WHY YOUNG EUROPEANS SHOULD VOTE!

PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 22nd May 2014

Press contacts: Alexandre BEDDOCK,

alexandre.beddock@youthforum.com // press@youthforum.org // +32 2 2869419

WHY YOUNG EUROPEANS SHOULD VOTE!

The League of Young Voters urges young people to vote in the European elections, over the next four days across the 28 Member States of the European Union. According to a League of Young Voters’ study, young people are the group most likely not to vote – 71% of 18-24 year olds did not vote in 2009. The League wants to overturn this trend, by raising awareness and informing young people so that they come out in force at the ballot box.

These elections are crucial. They are the first pan-European test of public opinion since the crisis erupted, followed by the implementation of austerity measures in many member states. These have had a serious impact on people’s lives: young people’s rights have been overridden, and today almost one out of four young Europeans are unemployed and many others struggle to access to quality jobs.

The crisis and ensuing austerity measures have triggered a loss of confidence in the EU and have encouraged the rise of far right political parties – many of them promoting hate-speech, nationalist and Eurosceptic ideas – which are now achieving worrying scores in the polls. It is therefore crucial that young people, who are proven to be more supportive of Europe and more likely to recognise its value than other generations, have the opportunity to have their say on key issues in Europe.

Against this backdrop, the League of Young Voters has been battling to involve young people in key issues that affect them and to ensure that higher priority be given to youth this year. A study on addressing youth absenteeism in European elections was carried out with International IDEA. This study concludes that young people feel that the European elections do not have a direct impact on their lives. They are however engaged in political issues, they just have different means of expressing their views.

The League of Young Voters co-organised the first ever Presidential EU debate gathering the four main candidates to the European Commission Presidency broadcasted live on Euronews and translated in 13 different languages.

A comparison tool “who says what?” had also been developed, where users can easily compare the positions of political parties, both European and national, on seven topics: youth employment, education, digital revolution, political participation, the future of Europe, investment in youth, and the environment. 231 manifestos were analysed, with the content available both in English and in the language of origin. If still confused on how to vote, the League also offers a guide to the European elections, a web experience that explains how to vote by guiding you through an exciting time machine.

Giuseppe Porcaro, Secretary General of the European Youth Forum comments:

“To fight Europe-wide problems, such as unemployment, job security and free movement, solutions have to be found at a European level. Young people therefore need to make their voices heard, and the upcoming elections are their opportunity to do this! By voting in higher numbers young people can help ensure that newly-elected MEPs take the promises made to young people in their parties’ manifestos seriously.

Remember, if you do not vote, someone else will vote for you and you will not be represented in the next European Parliament.”

//ENDS

Notes to the editor:

About the League of Young Voters
The League of Young Voters, established by the European Youth Forum, is a politically neutral initiative that aims to amplify young people’s concerns and expectations in the run-up to European elections. It’s a movement across Europe designed by young people, for young people.

The LYV aims to tackle the ever decreasing youth participation at the European Parliament elections by increasing the level of youth-related information available about the elections, but also by encouraging political parties and candidates to directly target young people in their campaigns. It aims to bring together all young people who want to choose what decisions Europe and its politicians will make on issues that concern them.

The LYV was officially launched by José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, on 30 May 2013 at the annual YO! Fest.

To find out more about the League and its activities in the coming months, go to: http://www.youngvoters.eu or contact us via email – hello@youngvoters.eu / Twitter – @youngvoters.eu / Facebook – youngvoters.eu

About the European Youth Forum

The European Youth Forum is the platform of youth organisations in Europe. Independent, democratic, youth-led, it represents 98 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