15.6.2017   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 189/1

Council Resolution on the Structured Dialogue and the future development of the dialogue with young people in the context of policies for European cooperation in the youth field, post 2018

(2017/C 189/01)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

RECALLING THAT:

1.

The Council Resolution on ‘Encouraging political participation of young people in democratic life in Europe’ (1), stated that the overall thematic priority for European cooperation for the Structured Dialogue in the youth field for the period 1 January 2016-30 June 2017 would be ‘Enabling all young people to engage in a diverse, connected and inclusive Europe’ and that this theme would be the common thread that would ensure the continuity and consistency in the work of the trio Presidencies — Netherlands, Slovakia and Malta, in line with the EU Work Plan for Youth 2016-2018.

ACKNOWLEDGING THAT:

2.

The Structured Dialogue is a participatory process and the outcomes of the fifth work cycle are based on the results achieved by the national consultations during the Dutch, Slovak and Maltese Presidencies, as well as by the EU Youth Conferences in Amsterdam in April 2016, Kosice in October 2016 and in Malta in March 2017.

3.

The Netherlands Presidency focused on exploring the challenges and problems facing young people in today’s Europe. During the Youth Conference in Amsterdam (April 2016), guiding questions for consultation with young people were drawn up and National Working Groups at Member State level were invited to carry out the consultation and provide feedback.

4.

The Youth Conference in Kosice (October 2016) considered and discussed the results of the consultations with young people and youth representatives, and together with representatives from Member States, developed Joint Recommendations of the Structured Dialogue on Youth, which were discussed at the EYCS Council, in November 2016, together with the situation of young people in Europe. The outcomes of this discussion were communicated to the President of the European Council.

5.

During the Youth Conference in Malta (March 2017) the Joint Recommendations, were further discussed, prioritised and actions for their implementation were developed.

TAKES NOTE:

6.

of the Joint Recommendations and proposed actions of the Structured Dialogue on Youth — ‘Enabling all young people to engage in a diverse, connected and inclusive Europe’ — which focus on the topics: Access to quality and critical information; Building resilience and self-confidence; Beyond fear and intolerance; Towards an education system that realises young people’s potential; Fostering young people’s engagement in society; Rebuilding the trust of young people in the European project; Mobility programmes for all; and the Impact of youth work and youth organisation for all as set out in the Annex.

INVITES THE MEMBER STATES AND THE COMMISSION, WITHIN THEIR RESPECTIVE SPHERES OF COMPETENCE AND WITH DUE REGARD FOR THE PRINCIPLE OF SUBSIDIARITY:

7.

to have regard to the Joint Recommendations and proposed actions of the Structured Dialogue on Youth in formulating and implementing future youth policies where appropriate.

8.

to undertake a review of the Structured Dialogue process and its objectives for the European Cooperation in the Youth Field Post 2018 and consider innovative and effective ways of promoting meaningful and constructive dialogue and engagement with young people from diverse background, youth organisations, youth researchers and policy makers including stakeholders from other relevant sectors.

INVITES THE COMMISSION:

9.

Based on the evidence, evaluation and consultations, propose a renewed Structured Dialogue process as part of the European Cooperation in the Youth Field — Post 2018.

FURTHER AGREES THAT:

10.

Given that the renewed framework for European cooperation in the youth field (2010-2018) will conclude in 2018, the overall priority for the structured dialogue with young people and youth organisations for the next work cycle (1 July 2017 to 31 December 2018) should be focused on the next framework for the European cooperation in the youth field. The title for the sixth cycle of the Structured Dialogue will be ‘Youth in Europe: what’s next?’.

11.

The focus of the next trio Presidencies — Estonia, Bulgaria and Austria — for the sixth work cycle of the Structured Dialogue will be to evaluate, review and renew the Structured Dialogue to further improve and promote it.

(1)  OJ C 417, 15.12.2015, p. 10.

