Active and engaged youth to participate in #YEYS2023

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Reference number
59/2022
Youth

Are you ready for our annual YEYS! event, where students from all over Europe have their say on their active citizenship in a participatory democracy? If yes, join us!

Your Europe, Your Say! (YEYS!) will run its 14th edition this year, returning to in-person format after three years. It is called "Youth Democracy Dialogues", and will take place between 23 and 24 March 2023.

Given that the event will be taking place following a year dominated by Russia’s war against Ukraine, threats to peaceful regimes, and unpredictable societal and economic challenges leading to systemic shifts, this year's event will focus on how to raise awareness about democratic values, while encouraging critical thinking, youth empowerment and youth participation.

Over the event, students will participate in a set of workshops and interactive activities so that they can come up with recommendations that will be submitted to the European institutions and high-level European policy- and decision-makers.

Registrations are ongoing, and schools from all EU Member States and the seven candidate countries (Albania, Moldova, the Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine) may apply. If you are a teacher in secondary school and you teach to 16-18 years-old students, you are invited to send in an application to take part in the 2023 YEYS! event.

The deadline for applications is extended to 6 December 2022.

How to apply:

Schools wishing to take part are required to complete the application on the EESC's website.

One school from each country will be chosen at random. Schools that are chosen will be asked to select three students preferably in their penultimate year to attend and participate, and one teacher to supervise.

In the run up to the event, EESC members will visit each nominated school to prepare students and teachers for the event. Documentation and teaching materials will be sent to schools ahead of the visits.

We look forward to welcoming you to this unique experience!

Related content

YEYS! 2023: Youth ask for a more transparent, digital and simplified EU

Reference number
16/2023

On 23 and 24 March, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) hosted the 14th Your Europe, Your Say! (YEYS!) event, bringing 105 students from 35 schools from all 27 EU Member States and the seven candidate countries to Brussels. Given the many societal and economic challenges, a shrinking civic space and threats to peace and fundamental rights, this year's conference focused on "Youth Democracy Dialogues" and aimed to ensure that the voices of young people are heard when Europe's future is shaped. The students' recommendations will be submitted to the European institutions and high-level EU policy makers in June 2023.

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