Youth Participation in Europe
Youth Participation in Europe
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Youth Participation in Europe
Introduction
During spring 2013 the City Library in Malmö and Malmö University coordinates the
project Youth Participation in Europe.
Youth participation in Europe is a democracy project for youths in Skåne aiming to
inspire and motivate increased societal engagement.
The project involves several activities; amongst others students from European Studies at
Malmö University visits junior high- and high schools to speak about Europe and EU,
possibilities to participate in a EU-role play and listen to politicians debating current
topics.
The goal is to ensure a knowledge transfer and use different types of non-traditional
experiences to incentivize youths into an active societal engagement and to support a
democratic development in society.
Aim
The aim of Youth Participation in Europe is to offer and create conditions for dialogue
between youngsters and decision makers in Sweden and Europe. Further, the goal is to
stimulate young people’s sense of belonging and engagement in the society by
strengthening their position within the political sphere and hence contribute to a
democratic development in society.
With an increased understanding and knowledge regarding the basic political structures
and democratic processes the youngsters are given the tools to venture and actively
participate in different society engaging activities. To see, understand and be able to
argue for one’s rights is essential in order to create and sustain an including social
climate.
After the project, the participants will understand and comprehend the value in forming
one’s own position based on multifaceted knowledge acquirements.
Purpose
The purpose of the project is to offer a platform for youths to, through meetings with
decision-makers, absorb useful knowledge and notions including perspectives on many in
issues of societal character.
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Youth Participation in Europe
The project
The project consists of several events aiming to offer non-traditional experiences. All
activities are outlined to suit youths and developed to enhance a wide and deep
knowledge acquirement.
1. Lectures by students at European Studies, Malmö University, feb/march
Student at Malmö Högskola offers thematic lectures on EU and Europe. The lectures are
adjusted to the pupil’s level of knowledge and aims to both provide basic knowledge on
EU and Europe as well as preparing the pupils for upcoming debate and role-play.
The students visit the junior high- or high school twice and advice the pupils to
practice on writing a debate article useful in a later stage of the project. Moreover, the
material produced might be used during Europaforum and published at our website.
2. Debate with Politicians, March 11th 15.00-17.00
During March national politicians, mainly members of the Committee on European
Union Affairs will attend a debate held at City Library in Malmö. The debate will revolve
around youth’s rights and possibilities to participate, influence and become included in
the democratic processes. The pupils will have the chance to meet, listen and interact will
national decisions-makers.
3. Europaforum in Hässleholm, April 11th
Europaforum in Hässleholm is a five day long forum for raising European- and EUrelated matters. The forum hosts many politicians and other actors of interest in the
political sphere. Participants of the project have the opportunity to visit the forum which
this year will emphasize the theme of civil society and its impact and influence on the
political climate.
4. European Parliament, May 2nd
The European Parliament’s information office in Stockholm, will together with Europe
Direct in Malmö arrange an event at the City Library in Malmö. The event invites a wide
range of actors and it will be open for the public.
5. EU-role play, May
Through a simulated European Council of Minister the pupils are able to practice the new
skills fulfilled during the project. The pupils are encouraged to research and take the role
of a country during the role-play and under organized circumstance perform a simulated
council of ministers where issues are raised, discussed, debated and decided upon.
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Youth Participation in Europe
Participation
The target group of the project is junior high- and high schools in Skåne. Participation
requires a certain level of prior knowledge; however the student lectures can function as a
complementary tool.
Participation is free and it is up the each participant to decide on how of the different
events one wish to attend. However, all participation must be communicated to the
project management.
Contact:
For more information or questions, please contact us:
Project leader: Kristina Jauhiainen Larsson
Email: krisitna.jauhiainen-larsson@malmo.se
Phone: 0708-19 48 67
Project worker: Inge Eriksson
Email: inge.eriksson@mah.se
Project worker: Andreas Önnerfors
Email: andreas.onnerfors@mah.se
Project assistant: Felicia Westerdahl
Email: Felicia.westerdahl@malmo.se
www.malmo.se/ungtdeltagandeieuropa
Address:
STADSBIBLIOTEKET
Kung Oscars väg 11
SE-205 81 Malmö
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