. To have a youth it is your generation that will at the presidency due to the exercise the responsibilities fact that the junior Praesidium future of Europe”. At last, in her speech Roberta Tedesco Triccas explained convention with the same political balance of the adult one was a logical in the future Europe. You have elections hadn’t yet taken her ideas on the role of Europe in the world developed by the third group and consequence being that the selection criteria of the participants were the right to imagine it and build place, in a difficult position. it promptly. I count on your In that case, it was possible the above mentioned. proposed by the Praesidium and the ad personam nomination favoured, in enthusiasm and motivation. to consider the Euro-sceptic After the last words that invited the Praesidium and the European great number the conventionalist, a choice of trust within the youth context I am convinced that your works the only true organised will be of great quality and that group of the Convention. Youth Forum to continue on cooperating “to prepare a second session of of their political family. Furthermore, it was natural that the transverse they will be a useful contribution the youth Convention”, the word was then passed on to the representative component of active youth in the various organisations operated from the eve to those of the Convention”. of the Danish government, Mrs. Thorning -Schmidt. She intervened on the to guarantee a productive unwinding of the proceedings. merit of an initiative promoted from the Danish Presidency of the EU involving Isn’t finding an agreement of the political world ? Given such short youth. The event “Youth 2002” foresaw the participation of 1000 European time, 3 days in the program, 2 days of actual work, the risk was making youth gathered the week before the youth Convention in order to formulate the event chaotic, losing a precious opportunity to send a message. The their own proposals on the future of the Union. In her presentation, Thorning- alternative could have been a document less characterised by a political Schmidt underlined various common elements with the conclusions of the point of view, which would have probably exposed the Youth Convention to Youth Convention, especially the request, “the omen”, of a federal Europe the critique of being representative of a youth movement without ideas and for the coming years of the continent. In the subsequent debate, numerous ideals. It remains still difficult to imagine what kind of conclusion Giscard conventionalist intervened, encouraged by youth suggestions. Many raised hoped for “his” Youth Convention.9 blue cards forced the president of the session, Jean-Luc Dehaene, to grant Lastly, the generational element was to be considered. Why did 210 only a minute each. European youth, born between the ages of 1976 and 1984, have to have The Honourable Duhamel was the first to congratulate for having the same vision of the French statesman on the future of Europe ? We, in proved that the European Youth Convention wasn’t a media operation as some fact, highlighted a generational difference precisely among those like Giscard, had suspected ; he then returned on the idea of the European referendum who believed the federal prospective settled thus coinciding with the plans and promoted the initiative of 21st March 2003 on “Europe’s Spring” (read outlined in the treaties of Rome, and those like us, the youth Convention, ahead). Decisively the critical tone of the speech of a junior conventionalist, who saw the unity of Europe as a way to build the very first supranational the English Sam Dobbyn who presented a minority report signed by 50 democracy in history. participants. He criticised the “non democratic” condition of the Youth Essentially we proved that the values, the objectives of the dream Convention and was inspired by “factional interests”. As he read the short and the Founding Fathers’ European project lived on more than it seemed in text of the report, Dobbyn listed a series of observations related to the anti- the imaginary of our generation. The youthful events that followed that first European theses (from the British tabloid), underlying the “little legitimacy” of Convention, were the proof. The value of the experience of the European Youth the Youth Convention in not truly being representative of European youth.12 Convention, besides the message, was in fact the multiplying factor which Of the same spirit the words of Bonde, who intervened thereafter and was generated similar initiatives, which were then picked up by our National Youth the only one to resume on Dobbyn’s critique.8 Instead, the conventionalist Councils, from schools to universities in various countries of the European who appreciated the federalist inspired proposals were Duff, who reaffirmed Union It was a demonstration of how that initial event was not done in vain. the importance of strengthening the transnational political parties underlined in the youth document, the Danish MP Skaarup, Elmar Brok and the euro- And the follow-ups representative Maij-Weggen. In closing the debate, Dehaene (Giscard left him the presidency) invited the president and the two youth vice presidents to The youth involved in Portugal, Finland, Denmark, Germany, Italy, France and follow, as observers, the proceedings of the European Convention and with Malta reaffirmed and enriched our proposals. Many were the demonstrations regards to the request of a second session. He stated that the Praesidium all over Europe for consulting citizens, students and youth, of which I would evaluate the request. It might be of interest also to point out some of mentioned only the main ones. Giscard, on the occasion of his speech the reactions of the political world to the youth message. Especially of those in Bruges, 2nd October 2002, tried it again by asking the students of the who were among the promoters of the event : Valery Giscard d’Estaing. European College to express themselves on the future name of Europe. Once The president didn’t seem to be very satisfied with the outcome of again the results of the consultations disappointed the expectations of the the youth Convention. In an announcement he stated that “it was exploited by President of the Convention. In fact, a large majority of the students preferred 336 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 337
10 10 Once again the results not to change “European Union” (76 percent) while only a small percentage Convention from 20th to 21st May 2003 at the PE’s HQ in Brussels. The 13 A privilege to be able to expected from the youth remember the clarity of the consultations were to be expressed themselves in favour, as indicated by Giscard, of “United Europe” practical mandate to this follow-up was the exam of the preliminary project President of the Italian Republic, considered as colored (6 percent), instead those in favour of : “United States of Europe” (7 percent), presented by the Praesidium at the end of October 2002 to verify if it was in in his analysis, his European faith contributions rather than assumed a greater significance substantial ones, but often “European Community” (7 percent) and “other names” (4 percent). correspondence with the proposals of the final document of the YC. this year with the 150th youth are more realistic Furthermore, 21st March 2003 was the day dedicated to the Spring The opening debate, 20th May, took part pointing out their respective anniversary of Italy’s Unity. and serious than one believes them to be. of Europe. Every high school was invited to organise a debate, a conference, positions on the Praesidium’s proposals Paolo Ponzano, a temporary member 14 The conclusions of these and a lesson on Europe. The initiative, promoted by the members of the of the Convention, in representation of the Commission ; the vice president of two days are collected in the 11 Samuele Pii, Ginevra Convention, took part thousands of schools in the entire Union. In Italy it was the same Convention, Jean Luc Dehaene and the President of the Commission document CONV 788/03. del Vecchio, Francesca de 13 Marinis, Giorgio Ialongo, of particular interest to observe how the students were involved, which was a for constitutional affairs of the European Parliament, Giorgio Napolitano. The 15 The same message of Lucia Pasqualini, Riccardo peace, against the war in Iraq, Provini, Salvatore Greco unique experience per intensity and diffusion. afternoon and the day following 21st May 21st, were dedicated to discussing 11 of the demonstrations of 14th According to the mandate received in Brussels, the 9 members of in three groups, respectively on : the missions and visions of the Union, the February 2003, was a shock 12 Our amendment did non the Italian delegation organised in cooperation with the Observatory, a national institutional assets and the role of Europe in the world. for the “European people”. pass entirely but it became A spontaneous but deep the basis on which we session of the European Youth Convention. Numerous preparatory meeting Critiques were moved to Article 2 of the project because it did not moment, not really welcomed compromised for the adoption preceded and announced the event in the entire peninsula. The Italian Youth clearly recognise peace as a central value of the Union. The intention to create from any of the great political of the new arrangement. families, nor from the heads Convention took place in Rome from 10th to the 12th January 2003. The 210 a European volunteer service for humanitarian aid, was valued positively. In of State or of governments, young participants, between the ages of 16 and 29 years old, represented regards, youth added the proposal of establishing a European civil service. only in appearance from France and Germany. a real “Parliament”, one that reflected the Italian youth world from the entire The most heated debate was on the new institutional asset of the Union, and peninsula. The assembly was truly representative. Besides foreseeing the it reaffirmed the subject matter of July’s proceedings : a request for a strong spread of the age span (from 16 to 29 instead of 18 to 25), the participants role of the PE in being the central legislative power next to the Council as a were also the expression of 65 youth organisations, student councils from all second chamber of the States. An extension of the co-decisional procedure regions and provinces, university post graduate schools and all those who and the right to initiate legislation was proposed for the PE. Furthermore, the were selected through the process carried out among the participants of PE should propose and elect the President of the Commission, though the forums at the local level and the auto-candidacies via the Internet. De facto, Council should limit itself to approving the choice. A negative opinion was in that venue it came to us that it would have been what we know today as the expressed on the idea of a People’s Congress. Once again it was reasserted National Youth Forum (FNG). the importance of the Convention’s method and the European referendum Even though I took on the presidency of the YFJ for the 2003-2004 was proposed as a more useful tool to legitimise the going into effect of the term, I continued to dedicate most of my attention to the political debate Constitutional Treaty. With regard to the third group, the Union had to promote which livened up the convention’s proceedings. In those months together with a true foreign policy and develop its own defence identity with the creation of the vice presidents of the Youth Convention Ellen and Roberta, we took part a European army and a European armament and strategic research agency.14 to the collective assembly with a double objective. Our mandate was on one hand was to try in fact to influence the convention’s proceedings so that our Conclusions proposals wouldn’t die out and on the other hand was to use our presence to insert in the constitutional draft an unequivocal reference to the youth world The debate on the future of the Union and, especially on the method of the which could then be used as new legal basis for the future of the YFJ and of Convention, helped the involvement of citizens and opened a brand new the European NGYO’s. phase in the European integration process. Nevertheless, it would be an error With respect to our political affiliations, we used the liberal, socialist to overestimate this participation. In fact, there has not been really a people’s and people’s party group meetings that took place regularly on the sides of movement that changed the positions of governments. On the contrary, the every plenum meeting of the Convention to carry on our mission. In my case opening to the citizens often took place only to legitimise the positions of I took part to the socialist family meeting presided by Giuliano Amato, who political summits. The governments at the end of the Convention were able to was together with the people’s Jean Luc Dehane, vice president of the same state that for the first time Europeans were listened to.15 Convention. It was an honour and a must on that occasion to recognise that Such is the development of democracy in the Union that this without their help it would have been very difficult to succeed in the passing statement in itself will be enough to make national governments seem closer of the amendment to the body of what we know today as the Youth Article of to their citizens. Actually a European democracy has to yet mature. It needs the Lisbon Treaty.12 new tools, and the context of the Convention had probably only created the In order to be able to fulfil our objective, it was necessary to keep premises. All the more so for the youth, many of whom have met politics for the tension and the interest high and in agreement with the forum of the youth the first time in the past years together with Europe. This is the main change : bureau we organised the second session of the Youth Convention without Europe and politics for our generation often goes together ! having received a true authorisation from the same Convention’s Praesidium. A transitional period is under way. Today, as in the past there are In fact, due to Giscard and the Convention’s Secretariat’s resistance, it was many youth ready to pick up the values and objectives of European unity. not treated as a real second session but as an assembly restricted to some Today, our youth, differently from the past, live a new and different historical national delegation’s representatives which participated in July 2002. Forty context, appreciate the freedom to move within a space of 15, now 27 delegations coming from 28 countries took part at the meeting of the Youth countries as well as enjoy the possibility to study within the Union and the 338 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 339
opportunities offered by the Euro to travel the world. Only to quote some traces of a path which can inspire others after us. At the end of this experience, Giacomo Filibeck, born aspects of daily benefits and privileges that are difficult to quantify but are surely the most significant of my political commitment, the proof of the work in 1978, has been political- expression of values consolidated in time, such as peace and democracy. done through the previous years by other youth still remains, with the hope ly involved in student move- To these opportunities and ideals European youth are not ready to give that it all had sense. Having succeeded in influencing, even if in a minimal part ments since high school, up, quite the opposite rather, on all of that they seem ready to build. The and below expectations, the composition of the text which then became treaty holding leadership positions Convention project gathers all of these elements within a constitutional frame and thus law in effect erga omnes had an historical importance. On the Youth both at the national and eu- and reenforces it. The youth involved by the Convention’s wave had courage Article in fact I hope that the YFJ and its members will build a strong political ropean levels (OBESSU). and vision capability. They were aware of the historical opportunities (maybe initiative for the participation of youth. This result, though, cannot in any way He has acquired a vast ex- criticised for them). From the reading of the proposals emerged that their be ascribed with exclusive merit to the individuals who actually made it come pertise on youth issues, be- documents offered a look onto the world and were open in addressing their true. Our capability, if anything, was to succeed in using the accumulated ing the former President of peers and citizens. Inspired by the desire to conquer most people with their work done through the years by the various generations of youth committed the European Youth Forum ideas, these youth seemed to want to show that. Today more than yesterday in the political organisations and youth associationism. This teaches that even (2003-2004). He has provid- the battle for European democracy is even more possible and essential for when reality frustrates our ambitions and our projects don’t see the light, in ed political input on behalf the planet. reality we are sowing the seeds of a harvest, of which the fruits will be picked of youth in many of the most It is always easier to conduct an analysis in retrospect, but I can’t by others, who like us believe in the same values. Thus, my dear friends of the relevant national, European help but think. If the final wording was passed by the Convention and was YFJ, carry on and remember that good ideas do not have an age. They do not and global processes relat- delivered to the Intergovernmental Conference of Rome in 2004 contained exist in one historical moment ; they instead have a great future. ed to youth within the EU, more similar measures to those proposed by us on the subjects of social the Council of Europe, the policies and institutional reforms to favour integration and our role on the United Nations system and international scene, then today we would find ourselves in a very different the World Bank. Giacomo world. Unfortunately instead, the near-sightedness of national governments is now member of the of that period (and of those prior in the 90’s) brought to a bigger “European Foreign Affairs office of the Union” yes but also more divided within its borders and with a lesser extrinsic Democratic Party in Italy. influence. The basis for the success of modern anti-European populism led by He has been President of the illusionists of the national fortresses were put in those years where instead the Youth Convention on the of thinking to the future European leaders stopped in the present. They were Future of Europe and took trying to earn domestic consensus by criticising European integration instead part as an observer in the of dedicating themselves with far-sightedness spirit to improving the less plenaries of the Convention useful aspects of the lives of European citizens. drafting the Constitutional We have to start off again from those who failed before us and the Treaty. Giacomo is also a job of that Youth Convention generation and of those who followed thereafter journalist and the Director will be to express the future executive classes in the countries of the Union. General of the Centre for It is the ambition of those who will want to prove their talents and will have Mediterranean Europe to include themselves in European society, working in another State of the Foundations – MESEURO, Union, by choice, for training andfor necessity. Who living in a supranational whose aim is to facili- dimension will want to see the same rights of citizenship that he or she tate the challenges of the enjoyed previously recognised or, with time, acquired ? Which “foreigner” Mediterranean cooperation. wants to become “citizen” ? The energies of European democracies could be born from the charge of these ambitions and visions. These could be the elements that could overcome the inertia phases of the integration process. On the other hand, resistance is not lacking. It is dynamic and transverse. Still today it is inevitable to notice a gap in European political representation for the expectations of the citizens and the ambitions of the youth. I would like to give a heart-warming thank you to the secretary general of the YFJ Giuseppe Porcaro for giving me the possibility to put on paper the memory of the events above mentioned (verba volant scripta manent) not yet gathered in an organic presentation. Also I would like to thank Samuele Pii for having helped me “remember”. As far as it is the 15th anniversary of the YFJ, the objective is not only to celebrate youth participation which, even though uncommon, still remains compared to the great numbers, a minority, but also to leave signs, 340 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 341
European Youth Forum Contribution to the European Convention : Bringing Europe closer to its young citizens
Introduction
The Declaration of Laeken has defined the mandate of the European Convention which will consider the key questions for the European Union’s future development and try to identify possible responses. The Convention will be an important step in the history of the European Union. The European Youth Forum welcomes the fact that the issues at stake are addressed in this form as it will allow for a public debate on questions that concern all citizens in Europe. The Convention has set up a Civil Society Forum and youth organisations have declared their commitment to making a contribution to the work of the Convention. The Laeken Declaration pointed out that one of the key challenges of the Union – and therefore for the Convention – will be to find ways of making sure that young people do not feel alienated from the European project, that they are motivated to participate in the construction of Europe and that it actually becomes possible for them to participate. We call upon the Convention and all involved in EU affairs to take this question seriously : how to bring Europe closer to its young citizens and how to bring young people closer to the European Union, to its objectives and institutions. With this resolution the Youth Forum would like to contribute to the discussion on this question and hopes to stimulate further discussion - and hopefully action - by the Convention, the EU institutions and among young people.
Tackling the Concerns of Young People – with young people
It is clear that acceptance of and identification with the European Union depends to a considerable extent on whether young people feel that the Union tackles issues that concern them - and how it tackles them. The Union needs to reinforce and make its role more visible for policies related, for example, to youth unemployment, or the sustainable use of natural and economic resources, more equitable economic relations with developing countries and political responses to globalisation. The European Convention will not deal with all of these issues to the same extent but they are at least partly related to the attribution of competencies between the EU and the Member States. The Youth Forum invites all its members to engage in these discussions and to facilitate the involvement of young people, be it by making contributions to the Convention or be it in the Fora that have been established on national level. Issues that concern young people more than other sections of society should be tackled by a cross-sectoral youth policy. The Youth Forum has developed numerous recommendations during the consultation process on the Commission’s White Paper on youth,i which it would like to see taken into account also in this context.ii The European Union should assure that policies for young people are developed in all Member States and that these policies draw on the examples and experiences that exist in other Member 342 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 343
States. Where necessary, the policies should be developed with more Common Procedures for elections at all levels should define the coherency across the Member States. This pertains particularly to aspects voting age and the right to stand for elections at 16. The right to vote on all touching on transnational youth work. Here there is a clear need to strengthen levels should also be given to non-EU nationals who have been resident in a the EU’s competency in terms of policy co-ordination. Along with globalisation Member State for a period equivalent to the one laid down for EU-nationals in and increasing mobility of the work force, education is an issue that requires the detailed arrangements referred to in Article 19 EC-Treaty. European answers, as has been recognised by the European Council.iii At the Parties should actively promote young candidates for seats in the same time the Bologna processiv has taken on a dynamic outside of the EU European Parliament election. framework. This is worrying, because democratic control is very limited in such an intergovernmental process. This has been especially vivid in the exclusion A Europe of Encounters, of student organisations from active consultation in the process until recently. open to the World The Convention should therefore consider carefully if and how to integrate this process into the EU framework. The Youth Forum is convinced that young people will identify more strongly Young people want to participate in making the decisions that concern with the project of making Europe grow together when they feel that this them and the more responsibility they are given, the more they are ready to Europe has something to offer for them and when the integration process participate and will eventually identify to a greater extent with the decisions is not only economical but one that brings together the people that live in and the institutions. This is particularly pertinent to EU actions specifically Europe. aimed at young people such as the mobility programmes. If the Union wants In its “Resolution on Mobility of Young People in Europe” the to become more democratic and closer to its young citizens it should measure Youth Forum stated : “Living in another country for some time, intercultural itself against models of good practice that exist in terms of co-management exchanges and training put young people in a position where they can of youth related programmes in Member States and other international reflect on their cultural background and come to a proper appreciation of organisations such as the Council of Europe.v Legal obstacles to such co- the diversity of Europe. They can learn to co-operate with people of different management practice within the EU should be removed. It is important for the cultural backgrounds, which is a skill already highly valued by employers EU to recognise that participation is more than consultation on pre-defined and which will most probably become more important in the future. (…) The questions. As the Laeken Declaration makes clear, the Convention needs to benefit of such an experience is not exclusive to the individuals involved in establish a broad dialogue with young people and with youth organisations, to the exchanges. Through their interaction, they promote intercultural learning, ensure public support for its work and the greater involvement of the citizens both in the hosting community and in the one of origin (…) Mobility is a right in shaping the future European Union. The planned Youth Convention can only enshrined in the treaty (Article 18 TEC). The Community and the Member be one of the many forums where young people can make their contribution, States have to take the appropriate measures to safeguard that all citizens and should be part of a much broader and more inclusive process to allow have adequate resources and support in order to allow for equal opportunities young people’s voices to be heard. The European Youth Forum encourages all in making use of this right. Currently this right remains theory for most young of its members to involve themselves in an open and continuous debate on the people.“vii future of Europe, and in the framework of the dialogue with Civil Society. More than a decade ago the European Parliament set the objective The basic treaty of the EU which the Convention will draft should to make it possible that “at least 10% of young people and students in Europe” include a revised article concerning youth and education policy (replacing Art. can take part in mobility programmes for young peopleviii. This objective is 149 EC Treaty). The EU should be given a clear complementary competency in still far from being reached, mainly due to a lack of resources. Despite some this area.vi improvement, the opportunities for young people to take part in mobility The objective of EU youth policy should be : to strengthen European schemes are still to limited and the recognition of mobility is insufficient. co-operation and co-ordination in trans-national youth work ; to strengthen Although the European Parliament has made considerable efforts in the past, fundamental, social, economic, cultural, civil, and political rights of young the current decision-making procedures do not seem to allow that this issue people ; to improve coherency in the further development of national youth is prioritised also in financial terms. policies ; to develop minimum standards ; to enhance the mobility of young It is also important to note that there is evidence that exchanges people ; to enhance equal participation of young women ; to allow for greater – of groups of Europeans from different countries - with third countries participation of young people in the EU and to ensure that young people’s contribute substantially to developing a European identity and that therefore needs are taken into account to a greater extent in other policy areas. It should third country exchanges should be further promoted. also allow for an effective system of youth-proofing to be established in other Furthermore, we recall that the Laeken Declaration poses questions EU policies, meaning that the impact of EU policies on young people and future regarding Europe’s role in the world, suggesting that Europe has a “leading generations is assessed systematically. role to play in a new world order, (…) Europe as the continent of humane values The integration of the Bologna process and other intergovernmental (…) of liberty, solidarity and above all diversity, meaning respect for others’ processes into the framework of the European Union would develop both languages, cultures and traditions. (…) Now that the Cold War is over and we political and democratic accountability and control. This would not negate the are living in a globalised, yet also highly fragmented world, Europe needs to need for consultations with relevant expert youth organisations, which should shoulder its responsibilities in the governance of globalisation. The role it has be part of the framework. to play is that of a power resolutely doing battle against all violence, all terror 344 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 345
and all fanaticism, but which also does not turn a blind eye to the world’s support is questioned.xi And while the European Company statute has been heartrending injustices. In short, a power wanting to change the course of finally adopted, the creation of a European Associationxii statute has been world affairs in such a way as to benefit not just the rich countries but also shelved, contradicting all talk of a Citizens Europe. Furthermore, there is the poorest. A power seeking to set globalisation within a moral framework, in also worrying tendency to reduce the role of civil society organisations to other words to anchor it in solidarity and sustainable development.” functional operators of public policy rather then recognising their contribution We believe that Europe can only play this role if it is open to the rest to democracy and active citizenship.xiii of the World and particularly its neighbouring regions. Therefore the Union The European Convention should include in its draft of the EU’s must encourage exchanges of young people in Europe – who do not want a future fundamental treaty an article that recognises and promotes the “Fortress Europe” – and young people of other world regions. It is therefore freedom of association in an affirmative manner and acknowledges the role of crucial that obstacles to such encounters, be it in forms of youth exchanges civic organisations in the construction of a more democratic and participatory or voluntary service or academic exchanges, are abolished in all countries of European Union. Europe. The Convention should include the Charter of Fundamental Rights The EU should ensure that all young people have the means and the as an integral part of its proposed draft treaty. opportunity to spend a period of 3 months or more in another country if they The Council should quickly adopt the statute of the European wish so. The resources available for the support of young people’s mobility Association. European Parliament should encourage the Council to speed up need to be tripled over the next years (public-private partnerships should be the process and not to delay it any further. set up to achieve this objective). A European Association statute would facilitate the work of In order to extend the opportunity of longer-term mobility to a international NGOs which now, despite their international membership and greater number of young people including those who do not take up university their transnational activities, are subject to national laws on NGOs, which studies, the EU should also launch initiatives encouraging and supporting the differ from country to country. mobility of second level students as well as those undertaking further and The EU should recognise the specific nature of International Youth higher education and training. NGOs and their vital contribution to connecting young people with the EU, European countries should abolish visa and facilitate the to reaching marginalised and excluded young people and in providing procedures of obtaining the residence cards and similar documents for young intercultural experiences for young people all over Europe. International Youth people regardless of their origin. The origin of a young person should not be a Organisations are a vital part of European Civil Society. selective mechanism and mobility must not be taxed in any way. The participation of Civil Society and the European Parliament in the The European Union should revise the budgets available for the Open Method of Co-ordinationxiv should be more clearly defined. Provisions Socrates, Leonardo and Youth programmes prior to enlargement becoming shall be made requiring that the European Parliament and representative effective. NGOs are consulted at all relevant stages in the cycle of the Open Method of The European Parliament needs to be given the full “power of Co-ordination. the purse“, i.e. the elected representatives of the people should be fully responsible for the entire EU Budget.ix Citizen-friendly Institutions and Information
A Europe in association with its citizens It is widely acknowledged in the Member States that the European Union is often perceived to be removed from the realities and concerns of its citizens. The reform of the EU to cope with enlargement and to make it more Its institutions and decision making is seen as complex and incomprehensible. democratic and efficient is an important endeavour. In this the EU needs to Also often politicians on the national level find it easy to blame “Brussels” for recognise that the institutions cannot overcome the problem of scepticism decisions that have been taken jointly. The EU has developed a number of towards the EU, its objectives and its current institutional setting unilaterally. measures to make its working more transparent and accountable. More remains Reconnecting with the citizens requires engaging with citizens where they are. to be done. Access to documents is still difficult even for the initiated and even Voluntary associations of citizens are an important element of democracy and if available most of them are hard to understand for the common citizen and the European heritage. even more so for young people. This contributes to the perception that Europe The European Union should more fully recognise the potential that is run by an elitist circle using a code that prevents citizens from questioning exists in the non-governmental sector and that building a European Civil and understanding the decisions taken on their behalf. The ongoing reform of Society is more difficult - but even more important - than forging a Common the European Commission is a positive step and efforts should be reinforced to Market. Building a European Civil Society requires a vision and a lasting make the European public service more open and friendly to the citizens that it commitment from the institutions, at least as much as creating the Economic serves. The composition of the staff of the institutions should, more than it is and Monetary Union. This vision and this commitment is not always visible today, be a reflection of the different social realities and experiences that exist nor always pursued with the same consistency even though the Commission in Europe in the different policy areas on which the Union acts. has recognised the role that non-governmental organisations play in “giving The decision-making procedures of the EU must be clarified and voice to the concerns of citizens.”x For example, while politically the role made more transparent and less complex so that every citizen understands of European NGOs in democratic governance is recognised their financial them. 346 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 347
The Council should act only as a legislative body, acting as a second chamber together with the European Parliament and all its deliberations should take place in public. Documents of the Council must be accessible to citizens well in advance of the actual decision on them, and at all stages of the decision-making process. Furthermore citizens have a right to know what position their governments’ representatives take in the Council, at all working levels. All institutions – in particular the Council, the Commission and the Parliament – should provide citizens-friendly information on the major decisions and discussions such as Council meetings, Commission communications, EP reports. Youth NGOs should be recognised as important partners in producing and disseminating information about the European Union to young people, in particular in the candidate countries. Young people have a right to be informed in a timely manner about the decisions by which they are effected in a way that is clear and transparent and avoids unnecessary jargon. The more seriously the Union takes young people the more trust it will earn. European countries should include the history and functioning of international institutions acting at European and global level (EU, Council of Europe, UN) in the school curricula. The recruitment procedures of the EU institutions should be reformed in order to open up the European public service to a greater variety of professional and social backgrounds, including people with valuable ‘grassroots‘ experience in specific policy areas. 348 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 349 350 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 351 352 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 353 354 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 355 356 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 357 Caroline Wolewinski — Youth right circle (Extrait ; ensemble images et textes) 360 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 361
A Structure that holds them all The Structured Towards a structured dialogue in the youth field
Dialogue words by Tine Radinja
