14/07/2005: The meeting of the intergroup on "Family and the protection of Childhood" which took place during the European Parliament's plenary session in Strasbourg, gathered the participation of the Commissioner for Education and Culture Mr Jan Figel, Mr Martin Toman, representative of the World Youth Alliance and Mr Bruno Lachesnaie, Vice Director of the Department on social development and public services of the French Agricultural scheme (CCMSA) and founding member of the European Network of Agricultural social protection schemes.
The meeting aimed at getting acquainted with the European Youth Pact which was adopted at the Spring European Council in March 2005.
The Commissioner, Mr Figel, while presenting the European Youth Pact, underlined that Europe's future increasingly depends on its ability to foster societies that are child and youth friendly. With the adoption of this Pact, as part of the revised Lisbon Strategy, the European Council recognised that integrating young people in society and working life, and making better use of their potential are essential for ensuring a return to sustained and sustainable growth in Europe. Consequently, this initiative seeks to pursue actions in the areas of education, training and mobility, social advancement and promotion of young people, employment and reconciliation of family and working life. The Commissioner underlined that the success of this initiative, depended mostly on the mobilisation of youth organisations, regional and local authorities and the social partners. Furthermore, the Commissioner announced with enthusiasm that the "General Youth Assembly" will be held in Brussels and other regions of Europe, making use of new technologies.
Mr Toman presented the activities of the World Youth Alliance, a global organisation for young people. The speaker insisted on the fight against poverty and social exclusion which affect especially young people because of the high rates of unemployment.
Finally, Mr Lachesnaie pointed out the difficulties that young people meet especially in rural areas, such as the lack of financial facilities, less opportunities for high level education and training, less jobs and limited access to vocational training and career advancement. Mr Lachesnaie strongly invited the European Commission and the Member States to present specific priorities and measures regarding young people in rural areas.
Concluding the meeting, Mrs Panayotopoulos - Cassiotou, President of the Intergroup on “Family and the Protection of Childhood”, congratulated the Commissioner and the other participants for their interventions. Considering the demographic changes Europe is facing, Mrs Panayotopoulos - Cassiotou pointed out the fact that nowadays, it is more than ever necessary to promote an active involvement of young people in the economic life. The freshness of their ideas and honesty could contribute to the creation of a dynamic, social and open Europe.
The meeting aimed at getting acquainted with the European Youth Pact which was adopted at the Spring European Council in March 2005.
The Commissioner, Mr Figel, while presenting the European Youth Pact, underlined that Europe's future increasingly depends on its ability to foster societies that are child and youth friendly. With the adoption of this Pact, as part of the revised Lisbon Strategy, the European Council recognised that integrating young people in society and working life, and making better use of their potential are essential for ensuring a return to sustained and sustainable growth in Europe. Consequently, this initiative seeks to pursue actions in the areas of education, training and mobility, social advancement and promotion of young people, employment and reconciliation of family and working life. The Commissioner underlined that the success of this initiative, depended mostly on the mobilisation of youth organisations, regional and local authorities and the social partners. Furthermore, the Commissioner announced with enthusiasm that the "General Youth Assembly" will be held in Brussels and other regions of Europe, making use of new technologies.
Mr Toman presented the activities of the World Youth Alliance, a global organisation for young people. The speaker insisted on the fight against poverty and social exclusion which affect especially young people because of the high rates of unemployment.
Finally, Mr Lachesnaie pointed out the difficulties that young people meet especially in rural areas, such as the lack of financial facilities, less opportunities for high level education and training, less jobs and limited access to vocational training and career advancement. Mr Lachesnaie strongly invited the European Commission and the Member States to present specific priorities and measures regarding young people in rural areas.
Concluding the meeting, Mrs Panayotopoulos - Cassiotou, President of the Intergroup on “Family and the Protection of Childhood”, congratulated the Commissioner and the other participants for their interventions. Considering the demographic changes Europe is facing, Mrs Panayotopoulos - Cassiotou pointed out the fact that nowadays, it is more than ever necessary to promote an active involvement of young people in the economic life. The freshness of their ideas and honesty could contribute to the creation of a dynamic, social and open Europe.
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