Working Documents

Tough questions to consider

To help students and their teachers to formulate ideas and prepare for the debate in Brussels, below are some of the questions that could arise during YEYS 2017:

The future of Europe

• How would you evaluate the EU's main achievements so far?
• How do you visualise the Europe of tomorrow? Are you optimistic or pessimistic?
• What do young people want from the EU in the future?
• How can young people increase their influence on EU decision-making?
• Do you discuss European issues with family and/or friends and at school?
• What are the biggest challenges facing the EU and what are the opportunities for building a strong European Union?

1. Economic recovery
2. Youth employment
3. Refugees/migration
4. The rise of nationalism
5. Security/peace
6.  Energy supply
7. A sustainable future (Combating Climate Change)
8. Enough good quality food at affordable prices
9. Digitalisation
10. The demographic problem
11. Other

• According to recent surveys, the index of optimism about the future of the EU has fallen to its lowest level; what is the main reason for this in your opinion?

EU priorities

• How do you rate these EU "benefits":

1.  Peace
2. The right to work abroad
3. The right to study abroad
4. Easier holiday travel
5. The euro
6. An end to mobile roaming charges
7. Consumer protection when you buy goods online
8. Environmental standards
9. Cross-border cooperation on research and innovation
10. Common policies to fight climate change
11. Action against inequality and discrimination
12. Workers’ rights, health and safety

• Can you think of examples of decisions made in Brussels that have improved your life (or made it more difficult)?
• Are you in favour of more European integration or should the EU be simply a trading bloc?
• Are you in favour of an EU army?

Challenges

• How could the EU have handled the refugee crisis better?
• In your view, what will be the consequences of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union? Will it affect young people in other EU countries?
• What should be done to halt the rise of nationalism and xenophobia?
• What can the EU do to defend Europeans against terrorist attacks?
• Does globalisation make the EU more or less significant?
• Is power too centralised in the EU? Should more decisions be devolved to national or local level?
• How can EU leaders relate better to citizens?
• How can national leaders relate better to Europe?
• What single change of policy or decision would benefit people in the EU most?

Communication

• Do you feel you have enough information about:

1. EU history
2. EU structures
3. EU policies

• Do you think the media give accurate information about the EU? How can communication be improved? Do you get enough information in school?
• What can the European institutions do to communicate better with young people?
• What can YOU do to help build Europe?

Further information

Your Europe, Your Say!

http://www.eesc.europa.eu/?i=portal.en.events-and-activities-your-europe-your-say-2016

About the EESC

http://www.eesc.europa.eu/?i=portal.en.the-committee

State of the Union 2016

http://www.soteu.eu/

Public Opinion in the EU

http://ec.europa.eu/COMMFrontOffice/PublicOpinion/index.cfm/Survey/getSurveyDetail/instruments/STANDARD/surveyKy/2130

60 years of the Rome Treaties

https://europa.eu/european-union/eu60_en

White paper on the Future of Europe

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/sites/beta-political/files/white_paper_on_the_future_of_europe_en.pdf