As a thin fabric of youth participation was weaved over the past half century, it became more and more crucial to give youth participation a structure that would hold it all together. The Structured Dialogue on youth was most notorious for its genius comparison with the Loch Ness Monster, i.e. the creature that was never seen, yet everybody spoke about it. However, it now relates to the change that brought significant progress that I am everyday happy for. The first official mention of the Structured Dialogue was most probably in 2005 in the Resolution of the Council of Ministers that invited the European Commission and EU Member States to develop a structured dialogue with young people and their organisations, as well as with researchers in the field of youth and other policy makers. The Resolution had a very long and dull name : “Resolution of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on addressing the concerns of young people in Europe — implementing the European Pact for Youth and promoting active citizenship”. What was telling in this was that the European Youth Pact was still a very strong project. At that time it was somehow both a buzz word and a fuel for change as it had significant political backing. I still reckon this was one of strongest Resolutions ever made in the field of youth. Its implementation, however, is as always another story. The institutional documents, which can be considered the grandparents of the Structured Dialogue, were the other steps towards the Structured Dialogue. They were the policy pioneers that explored the terrain and laid out the grid. It started with the European Commission’s White Paper, “A new impetus for European youth”, November 2001 as the oldest and continued with the first ever Council resolution on the topic, on 27th June 2002, which established a framework for European cooperation in the youth field. This was followed by the European Youth Pact, which was adopted by the European Council as the instrument in the youth field that should contribute to the achievement of the Lisbon objectives of growth and jobs. The Pact focused on three areas : employment, integration and social advancement ; education, training and mobility ; and reconciliation of working life and family life. This was followed shortly by the Commission’s communication on European policies concerning youth : “Addressing the concerns of young people in Europe — implementing the European Youth Pact and promoting active citizenship”, which also addressed the issue of the participation of young people and their organisations in the processes and in policy making. These were the gradual steps towards the 2005 Resolution, but by no means were they the end of the road. The official mentioning of the 362 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 363
Structured Dialogue was only the start of what was sometimes a curvy path ple’s lives. The Commission recently called on Member States to continue towards the Structured Dialogue as we know it today. their efforts to increase youth participation and formulate coherent in- There was not much content in the Resolution itself, which partially formation strategies for young people. The Commission also launched a explains why we needed to put so much effort and time in its follow up in genuine dialogue with young people, structured from the local through to order to come up with a single common understanding of it. the European level which needs to be fully implemented. The European Among other things, the Resolution called upon Member States Youth Summit “Your Europe” held in Rome in March 2007, the European to continue to implement the common objectives agreed under the Open Youth Week and regular Presidency Youth events are positive steps to- Method of Coordination on Youth, as well as to ensure the effective follow- wards such a structured dialogue with young people. up of the European Youth Pact when implementing the Lisbon Strategy, for example by setting measurable objectives. And finally, the Resolution called upon Member States to develop a Structured Dialogue with young people This is a passage from Youth Forum communications from the same and their organisations at national, regional and local levels on policy actions period : affecting them. The YFJ calls for effective mechanisms to be clearly defined, beyond To the Commission, the Resolution called for the development of these two proposals. A cross-sector approach to youth policy should al- a Structured Dialogue with young people at European level on policy actions ways also include youth participation. All new structures and mechanisms affecting them, e.g., by making innovative use of information technology must involve youth organisations. This should be clearly linked to the and holding regular conferences between young people, their organisations, development of the concept of structured dialogue to ensure its cross- researchers in the youth field and policy makers. sector nature. Out of this, many perspectives on what actually needed to be done were born. Youth organisations had their own perspective. We asked for the widest and most participatory dialogue that would involve youth organisations In the following years we continued this dialogue quite a bit. I am at all levels. We asked for youth organisations in which youth would have their sure that well-researched, well-intended and high-level proposals, strategies say on what was important for them and not a top-down approach of dictating and communications from the decision-makers were flying short on one limited topics. The involvement of youth researchers did not add to the clarity subject : how to really include young people in a way that there will be also a of this point in my opinion and caused some minor clashes. feeling of true inclusion. There was constant pressure from youth organisations to make something meaningful out of it. When this need for a structured dialogue As I said once in reply to the proposed participation tree in the Strategy was formally supported by a Council Resolution in November 2006, as well from the European Commission : as by the Commission Communication on “Promoting young people‘s full “The Strategy as proposed in the Commission communication is high participation in education, employment and society” in September 2007, it and wide. We are glad for that, as it will be possible to carry many fruits was time to move forward. and its shadow will be far reaching. However, we came up with some Thus, the need was well-documented and agreed upon. But there recommendations for its growth and well-being. If the tree wants to was still not an understanding of what this need consisted of. reach high and wide, it has to be well-rooted. We cannot imagine any- The first required change was to the paradigm. I heard this too often thing as its roots, other than youth participation. Youth participation in the corridors of the institutions : “Let’s bring X number of young people to shall be the life flow of this strategy and should be as deep and as wide Brussels, and we will have a splendid dialogue with a young people !” When we as the tree is. Without deep and wide-reaching roots the tree will fall. all failed miserably in our first attempts to make such exercises meaningful, There are two important messages : the first on is the call for youth partic- we luckily did not listen to advice like that of Homer to his son, Bart, in The ipation in all areas of the strategy and that is orchestrated together with Simpsons : “Trying is the first step towards failure”. young people. If this strategy aims to be a strategy with young people, then Instead, we challenged the concept and created clear guidelines of their participation has to be ensured in each and every part of it, and we see what youth organisations expected from this structured dialogue. We wanted the structured dialogue as the most important instrument to achieve this. nothing more than to have the rules of the table settled when we sat down, to rThe structured dialogue should be a coherent dialogue between EU insti- be able to call it structured and to know who is speaking and on whose behalf. tutions and youth organisations, involving young people throughout the These are the topics of the discussion and what would be the follow-up, i.e. policy cycle, across all areas, with a deep bottom up approach that in- how this would feed into the big picture of youth policy. cludes participation of more and more diverse young people”. All this was – and still is – the basis of youth participation, but it needs time to develop as we can see. Then, there was also the constant call for better recognition of the role of youth organisations. For this, we promoted a double role of youth This is an exert from a Commission document from 2008 : organisations. First, youth organisations are the ones that constantly reach Youth participation in democratic institutions and in a continuous dia- out to young people and ensure the channel for youth participation in the logue with policymakers is essential to the sound functioning of our de- structured dialogue. Secondly, they also have the important role of achieving mocracies and the sustainability of policies which impact on young peo- the objectives of the policies and ensuring the policy cycle. Therefore, it is 364 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 365
important to continue to invest in youth organisations and young people. structured. To ensure ownership of the dialogue process by all the actors Tine Radinja was born in This also became our most important call during the efforts to end involved, its agenda and priorities should be decided together.” And with this, 1980 and was the President the crisis in a way that will not weigh down on the future generations. the European Youth Forum set the foundations for the European Steering of the European Youth With all this in mind and through all these processes and documents, Committee that oversees the implementation of the Structured Dialogue Forum between 2009 and we arrived at the contemporary understanding and role of the Structured in this spirit. More importantly this was to promote it and spread around 2010. He became active Dialogue. member states as a participatory practice that will get us far. in his life path in Scouting. The Structured Dialogue on Youth at European level is a ongoing To implement theses consultations new structures have been Through involvement in process between the European Commission, the Member States and the created at national and European levels. In order to reach out to young people several youth organisations, National Youth Councils, as well as the European Youth Forum, and takes at local, regional and national levels, Member States were invited to set up he became especially place during the European Youth Weeks, Youth Conferences organised by small National Working Groups composed of, among others, representatives passionate about youth the EU Presidencies and the Informal Fora organised on the fringes of the of Ministries for Youth Affairs, National Youth Councils, local and regional participation, volunteering meetings of the Council of Youth Ministers. During these European events, youth councils, youth organisations, those active in youth work, diverse young and non-formal education. young participants discuss topics related to EU youth policy with politicians people and youth researchers. Member States are encouraged to, whenever He was a vice-president and officials of the EU institutions and Member States. possible, give National Youth Councils a leading role in these groups. These of National Youth Council Youth organisations have a vital role to play in the Structured National Working Groups have the task of organising consultations on of Slovenia and external Dialogue, as they speak on behalf of a great number of young people. The youth employment in the Member States in order to feed into the EU Youth representative of the main partner of the EU institutions is, therefore, the European Youth Forum. Conferences and to be organised on the same theme by each Member State World Organisation of The Structured Dialogue aims at addressing all young people, including of the Trio Presidency. the Scout Movement. those with fewer opportunities or those not formally organised. Hence, youth Already, in the first cycle almost all Member States had a functioning Currently he is serving organisations are invited to try to reach out beyond their members and to National Working group. as vice-mayor of his town involve an even larger diversity of young people. Still the story of youth participation history will not be closed by and enjoying life in nature. I believe the biggest milestone was the start of the renewed this successful chapter of the Structured Dialogue. We need to think beyond framework for European Cooperation in the youth filed that was approved and invent new ways of participation than enable even more and different in late days of 2009. It put many of the policy issues of youth participation young people to participate. This includes those who are not used to it and on the agenda and set a long-term goals all the way to 2018. In addition, it those who do not know about it. We need to love and further develop co- was also very precise on the Structured Dialogue : “The Structured Dialogue management, the Structured Dialogue and youth policy but also to always with young people and youth organisations, which serves as a forum for challenge ourselves to approach things differently. These are not the final continuous joint reflection on the priorities, implementation and follow-up of answers but mere contemporary solutions. European cooperation in the youth field, should be pursued and developed. The themes of the dialogue should be aligned with the overall objectives of European cooperation in the youth field and the priorities for each work cycle. Clear objectives and realistic procedures should be established for each cycle of dialogue in order to ensure continuity and follow-up. The dialogue should be as inclusive as possible and developed at local, regional, national and EU level and include youth researchers and those active in youth work. Structured dialogues with young people and youth organisations in other policy fields should also be supported.” This gave us, at the time, the fuel to call for and finally establish a fully functioning steering committee. At European level, the European Steering Committee for the Structured Dialogue coordinates the implementation of the process. It is composed of representatives of the Ministries for Youth Affairs from the Member States of the Trio Presidency, National Youth Councils and National Agencies of the Youth in Action programme, as well as representatives of the European Commission and the European Youth Forum. The European Youth Forum is the Chair of the European Steering Committee. At the European level, the table is now set. The challenge that remains is to set it at the national and regional levels, as only then will it be able to meaningfully fit in the European picture and be a well-supported structure. In our view the “Structured Dialogue means that the relevant institutions and actors are involved, leading to a common goal, with mutual respect for the partners, that the process is participatory and meaningfully 366 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 367 368 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 369 370 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 371 372 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 373 374 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 375 376 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 377 378 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 379 380 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 381 382 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 383 384 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 385 386 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 387 388 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 389 390 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 391 392 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 393 394 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 395 396 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 397 398 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 399 400 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 401 402 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 403 404 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 405 406 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 407 408 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 409 410 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 411
A unique space of youth participation Co-management Co-Management in the Council of Europe
and the Council words by Georg Boldt, Antonia Wulff and Guillaume Legaut
Among the different adventures that brought European youth organisations to of Europe play a key role in creating a European youth policy and to push forward new models of governance in international organisations, the youth sector of the Council of Europe stands out for its uniqueness and the long-term commitment as an Institution that really puts young people in the drivers’ seats of the policies that affect them. In a previous chapter, we explored some of the landmarks of this story with the creation of a European Youth Centre in 1971 and subsequently the introduction of a revolutionary system to include young people in the decision making : co-management and co-decision. The current evolution of the system is to be traced back to the reform of the youth sector in 1998. It was a timely moment considering the recent creation of the European Youth Forum and the demand for stronger co-management. It is a simple idea. Youth organisations were called to design and run the activities of the youth sector of the Council of Europe together with the institution, as well as play a political role in setting up the priorities of such activities together with the representatives of governments. There are two Committees that work on this task. The Advisory Council on Youth is composed by youth organisations of which 20 are selected democratically among the European Youth Forum Member Organisations and 10 are selected by the secretariat of the CoE. The European Steering Committee on Youth, which gathers representatives of the Ministries responsible for youth from the 50 countries that have signed the European Cultural Convention. The two committees together form the Joint Council of Youth in which decisions on the allocation of the budget and the priorities are taken under the mandate of the Committee of the Ministers of the CoE by consensus. Simple but challenging. Old but youthful. This started more than 40 years, and the challenge to put together youth organisations and governmental representatives and find consensus still exists. The system works, however. In these pages, former and current chairs of the Advisory Council on Youth put together their experiences and testimonies from specific times in the past decade of the CoE youth sector and explore different aspects of the challenges of co-management. Antonia Wulff, current chair, mandate 2009- 2011, tackles the core of the current challenges of the debate on the future reform of the Council of Europe and the value of youth mainstreaming as one of the key factors. Guillaume Legaut, President of the AC between 2000 and 2003, widens up the horizons by drawing a reflection on global responsibility stemming from the conclusions of the Europe, Youth and Globalisation event that took place in 2004 at the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg. To conclude, Georg Boldt, who was chairing the AC between 2007 and 2008, takes a look at Campaigning and scaling down co-management at the national level. 412 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 413
An important element in this prioritisation has been our targeted Antonia : The Challenge of Youth Mainstreaming aim to raise awareness of the AC amongst the leadership of the CoE, which The Advisory Council on Youth (AC) of the Council of Europe (CoE) is part of a greater effort to place youth high on the political agenda of is mostly known for being the Civil Society partner of the Youth Sector within the institution. Ignorance within the leadership of the youth sector and its the Institution thereby forming one half of the famous co-management system. contributions to the mission of the CoE was more common than expected, Nonetheless, the mandate of the AC is twofold ; in addition to co-managing the but that also often meant that they were positively surprised to hear about the youth sector together with the European Steering committee on Youth (CDEJ), work we do and about co-management as a principle and working method. the AC has a responsibility to bring a youth perspective to the entirety of the When Thorbjørn Jagland entered office as the new Secretary CoE’s work. General of the CoE in 2010, he launched a reform process aimed at raising the One could say that the AC serves as an advisory body for the political profile of the institution. Despite the inescapable relevance of the CoE institution as a whole, bringing in expertise that is not held elsewhere in the and its core values in the Europe of today, its ability to respond to different CoE and enabling it to stay up-to-date and well-informed. From our point of societal challenges was seen as rather limited, and the Secretary General set view, this gives the AC the mandate to scrutinise other policy areas of the CoE out to restructure the entire institution. Few people would disagree with the and feed into different political processes, processes we feel are important aims of the reform process, but most of us in the AC were rather cautious for youth and, as is often the case, processes that overlook youth or their to see what kind of changes would be proposed for the youth sector and possible implications for young people. for the co-management system in particular. Our awareness-raising efforts But bringing in new perspectives to the CoE’s work is obviously had allowed us to establish contacts with representatives of many different easier said than done. CoE is an enormous institution with a large number of CoE sectors. Once the reform process was launched, the AC started lobbying different sectors, and it is easy to get so absorbed by the youth sector, its actively for a strong youth sector and a reinforced co-management system. many events and dramas that little time remains for the rest of the institution. The reform process is still ongoing, but we have received But the biggest challenge has turned out to be the ‘distance’ between the very positive signals so far. Youth issues will be mainstreamed in the new youth centre in Strasbourg and the main building of the CoE. Despite the large organisation, which means that there will have to be a plan regarding how number and broad range of activities, most, valuable though they are, solely to ensure continuous contact between the different sectors. At the same target young people and youth organisations. Therefore the youth sector can time, co-management has been reaffirmed by the Secretary General not only become rather invisible to the CoE as a whole. Consequently, youth policy within the youth sector but also as best practice for the involvement of and does not receive as much attention as one would wish, and the AC remains cooperation with civil society. This can be seen as a vital recognition of the largely unknown to most sectors outside that specifically devoted to youth. value of the AC in itself and a reflection of the impact that it can have on the For the AC, the best situation would, of course, be that other sectors CoE’s work. The challenge remains to anchor this recognition throughout the contact us whenever they feel we could contribute to their processes. This institution. seldom happens – mostly because they do not know of our existence – and that means that the initiative has to come from us, which would be perfectly Guillaume : How big is your world ? The values of the CoE Youth Sector fine were it not for the difficulty in finding out exactly what’s going on in the beyond Europe other sectors. Since its creation, the youth sector of the Council of Europe has In order for us to be able to bring in a youth perspective, we have contributed to the dialogue between young people from all over Europe to had to start raising awareness about our existence. During the mandate 2009- promote peace, democracy and social cohesion. European non-governmental 2011, we chose youth mainstreaming as one of our political priorities, and youth organisations have always been aware that “Europe is not a planet”, work on this priority began with a tour around the institution to introduce the and they were always considering that the dialogue should include young AC and its role, as well as to kindly remind the rest of the institution of the people from the rest of the world. The “globalisation” event, organised in fact that we are happy to help them improve their policies and programmes. In May 2004, was a significant opportunity to address the global dimension some sectors, cooperation has been self-evident, such as with the Directorate of peace, democracy and solidarity. Concretely, the meeting gathered 400 of Education on human rights education ; in others, it is precisely focused on young people, representing young people and youth organisations from the introducing a youth perspective to specific work as is the case with the expert 48 Member States of the European Cultural Convention of the Council of committee on the participation of people with disabilities in political and public Europe, 100 young people from around 50 countries from other continents life. and representatives of many governments and intergovernmental institutions. Yet the main challenge remains our access to information about what For 50 years, the vision of human rights has evolved : political is going on in other sectors and, therefore, beginning cooperation at an early rights, social rights, environmental rights… Today, the question of economic enough stage. Our efforts have paid off with regard to projects and activities equality and human dignity is at stake. The challenge is to invent a model with a direct and obvious link to youth with consultations on specific processes of political democracy that includes human values such as tolerance, of the Parliamentary Assembly of the CoE, for example, but more general responsibility and solidarity. This passes through the recognition of rights, as issues are seldom considered as potentially containing a youth dimension. And well as of obligations, and through the recognition of freedoms, as well as of here, the capacity of the AC to follow every aspect of the CoE’s work clearly responsibilities. Facing the complexity of this world, the loss of direction leads becomes stretched, and meaning prioritisation is necessary. sometimes to a certain disillusion or even to a discouragement concerning the 414 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 415
capacity to control the reality of the world. Facing the questioning of models, The lack of political will of decision makers within society has been young people think that there is the fundamental need to adapt collective clearly criticised. Young people want and need a realistic political commitment. representation and, in particular, to refund the conceptions of democracy and Society needs change and the support of citizens is crucial for the success of human rights. change. The role of civil society must be recognised. Our world and Europe, The electoral system and consultation are not sufficient to guarantee in particular, have a huge need to return back to realistic politics that build the real participation of citizens if they do not tackle the political issues at effective change. The issue is to design new rules for global governance stake. The loss of trust in representative democracy raised expectations for a based on individual responsibility and opportunities to change the world. more participative democracy. If democracy looses its sense, which are then Young people propose to make politics in a different way today. They want to the bases upon which to found a new social contract ? be proactive rather than to be reactive on many issues by raising awareness Political models are not alone in being questioned. The relevance on sustainable development, by strengthening gender equality, by bridging of the development model is also being questioned. Does development give a cultures and civilisations, by preventing conflicts and by reinforcing peace sense to living together, or has it become a tool to spread the liberal society to name but a few. Fighting for a different world is a personal commitment with its clear limits. At the same time, the attractive idea of partnership before anything else. And civil society does not comprise one unique voice. appears more and more abused, especially by international institutions, at Its richness comes from the fact that it is composed of different movements, the point that it is neither a way for mobilisation nor a meaningful project. themselves driven by the involvement of different individuals. The youth Also, in the cultural domain, collective representations are questioned. In a commitment is an extraordinary opportunity to built concrete changes. global world, everybody can notice that there is not anymore a civilisation The establishment of a dialogue between young leaders from China that could be regarded as a model for happiness, truth and justice. and Europe that started in 2002 was part of this process to strengthen Furthermore, the world of today promotes the diversity of cultural exchanges cultural links and mutual understanding between young people from different but is unfortunately still a vehicle for racism, exclusion and limitations to the parts of the world. The process was multi-sectoral and future-oriented, which freedom of movement. allowed young leaders from Asia and Europe to discuss key issues, trends and The reflection and contestation of the enlightening global models, challenges confronting the two regions, as well as to brainstorm for possible along with the fact that the global world is getting more and more complex solutions. With the globalisation event, young people paved the way to show and difficult to understand, are more than often the driving sensations and that another way forward was possible within the Palace of the Council of emotions of youth action. Facing a world that has lost its legible nature, young Europe. Let’s hope its success will gradually be followed in the entire world ! people develop a sense of general unease, malaise and discomfort, though there sometimes also appears to be a certain difficulty to feel and experience Georg : Campaigning and co-management a sentiment of belonging to this world. The difficulty to rationalise, explain It’s October 2007, and we are celebrating the end of the “All and understand the world and to link different subjects to each other limits Different - All Equal” campaign in Malmö, Sweden. The slogan for the event is the space for a long-term vision. The dream of overall, long-term happiness “The end of the beginning”, and I’m afraid I don’t really get it. is getting replaced by instant pleasure. The global world is the world of the Originally the All Different – All Equal campaign was aimed to counter immediate, the world of the short term. The media exploit this tendency of a surge of extreme-right sentiments blazing Europe in the 1990s. Launched living in the sphere of the impressive, dashing and sensational. The power in 1995, All Different – All Equal was meant to fight racism, anti-semitism, of the slogans and the photos often replaces genuine reflection. The gradual xenophobia and intolerance. The message and the graphical genius of the scorning and disappearance of valuable points of reference sometimes leads logo made the campaign an enormous success and turned multiculturalism to extreme reactions based on fear and ignorance. In particular, the extreme and intercultural dialogue into veritable buzzwords. violence through which certain young people often express themselves is in a Inspired by the lustre of our memories from the original campaign, lot of cases the fruit of stress and incomprehension. the Advisory Council on Youth decided to re-launch All Different – All Equal. It Living in a more and more sensible world has also very positive seems to me the decision was taken in 2004. I had just joined the Advisory aspects. The creativity of the young in different domains is enormous. More Council, and when we arrived at the agenda point proposing the campaign I sensible young people also have a tremendous capacity to mobilise for a goal. was not one to object. Young people can invent a different world because, contrary to the adults, The campaign was going to be coordinated at the European level they are not enclosed in rigid models of representation. This reality of a more through a steering group that would include members of the Advisory Council sensible world highlights a tremendous need in the domain of education to and governmental representatives. European youth organisations were going interpersonal relations. “I am because you are.” It is through the relation with to be awarded financial support for projects supporting the campaign and the other that a person can identify himself, a participant said. Education has national youth councils, or special campaign organisations would arrange a role to prepare young people to be in the job market, but it should also campaign activities in 42 of the Council of Europe Member States. This way, help to learn to live in society and to respect human values to live together. youth organisations were the actual organisers of campaign-related events It is not enough to transmit knowledge and ways of thinking, but it is also and governments were mainly involved in funding and organising a few necessary to teach everybody how to manage their feelings and emotions in flagship events. We managed to kick off the campaign in June 2006, and it a critical manner. Non-formal education constitutes an amazing tool to cover ended in October 2007. Nevertheless, many national campaign committees this educational need. kept on going. 416 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 417
Antonia Wulff, born in 1985, Because governments did not want to highlight any particular War are shaking Europe today. Roma are being deported. Refugees and Georg Boldt, born in 1983, is a Masters student at the problems of discrimination through the campaign, we decided on a positive migrants are interned. Young people live increasingly precarious lives, and belongs to a generation University of Helsinki and campaign message. The campaign’s goal would not be to counter anything our parliamentarians are preaching ethnopluralism and la nouvelle droite. One deeply affected by the orig- Chair of the Advisory Council but rather promote a positive attitude towards diversity, involving youth in of our campaign slogans was “Be the change you want to see” four years inal All Different – All Equal on Youth of the Council of political decision-making and increasing knowledge about human rights. after the campaign ; it feels sadly ironic. campaign. He was formal- Europe for the mandate Because the youth sector of the Council of Europe functioned around these ly the chair of the Advisory 2009-2011. Antonia has three priorities, the campaign would naturally revolve around them. Council on Youth of the been active for many year However, complications quickly arose. Organising a campaign with Council of Europe between in student organisations. the Council of Europe is not done overnight. Partnerships with the Youth Forum 2007 and 2009 and is an She served as President and the European Union had to be signed and steering groups established. outspoken advocate of of the Swedish Speaking There was a chronic shortage of funds and staff, as well as differing opinions Youth Rights. Currently Finnish School Student over the campaign’s objectives and focal points. Moreover, co-managing a he studies sociology in Union (FSS) and member of campaign in the same fashion as we co-managed the youth sector in general Helsinki and represents the board of the Organising was difficult. The Advisory Council would meet twice a year to discuss the the scouts of Finland in the Bureau of European School main political issues at hand. In addition, the programming committee would board of the Finnish National Students Unions (OBESSU). meet twice a year in order to grant various projects funding. To boot, we had a Youth Council Allianssi. co-managed steering group for the campaign. Communication between these Guillaume Légaut, born in three groups and the campaign coordinator was not always very efficient or 1969, has a background in consistent. political science and philos- For a year and a half, we had been running a campaign to encourage ophy of law. Guilllaume has and enable young people from 12 to 30 to participate in building peaceful worked as director of social societies based on human rights, diversity and inclusion in a spirit of respect, lobby and social enterprises tolerance and mutual understanding. In order to do this, we involved national organisations since 2004. and international youth organisations, movements and initiatives, schools and After a first experience in sites of non-formal training. This was the beginning that had just come to development projects in an end. But what else had really been done except for printing thousands of Niger, he has been politi- stickers, pins and pens ? cal adviser to French poli- By the time our campaign priorities were set, I was still not too ticians for nine years. As a satisfied by the campaign’s themes. Diversity, human rights and participation volunteer, he is vice presi- are important topics for youth organisations and are being promoted heavily dent of the National Youth as common European values by the Council of Europe. However, they did not Sport Centres Union (UCPA) feel very attractive or fresh enough to be the themes for this campaign. and was earlier President Nevertheless, it soon became evident that we were not preaching of the French Scouts and to the choir. Following the publication of the Compass manual on human rights Guides Association and education in polish, the minister of education in Poland, Mr Giertych, officially President of the Advisory dismissed the civil servant in charge of the translation and publication of the Council on youth issues at manual. The reason for this and the subsequent banning of the book in Poland the Council of Europe be- was due to a statement in the book in favour of sexual diversity, highlighting tween 2000 and 2003. issues of discrimination. Soon after, far-right groups attacked a parade connected to a campaign event in Serbia, landing several of the participants in hospital. Meanwhile, blatantly racist election posters in Switzerland depicted three white sheep kicking a black sheep against the backdrop of a Swiss flag. Europe no longer felt like the haven of tolerance and respect we wanted it to be. There were indeed some historical qualities to the campaign. For the first time ever we managed to unite European youth in a campaign advocating for tolerance and respect. No imaginary borders from Stettin to Trieste could hold us back. The event in Malmö was certainly the end of a European campaign, but did it signal anything but the beginning of a new wave of hatred and xenophobia ? Actions, statements and policies not seen since the Second World 418 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 419 420 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 421 422 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 423
Letter from the Secretary General of the Youth Forum on the new Council of Europe co-management structure
To : Member organisations Re : Elections for the Advisory Council and Programme Committee From : Hrönn Pétursdóttir, Secretary General
26th June 1998
Dear Friends, The restructuring of the Youth Sector of the Council of Europe is not yet complete, however there are now some clear indications of how these structures will look and function.
