The Future of Europe and Youth Meetings

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Directorate for EU Affairs organized webinar series to obtain the views of Turkish youth, CSOs/associations working in the field of youth, young leaders and academics on the future of Europe and the EU.

The Directorate of EU Affairs gave the floor to Turkish youth to express their opinions and suggestions on the following four topics, focusing on the EU and youth, thus ensuring that civil society takes an active part in Türkiye’s EU accession process. Moreover, the voice of Turkish youth on the future of Europe is shared with the EU instutions and public.

Participants were offered maximum three minutes to provide their opinions and suggestions on the following panels:

• Strengthening Democracy and Representation in Europe
• Economic and Social Inclusion in Europe
• Climate Change and Digitalization in Europe
• Security and Foreign Policy in Europe.

The first session, Strengthening Democracy and Representation in Europe, was held on 10 November 2021 with a total of 200 participants from many different CSOs active in the field of youth. The second session, Economic and Social Inclusion in Europe, was held on 24 November 2021, with 121 representatives attending the session. The third session, Climate Change and Digitalization in Europe, was held on 8 December 2021, with 205 participants. The Security and Foreign Policy session in Europe was held on 22 December 2021 with 120 participants.

Click here for session details.

The Future of Europe and Youth Meetings webinar series was completed with a total of 4 sessions and 646 participants. 56% of the participants were women. 52.3% of the participants were between the ages of 21-25, while it was found out that 47% of them follow EU-related issues every day.

A total of 1213 people participated in the survey conducted after the webinar series for 4 sessions. Each question was asked to indicate the 3 most important issues or areas.

In response to the question about the most desired features of the EU, 82% of the participants responded “an EU without visas, borders, inclusive and based on education”, while nearly 55% chose “an EU without youth unemployment”, and 49% chose “an EU with an effective decision-making mechanism”.

In response to the question how Türkiye would contribute to the EU if it became a member, 72% of the participants responded as “expansion and development of the EU internal market”, while 62% responded as “contribution to the social dynamism of the EU”. 60% of the participants also stated that Türkiye's “contribution to regional/global peace, stability and prosperity in the EU and beyond” would be significant.

Regarding the most important issues that EU membership would contribute to Türkiye, nearly 64% of the participants chose the issue of “visa liberalization/free movement”, 62% chose “higher quality living standards” and 61% chose “trade/investment/financial support”.

Among responses regarding the 3 biggest problems/challenges facing the European Union, “climate crisis” ranked first with 55%. “Irregular migration” ranked second and third with 54%, and “rise of extreme right and xenophobia” ranked second and third with 50%. These issues were followed by “economic problems/differences” with 42% and “social justice and regression in employment” with 27%.

For the available episodes, see the play list.

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What is the Future of Europe Conference?

The Future of Europe Conference (FEC) is a series of consultation and discussion meetings, initiated in partnership with the European Parliament, the European Commission and the European Council as a platform where the future of Europe and the EU will be discussed in a way that allows the participation of citizens. The aim of the conference is to ensure that all issues affecting EU citizens and their daily lives are discussed and to make Europe a better place for all.

In the conference the following topics will be primarily discussed: climate change, environment, health, economy, EU's role in the world, rights and values, the rule of law, security, digital transformation, migration, education, culture, youth and sports. The official opening of FEC was held on 9 May 2021, on Europe Day.

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