FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday 12 July 2002
For the attention of Newsdesks
Contact: Stein Ramstad, tel: +46 703674765

Youth demand a Federal European Constitution!

Youth Convention on the future of Europe

The Young European Federalists (JEF) welcome the conclusions of the European Youth Convention, held in Brussels 9-12 July. The Youth Convention has shown that the voices of young people should be heard; not only because they are young, but because they have a real contribution to make to the future construction of Europe.

The young people represented here, despite having to work under extreme time pressure, showed determination and enthusiasm for their vision of the Europe of the future. Their Declaration makes bold proposals for a Federal European Constitution, recognising that only this approach can deliver the unity, efficiency, accountability, and respect for diversity that must characterise the Europe of tomorrow. In contrast to the senior Convention, the Youth Convention worked according to the principle of majority voting, preventing the hostility of special minority interests from blocking a strong final result.

Young people´s expectations have been made clear. The senior Convention must now show its willingness to take these proposals seriously, and to respond to this success by involving young people in its work in a continuous fashion. The European Youth Forum, which has strongly supported the active involvement of young people, must continue to have a role in this process.

Alison Weston, President of JEF, said, "In only 48 hours young people have shown courage, vision, and determination to make a better Europe. They have issued a challenge to the senior Convention to do the same. They now expect no less from them than they have been willing to do themselves."

Ends

JEF is part of the Youth Contact Group to the Convention, which includes ECOSY, YEPP, LYMEC, FYEG, DEMYC, EDS, ETUC Youth, Allianssi, IUSY, and ATD Quart Monde. For further information see www.constitutional-convention.net.

Contact details: Stein Ramstad, tel: +46 703674765