Contribution from young Azoreans is essential to defining European Youth Strategy, says Regional Director
The Regional Director for Youth defended today "the involvement of Azorean young people in decision-making processes on youth policies." According to him, their contribution is "essential to defining" the new European Strategy for Youth, which will be implemented in 2019.
Lúcio Rodrigues spoke in Ponta Delgada at the opening session of the 6th Structured Dialogue Cycle held under the theme "Youth in Europe: what's next," a joint initiative of the Regional Directorate for Youth and the National Youth Council. It was attended by more than 20 young people aged between 16 and 30.
This project aims to challenge young people to provide their contribution to defining youth policies at European level, a process that is taking place throughout the country until the end of the year.
The Regional Director stressed that "structured dialogue, promoted by the "You in Europe" project, provides an effective contribution to the definition of youth polices." It will allow young people and policy makers to discuss various topics, namely forms of "bringing Azorean young people closer to Europe and fitting regional and national policies into European priorities, as we are not alone in the world."
According to Lúcio Rodrigues, the participation of Azorean young people in the "inception, implementation and monitoring of policies allows them to acquire knowledge and skills, while making them part of decision-making processes and promoting their sense of responsibility."
Lúcio Rodrigues highlighted the work carried out in the Region, highlighting that these initiative have "promoted the development of local, regional, national and European citizenship." It provides young people with "the opportunity to understand the challenges they face and take action on them."
"We are sure about one thing: youth participation increases the success of youth polices," noted the Regional Director. In this regard, he added that "a meaningful participation empowers young people to increasingly take part in decisions and projects implemented."
"Youth participation is a right and a duty insofar as, according to the Regional Government, young people represent a very important asset to the future of the Region for their potential to take action," said Lúcio Rodrigues.