Engaging Youth in EU Parliament Elections
The “Youth Working Group: Election to EU Parliament Awareness and Opinions 2024” event at the National Art Gallery in Vilnius, Lithuania, brought together a diverse group of young participants from the Artscape mentorship program to discuss the upcoming European Parliament elections. The event featured a keynote presentation that educated attendees on the structure and significance of the European Parliament, emphasizing the power of the youth vote.
Participants engaged in discussions on key issues affecting youth, such as education opportunities through Erasmus+ programs, youth unemployment, and the need for mental health support. These discussions were followed by intimate group sessions that explored the importance of the European Parliament in global politics and the interest in EU-related political activities.
A final roundtable discussion allowed participants to share insights, with many highlighting the role of media and the arts in promoting unity and diversity within the EU. A post-event questionnaire revealed that 70% of respondents were “Somewhat familiar” with the EU, and 45% followed news related to the European Parliament elections. Most viewed the European Parliament as “Somewhat important” in global politics, and 60% believed non-EU citizens should have a limited say in the elections.
To enhance engagement with non-EU residents, participants suggested educational initiatives, better communication channels, inclusive advisory councils, and regular feedback mechanisms. Overall, the event successfully engaged participants in meaningful discussions about the European Parliament and highlighted the crucial role of youth in shaping future EU policies.
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GET THE NET project is a collaborative initiative aimed at providing crucial support to European non-governmental organizations (ENGOs) and EU-wide networks focused on youth engagement. The project seeks to enhance young people’s participation in democratic processes and their active involvement in local community matters that impact their lives. GET THE NET 2024 is led by the NGO YOU IN EUROPE, based in Greece.
To learn more about the impactful GET THE NET 2024 project, kindly refer to: https://www.getthenet.eu
May 20, 2024