Chá europeu: Do lapis azul ao voto colorido: escolas plurais e democracia ativa [European tea: From Blue Pencil to Colour Voting: Plural Schools and Active Democracy]

Date: Camilo Castelo Branco School, Vila Nova de Famalicão (Minho region, Portugal) - 12 January 2024 20:30 - 00:30

Organiser: European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Ambassador Schools programme of the European Parliament

EESC members: Gonçalo Lobo Xavier (group 1)

Theme: Democracy; use your vote

Key messages: Importance of democracy. The upcoming elections are one of the most important since the European project started. We cannot take Europe and freedom for granted. Europe needs a continuous effort from every citizen!

Report:

The event called for action regarding the European elections, focusing mainly on youth participation.

Mr Lobo Xavier also answered to a whole range of questions about Europe, democracy and the upcoming elections:

Are citizens informed of the cost on “non-Europe”? Are citizens aware of European’s achievements? Do we really value what Europe does for us regarding the social, cultural, and economic development? Do we value the ERASMUS project as it is? Are we going to miss the chance of participating in the debate and in the democratic process? Do we want to open the door to extremism?

Mr Lobo Xavier also raised awareness about fake news and insisted on the fact that we cannot base our decision to vote on fake news and misconceptions that undermine our judgement. He also explained the role of the European Parliament and highlighted the added value of the EESC, which gives the opportunity to civil society to participate in the policy-making process since 1958.

The event celebrated also the 50^th anniversary of the April revolution of 1974 that allowed Portugal to become a democracy. Several students performed music and poetry to call the attention for the need of democracy.