Claude Meisch speaking at the European Parliament: "Building a Europe that offers opportunities to young people"
On 3 December 2015, the Minister for National Education, Children and Youth, Claude Meisch, participated in an interparliamentary meeting on education and youth at the European Parliament. In his capacity as current President of the Council of the European Union, he took part in the introductory panel meeting of the day, alongside Silvia Costa i, President of the Culture Committee i of the European Parliament, Tibor Navracsics i, European Commissioner, and Alan Pall, Secretary General of the European Youth Forum.
In his speech, Claude Meisch set out the challenges for education and youth policy in Europe and the responses given as President of the Council of Ministers for Education and Youth.
Youth citizenship is a major issue in Europe at present. In order to strengthen civic education and political participation of young people in Europe, the Luxembourg Presidency steered the adoption of a resolution by the Council of Ministers on 23 November.
Access to the jobs market remains difficult for significant numbers of young Europeans. All of the players must contribute to the effective implementation of the Youth Guarantee, a high performing tool in this regard. While a good standard of initial education remains crucial to accessing the jobs market, the Ministers for Education have also stepped up the fight against early school leaving.
In conclusion, Claude Meisch highlighted the need to pool efforts to avoid a situation where certain young people are drawn to extremist ideologies. "It is our duty to build a Europe that offers the younger generations opportunities for the future".
Press release by the Ministry of National Education, Children and Youth
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