Euro-Arab and Mediterranean Youth Leaders Meeting

Euro-Mediterranean youth cooperation was given fresh momentum at the Euro-Arab and Mediterranean Youth Leaders Meeting in Rome from 7th to 12th May. Organised by the Italian National Youth Council as part of its “Act-Democracy” project, and in collaboration with the Youth Forum and the European Commission, the meeting focused on networking and partnership development. Due to the inablity of Mr Drikos, president of the Hellenic National Youth Council (HNYC), to attend  the HNYC was represented by the Secretary General George Arvalis. The meeting aimed to build a common strategy and action oriented plan on the development of youth participation in democratic decision making processes. The meeting took the form of three working groups, centred on volunteering, capacity building for strong youth organisations and youth rights. Approximately 40 European and Arab youth representatives took part with stakeholders including the Council of Europe, the World Bank and the League of Arab States.

Objectives included strengthening dialogue and cooperation among civil society and institutional partners, enhancing the development of a cooperation framework, and promoting policy dialogue, capacity building and training, networking opportunities to establish and strengthen youth structures and policies in the region. Youth organisation participation and cooperation was stressed as a crucial element to these objectives. Substantial proposals for stronger cooperation were presented during the Institutional meeting of the 10th May. The proposals will feed into an outcome document with a view to implementing the World Programme of Action for Youth and the Millennium Development Goals.

The European Youth Forum promotes the fostering and enhancement of youth cooperation in the Euro-Mediterranean region. European and Arab young people face common challenges such as sustainable development and the achievement of human rights. Euro-Arab co-operation aims to strengthen youth participation in order to reduce the existing gaps between decision-makers and youth organisations.