Starting next Monday, the European Youth Week (24-30 May) will host various events and inspiring sessions across Europe focusing on the theme “Our future in our hands”. The European Youth Week creates a space for young people to discuss relevant topics, contribute to initiatives, and learn more about EU opportunities in the field of youth. Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, will participate in a panel debate on Wednesday 26 May and respond to young people’s questions on how the new Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes will create more opportunities for youth and boost Europe’s recovery. Commissioner Gabriel said: “This European Youth Week aims to foster youth participation by engaging, connecting and empowering young people. It is the perfect launch pad for their ideas on how the EU works for them, and on the role they can play in our post-COVID recovery.  The new Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes offer a wealth of opportunities that can be true game-changers for young people in this process. I am looking forward to interacting with young people, in various formats, over the coming week, and working together to shape their future.” During the panel debate “Youth Participation starts here”, Commissioner Gabriel will discuss with Michaela Šojdrová, Member of the European Parliament, with the Vice-President of the European Youth Forum and with a former European Solidarity Corps volunteer how the new programmes can strengthen young citizens’ engagement in decision-making, embrace inclusion and diversity, and strengthen the green and digital transformations. Questions for the panel debate can be posted before the event here and on social media using #EUYouthWeek. Follow the live event here, from 13:30 on 26 May. More information about the European Youth Week is available online.

(For more information: Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Sinéad Meehan–van Druten – Tel.: +32 229 84094) 

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