Stakeholders Express Their Post-2015 Visions
 With just over 2 years to go before 2015, it is clear that the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) will not be achieved. Evaluating what has worked and what has not, but also assessing today’s most urgent development challenges, a high level panel is currently working on the post-2015 agenda. Announced on 31st July, the panel is composed of eminent persons and chaired by the presidents of Indonesia, Liberia and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
// Top Story
Defending Youth amidst Heated Budget Negotiations
 The multi-annual financial framework (MFF) 2014 – 2020 sets out the future possibilities for action and investments within the European Union. Given its role in determining the expenditure ceilings for seven years, the MFF is the subject of a heated debate. The strike of staff members of EU institutions on the 8th November, and the international day of action called by European Trade Unions for the 14th, show that tension is rising before the crucial European Union Council meeting on the 22nd – 23rd November. Likewise, young people are also concerned.
// Top Story
Moving Gender Issues to the Fore
Girls getting fewer chances in education, women not getting the same wage as their male peers; these are only few examples of gender inequalities that still persist globally today. Every year the World Economic Forum maps the state of affairs in its Global Gender Gap Report. The assessment ranks countries in their ability to close the gender gap in four key areas: access to healthcare, access to education, political participation, and economic equality. The most recent report, released on 24th October, shows a positive general trend.
// Employment & Social Affairs
The Risk of Poverty is Moving form Old to Young
A recent study has shown that youth is becoming the most precarious age group in society and that the polarisation of working and non-working young families in the country continues to widen.
// Employment & Social Affairs
Countering Intolerance and Discrimination against Muslims through Education
When asking European youth about Muslims, you might run into stereotypical images of terrorists or religious fanatics stoning women. The context shaped by the ‘war on terror’, scapegoat mechanisms in the midst of the economical crisis, and increasingly diverse societies, widen the gap. It is therefore a pressing challenge to better understand ‘the other’ culture, and fight against racism and discrimination. According to UNESCO, in cooperation with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Council of Europe, the key to solve the issue lies in education.
// Education
The European Union Holds Its Hands Out to Belarusian Civil Society
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is often referred to as Europe’s last dictator. Leader of the isolated country since 1994, Lukashenko allows little room for democratic manoeuvre, which is seen as detrimental to the nation’s relations with the European Union. The EU on the other hand, continues to urge the Eastern European regime to respect human rights and to protect fundamental freedom.
// Human Rights
Yes Vote in Irish Children’s Rights Referendum
1,500 cases of child abuse are confirmed in Ireland every year and up to 2,000 children cannot be adopted and are trapped in a long-term state care due to Constitutional limitations. These are some of the issues that the 31st Amendment of the Irish Constitution aims to tackle following the yes vote in a referendum on the 10th November. 58 % of the population voted yes in the referendum, to support the institutionalisation of a more robust child protection system.
From now on the recognition of the natural and imprescriptible rights of children will be inscribed in the rule of law.
// Human Rights
Obama and The Youth Factor
It matters when young people vote. A clear example comes to us from the United States, where Obama would not have become re-elected without the democratic participation of youth. Data from The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, demonstrated that the youth vote was crucial in the key battleground states of Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. They represented 19% of voters with 60% supporting Obama.
// Participation & Youth Policy Mainstreaming
Latin America as A Pioneer in Lowering The Voting Age?
On 31st October, Argentina joined the shortlist of countries where the voting age is 16. Voting is obligatory in Argentina for people aged 18 to 70, and for the next elections will be optional for those aged 16 and 17. In other Latin-American countries, democratic participation has already been expanded to 16. These include Brazil, Ecuador and Nicaragua. The Southern American continent thus takes the lead on the issue and might serve as an inspiration for a still hesitant Europe.
The only European country where voting at the age of 16 is allowed for nation-wide elections is Austria.
// Participation & Youth Policy Mainstreaming
Assessing Serbia’s National Youth Council’s Future
In March 2011, Serbia’s national youth council saw the light at a ceremony in Belgrade. Today, more than a year and a half later, Krovna Organizacija Mladih Srbije, or KOMS, is actively representing Serbia’s young people and advocating for their rights. Much has happened in the meantime, and it is now the time to evaluate and further strengthen the umbrella organisation.
// Youth Work Development
Youth in Africa and Europe: Facing Common Challenges Together
Youth unemployment and the unsustainable road taken by older generations are just two common challenges that young people around the world face. Such problems are often best tackled when working together, not only within countries or regions, but also between continents. In this spirit of cooperation, the first ever meeting of the newly established Africa-Europe Youth Platform took place on 5th - 8th November, in Addis Ababa. Convening at the headquarters of the Commission of the African Union, youth representatives kicked of the gathering with a seminar on youth unemployment.
// Youth Work Development
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EUROPEAN YOUTH FORUM
120, Rue Joseph II / Joseph II straat 1000 Brussels Belgium
Tel: + 32 2 230 64 90 Fax: + 32 2 230 21 23
www.youthforum.org
