New Voices for the European Parliament: the Youth Ideas Report 2023

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The next European elections (June 2024) come at a pivotal moment in history, where each decision made will directly shape the lives of European citizens in an increasingly globalised world full of challenges. Therefore, voting is not only a duty – it is an absolute necessity. If we want the youth voice to be heard, young people need to participate in all political processes. 

The European Parliament launched its youthideas.eu platform in 2021 to collect ideas from young people across the EU and to bring them directly to policymakers’ attention by presenting them at the European Parliament, and to enhance young people’s engagement in voting. 

The latest Youth Ideas Report, released in August 2023, is the culmination of a journey that began earlier in 2023, and was part of the European Parliament´s Youth Event (EYE) and its IDEAS Hub. The EYEDEA Boosters have also brought the report to life at political debates, as described below.

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The report is a summary of youth ideas that emerged both from youthideas.eu and the European Youth Event 2023 in Strasbourg, where nearly 10,000 young people met in June to share and shape their own respective views on the future of Europe. https://www.youthideas.eu/blog 

The report describes the top 15 ideas presented by young people, highlighting the sort of issues that they see as important for the future of Europe. Among the top ideas, the following stand out for DEAR and Global Citizenship Education: 

1. Sustainability education in schools
2. Combating climate change 
3. Making vegetarian options a real alternative for everyone
4. Stopping food waste
5. Erasmus+ global outreach 

Europe’s youth is adamant that more sustainability education in schools is needed across the EU. One contributor to the report explained its importance: “The knowledge we acquire in nursery and at school influences us for our entire lives. That is why it is so important to emphasise environmental protection, climate change and sustainable development in school curricula. That way, we can make sure everyone has the information they need to help protect the environment and sustain the planet that sustains us.” 

Although the EU does not have a joint educational policy, the Council has recently adopted a recommendation for Member States to support policies and programmes on learning for the green transition and sustainable development. Several EU Member States discussed the education proposal, but it requires further legislation to address support for educators and organisations dealing with sustainability. 

European youth also feel very strongly about reducing the consumption of meat and promoting healthy diets. Another youth representative wrote: “Given that reducing our consumption of meat is an increasingly common practice and that it is highly beneficial for the environment, vegetarian menu options should be provided at school, hospital and company canteens. For the sake of the population’s health as well as that of our environment, it’s worth exploring whether this measure should be backed by legislation.“

The European Parliament Research Service has reflected the EYEDEA Boosters´ proposals. It has also put forward the “solution” of promoting vegetarian menus in canteens in schools and offices to reduce unsustainable meat consumption. In February 2022, the European Parliament also adopted a resolution stressing the role of a healthy diet (notably, meat-free) in preventing and limiting the incidence of cancer.

Thus, youth ideas are being taken seriously and on board by the European Parliament. Perhaps this will inspire DEAR projects and their "Youth Ambassadors" to enhance their EU advocacy work for a greener, more sustainable and more just globe. Young "Mindchangers", "FoodWavers" and other DEAR programme participants can refer to this Youth Ideas Report for an "EYEDEA(R) Boost" to their own calls for a better world.    

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