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Editorial
Dear readers,
In this issue read the latest debate on Erasmus for All, the 9th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for youth in St. Petersburg, the conclusions of the University of Youth and Development and much more!
The European Youth Forum hopes that you enjoy reading this new edition of Youth Policy Watch and, as always, please feel free to send us any comments you have on the publication to press@youthforum.org. If you wish to subscribe to Youth Policy Watch and have it delivered directly to your inbox every two weeks, please send an email to subscriptionypw@youthforum.org.
The European Youth Forum
Disappointment in St. Petersburg
 From 22nd - 25th September, St. Petersburg was the setting for heavy debates on youth rights. This began with a youth event, which provided recommendations to the 9th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for youth. Young people’s inputs however, could not ensure a consensus at the higher political level.
// Top Story
‘Yes Europe’ would keep a separate youth in action programme
 On 19th September, the European Parliament’s Education and Culture Committee (CULT) met to discuss MEP Doris Pack’s draft report of the ‘Erasmus for All’ proposal. The proposal was launched at the end of November 2011 by the European Commission and will be implemented by January 2014. Before it is however, the European Parliament has the chance to amend the proposal.
// Top Story
The Millennium Development Goals: Making Rhetoric a Reality
The 2015 deadline of the Millennium Development Goals is drawing nearer. A gap between the commitments made and the delivery by the international community is however, apparent. To tackle this, a taskforce was set up in 2007 by the United Nations and on 20th September, ‘The Global Partnership for Development: Making Rhetoric a Reality’ was released, assessing the latest progress and shortcomings in the field.
// Employment & Social Affairs
Young Peace Builders Mark 21st September
Since 1982, the International Day of Peace is celebrated around the world on 21st September,. The day was initiated by the United Nations and is traditionally marked by various civil society campaigns around the world. Since many conflicts have their roots in the competition for scarce resources, in 2012 the United Nations highlighted the connection between sustainable peace and sustainable development. The build up to this day saw the General Assembly High-Level Forum on the Culture of Peace take place on 14th September.
// Employment & Social Affairs
Less Investment for the European Union’s Future?
On 18th September, the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union released a revised negotiating box on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2014 - 2020. The Presidency did not push forward any concrete proposals, but presented a number of concrete policy choices, reflecting the most important issues of the current on going debates. As such, the disagreement with the total level of expenditure set out by the European Commission is once more put to the fore.
// Employment & Social Affairs
Celebrating Europe’s Language Diversity
Since 2001, the European day of languages is traditionally celebrated on the 26th September. On the occasion of the day, a range of events were organised across Europe, ranging from conferences to language activities for children and youth. Jointly organised and supported by the Council of Europe and the European Union, the aim of dedicating this day to multilingualism is to stress cultural diversity and encourage language learning across Europe. The latter is particularly important since language is key to ensure cross-border mobility and exchange across Europe.
// Education
European Commission Expert Group to Focus on Adaptation of European Education Systems
On 18th September, the European Commission launched the high-level expert group on the modernisation of higher education. The group, consisting of eight members from diverse backgrounds, have a mandate until 2015. During this period the expert group will work towards more relevant higher education in which the needs of students and future employers alike will be better addressed. Moreover, the aim is also to increase the number of students attending higher education.
// Education
Mind the gap: education inequality across EU regions
Education and future prospects are greatly influenced by where one lives in Europe. This geographic disparity is highlighted by a report compiled by the Network of Experts in Social Sciences of Education and Training (NESSE), , for the European Commission. Under the title, ‘Mind the gap: education inequality across EU regions’, the report does not only assess the inequalities between member states, but also the differences within each country, studying them on a case-by-case basis.
// Education
The Role of National Parliaments for Ensuring Democracy and Human Rights
Before the controversial Ministers Responsible for Youth conference in St. Petersburg last month another conference took place at the Council of Europe level. The speakers and presidents of the parliaments of the 47 member states convened between on 20th - 21st September in Strasbourg. The summit, which takes place every two years, is a major event and this year featured discussions on human rights, representative democracy and the Arab revolutions.
// Human Rights
State of the Union Reactions
After the President of the European Commission presented the ‘State of the Union’ on 12th September in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, a series of questions and remarks remained. Many European civil society organisations have since voiced their concerns in reaction to the speech through a plethora of different channels. Following his speech, President Barroso gave the opportunity for voices across Europe to ask their questions in a Google hangout with two of his spokespersons on the 17th September, and similarly with himself on the 19th September.
// Participation & Youth Policy Mainstreaming
Young People strive for the Rights that fit their Duties
Today, young people are one of the main victims of the ongoing economic crisis. Not only are they more vulnerable to unemployment and poverty, they also find themselves excluded from many forms of participation. Aware that many young people are impeded in achieving their full potential due to unequal access, the Network of Universities on Youth and Global Citizenship decided to work in 2012 around the theme of ‘youth rights’. The mother university of the network, the University on Youth and Development, took place on 13th - 22nd September in Mollina, Spain.
// Youth Work Development
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