European Youth Event

The European Youth Event (EYE) is an event initiated and hosted by the European Parliament since 2014 with the aim of stimulating active citizenship amongst young Europeans.[1]

European Youth Event
Visual design European Youth Event
Statusactive
Genredebates, festivals, conferences, exhibitions
FrequencyBiennial
VenueEuropean Parliament
Location(s)Strasbourg
CountryFrance
Years active6
InauguratedMay 9, 2014 (2014-05-09)
Most recent1–2 June 2018
Previous event20–21 May 2016
Next eventMay/June 2020
ParticipantsYoung Europeans
Attendance5000-9000
Organised byEuropean Parliament
Websiteeye2018.eu

Taking place at the European Parliament seat in Strasbourg, the EYE gathers thousands of young people, aged 16 to 30, and invites them to partake in discussions about topical issues with decision-makers and speakers with a wide range of professional experience. It took place twice, once in 2014 and in 2016 with several follow-up hearings in the months after.[2][3] Held biennially, the last edition took place on 1–2 June 2018.[4][5]

Objective of the EYE

Its objective is to provide a unique opportunity for young Europeans to make their voices and concerns heard about the future of the EU and important contemporary issues.[6] Furthermore, the EYE provides EU politicians with fresh, out of the box views from the younger generations.[7]

EYE Report

In order to collect and highlight the ideas and suggestions of the participants, a team of young journalists - coordinated by the European Youth Press and with a political commentary from the European Youth Forum - wrote reports on both 2014's and 2016's editions.[8] The report is then distributed amongst Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to serve as a source of inspiration for future legislation.[9]

European Youth Hearings

During the months following each event, former participants present the most concrete ideas collected in the EYE Report to a selection of Parliament committees in the European Parliament seat in Brussels.

During the hearings, MEPs enter into dialogue with former participants to give feedback on which ideas they endorse, plan to implement in the future or disagree with.[10]

Yo!Fest

Since 2014, a key element of the European Youth Event has been the organisation of Yo!Fest, organised by the European Youth Forum alongside the main event. Yo!Fest is organised around 50,000m2 site just outside of the European Parliament, where workshops, activities and cultural performances are organised in a series of tents and stages. The content of Yo!Fest is designed and delivered by youth organisations and youth groups from around Europe.

Editions

EYE2014: Ideas for a better Europe

The European Youth Event 2014 (#EYE2014) saw the participation of 5,000 young Europeans between 16 – 30 years old, 400 speakers and many supporting partners and youth associations who came to the Parliament's premises in Strasbourg on 9–11 May 2014 to share their ideas and thoughts on a multitude of youth-related topics.[11][12]

The EYE2014's five main themes included youth unemployment, the digital revolution, sustainability, European values and the future of the European Union.

EYE2016: Together we can make a change

The second edition (#EYE2016) took place on 20–21 May 2016 was an occasion for Europe's youth to make their opinions heard on many of the continent's most crucial issues, offering political debates and workshops with decision-makers.[13]

This edition had 7,500 young people from across Europe debating topics ranging from space and innovation to climate change, migration and democracy.[14]

The EYE2016's five main themes were as follows: War and Peace: Perspectives for a peaceful planet; Apathy or Participation: Agenda for a vibrant democracy; Exclusion or Access: Crackdown on youth unemployment; Stagnation or Innovation: Tomorrow's world of work and Collapse or Success: New ways for a sustainable Europe.[15]

EYE2018: The plan is to fan this spark into a flame

The third edition (#EYE2018) took place on 1–2 June 2018.[16][17]

At the European Youth Event 2018, 8000 young Europeans[18] engaged themselves into activities, which evolve around this edition's five main themes: Young and old: Keeping up with the digital revolution; Rich and poor: Calling for a fair share; Apart and together: Working out for a stronger Europe; Safe and dangerous: Staying alive in turbulent times; Local and global: Protecting our planet.[19]

Young Europeans can already participate online by sharing their ideas about the future of Europe via the European Youth Ideas website.[20]

References
  1. "#EYE2016: Parliament to open its doors to 7,500 young Europeans". Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  2. "EYE: what is it?". Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  3. "EYE 2016: Parliament's successful youth event returns with a second edition". Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  4. "What is the European Youth Event (EYE2018)?". www.europarl.europa.eu. Retrieved 2018-08-28.
  5. "European Youth Event: participants present ideas to Parliament's committees".
  6. ""What is EYE?"".
  7. "Making a difference: young people reveal their 50 ideas for a better Europe". Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  8. "European Youth Media Days 2014: Voice of Youth, young journalists reporting on the European Youth Event". Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  9. "Europe's youth ready to make their voices heard!". Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  10. "EYE2016 Follow-up: European Youth Hearings". Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  11. "Young people voice their opinions on Europe's future". Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  12. "eyIF: The leading foundation for Youth innovation in Europe". Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  13. "European Youth Event: "Together we can make a change"". Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  14. "EYE2016: Shaping Europe". Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  15. "EYE2016: Programme". Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  16. "The EYE2018: Giving a voice to young people". www.europarl.europa.eu. Retrieved 2018-08-28.
  17. "European Youth Event". Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  18. "EYE2018 Report: 100 ideas for a better future". www.europarl.europa.eu. Retrieved 2018-08-28.
  19. "EYE2018: Programme". Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  20. "EYE2018: Europe needs your ideas!". Retrieved 5 February 2018.
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