Discussion/Information sessions at the Malta Pavilion: Young People and the European Union

Young People and the European Union was the subject of a discussion held on Wednesday 30^thJune 1999 at the Malta Pavilion at the Trade Fair. Tony Gaffiero was the moderator for this discussion and the members of the panel were Hon. Jesmond Mugliett, Dr. Gabriella Pace, David Friggieri, Stefano Mallia, Jaqcques Zammit and Nicolette Magri.

The Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, the Hon. Jesmond Mugliett introduced this discussion by saying that the European Union offers young people the opportunity of widening their horizons through studying and working in another European country. Other opportunities which promote mobility among young people are the youth exchanges and periods of voluntary service. The mobility of young persons which membership in the EU would bring about will help future generations overcome the culture of insularity and enrich their personalities.

The European Union invests heavily in the fields of education, training and youth through the programmes Socrates, Leonardo, Youth for Europe. The funds allocated for these programmes have been more than doubled this year.

Socrates enables young people to study abroad without having to face problems such as recognition of degrees and credit transfers. This programme also provides for teacher mobility and offers opportunities for primary and secondary school students. A number of university students have already participated in this programme through the Socrates Office at the University.

Other opportunities are available for young workers for training in another country through the Leonardo Da Vinci Programme. These programmes also aim at improving the vocational education in member and partner countries. Malta is already making use of such help through the European Technical Foundation which is helping in the restructuring of vocational education in Malta.

Other opportunities promoting youth mobility are available for all young people through Youth for Europe which provides for youth exchanges and other projects by youth organisations and the European Voluntary Service.

Preparations are being made by the Ministry of Education to set up the necessary structures which will be responsible for the implementation of these programmes. National Coordinating Units will shortly be set up - one NCU for Socrates, one NCU for Leonardo and one NCU for the Youth Programmes. These organisations will make these programmes more accessible for young people by providing the necessary link between young people and the opportunities offered by the Commission. More publicity should be given to these programmes through the media such as television to encourage young people participate in these programme.

In his conclusion the Parliamentary Secretary stressed that Maltese youth can make a relevant and indispensable contribution to European fora. Maltese youth can contribute our values and ethics, culture for peace and sensitivity towards small or developing countries.