1957-2007: 50 years of European construction

Youth Program - Youth exchange (Action 1.1)

Exchange in Picardie (France), to answer questions about the future of the European Youth.
(With the partipation of young people from the six European countries which signed the Rome Treaty - 20th - 30th July 2007 in Picardie, France)

1957-2007: 50 years of European Construction

Youht exchange in Picardie, France, to answer questions about the future of the European Youth
To face the increasing world-wide economical sit

Quation that rushes us all, to face the reaction of withdrawal into oneself, linked to the fear of unemployment, to the harshness of life for the youth, who struggle to be heard, to face the constantly increasing inequalities, we have to talk about Europe, to help the European Youth to realize that its future lies more than ever in the construction of a European citizenship and democracy, based upon a mutual knowing and understanding, in which the Youth will have the opportunity of finding its real place.

Since 50 years, Europe symbolises the reconciliations between the Peoples, the freedom of move and studies. It is, as well, showing solidarity, refusing any kind of discrimination, protecting our environment, and defending our cultural diversity. There are now 75 millions of young people between 15 and 25 in the Europe of today, and the European Youth is not a priority, in spite of projects such as Socrates, Erasmus, or “P.E.J.” (European Programme for the Youth). Seldom are the actions, or great debates on this matter.

Questions

After 50 years, what image of this Europe can have the Youth? How can this Youth find, in the European Institutions, understanding and answers to its real needs and worries? What, today, does the Youth want to build for itself and for the next generations? To bring answers to these questions, we gathered young people representing the countries which signed the Rome Treaty in 1957, and thoght with them about what the Youth wants for its future.

We gathered in Picardie, during 10 days, 24 people (4 by country) coming from the 6 countries that signed the Rome Treaty: Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Germany and Italy.

The objectives were:
- To encourage the meeting, the discovery and the understanding of the realities of each country concerning the Youth.
- To suggest to the Youth to make a statement on the room left to it in the European construction.
- To allow the young participants to think, together, about the big choices to be made for the future, concerning matters for the Youth.
- To allow the young participants to exchange on commitment of the Youth of each country in the European construction.
- To exchange with political, social, educational and associative personalities on the European stakes for tomorrow.

The organization:

This meeting, organized by the French association Interechanges, took place in Picardie (a region in the North of France). The periods of thought and exchange were be spread along the 10 days, interrupted by visits, as well as meetings with local personalities, representatives of youth movements, and official partners. Times dedicated to the discovery of regional, touristic sites, and times of conviviality, allowed create an atmosphere favourable to exchanges off-the-record and helped making contacts between the members of the 6 delegations.

At the close of this meeting, a document synthesizing the works was written to be forwarded to the European Commission, in order to propose the creation of a consultative commission of the European Youth.