Europe must focus more than ever on its youth
Vienna/Graz (OTS) – The European Youth Forum Neumarkt (EYFON), a meeting and dialogue centre for young people from all over Europe, can look back on four successful years: in several EYFON surveys, young Europeans were asked about their wishes and ideas for the future of Europe and over 2000 concrete suggestions were collected, which were incorporated into the platform for the Conference on the Future. Important investments and modernisation measures have been successfully implemented at Europaburg Neumarkt in recent years. A varied programme of YouthDays, peace events, apprentice formats and guest events has filled Europaburg with life.
The Executive Committee of the European Youth Forum Neumarkt association was re-elected at last week’s General Assembly and the current members of the Executive Board were confirmed for a further four-year term of office: Christoph Leitl as President, Franz Majcen as Vice President and Treasurer, Gerhard Stürmer as Vice President and Secretary and Christian Buchmann as Managing Director. EYFON President Christoph Leitl emphasised:
“Europe must rely on its youth more than ever! How great the Russian/Ukrainian youth meeting was six months ago at Europaburg in Neumarkt! Young people, inspired by a shared vision of the future, with a desire for peace and the search for positive life prospects, united in joint work in the workshops, but also in sports, games, leisure, nature and culture. This is what Europe can be when it focuses on its youth. And is it a coincidence that it is predominantly young people who are protesting against the war in Russia and taking enormous risks in doing so? Let’s support Europe’s youth, it’s our only chance for the future!”
In the Year of European Youth, EYFON would like to thank all those who have contributed to the doubling of the Erasmus+ programme and have thus also given young people in employment and young entrepreneurs the opportunity to experience and feel Europe.
The dramatic and upsetting events in Europe in particular make it clear how important it is to strengthen the identity and soul of Europe through youth encounters. EYFON and its EYFONISTAS will continue to make their contribution to this.
