Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-02-25-Speech-3-126"
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"en.20040225.9.3-126"2
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"Mr President, I should like to join with other speakers in congratulating the rapporteur on her work. As per the title of the Commission's White Paper on the topic, youth policy can certainly be given a new impetus. I am pleased that the Irish presidency has also taken up the challenge contained in the White Paper and that youth issues form an important element of the presidency priorities. Indeed, Ireland will shortly host a major conference involving youth ministers and young people themselves, and which will have as its main theme 'young people in politics'.
Colleagues are all aware that in a few short months the citizens of Europe will have an opportunity to cast their votes in the elections for the European Parliament. Recent surveys of public opinion and interest in the elections are, I have to say, disturbing, particularly the low numbers of young people who say they intend to vote. After the ten new countries join, the number of young people between the ages of 15 and 25 will rise to 75 million. Many of these young people will be able to express their political will as first-time voters in the European elections. The rapporteur identifies participation and information as key areas for development in the context of EU youth policy. These are both key in the European elections, and we as public representatives have a vital role to play in informing young people about Europe and what it is doing for them, and encouraging them to make their voice heard.
In each of our Member States we need to take a hard look at ways of improving the active participation of young people in political life. This goes beyond voting in elections, and includes membership of political parties, political movements and various non-governmental organisations.
We must strive to convince our young people that they can make a difference and that they can bring change to our society. A failure on our part to do so will lead to levels of apathy which will gradually erode all our democracies."@en1
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