Advisory Council The Advisory Council will be composed of 13 representatives of INGYOs elected through the Youth Forum. 7 representatives of NYCs elected through the Youth Forum. 10 representatives of other international youth organisations and youth service organisations. This group as yet is not clearly defined, but we do know that they will be appointed by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. Function The Council will prepare its perspective and recommendations on policy and programme issues related to the Youth Sector of the Council of Europe for the Joint meetings with the CDEJ and the Programme Committee.
The Programme Committee The Programme Committee will be composed of 8 representatives of Governments 8 representatives of Non-Governmental Youth Organisations, elected from among the Advisory Council. Function Take decisions regarding the programme of the European Youth Centres and the allocation of grants through the European Youth Foundation, keeping in line with the policy guidelines agreed by the Joint Meeting of the CDEJ and the Advisory Council and adopted by the Committee of Ministers.
The Bureau of the Advisory Committee The Bureau of the Advisory Committee will be nominated from among the members of the Advisory Council and will be composed of 5 representatives. Function The function of the Bureau will be to prepare the meetings of the Joint CDEJ and the Advisory Council, and to monitor the implementation of policy and programme decisions. 424 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 425
Election procedure Joint Meeting of the CDEJ and the Advisory Committee Given the uncertainty of the situation at the moment we propose : This meeting will bring together representatives of Governmental and Election of Programme Committee members Non-Governmental Sector twice per year to take policy decisions. The Firstly elections will be held for the Programme Committee, where the decisions taken will influence the direction and mandate of the Programme 4 INGYOs and 4 national youth councils receiving the highest number Committee. of votes are placed on a list. When the composition of the Programme Committee is finally agreed, people will fill the places available to those Election to the Advisory Council and the Programme Committee elected through the Youth Forum, starting with those with the most votes, At the moment the final decision regarding the structure, composition respecting the NYC-INGYO balance. and function has not been taken by the Committee of Ministers. However, In case there is not an even number of places for the YFJ representatives, we need to proceed and hold elections for these bodies at the General the next person with the highest votes will be nominated. Assembly in October in order to ensure the democratic representation of Election of the Advisory Council members the 20 representatives elected through the Youth Forum. As we expect Those elected to the Programme Committee automatically become these new structures to start functioning in early 1999, we cannot wait members of the Advisory Council. Following the establishment of the for an Executive Committee meeting in 1999. list of the Programme Committee, a list of eligible candidates for the The elections to the Advisory Council will therefore take place at the remaining 12 places on the Advisory Council will established in order of General Assembly. It will also elect potential members of the Programme number of votes received. The appropriate number of people would then Committee. It is not clear who will make up the non-governmental side of fill the available places remaining. the Programme Committee. For the moment we will elect 8 from those who candidate for the Advisory Council on the assumption that those Candidates for election nominated by the Youth Forum will fill all places. Candidates must submit the following documents : A letter of nomination from his/her organisations Responsibility of nominating organisation A letter of motivation from the candidate, clearly indicating if s/he is a We expect that those elected to the Advisory Council will be appointed candidate for the Advisory Council and Programme Committee or only by the Committee of Ministers as representatives of their organisations. the Advisory Council. However the representatives are elected on behalf and by all the A curriculum vitae outlining relevant experience taking into account the members of the Youth Forum and therefore have a larger mandate and guidelines given on 撤rofile of Candidate responsibility. The nominating organisation should be certain that the person nominated is able to take on the full responsibilities of the position, Deadlines for receipt of applications especially attending all meetings. 10 August, 9.30 hrsNomination for Advisory Council (and Programme Profile of Candidates Commission). First deadline. If nominations reach the Secretariat by this should have a good knowledge of the Youth Sector of the Council of deadline then they will be translated into French or English and sent out Europe in advance to member organisations11 September, 9.30 hrsNominations should have experience of representing her/his organisation at for Advisory Council (and Programme Committee). Final deadline. international level should have a general knowledge of the Council of Application will only go out in the language in which we receive it - French Europe as an Institution or English should have a good knowledge of European Youth Work and European If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact myself or Youth Policy. Fidelma Joyce at the Secretariat. should have some knowledge of the Youth Forum should be under 35 With best regards, should be able to speak and work in one of the two official languages of the Council of Europe, French or English. Hronn Petursdottir Secretary General Responsibilities of the elected representatives Carry out the mandate of two years. Actively participate in the meetings and the follow-up between meetings Be able to attend four meetings - two Advisory Council and two Joint Meetings of CDEJ and Advisory Council per year. Be able to attend six meeting per year -if also elected to the Programme Committee. Be able to attend at least eight meetings per year - if also elected to the Bureau of the Advisory Council. Each meeting will last from 3-4 working days and should be attended for the duration. 426 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 427 428 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 429 430 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 431 432 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 433 434 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 435 436 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 437 438 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 439 440 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 441
The European Youth Forum 1 African Youth Network, Arab Youth Union, Asian Students Association, Asian Youth Acting Globally Council, Caribbean Federation The European Youth of Youth, European Youth Fórum, Euro-Latin American Youth Forum, Pacific Youth Council, An Essential Chronology Pan African Youth Movement.
Forum Acting Globally words by Christoffer Grønstad and Ana Felgueiras
Inspired by its vision of an interdependent and solidary world where youth matters, building on its mission to enable young Europeans to be responsible citizens in the world and drawing on the decades of experience of the preceding youth platforms on cooperation with other continents and with the United Nations System, the European Youth Forum has been extremely active beyond the borders of Europe starting from the very early years. This article aims to guide you throughout the puzzle of the global action of the European Youth Forum by providing a chronology of the most significant goals and achievements in this important field of work.
1997-2000 : Global youth cooperation takes off. Building up global policies and mechanisms for coordination and participation.
In January 1997, the new structure that resulted from the merging of the previous European youth platforms became operative, bringing together years of experience in international cooperation from the CENYC (Council of European national Youth Committees), BEC (European Coordination Bureau of International Youth Organisations) and the Youth Forum of the European Union. Back then, a great effort was made to systematise that collective experience and to create consensus about the mainstays that would guide the work of the new platform at the global level. To this extent much has contributed to the thematic event on interdependence and solidarity of the three platforms (Lisbon, 1996), which was inputted to the subsequent General Assemblies. Thus the newly born European Youth Forum (YFJ) started moving forward to a global cooperation policy envisioning the building of an open and solidary Europe, which is a constructive and active focal point for international agreement furthering sustainable human development in a culture of peace. To this, a permanent and flowing relation with its counterparts in the other continents had to be secured. A concrete networking mechanism, the Global Cooperation Coordination Committee (GCCC) was therefore created that same year. The global policy and work of the YFJ was shaping around three pillars : the inspiration of interdependence and solidarity between youth organisations worldwide, the investment in capacity building of the youth actors and sound advocacy and lobbying vis-a-vis international institutions to mainstream youth issues and build channels to make the young part of the answers to the global challenges. Convened by the YFJ, the GCCC started to meet at least once a year, helping to increase familiarity between the Regional Youth Platforms in the different continents1, finding common concerns and interests, bridging differences, creating solidarity ties and appearing as a coordinated force in global youth events such as the World Youth Fora of the United Nations system 442 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 443
2 The 10 priority areas are or the World Youth Festivals. Seven years later, the GCCC would expand and With time it would become a unique space for debate, training and exchange education, employment, hunger, poverty, the environment, drug team up with the major International Youth NGOs originating the ICMYO. of experiences for helping young people and youth organisations build a abuse, juvenile delinquency, Aware of the responsibility of a developed Europe, the YFJ decided collective response to the challenges they face. We are talking about the leisure-time activities, girls and young women and the full to set the example on implementing the UN recommendations on development University on Youth and Development, which takes place yearly in Mollina, and effective participation aid and allocated one percent of its annual budget to finance concrete Spain. The University is organised in partnership between the North-South of youth in the life of society and in decision-making. capacity building and advocacy projects carried out by youth organisations Centre of the Council of Europe (the YFJ has a seat representing youth via the 1% Solidarity Fund. As of 1997, this represents a total of more than organisations’ voice at its Executive Council), the YFJ, the Spanish Youth 3 BYAP, 1998 300,000 euro that has helped in strengthening youth organisations in other Council and the Spanish Youth Institute together with other youth organisations continents and enhanced young people’s capacity to become actors of their active at the global level. Mollina has built a place in the agenda of the YFJ as own development. a privileged space for global youth work, which is contributing to building the “The challenges of our age are problems without passports ; capacity of the youth from other regions and thus strengthening their role in to address them, we need blueprints without borders”, said Kofi Annan to global youth co-operation and their implementation capacity at the national some 500 representatives of youth organisations, the UN System and and local levels. other inter-governmental organisations who were gathered at the closing session of the 3rd edition of the World Youth Forum of the United Nations 2002. Focusing on sustainable development System (WYFUNS) in Braga in the north of Portugal to discuss and jointly and cooperation with the Mediterranean devise youth commitments on Youth Participation for Human Development. and Latin America. Shortly after, participants hurried south going past the Tagus River to the World Youth Festival that had began a few days earlier at Costa da Caparica. In 2002, the YFJ participated in the World Summit on Sustainable Development A couple of chosen representatives dropped half way in Lisbon to deliver the in Johannesburg and co-chaired the youth caucus, facilitating the conditions recommendations of the WYFUNS - the Braga Youth Action Plan (BYAP) to the for the youth input to the plenary of the Summit. It also participated in the World Conference of Youth Ministers. Euro-Latin American Civil Forum and in the Euro-Mediterranean Youth Forum, “The Braga Youth Action Plan is a joint commitment to Youth which were both in Spain during the Spanish Presidency of the European Participation for Human Development made by youth NGOs, the United Union. Nations system and other intergovernmental organisations in partnership… Whereas the GCCC operates at the global level, the bilateral convinced that in partnership we can shape our world for the creation of relations and partnerships are fundamental to bringing the continents closer a better future for all.” Those commitments on youth policies and youth and to reach the common purposes of the youth actors at the regional level. participation did not diverge much from the 10 priority areas for youth that In this context youth cooperation between European and Latin-American were identified by the UN General Assembly in 1995 on the 10th anniversary youth materialises in the annual process of the Euro-Latin American Youth of the International Youth Year : the World Programme of Action for Youth for Forum (the FEULAT), which was for the first time organised by the YFJ and the Year 2000 and beyond (WPAY2000).2 The WPAY2000 became the main its counterpart in Latin America in 2003. That same year, the YFJ became political framework for global youth cooperation. It defines strategies and a member of the monitoring group of the Covenant between the Council policies and establishes the means of implementation at the national, regional of Europe and the European Commission on Euro-Mediterranean youth co- and global level, namely regional and inter-regional conferences of ministers operation in the field of training. On what concerns cooperation with Asia responsible for youth affairs. and Africa, there were changes ahead, resulting to a great extent from the It was 1998, and the YFJ was a key member in the International lack of unified youth platforms in both continents, as well as a more fragile Preparatory Committees of the World Forum and Festival together with its political framework for cooperation between Europe and those two regions. GCCC partners. It was an eventful, noteworthy year and set the basis for the An important first step regarding Asia would be done by the study visit to UN-related advocacy and lobbying work of the YFJ for the years to come. Singapore, Shanghai and Beijing that the YFJ would organise in 2004. The Many of the challenges lying ahead to youth in the threshold of cooperation with Africa, on the other hand, would boost in 2007 with the the new millennium continue to show as issues of concern to young people. Africa-Europe Youth Summit. As back then, the YFJ persists to “call upon all youth, Governments of the world and the international community to work together with us to carry out 2003-2005. Making use of an increased lobbying these commitments and make our vision of Youth Participation for Human capacity at the global level. A strengthened global Development a reality.”3 youth cooperation. Getting the Special Consultative Status at the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 1999 was instrumental to the YFJ’s lobbying at the In 2003, advocacy and lobbying work related to the UN system was of global level. The opportunity to attend the annual meetings of the Commission critical importance. The YFJ became a full member of CONGO, the body for Social Development, as well as of the Third Committee (Social Affairs that brings together the NGOs in consultative status with the ECOSOC and and Human Rights) of the UN General Assemblies, facilitated the input to the much encouraged the reestablishment of its Youth Committee in Geneva. shaping of global youth policies. The CONGO Youth Committee gathered the YFJ and international youth In 2000, another space for global youth cooperation would appear. organisations who were working close to the UN system. Most of the lobbying 444 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 445
efforts were oriented to the annual meeting of the UN General Assembly of its annual High Level Panel Meeting, a youth consultative group was set in (UNGA). It would culminate in the adoption of a resolution on youth, which place and could propose a plan of action for youth participation in the national takes into extensive account the demands of youth organisations. The YFJ action plans to reduce youth unemployment. was calling for the UNGA in 2005 to devote a session on the implementation The much expected children and youth strategy of the World Bank in of the WPAY2000 with the participation of youth organisations. Finally the the end turned out to be a Children and Youth Strategic Framework for Action efforts paid off, and the member states agreed to dedicate two sessions to adopted by the Board of Governors. It was to guide the bank’s staff in its work youth issues and to organise a consultative meeting with youth organisations. on children and youth issues in the scope of the poverty reduction strategies The UNGA has also adopted Kofi Annan’s reports on youth employment and in the different countries and regions. Following the same format as the first on the global situation of youth, which for the first time counted with the input one, a second edition of the Youth, Development and Peace Conference was from youth organisations. The YFJ coordinated European’s. organised. ICMYO was central in their inputting to it. Furthermore, the YFJ engaged in an extensive process of In 2004, the Council of Europe opened up to the new dimensions dialogue with the World Bank regarding the design of its Children and Youth brought about by globalisation, and its youth sector gained space and Strategy, which would lead to the co-organisation of a two-day consultation visibility within the Institution and to the outside world. In cooperation with with representatives of youth organisations from all the continents, the the YFJ, the Council of Europe asked hundreds of young people from around Council of Europe and UN agencies. The World Bank president himself, Mr. 50 countries, youth experts and policy makers, “How big is your world ?” at J. D. Wolfensohn, participated in the conference, which has arisen much the Europe, Youth and Globalisation event. A critical dialogue took place for expectation on the future of the Strategy and a serious long-term engagement three days on the issues of globalisation, sustainability, peace and global with youth organisations. Those were months of comprehensive debate within governance for questioning the existing models and discussing the role of the Youth Forum’s membership and the regional youth platforms for there was youth organisations, governments and international institutions. a general feeling of distrust regarding World Bank’s policies and operations The year was coming to the end, and the lobbying on the 10-year (in particular from those youth organisations operating in the developing review of the WPAY2000 (1995-2005) intensified. It would coincide with countries). The objectives and the extent the cooperation with the Bank the five-year review of the implementation of the Millennium Development should go was thoroughly thought, debated and jointly agreed. Goals. Together with ICMYO counterparts, the YFJ was lobbying to link The year would not end without the YFJ facilitating the selection of both processes. Finally the efforts paid off, and the UNGA confirmed the the European youth participants to the consultation on HIV/AIDS under the consultation with youth organisations, the youth conference and the link invitation of UNICEF. between both processes of review. Potential was high. The increased recognition of youth organisations and their role in In 2005, the global youth movement, including the YFJ, very much global development by global institutions, as well as the recent experiences focused on the World Programme of Action for Youth and its revision. A global with major international youth organisations operating in the global arena, consultation on the achievements and the shortcomings of the implementation made clear that the global coordination that the YFJ had started with of the WPAY was conducted and in particular National Youth Councils were the GCCC was not meeting all the challenges. In 2004, the YFJ went one heavily involved. During the UN General Assembly Plenary Session on youth, step forward and, together with worldwide partners, originated ICMYO, a range of Youth Delegates from YFJ Member Organisations spoke on behalf the International Coordination Meeting of Youth Organisations. ICMYO of civil society and their countries. Side by side with their Ministers of Youth, materialises the concept of global youth cooperation by bringing together the some of them even shared the podium. As a result of the revision, five new regional youth knowledge, agendas and actors into an informal coordination priority areas were added to the WPAY2000, and the Member States of the mechanism that made global youth work and advocacy stronger than that of UN reconfirmed their commitment to the programme. The UNGA resolution its parts detached, rationalising the limited resources available and increasing calls for the development of indicators in the different priority areas of the effectiveness. It developed into the most legitimate and representative group WPAY2000, and already by the end of the year the European Youth Forum was of youth organisations when it comes to global youth institutional consultative invited to an Expert Group Meeting at the UN Headquarters. processes. These meetings became crucial for improving global youth work and for reaching a coordinated participation and input to the main global 2006-2007 : Continued challenges at the UN processes and events that would take place in 2004. and achievements in cooperation between That was the case of another edition of the World Youth Festival that Africa and Europe. gathered thousands of young people in Barcelona, Spain, in summer. Since its edition in Portugal in 1998, the festival is a worldwide event organised The spirit was high after the UNGA in 2005, and in 2006 the UN Office on Sport by the youth movement, providing an opportunity to increase visibility of for Development and Peace teamed up with other UN partners and the private international youth work and pluralistic participation of young people while sector to organise a Global Youth Leadership Summit. However, a clear lack promoting cultural diversity and understanding. of transparency and democracy in the development of the final statement led ICMYO also enriched the efforts related to the Youth Employment to many of the YFJ Member Organisations not supporting the final declaration. Network - the partnership between the UN Secretary General, the International The declaration was adopted in a plenary where all the participants were Labour Organisation and the World Bank to improve youth employment. The declared youth ambassadors for the Millennium Development Goals but YFJ had been taking part in its meetings for three years. In 2004 by the time where there was a lot more attention on the celebrities present than on the 446 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 447
MDGs. On the positive note the Summit strengthened the relations of YFJ and Civil Society Organisations in Brussels, where as of 2008 the YFJ has been Member Organisations with partners in the UN system and partners around recognised as a development actor. the world. Another positive outcome was that the idea of sending Youth Cooperation is about learning from each other and taking the best Delegates to United Nations Meetings spread to countries which traditionally of the best of your partners’ developments with you into your own work. did not send any. This included more countries in the developing world. Both the partnerships with the Latin-American Youth Forum and the Pan- A meeting in the UN Commission for Social Development (CSocD) African Youth Union are special to the European Youth Forum’s own policy kicked off 2007. With the Consultative Status of ECOSOC, the YFJ is allowed development over the last years. With the African Youth Charter and the to speak in the CSocD (not in the UNGA, where NGOs, if they have the Ibero-American Convention on Youth Rights, young people in Africa and Latin- consultative status, can only be observers). The first resolution on youth America actually have a legal instrument to claim and defend their rights – after the revision of the WPAY2000 in 2005, which divided it into three and this has been an inspiration for the YFJ’s own campaign for the rights of clusters, was to be prepared for the UN General Assembly. The European young people in Europe. Youth Forum and partners, including lead countries of the Youth Employment Network (YEN), were lobbying hard to ensure recognition of the YEN and the 2008 : Requests for more coordination links between Youth Development and the Millennium Development Goals. of the youth field at the UN increases. The long-term success was seen during the 2007 revision of the targets of the MDGs where youth for the first time was linked to the achievement of Following nearly three years of high-level consultations and the UN Secretary the MDGs through the target, “Achieve full and productive employment and announcing the initiative the year before, the UN Alliance of Civilisations decent work for all, including women and young people”. The two words at organised its first forum in Madrid in 2008. A main aim of the AoC is to the end of the paragraph might seem like a small victory but has been an bridge Western and Muslim societies. The YFJ played an important role in important tool for youth organisations working on youth employment ever the cooperation among youth organisations taking part in the event, but the since. youth organisations present felt excluded from important parts of the forum. Later the same year the UNGA adopted a supplement to the The Alliance of Civilisations has proved to be a listening and cooperative World Programme of Action for Youth. At the very end of the year, the UN initiative. It showed interest in youth activities from its very beginning and Department for Economic and Social Affairs launched the World Youth participated in the University on Youth and Development later the same year. Report 2007, a very useful report focusing on the first of the three clusters This was also the year when the last real meeting of the Youth, of the WPAY : Youth in the Global Economy. The same autumn the ICMYO Development and Peace (YDP) Steering Committee took place. The change organisations participating in the Youth Employment Network Consultative of leadership in the World Bank in 2005 led to a gradual decrease in the Group launched a guide on youth employment. attention the World Bank paid to children and youth on the global level. That year was also a turning point in the regional youth cooperation The European Youth Forum kept good working relations with the World side with a range of highlights including an Asia-Europe Political Young Bank Europe and Central Asia office but found a lack of understanding of Leaders Summit in Copenhagen and the first Africa-Europe Youth Summit, democratically organised youth organisations on the global level. The which took place in Lisbon. The Africa-Europe Youth Summit marked a change relatively fragile agreement among YFJ Member Organisations was to keep in the recognition of the regional cooperation of youth organisations from working with the World Bank as long as it saw signs of improvement and the European Union side. President Barroso of the European Commission a growing understanding of working with independent youth organisations. participated in the closing ceremony. This has been a particularly positive It became evident that the YFJ could not invest much in the relations within achievement for the YFJ, which had always lobbied for an increased political the partnership on the global level because of a difference in understanding framework for the bilateral cooperation between Europe and Africa. The the meaning of youth participation, as well as the decline of the political cooperation with Africa was identified as a priority in the YFJ Work Plan, momentum inside the Institution after 2005. The YFJ has since been following and the Summit sparked off a range of processes and tools to improve the the work of the World Bank mostly at regional level (ECA and MENA regions) cooperation between youth organisations in our two continents. and through other partners on the global level. The European Youth Forum had already a strong partnership on Also, in 2008, the idea of actually coordinating all the UN entities global and regional youth work development with the North South Centre working on youth-related issues finally got a bit of attention, and the idea of of the Council of Europe for a long time, and of particular interest from a a network of all these entities was launched within the UN System. Officially European perspective was the stronger links that the summit created the UN Program on Youth (UNPY) held this role, but the lack of resources and between the YFJ and the Directorate General Development of the European recognition from within the UN system made the coordination and facilitation Commission. With the joint expertise and funding of the North South Centre roles difficult. It is illustrating that probably the biggest achievement as and the European Commission, the cooperation between youth organisations coordinator in 2008 was a booklet with the contact info on almost all UN in the two continents improved radically since 2007. Not only institutions in entities working on youth-related matters. This proves that the starting point Europe and Africa but also UN entities use the strong declaration as input was difficult. However, the UN Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development when developing policies. is now recognised, and the focus on youth within the UN Department on The YFJ has been particularly active on issues regarding Economic and Social Affairs has increased. The network is co-chaired by the cooperation with Africa, with the European Commission and also within the UNPY and another entity, which clearly strengthens the impact of its work. 448 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 449
The ICMYO 2008 took place in Cairo and was hosted by the Arab cooperation within the Euro-Latin-American Youth Forum over several years region of the World Organisation of the Scout Movement. It included a and with a view to the successful Africa-Europe Youth Cooperation, the YFJ meeting with the League of Arab States. As of this meeting, the partnerships and partners wanted to establish similar mechanisms for the Euro-Latin- between the ICMYO and United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA) and also America cooperation. Preparations were made for a large Youth Summit to between the UNFPA and YFJ kicked off. With the personal commitment of be held in 2010. the Executive Director Thoraya Obaid, the UNFPA has been one of the more One positive surprise of 2009 came at the University on Youth and reliable partners in the field of global youth work. As of 2008 the European Development where the Mexican Youth Institute joined the ICMYO organisations Youth Forum also had a delegation to the annual League of Arab States Youth present to propose cooperation towards a World Youth Conference in Mexico Forum and increased its cooperation with national youth structures in Korea in 2010. As one of 10 ICMYO organisations, the YFJ joined the Social Forum and China. Organising Committee and assisted in starting the preparations. At the University on Youth and Development in Mollina in September Another positive development that year was the invitation from the 2008 and the following General Assembly, the YFJ had to make it clear that the UN Program on Youth to provide input to the UNGA resolution on youth. The overall increased activity level on regional and global cooperation would have invitation was addressed to the GCCC partners, but in agreement with the to be cut back or rely more on the Member Organisations. On the regional other partners the invitation was also forwarded to all ICMYO organisations so cooperation part, the National Youth Councils of Spain, Italy and Portugal took that all the organisations could feed into the resolution. up particular responsibilities and demonstrated a sparkling commitment. The biggest surprise of the year, however, came at the UNGA, which Yet another Expert Group Meeting on the WPAY2000 took place was a rather chaotic affair when youth issues were on the agenda. In the end in 2008, leading up to the UNGA in 2009. Again the YFJ was invited and – and after a lot of resistance, the Member States decided to declare 2010 participated actively, but the work of the expert group must have been too the International Year on Youth. As 1985 already was the International Year on successful on behalf of youth ; the goals and targets developed by the expert Youth and one cannot repeat the same year twice, the actual decision was to group were too progressive for the Member States to be able to adopt them. launch an “International Year on Youth – Dialogue and Mutual Understanding”. The General Assembly in 2009 only took note of them. As this decision came at the end of the year and there were no resources made available for it, the actual decision was to let the year begin on the 2009 : ICMYO and Regional cooperation International Youth Day, which is August 12. Still, most youth organisations, KEEPING GROWING such as governments and institutional actors in the field of youth, had made their plans and adopted their budgets for 2011 when the year was declared. The interest and cooperation within the ICMYO has kept growing, and the With more than half of the year gone, it has been difficult for the UN Secretariat 2009 edition is the meeting with the highest attendance of institutional to implement the declaration. partners so far. The meeting was hosted by the Council of Europe Directorate At the end of 2009, a Euro-Arab Youth Forum on Migration was on Youth and Sports and had a range of UN entities present, including the UN held in Morocco. The YFJ was part of the steering group of the event, which Volunteers, the UNFPA, the UNPY and the UN Alliance of Civilisations. Today contributed to strengthening the ties between youth organisations and the YFJ is working with all of those in developing policies and improving the institutions on both sides of the Mediterranean. The event had high visibility lives of young people everywhere. within the League of Arab States, the Council of Europe and the United Nations In 2009, a new development began in ICMYO as the meeting started and serves as a successful example when it comes to linking global youth receiving requests to represent the organisations in the United Nations work development with global policy-making and lobby efforts. The Assilah system. As of 2009, ICMYO has appointed two or more member organisations declaration has served as a basis of several lobby actions towards the United to participate in the Global Youth Advisory Panel of the UNFPA and also had Nations. an observer in the Alliance of Civilisations Youth Advisory Committee (AoC After much anticipation the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP) YAC). Further, in the AoC YAC, the Regional Youth Platforms represented in the of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) took place in GCCC are all representing their regions. This increased recognition of regional Copenhagen in December 2009. The YFJ put a lot of efforts into preparing youth platforms outside Europe in UN structures has been a priority in our for the Summit. In addition to recruiting and coordinating a range of young cooperation. representatives of the member organisations present, the YFJ was also Following a range of regional consultations and the establishment asked to facilitate the participation of youth representatives from developing of regional cooperation in the field of youth between Africa and Europe, countries with a grant from the Dutch Government. The disappointment with the overall partnership got a lift in 2009 with the first African University on the lack of outcome was huge all over the world. But, after all the efforts and Youth and Development (AUYD). The AUYD brings together youth leaders investments in the process, the disappointment was even bigger among all from all over the African continent, who together with participants from other those organisations and delegates who had been working relentlessly towards continents work on development issues for a week. The regional cooperation the CO p. within Africa benefits hugely from this initiative of the North-South Centre of However, the YFJ spent the time also in between the COPs. After a the Council of Europe. It is hosted by the Government of Cape Verde and with model from the Commission for Sustainable Development (CSD) where children support from the European Commission. and youth are recognised as one of the major groups (e.g. business, farmers, The annual FEULAT took place within the frame of the University the YFJ has been working with the UNFCCC Secretariat to secure increased on Youth and Development. With a decreasing budget for the very successful participation of youth organisations in the Conference of the Parties). 450 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 451