ANNEX

Joint recommendations of the Structured Dialogue on Youth

Enabling all young people to engage in a diverse, connected and inclusive Europe

Access to quality and Critical Information

1.

The EU institutions and the Member States should develop or further implement evidence based policy and practice that aim to continually improve the skills of young people to critically evaluate and process information through both formal and non-formal education.

2.

The EU institutions and Member States, in cooperation with civil society organisations, should support youth-led media that are transparent, independent and diverse, as it contributes to enhancing media literacy, critical and analytical thinking amongst young people. The CULT committee of the European Parliament as well as the European Commission are invited to take into account this aspect while reviewing the ‘Erasmus+’, ‘Europe for Citizen’, ‘Creative Europe’ and all other relevant programmes.

Young People under pressure: Building Resilience and self-confidence

1.

Considering that expectations to perform competitively are increasing in educational settings, national competent authorities must ensure that young people have enough time and space for activities that help them to build resilience, self-awareness and self-confidence.

2.

National competent authorities should implement education on mental wellbeing and mental health, both through the formal education system and in the non-formal environment. The goal is to break stigma through raising awareness as well as to enable young people to learn how to maintain their mental health and how to communicate with their peers on this issue.

Beyond fear and intolerance — Experience diversity

1.

European and National Authorities should increase funding and institutional support in establishing Local Programmes and National Level Exchanges to enable all young people to have a direct connection with others from different backgrounds and realities, so as to strengthen intercultural competences, tackle discrimination, promote empathy and solidarity, and experience the benefits of diversity.

2.

For all young people to live in a diverse Europe, the EU and National Competent Authorities must develop or support training and development programmes to teachers and school communities in order to create a safe and inclusive environment where young people can develop competences to overcome fear and discrimination.

Towards an education system that realises young people’s potential

1.

We ask for commitment in all Member States to ensure guidance and counselling services that empowers all young people to develop themselves and find their path in life throughout all stages of education.

2.

Education fails to provide young people with the necessary practical skills relevant to modern society. We urge all Member States to encourage the inclusion of practical life skills in education so young people can be active participants in diverse societies and in the workplace.

Fostering young people’s engagement in society in particular for vulnerable groups

1.

Educational institutions and local stakeholders, in cooperation with young people, should provide tailor-made support, accessible service, as well as create spaces for meaningful interaction, so that all young people can discover and embrace their individual identity and value. This is the basis for building mutual trust between young people from different background.

2.

The European Commission and the Member States should ensure that every young person, regardless their personal and social situation, can freely engage in volunteering activities by making them accessible. Engagement should be ensured, for instance in youth organisations, to create a sense of belonging and to empower young people as citizens.

Rebuilding the trust of young people in the European project

1.

The European Commission and the European Youth Forum should work together to analyse and understand how young people access communication from and about the EU and to develop a communication strategy to inform young Europeans about the EU and how to positively impact the EU project.

2.

To bridge the distance between young people and the EU and its policies, National and/or Regional EU Youth Festivals should be organised in all Member States in connection to European initiatives, These festivals, combining social, political and cultural activities should gather young people from different backgrounds. These events will foster learning and debating about the EU, its opportunities and shape its policies while having fun together.

Mobility programme: employment and education for all

1.

Member States and the European Commission should further their efforts to overcome existing obstacles to young people’s access to mobility. Access to mobility programmes should be simplified and better adapted to the diverse needs of young people. Information and guidance should be provided to spread awareness of mobility opportunities.

2.

EU Member States should create a legal framework for the recognition and validation of competences acquired through mobility programmes on national and European level. This will provide not only equal access to diverse learning opportunities but also validate the attained skills and contribute to social inclusion of young people.

The impact of youth work and youth organisations for all

1.

Member States and the European Commission should promote and support a range of virtual and physical spaces dedicated to qualified youth work in order to respond to the needs and interests of all young people.

2.

The European Commission and Member States should allocate sufficient operational funding so that youth work and youth organisations are able to implement sustainable youth work that is accessible, relevant and meaningful for all young people.