The final draft of the new EU constitution, to be endorsed by the Convention plenary Thursday 10 July, reinforces the EU’s commitment to young people’s participation in democratic life. “This is a very positive development and we congratulate the Convention Presidium on this decision. It follows calls for a consolidated treaty base for youth participation from youth organisations, the Youth Convention and the amendment that we put forward,” said Giacomo Filibeck in reaction to the new draft of Article 177 (Part III of the Constitution). He recalled that already the Laeken European Council had stressed the need to bring the citizens, particularly the young, closer to the European design.

“It was high time that the treaty makes a clear commitment to encouraging the participation of the young. The time of mere window dressing now finally seems to be over. Combined with the new chapter on the ‘Democratic Life of the Union’ this is a very positive outcome of the Convention. We expect that the Member States, in the Intergovernmental Conference, welcome this innovation”, said Giacomo Filibeck, President of the European Youth Forum and chair of the Youth Convention.

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