MDGs. As the delegates finally met in Léon in August, the expectations were 2010-2011 : International Year of Youth. big, but the challenges remained even bigger. The external political pressure, including from the hosting In terms of activities in the Global Youth Work Development field, all records Government, were unusually high, and just outside the venue thousands of of involvement from the European Youth Forum were hit in 2010. protesters were gathering as the local media presented the conference as an As the 3rd EU-LAC (EU, Latin-America and Caribbean) Summit, anti-abortion event. With the strong influence of the UNFPA, there was clearly which took place in Spain in May 2010, the youth organisations active on a high focus on sexual and reproductive health rights in the work leading up the intraregional level organised their own summit just before the Heads of to the conference, but the conference was so much more. It included 25,000 States arrived. The event was planned for more than a year and was overall young Mexicans visiting the Social Forum and several thousand young people successful. It also gained a lot of institutional recognition, in particular meeting the inspiring, tiny and yet powerful Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Shirin from the Spanish Government, the Ibero-American Youth Organisation and Ebadi from Iran. the United Nations system. The Youth Summit contributed to increased With the great mix of leading actors from the UN, Government cooperation and gave a lift for the organisations participating, but the funding and Civil Society, the event was also a great opportunity to shape the future of future FEULAC (as of 2010, the annual forum is a Euro-Latin-American and framework for global policy-development, and the Social Forum produced Caribbean Forum) activities is still insecure. a strong statement on behalf of youth to feed into the 2010 MDG Review. The third Alliance of Civilisations Forum took place in Rio de Janeiro But with all the controversies, the event did not reach its full potential. A with the biggest representation of youth organisations and youth projects on high number of ministers were present. Many of them were fighting for the display so far. This time the youth were granted space and time before the inclusion of the perspectives of youth in the Governments declaration despite actual forum to prepare their own statement to the state leaders present. the resistance from the hosting country. Unfortunately no ministers arrived Despite the progress made since the first forum two years earlier, the youth from Europe, which also created a misbalance in the Governments Forum. delegates present found it necessary to organise a demonstration to be Mexico deserves recognition for all the investments and for a much longed given appropriate speaking time in the plenary after being excluded from the for initiative, and high expectations remain upon Mexico for the inclusion of opening ceremony. youth in future policy making for social and sustainable development on the During summer the YFJ was selected as the only ICMYO global level. The Government partly fulfilled these expectations already in the organisation to speak at the Civil Society event organised to advise the UN COP 16 later the same year. General Assembly on the MDG Review. Particular emphasis was put on youth In such an active year the University on Youth and Development employment, gender equality and the shift towards a green economy. The also was packed with activities and celebrated its 10th anniversary in the YFJ also tried to get in among the few organisations to observe the high-level framework of the International Year on Youth. Upon this occasion the Secretary segment of the UNGA during the MDG Review but was not granted a seat. General of the United Nations sent greetings to the university, congratulating As a result of the Euro-Arab Youth Forum on Migration in Morocco, and stating that “the University has inspired young people not only to learn the same partners met again about half a year later in one of the more about the world, but also to take better care of it.” Ban Ki-Moon further states spectacular events of the year. After a boat trip from Tunisia to Italy, action that “This work directly supports the efforts of the United Nations to involve plans were made, and the Euro-Arab Youth cooperation was strengthened young people in creating a more just and peaceful world.” to ensure the rights of young people crossing the Mediterranean and other After three years of working together, the different actors in the borders. The number one migrant in the world is a young African man crossing Africa-Europe Youth Cooperation gathered again in Libya for the second the Mediterranean to come to Europe, so this forum is highly important. Africa-Europe Youth Summit. Despite quite some challenges leading up to In the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, and almost at the same time, the summit with Libya as the location being only one of the controversies, the second edition of the African University on Youth and Development was the event itself sparked off rather well. The partners had agreed to use the held in Cape Verde – this time with an activity funded by the 1% Solidarity Summit to complement the 2007 declaration with a joint and agreed action Fund of the YFJ. The statutes of the 1% Solidarity Fund were changed in 2010, plan following the eight priorities identified in 2007. making more organisations eligible for grants from the fund. The activity Undoubtedly organising a youth-event in Libya was difficult. A in Cape Verde aimed at strengthening the cooperation among international discussion over a proposal, which was clearly imposed from the hosting youth NGOs active on the Pan-African level, and its strength was already put government, to demand from Europe to apologise and compensate for the to test later the same year. During the University an informal Steering Group colonisation of Africa was harmful for the working environment. But after meeting of the 2nd Africa-Europe Youth Summit took place. the longest plenary so far in this cooperation, the Tripoli declaration was In the meantime the preparations for the World Youth Conference in agreed and later presented to the Heads of State when they met for the 3rd Mexico also went on high speed. Regional consultations were held around the Africa-Europe Summit. Among a range of demands and commitments, the world with various involvement of the ICMYO organisations. Too often too few organisations committed to educating one million young people in Africa and ICMYO organisations were involved despite a lot of good will and investments Europe on HIV/AIDS prevention before 2015. the cooperation between Mexico, the United Nations system and the youth One of the absolutely greatest outcomes of the Africa-Europe organisations faced severe challenges. The framework changed considerably process over the last years is the establishment of the African Diaspora during the year leading up to the conference with less and less focus on the Youth Network in Europe (ADYNE), which did a great job before and during the 452 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 453
Ana Felgueiras was born in event. Also the Pan-African organisations taking part in the Youth Summit have Braga Youth Action Plan 1973 in Portugal where she improved their cooperation over the past years and were a stronger force in has studied International Libya than in Lisbon three years earlier. And the Africa-Europe cooperation Outcome document of the World Affairs before joining the remains a priority. Later in 2010, the North-South Centre of the Council of Youth Forum 1998 National Youth Council Europe, in agreement with the Monitoring Group for the Africa-Europe Youth as International Officer. Cooperation, was able to launch a support scheme with seed-funding for She has worked in the youth organisations active in the field while ADYNE established a secretariat. European Youth Forum The YFJ invited the Latin-American Youth Forum (FLAJ) and other Introduction as a Policy Officer for ICMYO partners to a preparation meeting for COP16 during the University on Global Youth Cooperation Youth and Development. The team representing the YFJ and other partner We, representatives of youth and youth-serving organisations, the United and United Nations organisations in Cancun at the end of the year demonstrated efficiency Nations System and other inter-governmental organisations have met from Coordinator and as Head and lobby skills. Together with Government officials the Youth Caucus in 90 2 to 7 August 1998 in Braga, Portugal at the third World Youth Forum of the of the Department of Youth minutes, the team laid out the text on outreach activities and strengthened United Nations System. Policies and Youth Work the role of civil society in the future UNFCCC cooperation. This is strongly We have gathered here to promote Youth Participation for Human Development from 2002 needed for the future, as the YFJ representative reported back that the COP16 Development, convinced that the participation of youth is a prerequisite for to 2005. She is currently was better for the YFJ than for the environment. the development of humankind as a whole. studying for a master’s On the threshold of a new millennium, young people are full of degree in Management Conclusions hope and commitment. We are convinced that in partnership between youth and Public Policies and and youth-serving organisations, national governments, the United Nations researching community Democracy. Human Rights. Education. These are key elements in the work of System and other inter-governmental organisations, we can shape our world governance and the third the European Youth Forum in all its working areas, but nowhere the challenges for the creation of a better future for all. sector at the University and achievements become as visible as in the global cooperation. Nothing is Young people face the challenges of injustice and exclusion of La Coruña in Spain. more powerful than sharing the knowledge and tools to ensure Human Rights resulting mainly from the enormous inequities in income, wealth and power with young people. dominating today’s world. Because trade and investment agreements and Christoffer Grønstad was The work of the European Youth Forum at the global level has relations remain unfair there is a growing gap between the rich and the poor. born in Norway in 1978. much developed during the past 15 years and has shown consistency to Young people are burdened by the financial and debt crisis, and He holds a degree in com- the long-term aims envisioned in 1997. A number of actors, youth NGOs and as a result of Structural Adjustment Programmes they experience the munication and public rela- institutions, have joined in ; channels for youth participation have multiplied. consequences of on-going cuts in government expenditure in human services. tions and has a background The YFJ has known how to meet the initial challenges and how to adapt to the There is a decline of educational systems, young peoples’ access to health from a range of youth or- new ones, as well as contribute to a global partnership for development more services is restricted and youth unemployment is growing. ganisations. From 2004 to inclusive to youth. Young people suffer from xenophobia and racism, homophobia, 2007, he was the President At the closing session of the 3rd WYFUNS, Kofi Annan advised the exclusion from democratic participation. Young people lack access to of the Norwegian Children participants to “Go out and make your difference to the world.” Looking back, information despite new possibilities to communicate across borders that and Youth Council (LNU) ; we believe we did. should promote tolerance in multiethnic societies, increased respect for in 2007 and 2008, a Bureau Disclaimer from the authors : We found it important to provide a Human Rights and greater participation. Member of the European starting point for those interested in the history of the European Youth Real and sustainable solutions to these problems can only be found Youth Forum ; and from Forum’s involvement in Global Youth Work Development and cooperation at the global level through the development of new partnerships between 2009 until the end of 2010, with the United Nations System. We are, however, fully aware that such a all the parties involved. Such solutions include the promotion of social the Vice President of the or- chronology based upon our sole knowledge could not become totally spending through the cancellation of external debt of the highly indebted ganisation, mainly respon- complete. Therefore, it is our hope that you as a reader will also add to the poor countries ; trade agreements respecting the right to work and decent sible for Global Youth Work picture and make this a living document. working conditions ; fulfilment of the agreed 0.7% target of GNP for Official Development and coopera- Development Assistance ; the full payment of UN dues in time without tion with the United Nations conditions ; and further reform of the United Nations System. System. He has also served Young people can and should be a part of the solution to the as Vice President of the UN problems in the world. Everywhere, young people and youth organisations Association in Norway. show that they are not obstacles, but invaluable resources for development. Youth are building democratic leadership, civil society and social capital for the 21st century. With the Braga Youth Action Plan we want to empower young people to participate in human development. Youth Participation for Human Development requires that : the international community, the private sector and especially 454 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 455
governments provide young people with adequate financial resources in order for monitoring and evaluating the status of the implementation of youth to realise their entire potential in becoming full and active partners in the policies by all stakeholders, especially by the youth NGO platforms. development process ; that the United Nations, in collaboration with other inter- young people are recognised not only as future leaders, but as governmental and non-governmental organizations, identify the best practices actors of society today, with a direct stake in the development process ; on youth policy formulation and implementation and encourage the adaptation young women and men should be enabled to participate on equal of the principles and experiences among the member states of the United terms : sexism is an obstacle that must be overcome and the empowerment Nations. Greater use could be made of the Youth Theme Group mechanism of women a prerequisite for development ; within the United Nations Resident Co-ordinators System to increase the co- ALL young people should be enabled to participate as both creators ordination of United Nations entities in the field of youth for the promotion and beneficiaries of development : unemployment, illiteracy, the discrimination of national youth policies. The Youth Theme Group should give priority to against indigenous young people, against young people with disabilities or collaboration between youth NGOs and United Nations entities. discrimination based on religious beliefs, and other forms of social exclusion Youth NGO Co-operation at the National Level : are threats to development ; the formation and/or strengthening of national youth NGO justice between present and future generations is recognised platforms, which represent the widest range of democratic youth as a fundamental base for sustainable development : young people should organizations of each state to be established with the initiatives of the youth participate in the decisions taken today about the resources of tomorrow ; organizations themselves. The platforms should respect each member youth should participate in political decision making on all levels, organization’s independence and operate based on the principles of solidarity and young people must be enabled to organise themselves in youth NGOs, and democracy. The governments should recognize the national youth NGO students unions, trade unions, political parties, and in the creation of platforms legally and as partner in policy making, provide them with adequate massmedia, in order to fully participate in political, economic, social and financial support and guarantee the free development of NGOs. cultural life ; and the formulation of informal and formal consultative mechanisms youth issues are not treated in isolation, but mainstreamed into all between national youth NGO platforms and governments, which operate policy making. The third World Youth Forum is an example of how a cross- based on the principles of mutual respect and equal partnership, so that the sectoral approach can be used successfully. concerns of youth are fully reflected in the national policy making. The Braga Youth Action Plan is a joint commitment to Youth the United Nations System, international organizations, including Participation for Human Development made by youth NGOs, the United international and national youth NGO platforms, should strengthen the Nations system and other inter-governmental organisations in partnership. capacity of youth NGOs at the national, regional and international levels As participants at the third World Youth Forum of the United Nations through enhanced co-operation at all levels. System, we pledge our personal and unwavering commitment towards Youth Youth, Poverty Eradication and Development : Participation for Human Development. based on the Braga Initiative on Debt Crisis, governments ; the We now call upon all youth, governments of the world and international community, including the IMF, the World Bank and other United the international community to work together with us to carry out these Nations agencies, to work in partnership with youth NGOs to organise commitments and make our vision of Youth Participation for Human regional seminars before the year 2000 to assess the impact of the debt Development a reality. crisis on young men and women in countries with such debts. The results The World Youth Forum Recommends : of their findings should be used to make informed policy in the international community, particularly in the areas of structural adjustment programmes, Youth policies capacity building, awareness raising, and advocacy with the aim of eradicating poverty. These regional seminars also should lead to a joint international Integrated Cross-Sectoral Youth Policies conference of Youth NGOs and the United Nations system, including the World the formulation in all states of youth policies, by the year 2005, Bank and the IMF, to be held before the year 2001. which are cross sectoral, comprehensive and formulated with long-term vision We recommend that youth organisations, in co-operation with coupled with Action Plans taking into consideration the guidelines set forth in governments, United Nations agencies and organisations, IGOs, and the World Programme of Action for Youth to the Year 2000 and Beyond. Youth international financial institutions, establish where they do not exist, and policies should be accorded a legal status and backed by legislative structures strengthen existing national, sub-regional, and regional youth networks and and sufficient resources. We encourage all governments to establish and/or agencies. Such agencies, autonomous in planning, decision making, and strengthen youth focal point institutions within the governmental structure. implementation, should carry out effective poverty eradication, participate Youth policies should be formulated via a thorough consultation process in development programmes, and act as a monitoring body to evaluate between the government and the national youth NGO platforms as well as progress. They should give due consideration to the social and cultural other stakeholders as equal partners in that process. background of target groups, and appropriate training and follow-up should the effective implementation of cross sectoral youth policies in involve local community members. accordance with the Action Plans and their time-frames which are formulated While emphasising the fact that Governments and the international together with the youth policies. Action Plans should be utilised as a guideline community have the primary responsibility for poverty eradication, the World 456 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 457
Youth Forum affirms the indispensable contributions made by young people The recognition of the responsibility of youth to take it upon in poverty eradication and development. We recommend that all major themselves to help implement the Braga Youth Action Plan and other United actors concerned with poverty and youth promote, support, develop, and Nations initiatives - thus we offer to the United Nations System the services of fund youth volunteerism. Furthermore, high-profile should be given to youth- youth at the national, regional and international levels. In order for this to be led volunteerism during the International Year of Volunteers in 2001. successful, there must be increased co-ordination of such implementation at the national and regional levels, information should be made easily accessible Youth participation to all young people (which may be facilitated by United Nations System offices) ; the question of national funding to broaden the effectiveness of Participation of ALL Young People : youth NGOs with the aim of using such funds to set up eventual self reliant it be recognised that young people with disabilities have greater organisations should be addressed ; and non-associated youth must be difficulties participating in society due to lack of equal opportunities. To involved in order to ensure effective implementation of all programmes. improve their independent access to the physical environment, information, That youth issues should be given higher priority in United Nations devices of assistance, equipment, awareness campaigns and fundraising are System. We recommend the strengthening of the United Nations Youth Unit necessary. This should be promoted and enhanced at all levels through co- and its counterparts in other funds, programmes and specialised agencies operation among NGO’s concerned with disability, as well as UN agencies, and the provision to them of greater resources and more staff – notably governments and IGO’s. young people. We recommend the expansion of their mandate to include governments, NGOs, IGOs and the UN system promote inter- the dissemination of information and the co-ordination of policies and cultural understanding among different cultures through workshops, programmes between youth NGOs and the various specialised agencies, funds seminars, exchange programmes and youth camps, with an adequate and programmes. There should be national liaison offices for young people at evaluation process to ensure that all cultures, and specifically Indigenous the United Nations local offices, and a quota for youth organisations in the young people, are fully recognised, respected and valued in society. We national United Nations programmes. We must also ensure the continuation also propose that the UN sponsor a World Indigenous Youth Conference and of the World Youth Forum process, including the convening of regional for any future UN sponsored youth activities, processes be established to youth fora/consultations both in the preparation and follow-up of the Forum ensure specific Indigenous participants are included as delegates in their and the strengthening of its links with future high-level, inter-governmental own right. conferences on youth (such as the Ministers’ Conference on Youth), through that NGOs take the initiative, in co-operation with UN specialised joint preparation, meetings and follow-u p. Member States should contribute agencies, programmes and funds as well as national youth platforms, generously to the United Nations Youth Fund, which should give priority to for to establish conferences that enable an exchange of experiences and South - South project. information about working with young people living in extreme poverty and Education for the 21st Century : those requiring protection from violence, in particular young women. Priority that education shall be free of charge at all levels, and equally should be given to reaching young people living in extreme poverty and accessible to everyone. Access to all education should not be on the basis of working in partnership with them in the design and implementation of youth economic status. We call on governments to increase resource allocation to policies and concrete projects in the areas of health, education, training and education and for UNESCO to be the co-ordinating agency, with the technical employment. We also propose the creation of national monitoring centres and financial contributions of Governments, for the establishment of a World to submit an annual report to the United Nations System on young people Education Fund to provide grants to facilitate equal access to all levels of victimised by violence. The results of the conferences on young people education. excluded by extreme poverty and the report on young people victimised by that it be recognised as a right the empowerment of young people violence should be widely disseminated by all forms of media and used as a via full and active participation and representation in all types of education, reference in evaluating the implementation or national youth policies. and calls upon governments to do the same. We call on governments to Youth Organisations and the United Nations System : recognise and promote the importance of non-formal education, it being the United Nations support broad involvement of youth NGOs integral to the full development of individuals and societies and as therefore in the decision making process in a democratic manner throughout the being complementary to formal education. We recommend the establishment United Nations System. We ask for greater consultation and the full and of Departments of Non-formal Education within Ministries of Education, which effective participation of youth NGOs in United Nations System conferences, would work in partnership with NGOs responsible for non-formal education commissions, specialised agencies, programmes and funds – which should policies, through a democratic NGO forum. meet in different regions to ensure equitable geographic representation. while recognising that education should be relevant to employment We encourage Member States to include representatives of youth NGOs opportunities, we call on the governments to analyse and review their formal in national delegations to the General Assembly, and other United Nations education policies to incorporate the teaching of languages, including local System conferences and commissions. This must allow for a wide, inclusive and indigenous languages, and global citizenship education, emphasising and gender balanced representation of all youth, including groups such as universal concepts such as peace, human rights, intercultural and inter- indigenous people, the youth with disabilities, immigrants, refugees and all religious understanding, environmental protection, sustainable development, minorities. and gender equality. The World Youth Forum calls for the development of 458 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 459
regional and international teaching materials through United Nations agencies, the provision of youth-friendly health services, counselling and the adequate training of all educators and the establishment of national co- especially reproductive health services that are comprehensive, accessible ordination units. and participatory, to ensure the holistic well-being of all young people. Youth Employment for Social Development : the international community implement reliable research, the recognition that the problem of youth unemployment is serious monitoring and assessment concerning the health needs of young people and complex which requires action both the macro and microeconomic levels with the full participation of youth and widespread and interactive exchange by governments, the social partners, NGOs, and the United Nations System. of information addressing those needs. The government bodies, NGOs, There is a need to promote, improve, and extend the design and implementation international organisations, and agencies of the United Nations System, in of policies and programmes to promote employment among young people. collaboration with youth organisations should co-ordinate the efficient peer- We recommend that the United Nations System, in close collaboration with education training of young people in all spheres of life on life skills, and the youth NGOs, undertake a comparative evaluation of the situation of youth training of parents, teachers, religious and traditional leaders and caregivers employment programmes in different countries from different regions. This on support skills. Information centres should be created that would be run by evaluation should emphasise programmes for disadvantaged youth, such as, youth and for youth. but not exclusively, women, youth with disabilities, the long term unemployed, The Role of Youth in the Promotion of Human Rights : indigenous peoples and migrants. The evaluation should look at issues such as that human rights education be recognised as a basic human the sustainability of jobs created once programmes are completed, the quality right. This right includes access to, and exchange of, information on of jobs created and the contribution of the project to social development. universally accepted civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights, and the recognition that there is a lack of institutional capacity of NGOs their violations. It aims at advocating the implementation of basic human in the employment area and communication between NGOs and the United rights. ALL young people must become involved in human rights education as Nations System. NGOs often face difficulties in raising funds to finance key recipients and providers. projects and lack knowledge about existing projects and programmes to Institutions, including governments, the UN system, promote youth employment. To overcome this, we propose a new system of intergovernmental organizations and educational authorities, responsible for information exchange between youth NGOs and the United Nations System human rights education at the community, national, regional and international and a framework of collaboration to provide technical and financial support to level, must ensure an enabling environment for youth involvement in human NGOs. The first step is for all NGOs to gain access to relevant communication rights education. This includes the opportunity for active participation of facilities (with the assistance of the United Nations System). The second step youth organizations in the decision making process, in the implementation, as would be to create a web site and mail-out directory with and for NGOs as well as in existing monitoring and reporting procedures linked to human rights another means of communication. The Webster should contain, among education. other things, information regarding the NGOs and International Organizations that youth organizations commit themselves to develop and themselves, printed material in electronic format produced by the United implement effective strategies on human rights education. We recommend Nations System, project updates and experiences and ideas on how to obtain a human rights focal point to be designated in each youth organisation. financial and technical support for activities related to youth employment. Partnership between the UN system and such focal points should be that there is a need to empower, mobilise and inform young people established within the framework of the UN Decade on Human Rights about fundamental rights at work. In order to promote social development Education (1995-2004). Human rights education methodologies shall take these rights must be respected by all. Youth NGOs should participate in the into account the need for cultural sensitivity and should include lobbying, ILO’s efforts to publicise its Conventions, Recommendations and Resolutions, networking, exchange of best practices, capacity-building and preparation of especially the “Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work” material in local languages. adopted by the International Labour Conference in June 1998. We further Youth Rights Charter and a Special Rapporteur on Youth Rights : recommend that an information dissemination campaign be undertaken by instead of a so called “Youth Rights Charter”, the United Nations NGOs with the financial support of the United Nations System to educate young Youth Unit produce and assist youth NGOs disseminate at international, people about their rights under the ILO’s instruments. The campaign should regional, national and local levels a compendium on existing youth rights which take the form of conferences, information materials and training, and will consists of the compilation of the existing rights regarding young people emphasise grassroots participation. already included in reports adopted by the General Assembly and United Youth, Health and Development : Nations Human Rights instruments, including United Nations international the formulation/review and implementation of an integrated national conferences such as the conferences in Cairo, Copenhagen, Vienna and youth health policy addressing all major health issues including : sexual Beijing. The compendium should be made into a youth friendly publication and reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, infectious diseases, substance abuse, available and accessible to all youth around the world. was not adopted. nutrition and hygiene, harmful traditional practices such as female genital the UN Special Rapporteur on Youth rights should be appointed mutilation, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, mental health, occupational and by United Nations Secretary General before the end of 1999 basing on environmental health. This requires the active participation of youth, youth nominations through regional consultations of NGOs to be made by August related organizations, government bodies, NGOs, international organisations 1999. He or she should be mandated for three years (renewal possible only and agencies of the United Nations System. for two terms). He or she should be a young independent expert (no older than 460 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 461
