Euro-Mediterranean Youth Platform

Unfortunately, President Chirac’s law proposition against religious symbols makes it very difficult for the Muslim youth all over Europe. It started in France and now it is also in Belgium, and will certainly not stop here.

Working for an international organisation, I would give a more global opinion of the situation of young people in Europe. Young people in Europe have many challenges to face, from unemployment to lack of education opportunities, from mobility impediments to social security concerns. Young people are very often considered as second class citizens, where age is a sign of weakness and incompetence. But they are also lucky to be in a European environment where youth opportunities are growing, where young people can have a say on policies and decisions that would influence their daily life. In Europe, young people can and should take advantage of the place that is given to them and challenge the political institutions for more.

The current situation in Belgium should be seen in a federal perspective, meaning that the department of youth is assigned to the communities (Flemish Community, French Community and German Community). All their policies are built by their own legislation. Youngsters have their participation in local youth movements and initiatives, which are represented in local assembles, articulating their interests to local responsibilities and political issues. For the Flemish Community these assemblies are coordinated by the Vlaamse Jeugdraad (Flemish Youth Council) as an umbrella organisation. All major social debates are discussed by youngsters within a free atmosphere. All necessary pros and cons are made by all levels in society. Current points of discussion are youngsters in criminality (and punishment), wearing religious symbols in public schools, voting rights and whether it should be reduced to 16 years or not, etc. Belgium (and also Flanders) recently ratified the convention on the rights of the child. The Flemish Community assigned Ankie Vandekerckhove as the Commissioner for children’s rights.

Young people here in Belgium are aware that youths from Mediterranean countries such as Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia face common problems, including drug abuse, education, infrastructure and family integration problems.

Young people in our country are not in poor conditions to apply their political involvement, but they are not listened to and consulted enough by the federal or regional authorities. They may be present but not too much. Sometimes we manage to gain collaboration with deputies or other representatives, but it seems to be an unreachable goal and the initiative almost always comes from us. There are many efforts to furnish if we want young people to be independent actors on a politic level.