Launching of the Young European Legislators Network

Young parliamentarians from across Europe gathered together this week to support the launch of the Young European Legislators Network (YELN). The event took place on 23rd March and was held in Rome, in the premises of the Italian Chamber of Deputies. The Network will link members of parliament who are under the age of forty and from across a range of political backgrounds to inspire cooperation in youth policy in Europe and promote best practices.

Amongst those speaking at the event was the European Youth Forum’s President, Johanna Nyman, who expressed why the launch of YELN is an important step forward.

"I strongly believe that the problems Europe is facing cannot and should not be solved through policies that divide this continent, but on the contrary, we need stronger cooperation and a stronger common agenda. Civil society and political decision makers play a vital role in this. That is why networks like the Young European Legislators Network matter and why the European Youth Forum is delighted to support it; together we can develop and implement policies that make life better for so many people!"

Terry Reintke, MEP, co-chair of the Youth Intergroup of the European Parliament, Brando Benifei, MEP, vice-chair of the Intergroup, and Anna Ascani, Italian MP and chair of the Youth Intergroup of the Italian Parliament released a joint statement welcoming the move to find common ground for action amongst parliamentarians in order to reinforce the citizen’s trust in the European Integration Project.

Parliamentarians present at the launch event also took part in a debate moderated by the British MP and former UK minister for University and Research, David Willetts. The entire debate is available to view online.