Messages from students: Webinar on the EU and the European elections

22.04.2024 | News from EESC, News from EESC

Lidija Pavić-Rogošić, director of ODRAZ and member of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), held a webinar on April 11, 2024 for students of the Virovitica University of Applied Sciences and Baltazar Zapresic Polytechnic.

 

 

At the beginning, she presented the EU bodies and their roles in policy-making, and then she informed students on important EU policies related to sustainable development and sustainable development goals.

What the EU is doing for the citizens and young people of the EU and why they should vote, was also discussed. She also presented to the students what the European Parliament is doing in the fight against disinformation.

After that, students in two groups discussed what is important to them for the future of Europe.

The moderators were Lidija Pavić-Rogošić and Magdalena Makar, her alternate in the EESC.

After that, in the plenary part, the reports of the groups were presented and the final comments were given.

What do young people expect from of the EU in the future?

EU institutions should listen more to the needs of young people and involve them more in decision-making; young people should receive feedback.

Security

Given the current situation of the war in Ukraine and potential related threats, the participants hope that the EU will strengthen itself geopolitically in order to be able to respond more quickly to threats in the future.

Energy independence

Emphasis should be placed on renewable energy sources in order for the EU to be energy independent ASAP.

What do young people need, what are their priorities?

Housing and employment

The priority of young people is to become independent. The current situation on the real estate market and for first employment is unfavorable for young people. Solving the housing policy, demographic and employment incentives (more than is currently the practice) are some examples of the needs of young people.

Cultural exchange / Exchange and learning in other areas

Cultural exchange should be continuously organized and financed. Exchanges in other spheres such as urban planning, ecology, etc. are also welcome.

Strengthening capacities for absorption of EU funds

Education for the preparation and implementation of EU projects should be integrated into schooling, already from secondary school.

Strengthening of institutions

Croatian judiciary should look up to good European examples, become more efficient, faster, more transparent and fairer.

The capacities of the implementing bodies dealing with EU funds should be strengthened in order to implement tenders/calls more efficiently.

Will they vote in the elections for the EU Parliament?

Almost half said that they were not sure whether they would vote. Some did not even know that there were elections in June, perhaps because the parliamentary elections were held in mid-April, so there is no campaign yet and most of the parties have not published their lists.

#EESC #EGSO

 

 

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