35 years of age at the time of appointment and renewal), experienced with Lisbon Declaration on Youth human rights issues, recently and directly involved with youth organisations. Policies and Programmes Effort must ensure the elimination of discrimination with every appointment to ensure fair and equal opportunity in the position over time. He or she must submit an annual report to the UN General Assembly and other relevant Lisbon Declaration on Youth Policies and Programmes, adopted at the World bodies, including recommendations for better implementation of youth rights. Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth, held at Lisbon from 8 to 12 He or she should be actively supported by all UN structures. August 1998 we urge the Secretary General of the United Nations to take the initiative, with the help of specialised agencies, relevant regional organizations We, the Governments participating in the World Conference and youth NGOs, for the organisation of an ad hoc event on Youth Rights, in of Ministers Responsible for Youth, convened by the Government of the order to bring together representatives of states and all interested national, Portuguese Republic in cooperation with the United Nations, gathered in regional and international youth NGOs. This World event (either a special Lisbon from 8 to 12 August 1998, Mindful that both the United Nations General session of UN General Assembly or a UN World Conference on Youth Rights) Assembly in its resolution 52/83 and the United Nations Economic and Social should be prepared at the national and regional levels through campaigning to Council in its resolution 1997/55 have welcomed the offer of the Government promote the largest possible involvement of young people. The ad hoc event of Portugal to host a World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth on Youth Rights should address the questions of how to improve the Human in cooperation with the United Nations and have requested the Secretary- Rights situation of youth under sanctions, embargoes and occupation. General of the United Nations to make the report of the World Conference available to all States Members of the United Nations, Recalling the achievements of International Youth Year in 1985 and the special sessions of the General Assembly on youth in 1985 and 1995 leading to the adoption of the World Programme of Action for Youth to the Year 2000 and Beyond, Recalling that, as suggested in paragraph 123 of the World Programme of Action for Youth to the Year 2000 and Beyond,the General Assembly invited regional and interregional conferences of ministers responsible for youth to intensifycooperation among each other and to consider meeting regularly at the international level under the aegis of the United Nations to provide a global dialogue on youth-related issues, Taking note of and acknowledging the reports of the second2 and third3 sessions of the World Youth Forum of the United Nations System, held in Vienna 1996 and Braga, Portugal, 1998, Recalling also that the General Assembly in paragraph 124 of the Programme of Action invited youth-related bodies and organizations of the United Nations system to cooperate with the regional and interregional conferences and that such bodies and organizations have made contributions to those meetings as well as to this World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth, Recognizing the efforts made by our Governments and societies to respond more effectively to the economic, social, educational, emotional, cultural and spiritual needs of young people and their problems, Recognizing that youth are a positive force in society and have enormous potential for contributing to development and the advancement of societies, Recognizing the urgency of creating more and better jobs for young women and young men and the central role of youth employment in facilitating the transition from school to work, thereby reducing crime and drug abuse and ensuring participation and social cohesion, Noting with concern the situation of youth living in poverty, as well as the special difficulties experienced by different groups of young women and young men such as those involved in or affected by unemployment, drug and substance abuse, violence, including gender-based violence, neglect, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation ; youth involved in armed conflicts ; refugees 462 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 463
and other migrant young people ; displaced and parentless youth ; young 2. Developing national youth policies and operational programmes, women and young men living with disabilities ; indigenous youth ; ethnic and at appropriate levels, to implement the World Programme of Action for cultural youth minorities ; young offenders ; pregnant adolescents ; and other Youth to the Year 2000 and Beyond, taking into account the national disadvantaged and marginalized young women and young men, priorities, realities and limitations arising from different socio-economic Also noting, with concern, the situation of indigenous youth in many and cultural development contexts ; countries, in this International Decade of the World Indigenous People, and taking into consideration the obstacles they face in regard to quality of life, 3. Establishing the necessary policies and programmes by the year 2000 participation and access to education, services and opportunity, to improve living standards for young women and young men and to permit Taking note of the achievements made since the Fourth World the effective implementation of national youth policies, of an intersectoral Conference on Women, held in Beijing 1995, and bearing in mind the nature, foreseen, among others, in the Programme of Action ; constraints and obstacles that still impede the full participation of women in all sectors of society, and particularly that of girls and young women, 4. Reviewing the situation of youth and their needs and incorporating Having regard for the provisions of the Universal Declaration of young people’s own assessment of priorities, through their participation Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the in a consultative process, and ensuring that young women and young men International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and having actively contribute to the formulation, implementation and evaluation of regard also for the progress achieved in the implementation by States parties national and local youth policies, programmes and action plans ; of other human rights instruments and standards such as the Declaration on the Right to Development, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of 5. Developing capacity building through the empowerment of formal and Discrimination against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, informal coalitions and networks of youth ; Also having regard for the recommendations arising from major United Nations conferences, including the World Summit for Children, the 6. Strengthening responsible partnerships among all key stakeholders, United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, the World especially youth networks, non-governmental youth institutions and Conference on Human Rights, the International Conference on Population and organizations and other non-governmental organizations also including Development, the World Summit for Social Development, the Fourth World young women, particularly the girl-child, and young men, their families, Conference on Women, the second United Nations Conference on Human governments, international agencies, educational institutions, civil Settlements (Habitat II), and the World Conference on Education for All, which society, the business sector and media in order to create synergies to adopted the Declaration on Education for All, the World Food Summit, which better address youth potentials and problems both at national and at adopted the Rome Declaration on World Food Security and Plan of Action, and local levels ; the International Labour Conference at its 86th session, which adopted the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, 7. Introducing measurable time-bound goals and indicators to allow a Recognizing that the formulation and implementation of strategies, common basis for national evaluation of the implementation of the above- policies, programmes and actions in favour of young women and young mentioned policies ; men are the responsibility of each country and should take into account the economic, social and environmental diversity of conditions in each 8. Supporting bilateral, subregional, regional and international exchange country, with full respect for the various religious and ethical values, cultural of best practices at the national level in the formulation, implementation backgrounds and philosophical convictions of its people, and in conformity and evaluation of youth policy, and the provision of appropriate with all human rights and fundamental freedoms, development tools and Recognizing that the family is the basic unit of society and as such technical assistance, through the creation of networks ; should be strengthened, that it is entitled to receive comprehensive protection and support, and that in different cultural, political and social systems, various 9. Ensuring the mainstreaming of national youth policy and international forms of the family exist ; also recognizing that young women and young men development, plans and programmes ; who enter into marriage must do so with the free consent of the intending Participation spouses, and husbands and wives should be equal partners, 10. Ensuring and encouraging the active participation of youth in all We therefore commit ourselves to : spheres of society and in decision-making processes National Youth Policy at the national, regional and international levels and ensuring that the necessary gender-sensitive measures are taken in order to attain equal 1. Ensuring that national youth policy formulation, implementation and access of young women and young men and by creating the conditions follow-up processes are, at appropriate level, accorded commitment necessary for the fulfilment of their civic duties ; from the highest political levels, including the provision of adequate levels of resources ; 11. Promoting education, training in democratic processes and the spirit of citizenship and civic responsibility of young women and young 464 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 465
men with the view to strengthening and facilitating their commitment to, relevant national and local policies and programmes by supporting the participation in and full integration into society ; ability of youth to play an active and creative role in the management and development of human settlements so that they can effectively 12. Facilitating access by youth to legislative and policy-making contribute to the improvement of living and environmental conditions not bodies, through their representatives, in order to involve them closely only for themselves but also for their communities and society at large ; in the formulation, execution, follow-up, monitoring and evaluation of youth activities and programmes and to ensure their participation in 22. Encouraging awareness and commitment among young women development ; and young men to sustainable development principles and practices, especially in regard to environmental protection, and supporting the 13. Upholding and reinforcing policies that allow independent and actions of youth in promoting those principles in cooperation between democratic forms of associative life, including the elimination of identified countries, based on their mutual needs and common interests ; obstacles to youth participation and to freedom of association in the work place ; 23. Recalling that the family unit has a vital role to play in the integration of youth into society by acting as an agent of transition, a facilitator of 14. Giving higher priority to marginalized, vulnerable and disadvantaged learning and education, a provider of emotional and economic support, a young women and young men, especially those who are separated transmitter of values and a contributor to the formation and development from their families and children living and/or working in the streets, with of young women and young men as responsible adults ; specific adequate programmes, actions and necessary funding, inter alia, in order programmes and mechanisms should be created or reinforced within an to provide them with the means and motivation to contribute effectively integrated perspective of families ; to their societies ; 24. Recognizing the need for a gender-balanced perspective in line with 15. Giving priority to the building of communication channels with youth the concerns identified by the Economic and Social Council during the in order to give them a voice, at the national, regional and international operational activities for development segment of its 1998 substantive levels, and to give them the information they need to help them prepare session ; for participation and leadership roles ; 25. Encouraging bilateral, regional and international cooperation to 16. Encouraging youth voluntarism as an important form of youth create an enabling environment at the national and international levels in participation ; order to ensure the full participation of young women and young men in Development economic and social development ;
17. Ensuring the right to development of all young women and young 26. Discouraging the adoption of and refraining from any unilateral men ; measure, not in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations, that impedes the full achievement of economic and social 18. Promoting access of young women and young men to land, credit, development by the population of the affected countries, in particular technologies and information, hereby enhancing the opportunities and young women and young men, that hinders their well-being and that development resources of young people living within rural and remote creates obstacles to the full enjoyment of their human rights ; communities ; 27. Taking measures in accordance with international law with a view to 19. Ensuring actions to promote equal access to and use of new alleviating any negative impact of economic sanctions on young women information technologies by young women and young men once those are and young men ; a privileged instrument to progressively reduce or eliminate inequalities Peace and foster development ; 28. Bearing in mind the purposes and principles of the Charter of the 20. Enhancing the role of youth organizations in the formulation, United Nations to maintain international peace and security, namely by implementation and evaluation of national development plans and taking effective collective measures against different forms of violence programmes ; and any threat to peace by suppressing acts of aggression and by promoting a peaceful resolution of disputes, in conformity with the 21. Establishing or strengthening, as appropriate, a policy to combat principles of justice and international law ; poverty and ensuring actions on the alleviation of poverty, and recognizing the needs of young women and young men to adequate housing by 29. Bearing in mind the important role of youth in promoting peace and ensuring safe, healthy and secure living and environmental and working non-violence, measures should be taken in accordance with the relevant conditions, including shelter, and to integrate youth concerns into all provisions of international law, including international standards of human 466 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 467
rights, aiming at preventing the participation and involvement of youth in 40. Setting national time-bound goals for the expansion of equal access all acts of violence, particularly acts of terrorism in all its forms for young women and young men to secondary and higher education and and manifestations, xenophobia and racism, foreign occupation, and for the improvement of the quality of that education ; trafficking in arms and drugs ; 41. Ensuring that young women and young men are well informed about 30. Strengthening the role of youth and youth organizations in peace their human rights, inter alia, through education ; building, conflict prevention and conflict resolution, inter alia, on the basis of the resolutions and treaties of the United Nations and the Security 42. Offering adequate training in modern communication techniques and Council and the promotion of intercultural learning, civic education, in media literacy as they have an impact on youth and their behaviour ; tolerance, human rights education and democracy towards mutual respect for cultural, ethnic and religious diversity, responsibility, solidarity 43. Providing for the rehabilitation and, where appropriate, the and international cooperation, as a means of preventing conflicts and reintegration of young women and young men from juvenile detention and distressed circumstances ; incarceration into society, especially in the educational setting ;
31. Encouraging, as appropriate, the role of youth in working towards 44. Designing new strategies focusing on youth in distress and in violent general and complete disarmament under effective international control, circumstances, aimed at ending exclusion, offering renewed learning including disarmament of all types of weapons of mass destruction ; opportunities for early school leavers and continuous learning and training opportunities for both employed and unemployed youth ; 32. Building an effective culture of peace and tolerance by putting into practice a global system of education and training for peace, aimed at 45. Supporting family structures, especially assistance to the poor, and social progress, fighting inequalities and recognizing the importance of providing the necessary resources to family and schools dealing with dialogue and cooperation behind lines of conflict, in order to promote young women and young men with physical and mental disabilities ; tolerance, respect and mutual understanding ; 46. Reinforcing and designing new partnerships to enable young women 33. Assisting youth and youth organizations in making a substantial input and young men to learn, create and express themselves through cultural, into the celebration of the International Year for the Culture of Peace in the physical and sports activities for the benefit of their balanced physical, year 2000 ; intellectual, artistic, moral, emotional and spiritual development, as well as their social integration ; 34. Preventing the participation, involvement and recruitment of children in armed conflicts, in accordance with international law ; 47. Allocating resources to vocational training and ensuring that education and training systems correspond to economic, social and entrepreneurial 35. Promoting and protecting the rights of peoples, including youth, living realities based on identified needs and technological advancements ; under colonial or other forms of alien domination or foreign occupation, particularly those people’s right to self-determination ; 48. Developing education policies that support all young women and young men in gaining access to an education that corresponds to their 36. Mobilizing youth for the reconstruction of areas devastated by war, specific capacities and potentials, while paying special attention to bringing help to refugees and war victims and promoting reconciliation socially disadvantaged youth ; and rehabilitation activities ; 49. Encouraging the inclusion of issues such as family life education, 37. Ensuring that young women and young men live within an environment reproductive health, including the adverse free from threat, conflict, all forms of violence, maltreatment and consequences of traditional practices that are harmful to the health of exploitation ; young women and girls, and drug and substance abuse prevention in the Education design of school curricula, as well as in extracurricular activities ;
38. Promoting education in all its aspects, namely formal and non-formal 50. Encouraging youth participation in community work as an important education, as well as functional literacy and training for young women and part of the education system ; young men and life-long learning, thereby facilitating the integration of youth into the labour market ; 51. Supporting, as appropriate, students. organizations by creating the conditions for the exercise of their rights and providing them with 39. Guaranteeing to young women and young men equal access to and the necessary means to enable them to discharge their roles and continuity of basic good quality education, especially in rural areas and responsibilities ; among the urban poor, aimed at eradicating illiteracy ; 468 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 469
52. Establishing and developing sport, cultural and recreational 62. Promoting a greater national and international commitment to the activities among young women and young men aimed at promoting and protection of youth migrant workers, with attention to their enjoyment of strengthening sport and cultural exchanges at the national, subregional, human rights, their social needs and their prevention from exploitation ; regional and international levels ; Employment 63. Promoting youth entrepreneurship in rural areas with a view to assisting youth to embark on self-managing and selffinancing activities ; 53. Affirming the ultimate societal goal of full employment so as to ensure that equal opportunities are available to young women and young men for Health income-earning work ; 64. Promoting equal health development for young women and young 54. Promoting equal employment opportunities for young people as well men, and preventing and responding to health problems by creating safe as equal protection against discrimination, including in wage payments, in and supportive environments, providing information and building skills accordance with national employment legislation, regardless of ethnic or and access to health services, including counselling, involving the family national origin, race, gender, disability, political belief, creed or religion, unit, peer groups, schools, media health services and other partners ; or social, cultural or economic background ; 65. Combating treatable diseases, and preventing and responding to 55. Promoting equal employment opportunities for young women, inter non-treatable diseases by establishing workable partnerships between alia, by adopting and implementing laws against sex-based discrimination developed and developing countries and promoting information and in the labour market as well as legislation to guarantee the rights of young vaccination campaigns, involving the family unit, peer groups, schools, women and young men to equal pay for equal work or work of equal value ; media, health services and other partners in order to build capacity, with special attention to young women and young men ; 56. Improving complementary partnerships among public authorities, the private sector and educational institutions, along with civil society 66. Creating the political, legal, material and social conditions that allow initiatives, for the promotion of youth employment ; access to basic health care with adequate youthfriendly services and that pay particular attention to information and prevention programmes, 57. Promoting research on youth unemployment, taking into account with special attention to major diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, market trends and demands, in order to design and implement youth HIV/AIDS, malnutrition, onchocerciasis (river blindness) and diarrhoeal employment policies and programmes, with due regard to gender- diseases, in particular cholera ; specific circumstances ; 67. Recognizing that the consumption of tobacco and the abuse of alcohol 58. Investing in the entrepreneurial capacity of young women and young by young women and young men pose a major threat to their health, men and providing them with the necessary skills and resources to support the development in each country of comprehensive programmes establish their own enterprises and businesses ; to reduce the consumption of tobacco, exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, and the abuse of alcohol ; 59. Taking effective measures to secure the prohibition and immediate elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including support to 68. Elaborating programmes of information, education, communication the ongoing negotiations towards the finalization by the International and campaign awareness among young women and young men to fight Labour Organization of a future instrument addressing this issue, and HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases ; measures to protect young women and young men against other forms of exploitation, including through sex tourism, prostitution, trafficking in 69. Recognizing the special health needs of young women and young human beings and bondage and any kind of labour, paid or unpaid, which men with mental or physical disabilities and ensuring their rehabilitation negatively affects their mental, physical, social and moral development, and reintegration in order to promote self-reliance ; with due regard to the particular situation of young women ; 70. Promoting humanitarian land-mine activities and increasing land-mine 60. Promoting employment-oriented education and training to ensure the awareness among children and youth, in particular in countries affected constant adjustment of education to the changing social and economic by anti-personnel land-mines ; environment, including market needs ; 71. Recognizing and supporting the important role of the family unit, 61. Promoting the development of mechanisms for career counselling youth organizations and non-governmental organizations as the best for youth through educational and training institutions as well as the mechanism to provide an enabling environment for a healthy life through community ; the provision of knowledge, information, skills and motivation ; 470 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 471
72. Formulating policies favourable to the development in rural and 81. Instituting strong measures aimed at restricting and/or preventing poor urban areas of health programmes, including safe water supply, access to drugs by young women and young men ; sanitation, and waste disposal, taking into account the specific needs of WE WILL THEREFORE AGREE ON THE FOLLOWING young women and young men for a healthy environment ; 82. To invite all relevant United Nations programmes, funds and the 73. Recognizing the importance of general health care, including specialized agencies and other bodies within the United Nations system, reproductive health care, and establishing a dependable database on in particular the United Nations Development Programme, the United youth reproductive health and providing for information dissemination Nations Population Fund, the United Nations Children. s Fund, the United and for youth-friendly and gender equitable services in order to ensure Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the World Health the physical, mental and social well being of young women and young Organization, the International Labour Organization, the World Bank and men, as well intergovernmental organizations and regional financial institutions to give as access to safe, effective, affordable and acceptable legal methods of greater support to national youth policies and programmes within their family planning of their choice ; country programmes ;
74. Intensifying efforts and actions towards international cooperation 83. To promote at the national, regional and international levels research, concerning health relief under natural disasters and other emergencies ; data collection, statistical compilation and wide dissemination of the findings of such research and studies ; 75. Recognizing the problem of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse and other types of violence against young women and young men, and taking 84. To invite the Secretary-General of the United Nations to consider effective measures for their prevention, such as those outlined at the strengthening the Youth Unit of the United Nations Secretariat and to World Congress against submit proposals to the General Assembly at its fifty-fourth session on Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, held in Stockholm from 27 to ways and means to achieve that ; 31 August 1996 ; 85. To invite the Secretary-General of the United Nations to participate 76. Ensuring full protection of young women and young men from actively in the effective follow-up to the World Conference of Ministers all forms of violence, including gender-based violence, sexual abuse Responsible for Youth, bearing in mind General Assembly resolution and sexual exploitation, and promoting the physical and psychological 52/83 and Economic and Social Council resolution 1997/55 and within recovery and the social and economic reintegration of the victim ; the framework of the World Programme of Action for Youth to the Year Drug and Substance Abuse 2000 and Beyond ;
77. Recognizing the repeated references to youth in the documents 86. To implement coordinated and cooperative systems among the adopted at the twentieth special session of the General Assembly on the regional commissions and organizations and ministerial and other world drug problem ; meetings in their youth-related activities, and to prepare, to allocate the necessary funding for and to ensure the follow-up of the recommendations 78. Raising the awareness of youth, in partnership with young women and of the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth ; young men and youth organizations, of the dangers of drug abuse of both licit and illicit substances and promoting alternatives so that young people 87. To urge interested Governments, non-governmental organizations and can move towards life styles that are healthy and free from substance the private sector to make increased financial contributions to the United abuse, and mobilizing the community at different levels to Nations Youth Fund and to set up an advisory body to this fund to provide participate fully in drug prevention efforts ; guidance both on fund raising strategies and on project formulation, implementation and evaluation to follow up the World Conference with 79. Collaborating, in partnership with young women and young men specific youth projects ; and with youth organizations, on strategies aiming at preventing abuse, reducing the demand for drugs, combating drug abuse and trafficking 88. We hereby adopt and commit ourselves as Governments to and promoting support for implement the above-mentioned measures and to foster the further treatment for and rehabilitation of drug abusers focusing on their social implementation of the World Programme of Action for Youth to the Year reintegration and for their families ; 2000 and Beyond, with the active participation of youth, ensuring that young people. s unique perspective is reflected in our national policies 80. Strengthening international, regional, subregional and bilateral and programmes. cooperation and increasing efforts towards demand reduction and efforts to fight against illicit production, supply and trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances ; 472 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 473 474 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 475 476 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 477 478 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 479 480 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 481 482 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 483 484 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 485 486 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 487 488 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 489 490 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 491 492 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 493 494 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 495 496 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 497 498 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 499 500 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 501
León, Guanajuato, August 27th, 2010 Guanajuato Declaration
The Guanajuato Declaration is the outcome of wide consultations and contributions of the participant governments during working sessions at the World Youth Conference and of pre‐conferences at Strasbourg, France ; Salvador de Bahía, Brazil ; and Abuja, Nigeria ; four meetings of the International Steering Committee and inputs sent by its members ; open online world‐wide consultations ; meetings of the Mexican National Committee for the WYC and internal consultations within the Mexican Government as well as pre‐ conferences organized throughout Mexico with the participation of young people, civil society organizations and local government entities ; and discussions with governments through their permanent representations to the UN. The Government Forum of the World Youth Conference also received the NGO Statement for the WYC 2010.
