Second National Youth Convention
8-9 May 2003
Helsinki, Finland

Background

In November 2002, the first Finnish National Youth Convention, a follow-up to the Brussels Youth Convention, gathered 120 young Finnish citizens to debate the future of Europe. Finnish European Convention representatives and other decision-makers were fully engaged in the event. As a result of its work, the Youth Convention produced a final report which was handed over to Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen, Finnish MEPs and Convention members.

The first National Youth Convention was a success and a great experience for the participants, and a follow-up event was suggested. On 8-9 May 2003, the discussion will continue. The second national Youth Convention will be organised by Finnish Youth Co-operation Allianssi (the national youth council) and JEF-Finland. The event is funded by the Finnish Ministry of Education and the European Parliament Information Office in Finland.

Main goals

The second Youth Convention aims at continuing and deepening the debate initiated last year. During the two-day event, young convention members will concentrate especially on the current work being done by the European Convention - in May, we might even see a Youth Convention providing commentary and suggestions on the details of the draft Constitutional Treaty.

Documents produced by the European Convention by May 2003 as well as the final report of the previous Youth Convention will be used as a basis for discussions conducted in working groups. The results of working group meetings will be discussed in a plenary session. Finnish MEPs, European Convention representatives, EU experts and politicians will also be invited to participate in the event. Also gaining media attention and coverage on youth participation in the discussion on the future of Europe is considered extremely important.

The National Youth Convention's overall goal is to enhance the involvement of young people in the discussion on the future of Europe and to bring young people's opinions to the attention of politicians and other decision-makers. The European Convention is about to conclude its work in Brussels. Now is the time to take part in decisions that affect us all - especially young people, the citizens of a future Europe.

Organisation

The responsible organisation, Finnish Youth Co-operation Allianssi,is a non-governmental umbrella organisation for Finnish youth organisations. JEF-Finland is a NG-organisation for young people interested in European issues. Allianssi and JEF-Finland work together trying to maintain and to initiate public discussion on EU-related issues, especially among young people. Also other Finnish NGOs are invited to participate in the 2nd National Youth Convention.

For additional information, please contact the project secretary at mailto:veera@alli.fi, tel. +358 50 380 6216.