"Youth Democracy Dialogues" to take place in March 2023

The EESC is getting ready for the annual YEYS! event, where students from all over Europe will have their say on their active citizenship in a participatory democracy.

 Your Europe, Your Say! (YEYS!) is back for the 14th time, returning to an in-person format after three years online. Entitled Youth Democracy Dialogues, it will take place on 23 and 24 March 2023.

Taking place against the backdrop of the crisis in Ukraine, threats to peace 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 two days, the students will take part in a series of workshops and interactive activities culminating in a set of recommendations that will be submitted to the European institutions and high-level European policy- and decision-makers.

Registrations closed on 6 December, and schools from all EU Member States and the seven candidate countries (Albania, Moldova, the Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine) had a chance to apply.

One school from each country will be chosen by drawing lots, and the winners will attend the two-day event, parts of which will also be webstreamed via the EESC's social media channels.

EESC members will visit each selected school well in advance to prepare students and teachers for the YEYS event. These visits will take place between January and February 2023 either in person or remotely. Documentation and teaching materials will be sent to schools ahead of the visits. (ck)