Preamble
We, the Ministers of Youth and other representatives from the governments participating in the World Youth Conference, having met in City of Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico from 25 till 27 August 2010 ; Recognizing that young people are key actors in the quest for development, key stakeholders of the Millennium Development Goals and essentials allies for their achievement and in this regard recognizing the importance of the High Level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly on accelerating progress towards the achievement of all the Millennium Development Goals by 2015, to be held from 20 to 22 of September of 2010 ; Recognizing also that all the Millennium Development Goals are interconnected and mutually reinforcing and underlining the need to pursue these goals through a holistic and comprehensive approach ; Recognizing further that states have made significant achievements in the social integration of young people since the declaration in 1985 of the first International Year of Youth, and yet many important challenges remain in poverty, education, health, employment, technology, culture, security and conflict, civic engagement, democracy, gender equality and the environment, that impede integral human development and along with it, prevent the development of nations ; Reaffirming the importance of the World Programme of Action for Youth, and considering the urgent need of effective implementing it through plans, mechanisms and programs at all levels ; Reaffirming our commitment to promote and protect all human rights, including for young people, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments ; Recognizing that the current generation of young people is the largest in history and by sheer numbers and importance, they deserve a central place in efforts to achieve international agreed developmental goals ; including MDGs especially as most developing countries have a high proportion of young people in their populations and this youth bulge offers 502 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 503
1 General Assembly countries a rare chance to make strategic investments to gain a demographic 6. Discourage the adoption of any unilateral measure, not in accordance Resolution A/Res/64/134. dividend and break the inter‐ generational cycle of poverty ; with international law and the Charter of the United Nations that hinders Recognizing also that young people contribute significantly to the well‐being and the full enjoyment of all human rights for all, including their families, communities and society through their creativity, capacity young people ; for innovation, altruism, adaptation to change, energy and optimism, and therefore are relevant actors and strategic partners for development ; Education Recognizing the need to develop policies and laws that better support the family, contribute to its stability and take into account its plurality of forms ; 7. Promote the enrollment and retention of young people in educational Recognizing further the cultural, ethnic, religious and socio‐ institutions at all levels, including secondary, technical, vocational, and economic diversities of young people and the necessity of taking this into higher education with special attention to women and young people living consideration in the formulation of actions for the development of young in poverty and in vulnerable situations ; people ; Conscious of the progress made in the achievement of gender 8. Put in place programs for early childhood education, literacy and life‐ equality and the empowerment of women, yet conscious that it is necessary skills, vocational training address school drop‐out and offer a second to bear in mind during the implementation of actions for development that opportunity to young people who have not completed basic education and severe inequalities still persist between women and men and that these are strengthen our efforts to achieve MDG 2 goals and targets of universal also reflected in the young population ; primary education ; Committing ourselves with the objectives of the International Year of Youth : Dialogue and Mutual Understanding (12 August 2010‐ 11 August 9. Improve the quality and relevance of educational curricula at all 2011)1 ; levels and orient educational programmes towards the comprehensive FOR THE ABOVE, WE IDENTIFY THE FOLLOWING PRIORITIES FOR development of young people that includes : intercultural, civic and peace ACTION which arise from the participation of young people, civil society, education, solidarity, human rights education, education for sustainable representatives from governments and international development partners ; development, comprehensive education on human sexuality, the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women, as well as Public policies and investment the formulation of competencies and conditions for employability taking into account necessities of the local context ; 1. To prioritize increased investments in young people in legal and policy frameworks, and in national development plans, strategies public policies 10. Invest in quality educational institutions at all levels and continuing and institutions and aim to guarantee the comprehensive development of teachers training programmes, as well as the professionalization of youth, such as, through the establishment of universal social protection persons working with youth ; floors taking into account national circumstances and with the meaningful participation of young people, as well as to develop or strengthen national 11. Develop non‐formal educational programmes and recognize or certify systems for monitoring and evaluation ; non‐formal educational programs carried out by civil society, especially by young people for young people ; Poverty and hunger HEALTH
2. Advance economic policies for sustainable growth that reduce 12. Recognize the need to guarantee the full realization of the right to the income inequality and guarantee to young people equal opportunities for enjoyment of the highest attainable level of physical and mental health development, including income, food and employment and strengthen for young people and strengthen our efforts to achieve MDGs 4, 5 and 6 our efforts to achieve MDG1 goals and targets to eradicate extreme goals and targets ; poverty and hunger ; 13. Involve young people in programs that encourage a healthy lifestyle, 3. Strengthen policies and programs for overcoming poverty with a view the practice of sports, physical activity, rest , leisure and other healthy to better incorporate the developmental needs of young people ; habits among them ; as well as raise awareness of nutrition, eating disorders and obesity ; 4. Make sustained investments with a life‐cycle approach for developing human capital with special attention to young people, specially young 14. Establish public policies that guarantee young people’s access to women and girls living in poverty and social exclusion ; health without any discrimination and increase the quality and coverage of health systems and healthcare services, including for sexual and 5. Develop training programmes for youth which improve methods of reproductive health, reduce maternal morbidity and mortality, prevention, production and marketing care, treatment, counseling of young people in order to halt and reverse the spread of HIV and AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, malaria and other diseases, including non‐communicable diseases ; 504 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 505
15.Strengthen or establish, youth‐friendly substance abuse prevention 24. Develop or strengthen laws, policies and programmes with a holistic programmes and affordable treatment and rehabilitation programmes, approach to address, prevent, and eradicate all forms of discrimination in order to address the vulnerability of young people to substance and violence against young women and girls, in particular gender‐based abuse ; violence ;
Employment 25. Promote the greater involvement of men, young men and boys in measures aimed to prevent all forms of discrimination and violence 16. Make policies to advance decent work for young people a priority against women and achieve gender equality and the empowerment of national development frameworks and employment policies, and women, especially young women ; adopt targeted measures to promote decent employment among disadvantaged young women and men including policies for first‐time 26. Adopt effective measures to combat and prevent the sexual employment, apprenticeships, internships, contracts for working exploitation and trafficking of persons, especially involving minors and students, programmes to promote youth entrepreneurship, skills and young people ; employment programmes and measures to facilitate the transition of young workers from informal to formal employment and from temporary 27. Promote the participation of young women in decision making to stable jobs ; processes in political, social and economic activities and the elimination of barriers that limit their full contribution to society ; 17. Promote policy reforms to protect the right of young people to just and favorable conditions of work, including fair remuneration and Technology and innovation social security, freedom of association ; and adopt measures to combat exploitation in accordance with relevant international instruments ; 28. Ensure universal, non‐discriminatory, equitable, safe and affordable access to information and communications technology to everyone, 18. Facilitate the transition of young people from school and academic remove the barriers to bridging the digital divide, including through life to decent work and invest in programmes that enhance youth transfer of technology and international cooperation on mutually employability through skills development and work experience that agreed terms and implement measures to equip young people respond to the requirements of the labour market ; with the knowledge, skills and infrastructure to use information and communications technology ; 19. Encourage partnerships among governments, employers organizations, trade unions, the private sector, institutions of higher 29. Encourage the participation of young people in the generation education, youth organizations and civil society, to foster employment and distribution of knowledge through information and communication opportunities in the labor market, taking in to account regional and technologies, as well as to use information and communication national particularities ; technologies to deepen intercultural dialogue and encourage respect for social, cultural and religious diversity ; 20. Promote programmes to foster youth entrepreneurship ; 30. Guarantee protection against arbitrary interference with privacy ; Gender equality 31. Promote and support research, development and application of 21. Guarantee gender equality, the empowerment of young women and technologies created by their full enjoyment of all human rights and strengthen our efforts to young people ; achieve MDG 3 on gender equality and the empowerment of women as well as the objectives encompassed within the gender equality‐ related Culture dimensions of all the other MDGs ; 32. Promote cultural development and creativity of young people 22. Mainstream a gender perspective in the design, implementation, respecting their forms and means of expression and different forms of monitoring and evaluation of all public policies and programmes thought ; relating to young people in order to overcome all forms of gender base discrimination, in particular discrimination against young women ; 33. Promote peaceful coexistence, intercultural dialogue, tolerance and mutual respect for cultural and religious diversity ; 23. Guarantee the principle of equal remuneration for work of equal value, and equal treatment for all young people in the workplace as well 34. Guarantee the respect for young people’s rights to freedom of as equal sharing of employment and family responsibilities between thought, conscience and religion ; women and men ; 506 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 507
2 In accordance with 35. Promote the role of the Global Youth Movement for the Alliance of organizations in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of General Assembly resolution A/Res/64/14 Civilizations in fostering mutual understanding and respect both locally public programs and policies on all levels and areas that affect their lives, and globally ; including by promoting and reinforcing youth voluntarism and providing adequate resources ; Access to justice and security 47. Encourage the interaction of young people globally, by giving support 36. Abide by the principles contained in the Universal Declaration of to the establishment of appropriate platforms and networks for exchange Human Rights and our obligations under human rights instruments in and cooperation ; all government actions in relation to young people and consider young women and men as subjects of all rights ; Sustainable development
37. Promote the recognition of young people as key actors for development 48. Strengthen the participation of young people, as important actors and eliminate their stigmatization as causes of conflict and violence ; in the protection of sustainable development and the protection, preservation and improvement of the environment at the local, national 38. Develop policies and programs to identify and address factors that and international levels ; put young people at risk of engaging in crime and prevent youth violence ; 49. Involve young people in programs oriented towards the sustainable 39. Adopt systems of justice specialized for dealing with young people development and sustainable management of natural resources and in conflict with the law, putting as the highest priority their social promote sustainable consumption and use of natural resources ; rehabilitation, reintegration, including through their participation in education, and training programmes, and using detainment only as a 50. Support the contribution of youth organizations in policies relating last recourse, whilst also providing legal remedies for victims ; to the preservation of natural resources, renewable and sustainable energy, environmental sustainability and climate change through access 40. Implement a wider application of alternatives to imprisonment, to adequate education and training ; restorative justice and other relevant measures to promote the transfer of young offenders to services outside the criminal justice system ; 51. Encourage sustainable development education programs in schools and communities and promote opportunities for young people to engage 41. Enhance comprehensive measures that guarantee the safety of in environmentally‐sustainable jobs ; young people, protecting them from factors of insecurity derived from organized crime, physical violence and drug‐related crimes ; 52. Support the creation of youth networks for cooperation on the issue of the environment at the national and international levels ; 42. Strengthen and promote the role of young people and youth organizations in building peace in their communities, countries and International migration regions ; 53. Recognize that young migrants represent an asset to sustain 43. Address the issue of youth in situations of armed conflict, post economic development in countries of destination and origin ; conflict settings and under occupation in accordance with International Humanitarian Law ; 54. Adopt comprehensive migration policies that promote and protect the human rights of migrants, including young migrants in order to Participation maximize the positive effects of migration and respond to the challenges which migration poses to countries of origin, transit and destination ; 44. Encourage the full and effective participation of young people in the assessment of the different needs of youth in spaces of co‐decision 55. Encourage agreements between countries of origin, transit and and public decision‐making in all levels and areas that affects their lives, destination for young people and young workers to migrate safely, inter alia, by supporting the establishment of independent national youth preventing them from being subject to exploitation, smuggling, trafficking councils ; and violence ;
45. Ensure that young people have the education, information and skills 56. Promote social integration in countries of destination to enable young they need for their effective participation ; migrants to share the benefits and contribute to the economic, social and cultural development of their communities ; 46. Provide opportunities and further strengthen the active participation of young people, with full respect for their autonomy and their 508 Back to the future, youth in the 2000s Back to the future, youth in the 2000s 509
International cooperation 6. Request the United Nations General Assembly to recognize, strengthen and mandate the UN Inter‐Agency Network on Youth Development to 57. Accelerate progress in achieving the Millennium Development Goals asses and follow up existing declarations, commitments structures by assigning greater importance to youth issues in order to make more and mechanisms specific to young people, namely the declaration visible the situation of young people ; of the World Youth conference, the world Program of Action for Youth and implementation of the agreements of the World Youth Conference, 58. Promote the implementation and, as appropriated, reinforce the World Program of Action for youth and the Millennium Development international or regional agreements and plans on youth ; Goals, in relation to Young people.
59. Promote the development of evidence‐based national, regional and 7. Request the General Assembly of the United Nations to consider at its international policies, plans and strategies for youth and the collection, 65th session this declaration as a meaningful contribution to the activities analysis and dissemination of data disaggregated by gender and age, as of the International Year of Youth and to the process of reviewing the well as research on youth issues ; progress made in achieving the Millennium Development Goal ten years after their adoption. 60. Encourage the implementation of national youth policies as well as regional programs on youth and support national systems for monitoring and evaluation, including by providing appropriate financial resources and international assistance ;
61. Promote the establishment of thematic groups, platforms, associations or networks for exchange and disseminate evidence and lessons learned in the implementation of youth policies ;
Based on the priorities identified, the participating governments decide to :
1. Take necessary measures and work in partnership with civil society, international organizations and international cooperation agencies to implement the priorities identified in this Declaration with full and effective participation of youth ;
2. Continue the ongoing discussions within the framework of the United Nations General Assembly regarding the effective implementation of the World Programme of Action for Youth, as well as strengthening mechanisms of coordination within the United Nations System to support global, regional and national policies and programmes for youth ;
3. Urge donors and other countries in a position to do so as well as other development partners to strengthen international cooperation for the development of young people, including by providing financial assistance ;
4. Welcome the initiative of the UN General Assembly to proclaim the International Year of Youth : Dialogue and Mutual Understanding (12 August 2010 – 11 August 2011), and call on governments, civil society, the private sector and international cooperation agencies, to participate actively in all activities related to the Year and in the United Nations Conference on Youth ;
5. Consider discussing an international legal framework that recognizes the specific rights of young people ; 510 Conclusions 511
words by Giuseppe Porcaro Conclusions We stated at the beginning that the main purpose of this book was to start filling the gaps. Now it is the time to look at the raw materials gathered so far and draw some first and partial conclusions.
First, the research gap.
The contributions proposed pave the ground for a promising field of inter- disciplinary investigations. More research is needed on the history of the European Youth Forum. We hope that this Anthology will encourage and sparkle the curiosity of more scholars and students to dedicate time and energy to the various subjects raised in these pages. Looking at what we have, it would be interesting to explore further at least three possible complementary directions to nurture such research. A first question is the political contribution of youth to the European project and the impact of youth organisations in the policies that affect young people. We saw how there has always been a thin line between using youth organisations as part of broader political scenarios and/or having youth movements influence the bigger history. It will be interesting, for example, to explore further the role of the European Youth Forum and its predecessors in the frame of the theories that analyse the impact of the network of actors within the elaboration of European governance. Moreover, to challenge the impact of the networks through a more in-depth study of the social capital constituted by youth organisations in Europe. Is this social capital considered an asset by high-level decision-makers ? A second research question draws on the geo-political dimension of the evolution of youth platforms, from the war to the enlargement of the European Union, from May ‘68 to the youth movements that have shaken the Arab world in 2011. The article on youth policy in post-war Europe opened interesting reflections that would require further exploration. An interesting question, in this regard, would be on the impact of the action of the Youth Forum within the framework of its dialogue with the rest of the world. Which is, for example, the contribution of the Forum to the development of a Foreign Policy of the European Union ? A third dimension that would be interesting to develop further is the sociological perspective of the European Youth Forum as a learning organisation. It is a unique organisational model that can be studied in-depth in terms of governance and internal evolution with the lenses of educational outcomes. This view can be broadened towards a general reflection on the educational value of youth organisations in general, which is constantly challenged by the individualisation of society. What is the role of youth organisations in the XXI Century ?
Second, the gap in the historical memory of the European Youth Forum.
The Youth Forum is already at its 8th generation of elected political leadershi p. Despite the few cases of continuity over several mandates, the turnover of delegates from Member Organisations in statutory meetings is quite high. This is the beauty of a youth platform and the refreshing aspect of having a vibrant gathering that is able to change over time. However, the historical 512 Conclusions Conclusions 513
memory of the platform is challenged. It is important to provide access to the towards securing a solid and long-term approach to youth policy, to avoid past experiences, achievements and failures. It is by learning from them that the risk of being volatile and subject to the current political and economical we will be able to advance, learn and innovate. circumstances. When reading the pages of the old publications, such as the Youth Supporting the development of European youth organisations was Opinion, we often find the same claims to get more support for mobility already an objective when the European Youth Campaign was launched in schemes for young people. In one ironic case from the mid-nineties, we 1951 by the European Movement International and the European Coordination discovered the mention of a “Youth on the Move” initiative. Same name, similar of the National Committees within the World Assembly on Youth. From this content to the flagship event that the European Commission announced a period on on, we can track back the long process that led to the establishment few decades later. Continuity sometime is striking, despite the changes. The of youth platforms in Europe, and eventually, to the creation of the European whole engagement and debate around youth rights was already vibrant in the Youth Forum in 1996. This might appear today as a linear outcome and 80s and in the 90s and became again a focus of the platform from 2007 on. obvious process. However, we saw in many articles that this result was not However, sometimes, continuity is more on the essence of the mission and taken for granted in any of the various phases. Dividing lines and dialectics vision of the Forum and would benefit a lot if memory loss can be prevented. among youth organisations, as well as between them and the supporting To a certain extent, we can claim the need for an “active ageing” institutions, has been at the hearth of the organisational development of strategy for the Platform. Together, with this Anthology, we already launched the platform. Increased support of European youth organisations in the past some parallel initiatives going in this direction, such as the informal network corresponded to the counteroffensive of a governmental discourse that tends of alumni, the project of digitalisation and accessibility of old publications, to disempower the organised Civil Society in order to mould more easily the and the encouragement of further historical research on the topic. individualistic forms of participation. Today, one priority lies in engaging youth organisations in an Third, the gap in recognition of the impact exercise of self-criticism, as well as in relaunching the strong youth sector on policies. of civil society. Moreover, reaching out to disadvantaged youth is required, to the young people that are not yet involved in any volunteering or youth The raison d’être of the Youth Forum is to influence policies and make association, to more and more diverse groups. Youth organisations are still a difference for young people and youth organisations. Evaluating such the best channels to reach out to them. But to do so, they need support and a an impact over the longer period is fundamental to understand the main clear political project that is not aimed at weakening them. directions taken and to lay solid foundations for future developments. The strive for youth rights is the ultimate goal of the Platform. From what we read in these pages, we can identify over a period Making a change and improving the lives of young people. But above all, of 60 years a long term process, which is the Europeanisation of the youth allowing young people to be autonomous and committed citizens. At the end sector. It is a process that cannot be disconnected from the overall political of the day, this is what youth rights are about. The Forum can claim that process of Europeanisation, which goes beyond the institutional boundaries during more than three decades, this is what has animated its policies and and embraces a dynamic of its own. The result is the building of a new space actions. From the long development of specific and sectorial rights in the 80s, and scale for a social and political interaction that did not exist before : especially in the field of employment and social inclusion, to the drafting of a Europe. European Charter on the rights of young people. From the more recent debate In the case of the European Youth Forum, the overarching trend can on a rights-based approach to youth policy to the proposal for a European be broken-down into three main development axis : Creating a European youth Convention on Youth Rights. policy ; supporting the European youth sector of civil society ; striving for the Today, there is the need to take the debate to the next level. Firstly, rights of all young people. by defining the key element behind the Youth Forum’s elaboration of youth A European youth policy did not exist before the mid-1960s. It was rights : Youth autonomy should be, for instance, a crucial element within this CENYC, the platform of National Youth Councils, that called upon the Council definition. Secondly, by continuing to pursue the goal for a new international of Europe to establish a European Youth Centre and a Fund for youth activities law tool. It is not possible to leave this solely to the goodwill of the legislator, for the first time (and before 1968). From then on, the subsequent decades knowing that only thanks to the initiative of the Youth Forum is the issue now have been marked by a series of events going in the direction of creating on the agenda of the Council of Europe and the United Nations. Thirdly, by a European Youth Policy. From the establishment of a Youth Forum of the opening up the discussion across society. The experiment within the Anthology European Communities, to the first informal Ministerial meeting at EU level in of combining artistic languages with communication on youth rights is a good 1988, from the development of various generations of youth programmes, to example of the fact that the traditional boundaries of institutional lobbying the release of a European White Paper on Youth ; from the initiative of a Youth and advocacy no longer exist. Pact, to the youth article of the Lisbon Treaty. Many steps - some bigger than The bricks, the cement and the paint have been shipped to the others. However, still a long way to go. construction site : raw materials for a history of the European Youth Forum. In 2011, a European Youth Policy exists. Nevertheless, there A preparatory work, for new research, new policies and new horizons for the is still no European competence over it. Its transversality is recognised by Platform. the youth ministries, but not by the finance ones. A rights-based approach to youth policy, therefore, seems to be the most important development 514 515 Appendix
Statutes of the Council of European National Youth Committees (1963) Statutes of the European Co-ordination Bureau of International Youth Organisations (1987) Statutes of the Youth Forum of the European Communities (1978) Statutes of the European Youth Forum (1995) Statutes of the European Youth Forum (2010) List of Bureau/Board Members of the European Youth Forum (1996-2012) 516 Appendix Appendix 517 518 Appendix Appendix 519 520 Appendix Appendix 521 522 Appendix Appendix 523 524 Appendix Appendix 525 526 Appendix Appendix 527 528 Appendix Appendix 529 530 Appendix Appendix 531 532 Appendix Appendix 533 534 Appendix Appendix 535 536 Appendix Appendix 537 538 Appendix Appendix 539 540 Appendix Appendix 541 542 Appendix Appendix 543 544 Appendix Appendix 545 546 Appendix Appendix 547 548 Appendix Appendix 549 550 Appendix Appendix 551 552 Appendix Appendix 553 554 Appendix Appendix 555 556 Appendix Appendix 557 558 Appendix Appendix 559 560 Appendix Appendix 561
European Youth Forum Statutes
Adopted by the General Assembly of the European Youth Forum Kiev, Ukraine, 19 November 2010 Published at the “Moniteur Belge”
Article 1 : Name and registered office
1.1. The international association shall have the name European Youth Forum, hereinafter referred to as the “Forum”.
1.2. The registered office of the Forum is at 120 rue Joseph II, 1000 Brussels (Belgium). The registered office can be transferred to any other location in Belgium, following a decision of the Board, published in the Belgian State Journal (Moniteur Belge).
