4.6.2013
YOUNG EUROPEANS SHOULD BE ABLE TO SHAPE THEIR FUTURE
Justice and democracy, essential values of the European Union, were debated on the 4th of June at the first
seminar arranged in Brussels by the International Federation of Settlements and Neighborhood Houses
(IFS). The seminar theme - Equality and Empowerment - An EU Dream? - was discussed by Tarja
Halonen, Finland's former president, Sirpa Pietikäinen, Member of the European Parliament and the
seminar host, Renate Wilkening, Deputy Chairman of IFS and Pentti Lemmetyinen, General
Secretary of the Finnish Federation of Settlement Houses.
Do not undervalue young people
President Tarja Halonen challenged the Settlement House Movement to be active and stimulate public
debate. In her opinion, youth unemployment is doubly disastrous. First we give young people an expensive
education and then abandon them without work and without hope. If development is to be sustainable,
economic growth should generate jobs. Typical examples are small local companies working to meet
society's needs. "Our young people make the future," said President Halonen. "We must not undervalue
them."
Young people are having a hard time in Europe's crisis-hit countries. In Italy and Spain, two out of three do
not have work. But young people are not the problem, society should be providing them with both study
opportunities and jobs. Germany and France have offered job opportunities to young people from such
locations, and this is a good thing, but not for the crisis-hit countries themselves as they should find ways of
enabling their young people to remain at home. "There is the risk that countries are losing their able and
energetic young people," said Renate Wilkening, Deputy Chairman of IFS. "To make it possible for young
people to remain in their home countries, a solution should be found which involves national parliaments,
international organisations and the EU."
European democracy must be protected
Democracy in Europe is of immense value, and would be difficult to achieve if it had only just been
invented. In today's societies, people easily become second-class citizens. The weakest, such as the
unemployed, alcoholics and people suffering from memory disorders, are ignored when decisions are made.
"We have to protect democracy in Europe and battle those who attempt to weaken it, something which
has already happened in some European countries," said Sirpa Pietikäinen, the seminar host.
Speakers at the seminar highlighted the importance of voting in elections as a way of exerting influence.
Accepting responsibility for change in a wider context is vital. While democratic systems allow people to
vote and express contrary opinions, demonstrating does not mean the violence that has recently been
experienced in some countries. "The task of the Settlement House Movement in Europe is to offer citizens
ways of expanding their participation," said President Halonen. "Their voices will then have an even wider
audience."
The European Union's stabilising role
The Settlement House Movement was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931 and 1947, and the EU was
awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012. The movement's aim is to work for peace and stability,
strengthening civil society by building up the network of settlement houses in Europe. Even with its
problems, the European Union is regarded by the Settlement House Movement as an organisation that has
the opportunity to promote peace and democracy. "Our target is to achieve social reform and to put
European values into practice in people's daily lives," said Pentti Lemmetyinen, General Secretary of the
Finnish Federation of Settlement Houses. "This doesn't result solely from legislation that is handed down
from above, but from strengthening local associations and offering citizens local channels through which
they can exert their influence."
Further information:
Jaana Kymäläinen, Communications Manager, Finnish Federation of Settlement Houses
jaana.kymalainen@setlementti.fi
+358-50-577 2262
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The International Federation of Settlements and Neighborhood Centers (IFS) is a global movement connecting
community organizations that represent and respond to the different needs, strengths and aspirations of families and communities.
Its mission is to build an inclusive global community by empowering, inspiring and connecting people who are working locally for
social justice. Founded in 1929, IFS has a long and active history as a promoter of the Settlement House Movement in Europe.
http://www.ifsnetwork.org/
The Finnish Federation of Settlement Houses is a member of IFS. Founded in 1918, the federation is a national organisation
which carries out educational and social work and consists of 36 local settlements and 7 district organisations of Settlement Youth
across Finland. The Settlement House Movement in Finland employs more than 4000 professionals, as well as a large team of
volunteers. Activities include working with seniors and the elderly, children and young people, multicultural work, the development
and realisation of communal forms of housing, various forms of supported housing, community centre activity, services for people
with special needs, supplying education at 17 community colleges, two folk high schools and special education schools, various
forms of trauma and crisis work, substance-abuse rehabilitation services, mediation and victim support. The work of the Finnish
Federation of Settlement Houses and its member organisations is made possible by service charges from the delivery of wellbeing
services, support from Finland's Slot Machine Association (RAY), earmarked subsidies from ministries and donations by private
individuals. The federation's activities are non-profit. www.setlementti.fi