WHITE PAPER A New Impetus for European Youth

1. WHITE PAPER A New Impetus for European Youth The European Dimension of Youth Information Glass Palace Conference, March 22, 2002 Jarkko Lehikoinen / Allianssi

2. WHITE PAPER A New Impetus for European Youth • only 18 White Papers published since 1985 • many of them very technical (e.g. Railways 1996, Food Safety 2000) • only a few horizontal ones (e.g. Social Policy 1994) • a political document, not a legislative text • containing proposals for Community Action in a specific area • preceded by a consultation Glass Palace Conference Jarkko Lehikoinen / Allianssi

3. WHITE PAPER A New Impetus for European Youth • What did we have before the White Paper? • Youth for Europe 1988-99 • European Voluntary Service 1998-99 • Youth Programme 2000- • other EU mobility programmes ( e.g. Socrates, Leonardo) • different project fundings, e.g. DG X (information) • some references to young people in different treaties, declarations and strategies • no recognisition for the (”generalist”) youth information Glass Palace Conference Jarkko Lehikoinen / Allianssi

4. WHITE PAPER A New Impetus for European Youth • European level horizontal youth policy demanded by many member countries, youth organisations and structures since several years • Initiative of the Commissioner Viviane Reding in November 1999 • Wide-ranging consultation process • all the different actors involved • young people, NGO’s, civil servants, researchers... Glass Palace Conference Jarkko Lehikoinen / Allianssi

5. WHITE PAPER A New Impetus for European Youth • national gatherings (May-August 2000) --> 440 proposals • applicant countries also included in hearings • Paris Seminar, October 2000 (600 particip.) • Brussels Hearing of 60 NGO’s, Febr. 2001 • Umeå Conference, March 2001 • Visits to all the member countries, Spring 2001 Glass Palace Conference Jarkko Lehikoinen / Allianssi

6. WHITE PAPER A New Impetus for European Youth • The White Paper published on November 21, 2002 • Three parts: Foreword + 2 annexes, 75 pages • Foreword: • Trends on Youth • Key messages from the consultation process • The Open Method of Coordination for Youth Field • Priorities of the Commission: participation, information, voluntary service, greater understanding of youth • Annex 1: Results of the Consultation • 121 proposals (European / National, regional and local levels) • Annex 2: Overview on European action on the youth Glass Palace Conference Jarkko Lehikoinen / Allianssi

7. WHITE PAPER A New Impetus for European Youth • The Reactions on the White Paper • Lots of criticism • nothing new in the content • structure not very clear • many important issues left out or not properly treated • the Open Method of Coordination: young people not involved • no funding allocated • Positive aspects • status of youth work reinforced • priorities ok • recognisition of youth information Glass Palace Conference Jarkko Lehikoinen / Allianssi

8. WHITE PAPER A New Impetus for European Youth • Youth Information in the White Paper • One of the priority areas in the Foreword • ”Information is indispensable to developing active citizenship” • ”Participation goes hand in hand with providing young people with information” • proposal to introduce an electronic portal: task already given to the three networks (Eurodesk, ERYICA and EYCA) • Annexe 1: • several references to youth information • clear recognition of the ”generalist” youth information (p. 28-29) • work should be based on existing networks • both Eurodesk and ERYICA mentioned Glass Palace Conference Jarkko Lehikoinen / Allianssi

9. WHITE PAPER A New Impetus for European Youth • What to do next? • definition of the role of the networks on the European level • creation of joint European youth information projects • development of national (and regional) youth information strategies • getting familiar with the content of the White Paper • making plans for the local level • getting involved in the national discussions on the White Paper • GET INVOLVED! Glass Palace Conference Jarkko Lehikoinen / Allianssi