1.3. The Forum is an international non-profit association under the Belgian law (AISBL), regulated by the dispositions of title III of the law from 27 June 1921 about the non-profit associations, the foundations and the international non-profit associations.
Article 2 : Purpose
2.1. The purpose of the Forum, which is not for profit, is to organise studies, research, debates, seminars, meetings, publications, information or actions having the defence of the youth’s interest in Europe as goal.
2.2. Without prejudice to its scientific and pedagogical purpose, the Forum shall promote issues relevant to its members towards the Council of Europe, the European Union and other policy makers, and shall support, promote and co-ordinate the work of its members. The Forum shall aim to : be a consultative body for international institutions (European Union, Council of Europe, United Nations Organisation, etc) on all issues relevant to young people and to youth organisations ; promote youth policy through government and institutional policy ; influence the policy of international institutions on youth-related issues ; increase the participation of young people and youth organisations in society as well as in the decision-making process ; promote the exchange of ideas and experiences, mutual understanding, and equal rights and opportunities among young people in Europe.
Article 3 : Membership
3.1. Membership Criteria
3.1.1. The members of the Forum are National Youth Councils (NYC) and International Non Governmental Youth Organisations (INGYO) in Europe. 562 Appendix Appendix 563
Only one NYC shall be accepted as a member in each European State. criteria : Exceptions may be agreed by the General Assembly by majority of two Either : thirds, not counting abstentions, where for cultural, constitutional and have at least 5000 young members in ten European States and under no historic reasons in a certain state it is appropriate for more than one NYC circumstances have less than 300 young members in any one of those to be accepted as member. ten States ; INGYOs cannot become members if they are largely identical in terms of Or : have a justified recommendation from : aims, membership and structures of an existing INGYO, which is already -the Secretary-General and the Board ; or a member. This is to be appreciated solely by the General Assembly, by a -the Consultative Body on Membership Applications which advises the two thirds majority, abstentions not counted. Board on Membership Applications.
3.1.2. The members are natural persons or legal entities registered C.The NYC observer members have to satisfy the following specific according to the laws and customs of their state of origin. criteria : a)be the national co-ordination body of non-governmental youth 3.1.3. The members have to fulfil the following general criteria : organisations in a European State ; a) to accept and work for the purpose of the Forum ; b)be open to all democratic youth organisations at national level. b) to be a non-governmental and not for profit organisation ; The INGYO observer members have to satisfy the following specific c) to have democratic aims and structures and accept the principles of criteria : the European Convention of Human Rights ; Either : d) to fully acknowledge the Statutes of the Forum ; have at least 3000 young members in six European States and under no e) to work with young people and have a decision making body controlled circumstances have less than 100 young members in any one of those by young people ; States ; f) not to be subject to direction in their decisions by any external authority. Or : have a justified recommendation from : -the Secretary General and the Board ; or 3.2. Categories of members and criteria -the Consultative Body on Membership Applications which advises the There are three categories of members on the Forum : Board on Membership Applications. full members (A) ; candidate members (B) ; 3.3. Membership rights observer members (C). A. Full members have the following rights : A. To become full member, the quality of candidate member must be -Right to vote : each full member shall be entitled to one voting right. maintained for the two years preceding the membership application. However, when several NYCs come from the same State, they will only Full member NYCs have to satisfy the following specific criteria : have one vote, to be divided according to what is stated in the Rules of a) be the national co-ordinating body of non-governmental youth Procedure ; organisations in a European State ; -Right to be present and speak at the General Assembly and Council of b) be open to all and include most of the main democratic youth Members ; movements and organisations on the national level in that State. -right to present candidates for all statutory bodies and working Full member INGYOs have to satisfy the following specific criteria : structures of the Forum, and external structures and delegations. Either : have at least 5000 young members in ten European States, and under no B. Candidate members have the following rights : circumstances have less than 300 young members in any one of these -Right to be present and speak at the General Assembly and Council of ten States ; Members ; Or : have a motivated recommendation from : -Right to present candidates for all working structures of the Forum. -the Secretary-General and Board ; or -the Consultative Body on Membership Applications which advises the C. Observer members shall have the following rights : Board on Membership Applications. -Right to be present and speak at the General Assembly and Council of Members ; B. The NYC candidate members have to satisfy following specific criteria : -Right to present candidates for all non-permanent working structures of a) be the national co-ordination body of non-governmental youth the Forum. organisations in a European State ; b) be open to all and represent most of the main democratic youth 3.4. Responsibilities of the members movements and organisations at the national level in that State. The members have the responsibility to fulfil in a permanent manner all The INGYO candidate members have to satisfy the following specific the criteria stated above and to inform in writing the Forum’s Secretary 564 Appendix Appendix 565
General of any changes relevant to their membership status. (such as this member becomes automatically an observer member. This review changes of statutes and legal status). The Secretary General shall inform will be in effect on the 1st of January following the end of the fourth year as the Board, who may refer the matter to the General Assembly or Council a candidate member. In this case, the application to become a candidate of Members. member again will not be taken into consideration before a period of three The members have the responsibility to pay the annual membership fee years has elapsed. An exception shall be made where the organisation before the end of the year concerned. has submitted a completed application for full membership within the four The members have the responsibility to participate regularly at the years deadline and this is still under analysis by the CBMA. meetings of the Forum, its bodies or working structures. The members have the responsibility to answer in due time to requests of 3.6.2. Each member which has not paid its fees before the end of the information connected with the purpose of the Forum. concerned year, shall automatically lose its voting right as of the 1st of January of the following year. This right can be granted back by decision 3.5. Membership applications of the Council of Members if the fees have been paid before the meeting of the Council of Members. If non-payment of the fees lasts longer than 3.5.1. All membership applications (A, B or C) must be sent by registered one year, the status of member shall be reviewed by the Board according mail to the registered office of the Forum, to the attention of the to the procedure described hereunder. Secretary-General. The membership application must be motivated and must contain all elements allowing the appraisal of whether the above- 3.6.3. Whenever one of the members does not fulfil the criteria for its mentioned criteria are fulfilled. level of membership, the termination of its membership or the review Non-compliance with the above-mentioned conditions (3.5.1.) shall render of its status could be decided by the General Assembly by a two thirds the application null and void. Therefore, all membership applications majority of votes cast, not counting abstentions, according to the which do not respect all of those conditions shall be considered null and following procedure : void and shall not be taken into consideration. -The demand for review of membership must be introduced by a justified letter signed by at least ten full members or the Board, to the Secretary- 3.5.2. The completed membership application is communicated without General. Within 30 days of the reception of the demand, the Secretary undue delay and in any case not later than 30 days to the Consultative General shall transfer the demand to the CBMA and to the concerned Body on Membership Applications, which must address a report to the member. Board with regard to the membership application. This report must be -Within one month of the reception of the demand, the member shall be justified with regard to the above-mentioned criteria (3.1. and 3.2.). able to address to the CBMA all the information it considers useful to be taken into account by the CBMA. 3.5.3. After the report established by the Consultative Body on -The CBMA must address a justified report to the Board with regard to the Membership Applications is available to the Board, the Board shall membership review. transfer the membership application together with its recommendation -After the report established by the Consultative Body on Membership to the General Assembly. Applications is available to the Board, the Board shall transfer the membership application together with its recommendation to the General 3.5.4. The membership application shall be put on the agenda of the Assembly. General Assembly. 3.6.4. When a member does not respect its obligations, the Board can, 3.5.5. The General Assembly shall decide on the admission of a member on its own initiative or after a demand of at least ten full members, decide by a two thirds majority of votes cast, not counting abstentions. to withdraw all or part of its rights as a member according to the following procedure : 3.5.6. In case of a favourable vote by the General Assembly, the status of -The suspension or withdrawal shall be put on the agenda of the Board member shall be acquired on the day following the closing of the General and the concerned member shall be informed of the objections which are Assembly. made against it. -The member shall be invited to regularise its situation or to communicate 3.5.7. In case of a negative vote by the General Assembly, a new to the Board, in a written statement and within one month as of the membership application shall only be taken into consideration after a reception of the demand all the information it considers useful to be taken period of two years has elapsed. into account by the Board. -The Board can decide by a justified decision to deprive the member of 3.6. Membership review and end of membership one or more of its rights until that member has regularised its situation. -After a four year suspension of its rights, the Board will have to propose 3.6.1. In principle, members acquire their status for an unlimited period the end of membership of the member at the next General Assembly. of time. However, after expiration of four years as a candidate member, 566 Appendix Appendix 567
3.6.5. All decisions with regard to a suspension of rights, a revision of -to adopt the budget and approve the accounts on the basis of a report status or an end of membership of a member shall take effect immediately. from the Board and the recommendation of the Financial Control Commission ; 3.6.6. A member which is wound up, put in liquidation or deceased shall -to evaluate the work of the Forum based on a report presented by the be considered as resigning and shall automatically lose its status of Board and the Secretariat ; member. -to elect or dismiss the President ; -to elect or dismiss the two Vice Presidents and the eight other Board 3.6.7. Each member is free to resign from the Forum. The resignation shall Members ; be effective as of the eighth day following the reception of a registered -to elect or dismiss the Financial Control Commission, as well as the letter in which the member informs the Forum of its intention to resign. external auditors ; -to disband the organisation ; 3.6.8. A member whose membership has ended or who is resigning shall -to ratify the appointment of the Secretary-General according to the Rules have no right with regard to the association’s assets. of Procedure.
Article 4 : Statutory bodies, secretariat and working structures 4.1.4. Extraordinary General Assembly An Extraordinary General Assembly meets at least once a year. An 1. The Forum is constituted of the following statutory bodies : additional Extraordinary General Assembly shall take place : the General Assembly (4.1) ; the Council of Members (4.2) ; a) at the request of the Board, to the attention of the Secretary General ; -the Board (4.3) ; -the Financial Control Commission (4.4) ; b) at the request of at least one third of the members, addressed in -the Secretary General (4.5) ; registered letter to the Forum’s registered office, to the attention of the -the Consultative Body on Membership Applications(4.6). Secretary General ;
2. The Forum has a Secretariat led by the Secretary General. c) at the request of the Council of Members, addressed in registered The Forum may constitute non-permanent working structures by decision letter to the Forum’s registered office, to the attention of the Secretary of the Board. General.
4.1. General Assembly 4.1.5. Notice The General Assembly shall be convened by a letter sent at the official 4.1.1. Meeting address of its members, signed by the President, and sent under The General Assembly is the highest decision making body of the Forum. responsibility of the Secretary General, at least three months before the It shall meet at least every two years. ordinary General Assembly and two months before the Extraordinary General Assembly. 4.1.2. Composition Notice for the General Assembly shall at least include the agenda for the The General Assembly consists of representatives delegated by the Assembly as well as the date and venue. members. These representatives cannot delegate their mandate, nor hold several mandates. 4.1.6. Quorum and votes The General Assembly is composed of two groups : the GNYC, regrouping The General Assembly shall validly deliberate only if at least half of its full the NYCs, and the GINGYO, regrouping the INGYOs. members are present. Except when otherwise provided, the General Assembly shall take 4.1.3. Powers decisions by a simple majority of the votes cast, not counting abstentions. The regularly constituted General Assembly shall represent all members The General Assembly can only pass urgent resolutions with a two-thirds and shall have the broadest powers to take, execute or ratify all decisions majority of member organisations present and voting, not counting taken in the interest of the association. abstentions. The decisions taken by the General Assembly shall be binding for all Whatever the number of present members, each of the two groups (GNYC members, including the absent or dissenting ones. and GINGYO) shall have an equal number of votes. The General Assembly shall, among others, have the following functions : The voting procedures in the General Assembly are specified by the Rules -to adopt the policy guidelines and the work plan of the Forum ; of Procedure adopted by this body. Proxy votes are not allowed. -to accept new members ; -to adopt amendments to the Statutes ; 4.1.7. Logbook of deliberations -to adopt the Rules of Procedure ; A logbook of the minutes of General Assemblies shall be kept. The logbook 568 Appendix Appendix 569
shall be accessible to all members, which may on simple demand, obtain 4.3.1. Composition a copy of a deliberation. The Board is composed of 11 persons, nominated by the full members with a voting right : 4.2. Council of Members -the President, -two Vice-Presidents, 4.2.1. Composition -eight other Board members, The Council of Members is composed of one delegate for each member All Board members are elected by the General Assembly. The duration of (A, B and C). their mandate is two years as of the 1st of January following the year of the General Assembly during which they have been elected. 4.2.2. Powers Each member of the Board has the possibility to be re-elected only once. The Council of Members has the power to accomplish all acts necessary The Secretary-General takes part as ex officio member of the Board but or useful for the realisation of the purpose of the association, at the has no right to vote. exception of powers which are reserved by law or by the Statutes to the General Assembly. 4.3.2. Powers The Council of Members shall have the following functions : The Board shall have the following tasks : define the policies, vision and direction of the Forum based on the to define the overall strategy in accordance with the organisational guidelines set by the General Assembly ; mission, adopted work plan and guidelines of the General Assembly and be a space to foster exchange, cooperation and network amongst the policies determined by the Council of Members ; different members of the Forum. to prepare meetings of the statutory bodies and working structures ; to be responsible for the finances and budgetary matters, securing 4.2.3. Notice financial integrity ; The Council of Members meets twice a year during the years where there to ensure the measurement of performance and overseeing the is no General Assembly and once a year during the year where there is a implementation of the work plan ; General Assembly. to select the Secretary-General, supervise and evaluate his/her work ; The Council of Members is convened by the Board. to ensure external representation ; The notice is sent at least 45 calendar days in advance to the official to maintain contact with and between the members ; address of its members and is signed by the President. to participate, if desired, to all meetings of the Forum and speak at those The notice states at least the agenda as well as the venue and date of meetings ; the meeting. The Council of Members shall meet in places decided by the to constitute the non-permanent working structures. Board. To evaluate the work of the Forum a report presented by the Board and the Secretariat will be presented to the Council of Members and the 4.2.4. Quorum and vote General Assembly. The Council of Members shall validly deliberate only if at least half of the representatives of its full members are present. 4.3.3. Quorum and vote Except when provided otherwise, the Council of Members will take The Board may validly deliberate provided half of its members are decisions on the basis of a simple majority of the votes cast, not counting present. It takes decisions on the basis of a majority of the votes cast. abstentions. The Council of Members can only pass urgent resolutions Each member shall have one vote. In case of a tie, the vote of the President with a two-thirds majority of member organisations present and voting, or of his/her replacement is prevailing. not counting abstentions. Whatever the number of present members, each of the two groups (GNYC 4.3.4. Notice and GINGYO) will have an equal number of votes. The Board shall meet on notice of the President or of at least six of its The voting procedures in the Council of Members are specified by the members. Rules of Procedure adopted by the General Assembly. Proxy votes are The notice must be sent at the official address of its members at least 15 not allowed. calendar days in advance and must be signed by the Secretary-General. The notice shall at least state the agenda as well as the venue and the 4.2.5. Deliberations date of the meeting. The Board shall meet in a place it judges appropriate. A logbook of the minutes of the meeting of the Council of Members will be kept. The logbook shall be accessible to all members, which may on 4.3.5. Deliberations simple demand, obtain a copy of a deliberation. A logbook of the minutes of the meeting of the Board shall be kept. The logbook shall be accessible to all members, which may on simple 4.3. Board demand, obtain a copy of a deliberation. 570 Appendix Appendix 571
4.3.6. End of mandate 4.4.5. Deliberations Membership of the Board will automatically end in the event of : A logbook of the minutes of the meetings of the Financial Control -expiration of mandate ; Commission shall be kept. The logbook shall be accessible to all members -death ; who may on simple demand, obtain a copy of a deliberation. -resignation. Each member of the Board can be dismissed ad nutum by the General 4.4.6. End of mandate Assembly. Membership of the Financial Control Commission ends automatically in the event of : 4.4. Financial Control Commission -expiration of mandate ; -death ; 4.4.1. Composition -resignation ; The Financial Control Commission is composed of the following members Each elected member of the Financial Control Commission can be with voting right : dismissed ad nutum by the General Assembly. -two members from INGYOs elected by the General Assembly, for a two 4.5. Secretary-General year period starting as of 1st of January following the Assembly during which they have been appointed ; 4.5.1. Composition -two members from NYCs elected by the General Assembly, for a two The Secretary-General, selected in accordance with the procedure year period starting as of 1st of January following the Assembly during described hereunder and in the Rules of Procedure. which they have been appointed ; and of the following members without voting right : 4.5.2. Selection of Secretary-General -a member of the Board appointed by it ; The Secretary-General is selected by the Board and ratified by the General -the Secretary-General ; Assembly for a three-year mandate, according to the Rules of Procedure. the Administrative and Financial Director. The Board can propose to renew the mandate of the Secretary-General The Financial Control Commission elects its Chair from among its for another term of two years by making a recommendation to the General members with a voting right. S/he will be representing the Financial Assembly. Control Commission at the Board, at the Council of Members and at the The Secretary-General is accountable for his/her acts towards the Board General Assembly. S/he will chair the meetings of the Financial Control and the General Assembly, and can be dismissed ad nutum by any of Commission and shall have a casting vote in case of a tie during the them. deliberation. In case of his/her absence, a replacement Chair will be The age limit described in article 8 applies to the position. elected by the Financial Control Commission. 4.5.3. Powers 4.4.2. Powers The Secretary-General shall supervise and coordinate the work of the The Financial Control Commission is responsible for the internal audit of Secretariat. The Secretary-General is responsible for the daily functioning the finances of the Forum. It shall act in advisory capacity to the Board, of the Forum under guidance and delegation of the Board. Council of Members and the General Assembly on the allocation of existing resources in line with the strategic priorities and the work plan, as 4.6. Consultative Body on Membership Applications well as the identification of new resources. It will present a written report to the Council of Members and to the General Assembly with regard to the 4.6.1. Composition annual budget and to the accounts of the Forum. The Consultative Body on Membership Applications is composed of four members : 4.4.3. Meeting and notice -two members from the INGYOs and two members from the NYCs The Financial Control Commission meets at least twice a year on notice appointed by the General Assembly on proposition of the Board for a addressed by the Chair. The notice is sent to the official address of the period of two years as of 1st of January following the General Assembly members at least 30 calendar days before each meeting. during which they have been appointed ; The Consultative Body on Membership Applications appoints a Chair from 4.4.4. Quorum and vote among its members. The Secretary-General assists the Consultative The Financial Control Commission validly deliberates provided half of its Body on Membership Applications. members with a voting right are present. It takes its decisions on the basis of the majority of the votes cast. In case of a tie, the vote of the 4.6.2. Powers Chair or the replacing Chair is decisive. The Consultative Body on Membership Applications reviews the complete applications of potential members and shall address a motivated report on the membership applications to the Board. Additionally, the Consultative 572 Appendix Appendix 573
Body on Membership Applications can be addressed by existing members 5.2. The Forum has its own budget approved by the General Assembly in relation to both proposed as well as adopted changes relevant to their on a proposal from the Board and after advice from the Financial Control membership status, such as changes of statutes and/or legal status. Commission. The accounts of the Forum are controlled by an external auditor appointed 4.6.3. Meeting and notice by the General Assembly. The Consultative Body on Membership Applications meets on notices addressed by its Chair. The notice will be sent to the official address of 5.3. The income of the Forum shall be from : the members at least 30 calendar days before each meeting. membership fees ; contribution of members, national or international institutions or other 4.6.4. Quorum and vote organisations or individuals ; The Consultative Body on Membership Applications validly deliberates sponsorship ; provided half of its members are present. grants ; It shall take its decisions on the basis of the majority of the votes cast. In subsidies and aids. case of a tie, the vote of the Chair or the replacing Chair is decisive. 5.4. The annual membership fee is determined by the General Assembly. 4.6.5. Deliberation The membership fee is based on equality between the global contribution A logbook of the minutes of the meeting of the Consultative Body on of INGYOs and NYCs. Membership Applications shall be kept. Article 6 : Winding-up and liquidation 4.6.6. Exclusion and end of mandate The winding-up of the Forum can only result from a decision taken by the Membership will automatically end in the following event : General Assembly in accordance with the procedure described for the -expiry of mandate ; modification of the Statutes. -death ; In the event of liquidation, the General Assembly shall decide on the -resignation ; allocation of the surplus assets, which shall have to be allocated in Each member of the Consultative Body on Membership Applications can conformity with the Forum’s purpose, i.e. not-for-profit purposes. In any be dismissed by the Board. event, the liquidator shall not be allowed to allocate the surplus assets to In case a membership in the Consultative Body on Membership the members of the Forum. Applications ends, the Board can propose to the General Assembly the nomination of a new member for the rest of the mandate of the Article 7 : Modifications of the Statutes and of the Rules of Procedure Consultative Body on Membership Applications. 7.1. The present Statutes may be amended by the General Assembly with 4.7. Secretariat a two thirds majority of votes cast, not counting abstentions. The Secretariat is composed of : The proposed amendments must be presented to the Secretariat in - an Administrative and Financial Director appointed by the Board. S/he writing at least 45 days before the General Assembly and communicated shall work under the responsibility of the Secretary-General ; to the members at least 30 days before the General Assembly. -the other staff members appointed by the Secretary-General after For any decision related to statutory amendments, a two thirds quorum of consultation of the Board. full members is required. The Secretariat prepares the work of the statutory bodies. It carries out Whenever that quorum is not reached, the next meeting of the General the daily work of the Forum under the responsibility of the Secretary- Assembly may validly deliberate on the amendments of the Statutes, if at General. least one third of the full members are present. The duties of the Secretariat are more precisely defined in the Rules of Procedure. 7.2. All changes to the Statutes will come into effect after approval by The modalities of functioning of these structures are defined by the Rules the competent authority, according to article 50 §3 of the law, and after of Procedure. publication at the annexes of the Belgian State Journal (le “Moniteur Belge”) according to article 51 §3 of the refered law. Article 5 : Budget 7.3. The Rules of Procedure shall be adopted by the General Assembly by 5.1. The financial year starts on 1st of January and ends on 31st of a majority of two thirds of the votes cast, abstentions not counted. December. The Rules of Procedure can be amended by the General Assembly at the The Board will submit the accounts for the elapsed financial year and the majority of two thirds of the vote cast, abstentions not counted. budget for the next financial year to be approved by a General Assembly. The proposed amendments must be presented to the Secretariat in writing at least 45 days before the General Assembly and communicated 574 Appendix Appendix 575
to the members at least 30 days before the General Assembly. votes inside each pillar.
