European Youth Conference

Aims & objectives

The EU Youth Conferences serve as a crucial platform for addressing the intricate challenges faced by young Europeans and foster dialogue between young people and decision-makers around these challenges. With a focus on European Youth Goal 3, Inclusive Societies, this gathering addressed the issues of poverty, discrimination, and social inclusion, helping to create effective policies for a better and more prosperous Europe.

Target group & international/intercultural composition of the group & team

The event gathered together around 300 participants composed by:
- young people aged 16 to 30 years old from EU countries
- young people representing youth councils at national level in their countries
- young people representing youth councils at national level in their countries outside the EU.
- decision-makers within the EU countries.
- Delegates from third sector organisations.
- Experts on specific topics related to the field of inclusion.

Training methods used & main activities

The working group sessions were all based non-formal education. These working groups were made by youth delegates and ministerial delegates and the sessions included:
- Discussion groups
- Individual and group reflections
- Dynamic activities

Outcomes of the activity

After initiating national consultations during the Spanish EU presidency in the latter half of 2023, the conference in Ghent marks the beginning of the implementation phase. Participants combined findings from consultations across different countries to formulate recommendations for European Union and Member State policies on inclusive societies, thus translating youth goals into actionable measures.
Additionally, as part of the 10th cycle of the EU Youth Dialogue, the conference introduced celebratory tools such as guidelines on youth participation and an inclusive consultation toolkit. The next steps involved releasing a comprehensive final conference report and summarising the proceedings, debates, and outcomes. This report will assist countries in assessing and evaluating the consultation of young people across Europe and implementing recommendations generated in Ghent.
Looking forward, the outcomes from both the dialogue and implementation phases will be translated into policy recommendations during the Hungarian EU Youth Conference in September 2024. This translation process aims to incorporate Youth Actions into the policies of the Council of the European Union. As the cycle concludes, efforts will be dedicated to monitoring and reflecting on implementation activities, alongside providing valuable feedback to participants in the 10th cycle.

Your tasks and responsibilities within the team

I helped formulate the outputs of the working groups. My tasks included:
- Making sure the discussions as well as the different inputs and key outcomes are reflected in a report template.
- Supporting the dialogue with experts and policymakers within the working group.
- Supporting the participants to voice their messages
Providing general support to the facilitator, the researchers, and the editing team
- Preparing the sessions in advance
- Evaluating the work done
- Following-up the participants and setting up safe spaces
- Summarise the conclusions and prepare the official presentations.

I worked on this training for 3 days as a full time trainer.

Testimonial of the reference person

Thank you very much for being part of the team. You did a great job!