The Youth Forum welcomes the statement made by the EU education ministers

Brussels, 19 of March 2015 - The European Youth Forum welcomes the strong statement made by the EU education ministers from yesterday (18th March) to tackle intolerance, discrimination and radicalisation.

Education Ministers from the European Union Member States and Commissioner Navracsics adopted the Declaration on promoting citizenship and the common values of freedom, tolerance and non-discrimination through education in reaction to the tragic terror attacks in Paris and in Copenhagen.

The Youth Forum welcomes this statement which demonstrates that there is an important need to refocus the purpose of education to its holistic impact on both the personal and social development of young people and societies.

Johanna Nyman, President of the European Youth Forum commented :

The European Youth Forum welcomes the emphasis on the framework for equal opportunities for all. All young people must have access to quality education. We believe that quality education, together with youth work is essential for young people to take up their roles and responsibilities as active citizens in a diverse and inclusive society. However, it is a shame that such an atrocity had to take place before there was a strong political commitment to promote more inclusive, quality education. The idea that education is a driver for inclusive societies should never leave our thoughts. The Youth Forum expects the revised Education and Training 2020 to reflect these commitments and for member states to translate them into visible outcomes, including increased support to youth organisations’ educational work through the Erasmus Plus Programme.

Read our full statement here.

ENDS///

Note to the editors : About the European Youth Forum The European Youth Forum is the platform of youth organisations in Europe. Independent, democratic, youth-led, it represents 99 National Youth Councils and international youth organisations from across the continent. The Forum works to empower young people to participate actively in society to improve their own lives, by representing and advocating their needs and interests and those of their organisations towards the European Union, the Council of Europe and the United Nations. For more information, visit www.youthforum.org