years retrospective

What happened next?

After the event, the EESC forwarded the winning recommendations to its members, the European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission.

Other follow-up actions were organised. For example, on 10 May, three students who had participated in the EESC's 2019 event presented the YEYS project at an event in Hanover, as part of the European elections campaign with the theme 'This time I'm voting'. Their presentation was followed by conferences and debates.

Having access to better information on the role of the EU and the way it operates, as well as understanding the issues in European votes by having a formal learning framework, are at the heart of the recommendations coming out at the top of the 2019 'Your Europe, Your Say' vote. These concerns were echoed in the EESC's own-initiative opinion adopted in July 2019 on Teaching Europe — Developing a toolkit for schools. This opinion supports the idea that the EU could play a greater role in this area by proposing measures and tools, as well as specific activities to step up and improve education on Europe at school.

The opinion on The effects of campaigns on participation in political decision-making, adopted in June 2020, is also in keeping with the recommendations put forward by students. The EESC recognises the importance of involving the public in the EU’s political decision-making process, through participation in elections but also through political debates and consultation. It reaffirms the need to strengthen civic education in the EU to ensure informed electoral participation and calls for a more inclusive European electoral process.

What happened next?

After the event, the EESC forwarded the three recommendations to its members, the European Commission and the European Parliament.

As part of the EESC’s 60th anniversary, a delegation of YEYS 2018 students was invited to present the proposals during its plenary session.

Following a suggestion from the Europa Nostra Foundation, the three recommendations were also presented during the European Cultural Heritage Summit. A YEYS student joined the EESC President in Berlin during the event.

The YEYS recommendation to use craft fairs and cultural festivals as a way of building bridges between rural and urban citizens is a concept shared by the EESC, as reflected in its opinion on the Contribution of Europe’s Rural Areas to the 2018 Year of Cultural Heritage. This opinion recognises the richness and diversity of Europe’s rural cultural heritage and how it benefits all European citizens.

What happened next?

After the event, the EESC forwarded the three recommendations to its members and the European Commission.

A delegation of YEYS 2017 students was also invited to present the proposals during the EESC’s Civil Society Days.

The theme of the winning recommendation, reducing food waste, is one shared by the EESC. Several of its opinions promote the development of a sustainable food policy.

Likewise, the students’ ideas for using education to combat nationalism and strengthening political interest in Europe is a point-of-view shared by the Committee and expressed in several of its opinions, including one on the New EU education strategy. In this opinion, the EESC lays out its belief that Europe’s education policies should incorporate the use of cultural diversity and tolerance as a method for fostering active citizenship and promoting the EU’s fundamental values. The opinion also stresses that although educating people and making them truly aware of common European history and values is a general responsibility, a more holistic education strategy is needed.

This point of view is also reflected in the EESC’s opinion entitled Education about the European Union. In this opinion, the Committee highlights the vital role that education and learning about the EU can have to increase engagement in the European project, in fostering citizens' sense of EU identity, community and belonging, which could be crucial for the future of Europe.

What happened next?

After the event, the EESC forwarded the three recommendations to its ad-hoc group on European Citizens’ Initiatives (ECI), which ensured that each was followed up on.

The theme of the winning recommendation, on the environment and climate change, is very important to the EESC, and is reflected in its work. In its opinion Paris Protocol - a blueprint for tackling global climate change beyond 2020, European civil society’s expectations for the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP 21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

After the Paris Agreement, the EESC adopted an opinion that stresses the important role that civil society must play if the EU is to achieve its climate goals.

What happened next?

After the event, the EESC forwarded the five recommendations to its members, the European Parliament – along with all newly elected MEPs, and the European Commission.

They were also included on the agenda for the EESC’s 500th plenary session, in which a delegation of YEYS 2014 students were invited to attend.

The EESC agrees that exchange programmes like those suggested at YEYS 2014 are essential to give people the knowledge and skills they need to succeed. The Committee also believe that Erasmus is key to promoting cross-cultural understanding and developing a shared European identity.

In such opinions as Erasmus for all (2012), Erasmus+ (2017) and Erasmus (2018), the EESC stresses the need for a more inclusive approach to these exchange programmes. Specifically, it believes that such programmes should ensure the participation of disadvantaged groups. The Committee also believes these programmes should be made available to secondary school students, workers and, in particular, young apprentices.

What happened next?

The issue of access to jobs for young people is reflected in a number of EESC’s works, including a study on the implementation of EU policies for youth employment.The results of this study – which dealt with topics like the Youth Guarantee, transitioning from school to work, quality traineeships and apprenticeships and European mobility – were later presented at the EESC’s 500th plenary, in which a delegation of YEYS 2014 students were invited to attend.

The topic is also reflected in the EESC’s 2014 opinion Youth employment measures - Best practices, which outlines its belief that to ensure today’s young people are well-positioned to shape tomorrow’s Europe, they need to be able to live an independent life. This includes having a job that is in line with their qualifications. To achieve this, Europe’s education systems must provide the necessary skills to start a career, including vocational training that reflects employers’ needs. This is an area where public employment services and businesses can help.

The topic of promoting entrepreneurship is also an EESC priority. A number of opinions – including a 2015 opinion on fostering creativity, entrepreneurship and mobility in education and training– highlight the need for Europe to focus on both entrepreneurship training and development.

What happened next?

These issues aren’t just for young people – they are European issues. In fact, in 2012, the EESC adopted an opinion specifically devoted to the three topics discussed during YEYS 2011. The EESC’s youth employment, technical skills and mobility opinion outlines how Europe’s competitiveness depends on the availability of skilled workers. The Committee believes that, for training to lead to employment, it must be based on actual labour market needs. Furthermore, curriculums should focus more on general and innovative competences – even those acquired outside the traditional classroom.