Search for European Projects

Validating Youths' Opinions in Policy and Decision Making
Start date: Sep 1, 2016, End date: Sep 30, 2017 PROJECT  FINISHED 

"Validating Youths' Opinions in Policy and Decision Making" (V.o.i.c.e.s) is a project to be implemented by JEF Malta, a youth organisation falling under the umbrella of JEF Europe. V.o.i.c.e.s is planned to run from 01/09/2016 to 30/09/2017, involving 630 youths and 8 decision-makers in total. The objectives of the project are: -Exposing youths to decision-makers who have an impact on decisions taken in fields which impact them as citizens;-Promoting the political consultation of youths to arrive at policies and laws that reflect the needs of youths while also promoting the credibility and validity of youths' opinions (we shall be doing this in part by consulting with youths on topics that address many topics listed under the EU Youth Strategy); -To inform both secondary school and university students about the functions, structure and the decision-making process of the European Union;-To involve students in European current affairs and encouraging them to be active citizens -Harbouring soft skills such as public speaking, critical thinking and active citizenship in Maltese youths-Involving Maltese youths who may often feel cut off from the political stage and understanding better the EU and local political/decision-making systems (thus avoiding the political marginalisation of youths)In carrying out our project we shall be following a simple but effective methodology. We have chosen a theme for each month of consultation with youths: -October: Youth inclusion and multiculturalism-November: Restoring youths' faith in European politics-December: Responsible and active citizens through technology-February: Youths as the future of tomorrow's democracy-March: Youth political participation-April: Education that prepares youths to face life's challenges-May: Youth employment and inclusion in the labour marketEach month we shall first visit a secondary school and inform students about EU and local decision-making to familiarise them with the democratic processes that affect them and which they can participate in. We will then hold a consultation with them on the topic chosen for that month. Their views will be summarised and presented in the debate held the same month. University students who will participate in each debate will be invited to an informal workshop around a week before so that they can have any questions about the set-up of the debate answered. The debates will be moderated by JEF Malta representatives; held between policy-makers and youths on the topic of the month. Prior to the start of discussions we will show a brief video which puts the topic of the debate in context. Later there will be time for questions from the students. JEF MALTA is a youth organisation - by young people and for young people - that seeks to promote active citizenship, democratic participation and an understanding of all aspects of the EU. Through this project we shall be implementing an interesting variety of activities that promote our growth as an organisation. Each successive event or activity we organise improves our capacity to organise subsequent projects, widen our network of contacts and the pool of knowledge we have on youths' needs, their views on political and social issues and best practices when it comes to meetings between youths and decision-makers. Participating youths will acquire numerous skills through their participation in the project activities such as improved skills for presenting arguments in a logical, concise and clear manner; empowerment to participate in the decision-making process. They will also have access to decision-makers in the field of youth so that they can discuss their needs and concerns, promoting youth policies that reflect the realities and challenges youths face in their day to day lives. They will also become more informed of the decision-making processes that affect them as citizens, so that they can play an informed and integral role in it.Decision-makers participating in our project will be strengthening their interaction and dialogue with youths. Their policies can be better informed and reflective of youths' needs.
Up2Europe Ads

Coordinator

Details