The European Youth Convention, which promised so much, was limited even more by influential members of the 'senior' Convention, yet managed to deliver a good final document. The proposal for a federal Europe is in my view particularly important, as is the emphasis on informing the populations of member states and candidate countries on the workings of Europe.

Given only six hours to debate the paper, a hardworking Presidium and a Convention wholly committed to giving itself some meaning meant that a well written final document, which the majority of the Youth Convention supported, was presented to our seniors.

The senior Convention, in particular President Giscard D'Estaing, however proved to be a large disappointment to all those of us who had worked so hard all week. Criticising us for not being radical enough, despite having given us poor working methods and a severely restricted timetable, while asking us to follow the work of the senior Convention appeared to be in total contradiction to this. He claimed to want to listen to the youth of Europe, yet he left the room when our President and Vice Presidents presented our results to the senior Convention. These confusing signals, from an ageing French politician, a long way from his own youth did little to impress me. Europe must be younger, must be more transparent, and Giscard D'Estaing should practice what he preaches.