Inspiring, enlightening, rewarding. These are the terms used by the young participants of the Citizens’ Dialogue to describe the session, which occurred on 12th October 2020, during the 18th edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities. It was an inter-generational dialogue that gave the chance to young participants to debate with Elisa Ferreira, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, about how EU policies affect the young generation. The discussion, built in the form of a question and answer session, concerned the following topics: empowering people, cohesion and cooperation and a greener Europe.
Turning straight to the heart of the matter, young participants pointed out the disparities in education that still exist between EU’s Member States. Good instruction and training are fundamental in order to guarantee the future that young people deserve. The best-performing countries in the field of education and cultural organization should act as a guide for the less-developed members, as the participants suggested. Promoting the development of all Member States is actually the crucial point of the European’s cohesion policy, but EU’s funding is not enough to ensure a real environment of cooperation. As Elisa Ferreira recalled, particular consideration shall be given to dialogue and communication among European countries. This is the way Europe can involve citizens and put an end to some of the divisions affecting its members.
The issue of the climate emergency and the crisis due to the Covid-19 pandemic is putting a strain on the young generation. Young people reclaimed a virtuous response of European institutions. Concrete measures are necessary to face all the problems of the “sacrificed generation” as it was called by one of the participating young journalists. Next Generation EU is surely a huge step forward in that field. A greener Europe and digital transitions are also major objectives of the financial plan.
Putting aside the European investments, Elisa Ferreira appealed to the energy and the great power young people ha.e. “You should not think you are too small to have influence, just imagine yourself sleeping while there is a mosquito flying about, it can cause a lot of pressure. You should not be afraid to be the mosquitos for the EU decisions makers!”
Young people should make sure they are well-informed and spread their knowledge about European issues through social media, which are very powerful platforms; the importance of communication was underlined once again. “Europe is not a finished project yet. We build it every day, together”, affirmed Elisa Ferreira. Young citizens have the chance to implement the future, sharing information on websites and participating actively in political life of their cities and regions.
“Restart Europe together” is actually the motto of this year’s European week of Region and Cities and the themes touched during the Citizen’s Dialogue were concordant with that. Institutions and young people approach the same thing from different sides; this is why a constructive discussion between generations is crucial. Both parties involved in Citizens’ Dialogue gained something; increased awareness for EU decision-makers about how their policy affects citizenship, and for the next generation, it was a unique occasion to make their voice count.
By Aurora Laguardia, Italy
