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European youthevent EYE report 2018 Speak up Europe! 100 ideas for a better future #EYE2018 European youthevent Contents THANK YOU Editors' notes .....................................................................................................................................................4 Foreword by Antonio Tajani ..............................................................................................................................5 The editors of this report would like to extend a special thanks to everyone who made this report possible. Firstly, Foreword by Klaus Welle ...................................................................................................................................6 our massive thanks go to the indefatigable team of reporters without whom this report would not be possible. Speak up Europe! 100 ideas listed by theme .....................................................................................................8 Thank you also to the interns who helped us seizing the ideas and the brains behind. Many thanks to Iris Walter, EYE report questionnaire ..................................................................................................................................13 Christina Altides, Niamh McGovern and the rest of the EYE team who helped facilitate this report. We would also like to thank, last but by no means least, the European Youth Press for taking on this important role of giving a voice to the EYE participants that will hopefully be heard in the European Parliament chambers. 1. YOUNG AND OLD: Keeping up with the digital revolution .........................................15 Work and unemployment ................................................................................................................................16 Technology ......................................................................................................................................................20 Finally, thank you to all the people who contributed ideas to this report and the participants who made the EYE Education ........................................................................................................................................................23 such an inspirational event. Youth Forum Commentary ...............................................................................................................................27 2. RICH AND POOR: Calling for a fair share .................................................................................29 Inequality: sharing is caring .............................................................................................................................30 Revolution .......................................................................................................................................................33 Empowerment .................................................................................................................................................37 Youth Forum Commentary ...............................................................................................................................41 3. APART AND TOGETHER: Working out for a stronger Europe .........................................43 Future of Europe ..............................................................................................................................................44 European elections 2019: youth turnout and voting .........................................................................................47 Engagement and citizenship ............................................................................................................................50 Youth Forum Commentary ...............................................................................................................................53 Printed by the European Parliament in Luxembourg 4. SAFE AND DANGEROUS: Staying alive in turbulent times ..............................................55 Manuscript completed in July 2018 Human rights and rule of law ...........................................................................................................................56 Creating space for civil society .........................................................................................................................59 First edition Handling technological advances .....................................................................................................................62 Youth Forum Commentary ...............................................................................................................................65 Neither the European Parliament nor any person acting on behalf of the European Parliament is responsible for the use that might be made of the following information. 5. LOCAL AND GLOBAL: Protecting our planet ..........................................................................67 Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2018 Climate change and farmers ...........................................................................................................................68 Renewable energies, smart cities and sustainable entrepreneurship ..................................................................71 © European Union, 2018 Food waste, no plastic, clean water and sanitation: changing consumer habits ................................................75 Youth Forum Commentary ...............................................................................................................................79 Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged. For any use or reproduction of photos or other material that is not under the EU copyright, permission must be sought directly from the copyright holders. Meet the authors ...................................................................................................................................82 ISBN 978-92-846-3531-3 doi:10.2861/605101 1 QA-04-18-629-EN-N EYE2018 report 2 Editors' notes Young people aren’t the future, they’re the present. This principle was expressed loud and clear during this year’s European Youth Event (EYE). But aside from statements of intent, what do young people bring to the table in modern Europe, and what is our vision for the future? There’s no denying that the world has changed dramatically in the past couple of years. The legacy of the European project is one of peace and security for the citizens within its borders; however, it’s becoming clear that without concerted effort it’s possible that young people may be about to inherit a much more unstable Europe than they enjoyed growing up in. But there’s cause for optimism. Fundamental changes in the way we live our lives, and engage with one another, will likely impact how we govern ourselves in future. Young people are often accused of being apathetic and disengaged. Yet, this report shows that young people are informed, sensible in their approach to politics and engage in ideas on how the future can be structured in a fairer and more sustainable way. While many may be nervous about the potential ramifications of a more technologically advanced future - be it threats to employment or even personal liberty - young people are already leading this change and proposing ways to handle the expected fifth industrial revolution. One of the central ideas to come from this report concerns the European elections next year, and it’s fairly simple: involve young people in the political process. Be brave enough to field young candidates and listen to their concerns, ideas and solutions. So while politicians should look to embrace a younger perspective to dealing with the future, young people also need to have faith in their convictions of tolerance and optimism in the opportunities these changes offer us. Previous generations have suffered greater turmoil to construct a social contract which worked to protect the interests of the majority. Now it’s our turn. This report offers broad proposals; both imaginative and concrete. From mind-boggling technological possibilities to strong, non-discriminatory security; from improving political engagement to ensuring that people don’t work harder for less. We invite critical engagement equally from politicians and young people. This is about creating a conversation which defines a set of common values and goals that we wish to maintain or achieve in the coming decades. Because it’s true: the imagined "future" is fast becoming the present, and young people are starting to speak up. Greg Bianchi & Julie Mahlerová Chief Editors 3 EYE2018 report 4 Forewords For the third time, the European Parliament opened its doors to thousands of young people Young people, young Europeans, are the future of the European Union. While I am now from across the continent for the European Youth Event 2018. In this unique get-together, slightly above the age bracket of the European Youth Event, I was a staunch youth activist more than 8.000 young citizens engaged in an open debate on the future of Europe, in the beginning of my career and still am a strong supporter of youth today. For this reason, nurturing the work of our institution with their ideas. I suggested to Parliament’s political leadership to establish a European Youth Event as a central hub to develop an open, structured and continuous dialogue between Members of It was a true inspiration for all of us. As roles were reversed, young