Article 8 : Final and transitional considerations A.2. Voting
8.1. For all elected positions in a body of the Forum, no candidate can be A.2.1. Each full member has only one vote, whatever the number of its elected if s/he will turn 36 during that mandate. delegates.
8.2. For all statutory meetings, the delegates cannot be older than 35 years A.2.2. When there are several NYCs from the same country, the different of age. NYCs of that country only have one vote, which belongs to the NYC which represents the Contracting Party to the Cultural Convention. In all other 8.3. The Statutes are drafted in French and in English. The French version is cases, the members of the same country express a vote through their the official version. spokesperson designated from among them.
8.4. The official languages of the Forum are the official languages of the A.2.3. One half of the votes in the General Assembly and Council of High Contracting parties to the European Cultural Convention and the official Members is held by representatives of full member NYCs and one half is languages of members organisations. Working languages are English and held by representatives of full member INGYOs. To reach this parity, each French. Occasionally other languages can be used as working languages. vote expressed in one Group is multiplied by the number of votes present in the other Grou p. 8.5. Everything that is not ruled by the present Statutes shall be ruled according to the dispositions of title III of the law from 27 June 1921 about A.2.4. Unless otherwise determined, voting in the different bodies, the non-profit associations, the foundations and the international non-profit working structures or organs of the Forum is by simple majority. However, associations. the General Assembly or the Council of Members can only pass urgent resolutions with a two-thirds majority of member organisations present European youth forum and voting, not counting abstentions. Rules of procedure A.2.5. Simple majority shall be understood as more than half of the votes Adopted by the General Assembly of the European Youth Forum cast, not counting abstentions. Kiev, Ukraine 19 November 2010 A.2.6. Absolute majority shall be understood as more than half of the votes cast out of votes of the total number of full members, counting A - rules of procedure – General abstentions. These rules of procedure are supplementary and subordinate to the Statutes of the European Youth Forum, hereinafter referred to as the “Forum”, and A.2.7. Unless otherwise determined, votes are taken by show of voting regulate the implementation of these Statutes. In case of contradiction card. If requested by one member organisation, a secret ballot shall take between the Statutes and the Rules of Procedure, the former shall prevail. place.
A.1. Composition and Quorum A.2.8. A minority statement should be included in the minutes whenever a member organisation requests this. A.1.1. At the meetings of the General Assembly and the Council of Members, representatives of at least half of the full members of the European Youth A.3. Minutes and audio recordings Forum shall constitute the quorum. A.3.1. Minutes of meetings of the Council of Members and General A.1.2. Each full member can delegate two representatives at each General Assembly shall record resolutions, decisions, motions and votes together Assembly, one representative at each Extraordinary General Assembly and with necessary explanatory information. Draft minutes shall be made one representative at the Council of Members. available by the Secretariat (within 60 days) to member organisations. The other members delegate one representative at each Assembly or Sessions shall also be recorded. Council of Members. A.4. Submission of motions and resolutions by members A.1.3. The quorum is established and announced at the beginning of the meeting. The quorum can be re-established at the beginning of each session A.4.1. Motions and Resolutions by the members shall be submitted to the and can be questioned by any member organisation at any time. The Secretariat by registered mail 30 days before the opening of the meeting proportion of votes inside each pillar for each session will be set according of the Council of Members or the General Assembly. to the last established quorum. Abstentions do not affect the proportion of 576 Appendix Appendix 577
A.4.2. Urgent resolutions and motions should be submitted to the are from the same sex, the Board should re-open the call for a minimum Secretary-General or, in her/his absence, to the President, at least one of 10 calendar days for additional candidates of the underrepresented hour before the official start of the meeting of the General Assembly or the sex. Council of Members. A.6.3 Candidates for all elections must be nominated by a member A.5. Adoption of documents at the meetings enjoying all the rights according to its membership status. The nomination must respect the conditions indicated in the letter of convocation of the A.5.1. Any document, which is put to the Council of Members or General meeting. Assembly for adoption shall be made available by the Secretariat, according to the respective deadlines set in this Rules of Procedure. A.6.4 All elections/ratification shall be by secret ballot under supervision Documents should be presented in the working languages. of the Secretary-General and of the President. The Secretary-General and the President must not supervise their own ratification or election. A.5.2. Urgent documents for adoption should be submitted to the General Two observers, one from each pillar, are assisting and observing the Assembly or the Council of Members before the start of the meeting. elections/ratification at all times. The Board shall put forward a recommendation on the urgency of the document. Based on this recommendation the General Assembly or the A.6.5 If more than one ballot is necessary to decide between candidates, Council of Members will decide if the document should be discussed. the following procedure shall be used : in each of the subsequent ballots, voting shall take place with at least one candidate less than the previous A.5.3. Any member organisation has the right to suggest amendments to ballots. This will be the result of : these documents. These amendments should be put in writing and before a -either one or more candidates being elected, or deadline to be decided at the meeting. -the withdrawal of one or more candidates, or -the elimination of the candidate with the least number of votes. A.5.4. Adoption of the document takes place in the plenary of the meeting, If two candidates with the highest number of votes for the same position after decisions have been taken on the amendments. have the same number of votes, a second ballot will take place. If there is still a tie in the votes following the second ballot, the candidate will be A.5.5. Adoption of documents takes place with a simple majority. selected on the basis of a draw between the two. Adoption of the work plan and of the budget takes place with a majority of two thirds of the votes. Amendments are adopted by simple majority. A.6.6 To be elected, the candidate shall achieve a threshold of one third In addition, if a group of at least ten member organisations considers that of the votes cast of the NYCs and one third of the INGYOs. This one third a document goes beyond the purposes of the Forum, as defined in the is computed on basis of the votes cast by NYCs and INGYOs which are Article 2, it has the right to propose that the final adoption of the document present, not counting abstentions. requires two thirds of the votes cast, not counting abstentions. In support of its proposal, the organisations must justify in what way the document goes A.6.7 One Vice President and four Board Members are elected from outside the scope of the Forum. INGYOs, one Vice President and four Board Members are elected from Taking into account this proposal, the General Assembly or the Council of NYCs. A balance between NYC and INGYO should be maintained, unless Members remain competent to decide by a simple majority if a point of the post(s) remain vacant. agenda must be considered as a document requiring a two thirds majority. For the election of the eight Board Members and the Financial Control If the proposal is accepted by a simple majority, the amendments to the Commission Members, there may be a second call for candidates if the document will require a simple majority and the final adoption a two thirds post(s) are not filled in the first round of elections. If the post(s) are not majority, not counting abstentions. If the proposal is not accepted by a filled following the second round of elections the post(s) remains vacant. simple majority, both the amendments and the adoption of the document For the posts of President, Secretary-General and Vice-Presidents further will require a simple majority. calls for candidates are made until the positions are filled.
A.6. Elections A.6.8 In the event that a person ceases to be a member of the Board, the Board shall initiate the procedure for the election of a replacement for the A.6.1. Members can nominate several candidates for different working remainder of the mandate. structures within one mandate. Due to its independent nature, any member of the Financial Control Commission shall be nominated by a different A .7. Selection of secretary-general Member Organisation than the Member Organisation who nominated the candidates elected to the Board. A .7.1. The Board shall publish an open call for candidates for the position of the Secretary-General, and shall designate a finding group, no later A.6.2 For any election or nomination where more than 60% of the candidates than 2 months before the General Assembly where the ratification will 578 Appendix Appendix 579
take place. The call shall contain the following selection criteria for the A.9.1. Persons elected to represent the European Youth Forum shall give position : a written report to the General Assembly and the Council of Members Experience and good knowledge of the European Youth Forum, youth concerning their mission. work, issues and working of the European Union, the Council of Europe and the United Nations. A.9.2. Persons designated to represent the European Youth Forum shall Documented experience of a member organisation. give a written report to the Board concerning their mission. Experience in human resources, financial and project management from the NGO-sector. A.9.3. The Board will be responsible to make sure this obligation is Ability to be one of the key external representative of the European respected. Youth Forum, and therefore possess high skills in public speaking and presentation. A.10. Financial regulations Fluency in English or French and preferably knowledge of the other language, other languages are an asset. A.10.1. Within guidelines laid down by the General Assembly, the Board Candidates cannot turn 36 years of age during the term of the mandate. shall establish financial regulations concerning travel expenses, expenses arising from external representations, the payment of membership fee, A.7.2. The interested candidates must submit their application within etc. These financial regulations will be available at the Secretariat. the time limit indicated in the call for candidates, and must include the documentation requested in the call. The finding group assesses the B - Rules of procedure – General assembly candidatures received, and presents to the Board its evaluation of all those candidates who fulfill the announced criteria, no later than 15 days B.1. Ordinary sessions before the Board meeting where the selection will take place. The report shall be based on the published criteria. B.1.1. Notice of an ordinary session and a draft agenda shall be made available by the Secretary-General to all participating organisations three A .7.3. The Board will present the selected candidate to the General months in advance. Assembly. A detailed motivation report based on the published criteria will be included in the documents to be ratified by the General Assembly. B.1.2. The draft agenda shall be prepared by the Board. The Council of Members shall decide the date of the General Assembly. A .7.4. The General Assembly then proceeds to a ratification of the Secretary-General, according to points 6.2-6.4 of the Rules of Procedure B.1.3. The draft agenda shall include notably : – General. The Board will define the starting date of the mandate of the a report on the work of the Forum, including an assessment of the work selected Secretary-General. of open meetings and working structures presented by the Board with the support of the Secretariat ; A .7.5. The Board may recommend to prolong the mandate of the -European Youth Forum policy and programme ; Secretary-General for another term of two years. Such a recommendation -finances ; shall be made to the meeting of the General Assembly preceding the -elections, appointments, dismissals, exclusions ; meeting where the selection should normally take place. -items proposed for inclusion by the Council of Members or the Board. The General Assembly shall proceed to ratify whether or not to prolong the mandate of the Secretary-General. B.1.4. Any member may request the inclusion of supplementary items If the prolongation is not approved, the normal selection procedure shall on the agenda. Such requests must reach the Secretariat 45 days in be made in accordance with the points 7.1 - 7.3. advance of the opening of a session.
A.8. Appointment of the consultative body on membership applications B.1.5. All documents and resolutions required for consideration of the items on the agenda and a revised agenda, including the supplementary A.8.1. The Consultative Body on Membership Applications is appointed items mentioned in paragraph 1.4. shall be made available by the en bloc by a simple majority of the General Assembly based on a Board Secretariat 30 days before the opening of the session. The definitive proposal for its composition. agenda shall be made available to the members at least 15 days before the opening of the session. A.8.2. Each member of the Consultative Body on Membership Applications can be dismissed by the Board. The Board can propose a B.1.6. The General Assembly or the Council of Members may, with a replacement for the remainder of the mandate. two thirds majority of the member organisations present and voting, not counting abstentions, include on the agenda new items and resolutions of A.9. Representation an important and urgent character. 580 Appendix Appendix 581
B.2. Extraordinary sessions C.1. Credentials
B.2.1. An extraordinary session shall take place at the earliest 30, and C.1.1. Each member will be able to delegate one representative at each at the latest 60 days after a decision has been made or a demand has meeting. reached the Secretariat. The date shall be decided by the President and the Secretary-General. C.1.2. Each organisation which is a member of the European Youth Forum shall inform the Secretariat in writing of the name of their representative B.2.2. The draft agenda shall be made available by the Secretary-General at least 30 days before a session of the Council of Members. The list of 20 days before the extraordinary session takes place. the delegates is annexed to the minutes of the session. The members have the right to send additional representatives to a Council of Members B.2.3. The draft agenda shall consist only of items proposed in meeting at their own expenses. Theses additional representatives will connection with the calling of the session. have no voting right and no right to speak.
B.2.4. The Extraordinary General Assembly or the Council of Members C.2. Ordinary session may, with a two thirds majority of the member organisations present and voting, not counting abstentions, include on the agenda new items and C.2.1. Notice of an ordinary session and a draft agenda shall be made resolutions of an important and urgent character. available by the Secretary-General to the members of the Council of Members 45 days in advance. B.3. Credentials C.2.2. The draft agenda shall be prepared by the Board. B.3.1. Each organisation which is a member of the European Youth Forum shall inform the Secretariat in writing of the names of their representatives C.2.3. The draft agenda shall include notably : at least 30 days before a session of the General Assembly. The list of the - the policy proposals from the Board up for discussion and/or adoption at delegates is annexed to the minutes of the session. Each full member the Council of Members ; may delegate two representatives for each General Assembly and one for - items proposed for inclusion by a previous Council of Members. each Extraordinary General Assembly. The members have the right to send additional representatives to a General C.2.4. Any member organisation may, within a deadline of 30 days before Assembly at their own expenses. These additional representatives will the meeting, request the Secretariat to include a supplementary item on have no voting right and no right to speak. the agenda.
B.3.2. Each member entitled to vote shall have a voting card. C.2.5. As far as possible, all documents required for consideration of the items on the agenda shall be distributed to the Council of Members’ B.4. Elections members, before the meeting.
B.4.1. Applications for any of the elected positions should be submitted C.2.6. In case the date of the Council of Members has to be changed, it 45 days before the meeting of the General Assembly. In case the number shall be changed only after consultation with all the members and with the of candidates is less than the number of positions open, the meeting may written approval of two thirds of them. decide to restart the procedure during the meeting itself. C.3. Extraordinary sessions B.4.2. The General Assembly shall elect in the following order : President, Vice-Presidents, Board members, members of the Financial Control C.3.1. The Council of Members may meet in extraordinary session by Commission, members of the Consultative Body on Membership a notice of 30 days after the receipt of the request at the Secretariat. Applications. The date of the meeting shall be determined by the President and by the Secretary-General. B.5. Conduct of the meetings C.3.2. A draft agenda shall be made available by the Secretary-General B.5.1. The General Assembly shall be chaired by the President or by at least ten days before an extraordinary meeting takes place. other members of the Board, as delegated by the President. In addition, the General Assembly elects at least two co-chairs to chair C.3.3. The draft agenda shall consist only of the items proposed in the meetings and to conduct the proceedings. connection with the calling of the extraordinary meeting.
C - Rules of procedure – Council of members C.4. Conduct of the meetings 582 Appendix Appendix 583
The Council of Members shall be chaired by the President or by other E.3. The Administrative and Financial Director is responsible for personnel members of the Board, as delegated by the President. issues, technical preparation and support of meetings and day to day financial management and control of the Forum. S/he shall be accountable D - Rules of procedure – Board to the Secretary-General.
D.1. President E.4. The Administrative and Financial Director is appointed by the Board The President is the first representative of the Forum. S/he convenes and upon proposal from the Secretary-General. chairs, in function of his/her availability, all statutory meetings, with the exception of the Financial Control Commission. E.5. The other staff members are appointed by the Secretary-General The Vice-Presidents assist the President in his/her duty. They replace after consultation with the Board. They are accountable to the Secretary- him/her in case of absence. General. No one can be dismissed without consultation of the Board. The Board assigns amongst its members the duties, which are assigned to it by the work plan. It will inform the member organisations of this F - regulations for non-permanent working structures duty apportionment. One of the Board members shall have the political responsibility of the finances of the Forum. F.1. Establishment procedure
D.2. Meetings F.1.1. The Board decides on the procedure for the composition of working structures. D.2.1. The Secretariat will inform all members of the meetings that are being held and of their agenda. F.1.2. The duration of the working structure is determined by the Board.
D.2.2. A draft agenda shall be prepared by the President and by the F.1.3. The Board shall regularly review the existence, composition and Secretary-General. progress of all working structures in line with the programme priorities as defined by the General Assembly, and submit a report to the following D.2.3. Every Board member may, within a deadline of ten days before the General Assembly. Board meeting, request the President to include a supplementary item The Board may decide to terminate a working structure, which does not on the agenda. The agenda shall be notified to the Board members under meet the criteria or priorities of the Forum anymore. responsibility of the Secretary-General, before the meeting. F.2. Composition E - Rules of procedure – Secretariat The duties of the Secretariat are the following : F.2.1. Each working structure acts according to the mandate formulated -technical preparation and secretariat of the meetings ; by the Board. -preparation of the Board meetings ; -execution of the information and documentation policy of the Forum ; F.2.2. Board Members are entitled to attend the working structures -execution of the political orientations as defined by the Board ; all other meetings. The working structures are chaired by a person appointed by duties necessary to the execution of the orientations and of the work the Board. plan. F.2.3. Each person in a working structure shall be nominated by a member E.1. The Secretariat prepares the work of the statutory bodies. It carries organisation and appointed by the Board. out the day to day work of the Forum under the responsibility of the Secretary-General. F.2.4. Replacement of delegates in working structures established by the Board or any other body is not possible, unless with prior consent of the E.2. The Secretary-General shall supervise and co-ordinate the work of Board. the Secretariat. The Secretary-General is responsible, under the guidance and delegation of the Board, for the daily functioning of the Forum. S/he F.3. Internal working methods shall communicate periodical reports on the Secretariat’s activities to the Board, the Council of Members and the member organisations. S/he shall F.3.1. The working structure, with the support of the Secretariat, shall assist the President, Vice Presidents and the Board in their tasks. The provide the report of its meetings. Board may delegate some of its powers to the Secretary-General. The Secretary-General is accountable for his/her acts towards the Board, the F.3.2. The reports shall be available to all member organisations of the Council of members and the General Assembly, and can be dismissed ad Forum. nutum by any of them. 584 Appendix Appendix 585
F.3.3. Working structures shall establish their own working rules. G.8. If information is desired of a person holding the floor, s/he shall decide whether or not s/he wishes to be interrupted. F.4. Amendments to regulations G.9. After moving a motion the author shall have the right to speak to F.4.1. These regulations are to be adopted and may only be amended by defend his/her motion. The motion shall then be opened to discussion the General Assembly. and amendments : the author may exercise a right of reply immediately before the vote is taken. G - Standing orders for meetings G.10. At the discretion of the Chair a copy of the motion presented in G.1. If it is the wish of the participants to the meeting, the items for one of the working languages shall be handed to her/him to be recorded discussion may be apportioned between working commissions that and read before a vote is taken. must, however, report to the plenary meeting. G.11. Amendments shall be moved and discussed in accordance with G.2. The meeting may appoint ad hoc committees to study special the procedure for motions. Subject to the ruling of the Chair, a motion questions and report back either during the current session or at the shall be considered as an amendment to a motion only if it adds to, following session. deletes or revises part of that motion.
G.3. The Chair shall declare the opening and closing of each meeting, G.12. It shall be in order, in the light of important new information, to present the agenda for approval, direct the discussion, ensure move reconsideration of a motion previously adopted during the current observance of the rules, accord the right to speak, put questions to the session. The motion for reconsideration must be proposed by a member vote and announce the decision. S/he shall rule on points of order and organisation which voted with the majority opinion in the previous vote shall have, in particular, the power to propose adjournment or closure of on the matter. the debate or adjournment or suspension of a meeting. G.13. Except when presenting a report no person shall speak for longer G.4. During the discussion, the Chair shall give the floor first to speakers than five minutes at any one time without permission from the Chair. wishing to make points of order (procedure), then to speakers requesting Discussion of a motion (including amendments) may be curtailed in time information, then to other speakers. by a procedural motion from the floor or by the Chair.
G.5. During a discussion, the Chair may announce the list of speakers G.14. After the voting has commenced, no one shall interrupt the voting and with the consent of the meeting, declare the list closed, always except on a point of order in connection with the actual conduct of the provided that the author of the proposal of a motion has the right to speak voting. immediately before the vote. The Chair, however, may accord the right of reply to any delegate if, in his/her opinion, a speech delivered after s/he G.15. The meeting can decide to vote separately on parts of a proposal has declared the list closed makes this desirable. if a member requests that the proposal should be divided.
G.6. During the discussion, the following procedural motions shall have G.16. When an amendment is moved to a motion, the amendment precedence in the following order over all other proposals or motions shall be voted on first. When two or more amendments are moved to a before the meeting : proposal, the meeting shall first vote on the amendment furthest removed -motion to reverse the decision of the Chair ; in substance from the original motion and then on the amendment next -motion for the suspension or adjournment of the meeting ; furthest removed there from, and so on, until all the amendments have -motion to adjourn the item under discussion ; been put to the vote. -motion for the closure of debate and an immediate vote ; -motion to refer the matter to a commission or to the next meeting ; G.17. In cases of equality of votes, the President of the European Youth -motion that the proposal be not put. Forum shall exercise his/her casting vote. In the case of all procedural motions, there shall be one speech for and one speech against, followed immediately by a vote. A simple majority of G.18. When several motions are on the same item, the Chair shall votes shall be required for the motion to be carried. determine the order of voting.
G.7. Should any procedural motion be defeated, the same motion cannot G.19. When two motions are considered by the Chair as contradictory, be accepted again unless the Chair is of the opinion that circumstances s/he shall proceed to a contradictory vote. have materially changed in the meantime. 586 Appendix Appendix 587
G.20. These standing orders are subordinate to the Statutes and rules of procedure consecutively. They apply to each statutory meeting unless otherwise stated. List of Bureau/Board members 1995-2012 588 589 2003 − 2004 Giacomo FILIBECK Elena JIMENEZ I BOTIAS 2009 − 2010 List of Bureau 1999 − 2000 Renaldas VAISBRODAS Juliane BIR Tine RADINJA and Board members Ainhitze BIZKARRALEGORRA Pascale BOULANGER Xenia CONSTANTINOU Robert MICALLEF James DOORLEY Christoffer GRØNSTAD 1995 − 2012 Federica MOGHERINI Karolina FRISCHKOPF Johan EKMAN Havard OVREGARD David GVINERIA Agnija JANSONE Inga PELSA Matina MAGKOU Michal KADERA Vicente SERRANO VIDAL Simon-Erik OLLUS Marianne MUONA Henrik SÖDERMAN Mads- Erik SCHIONNEMAN Hamlet OHANYAN Pau SOLANILLA Luca SCARPIELLO 1995 − 1996 Andreas WESTERMEYER Kadri VANEM 2005 − 2006 Ben VANPEPERSTRAETE Thomas TICHELMANN Beatrice DE BLASI Renaldas VAISBRODAS Pauliina AROLA James DOORLEY Egbert DE VRIES Bettina SCHWARZMAYR Vanessa POTTER João SALVIANO Salvador SEDO 2000 − 2001 Marta ESCRIBANO Susan BERGKVIST Henrik SÖDERMAN Leif HOLMBERG Sidonia JEDRZEJEWSKA Jan KREUTZ
Eric DESHAYES Hiroshima MANDEE Kim SVENDSEN Peter TORP MADSEN Aniko EIPL Mariana TURCAN 2011 − 2012 1997 − 1998 Giacomo FILIBECK Jaakko WEURO Peter MATJAŠIČ Richard AMALVY Laura GIL-GONZALEZ Luca SCARPIELLO Pauliina AROLA Elena KASKO 2007 − 2008 Katarina NEVEDALOVA Ainhitze BIZKARRALEGORRA Elena MENDEZ ADALID Anemone BIRKEBAEK Dolors CAMATS Håvard B. ØVREGÅRD Bettina SCHWARZMAYR Rui DUARTE Julien JAECKLE Babis PAPAIOANNOU Gaja BARTUSEVIČIUTE Katrine KORSGAARD Miriam LEXMANNOVA Anita ŠTEFIN Jaakko WEURO Guoda LOMANAITE Silke MUETER Jovana BAZERKOVSKA Mourad MAHIDI Gudmundur OLAFSSON Christoffer GRØNSTAD Falko MOHRS Heidi SCHMIDT Tamar KEKENADZE Imse NILSSON Janez SKULJ Monika NOVOSADOVA Lloyd RUSSELL-MOYLE Thomas TICHELMANN Ines Elise PRAINSACK Tine RADINJA Tim SCHROCK Ernest URTASUN
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