"Paroles d'Européens!"in Nantes on 10 and 11 October: "12 Projects for 2020, Preparing Tomorrow's Europe"
Paroles d'européens, 10.10.2008
© MAEE / A. Arraou
- from: 10.10.2008
- to: 11.10.2008
- In: Nantes, Cité internationale des congrès
Are young people fed up with Europe? Nothing seems less likely. All the surveys, opinion polls and studies agree on the same thing: it is the younger generation that has the highest demands and expectations for Europe. To bolster continued involvement from 18-30 year olds in the European project, 500 young people from all over Europe are expected in Nantes on 10 and 11 October. Together they will decide on 12 major projects that they hope to see implemented in the European Union by 2020. These proposals, the result of 24 thematic workshops held on Friday 10 October, will be presented on Saturday 11 October to Felipe González, chair of the reflection group on the future of Europe, and to other political leaders. Bernard Kouchner, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, and Jean-Pierre Jouyet, Minister of State with responsibility for European Affairs, will attend the presentation. The plenary session will be open to the general public.
The participants will be asked to examine four major challenges for Europe in 2020: strengthening the links between Europe and its citizens; building a Europe based on innovation and solidarity; ensuring sustainable European development; and determining where Europe stands in tomorrow's world. The objective is to identify the hopes and priorities of the younger generations on these four major issues, based on the workshops' conclusions.
Paroles d'Européens! in Nantes is intended to promote group reflection and lively and dynamic debate, a far cry from the debates reserved for experts and specialists. The presentation, which is open to the general public on Saturday, will be broadcast live on the parliamentary channel of the French National Assembly.
Twelve major projects will be drawn from the debates, symbolic of the 12 stars of the European Union flag, and drafted in a document entitled, "12 Projects for 2020".
Paroles d'Européens! is a public debate cycle supported by the Minister of State with responsibility for European Affairs under the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
- Updated: 23.12.2008
