THE COMMISSION ADOPTS A COMMUNICATION ON YOUTH POLICIES

The European Commission adopted a Communication on “European policies concerning youth”. This text is a follow-up to the adoption of the European Youth Pact by the European Council in March 2005, which made young people a key part of the renewed Lisbon partnership for growth and jobs and which proposed taking action for young people in the fields of employment, integration and social advancement, education and training, mobility, and reconciling family and work life.

“Europe’s future increasingly depends on its ability to foster societies that are child and youth friendly,” said Ján Figel’, commissioner in charge of Youth, and the Communication adopted today is a clear signal that the Lisbon partnership for growth and jobs is very relevant for young people since it addresses issues that affect them directly”.

The Communication adopted today points out that unemployment among young people is more than double the overall unemployment rate in Europe, while young people as a group are particularly at risk of poverty. And yet, as Europe’s population shrinks, a smaller number of young people will have to carry the burden of replacing the larger numbers of the preceding generations. Young people will be vital in ensuring that the Lisbon goals of more growth and jobs can be met – as the future work force, and the future source of the research capabilities, innovation and entrepreneurship that Europe needs to succeed. However, these goals can only be met if young people are equipped with knowledge, skills and competences through high quality, relevant education and training, and if barriers such as growing up in poverty and social exclusion are removed.