As a follow up to 2023’s European Youth Event (EYE2023), young people discuss with MEPs the EYE2023 ideas that gained the most support, in a public hearing and EP President Roberta Metsola delivers the opening speech at the hearing, This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Brussels

speech

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

president's agenda

European Youth Event 2023 (T)

European Youth Hearing: speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Thank you so much, Sabina. Thank you, dear Chair, dear colleagues, dear participants and friends, dear younger Europeans and idea boosters. Welcome, or should I say welcome back to the European Parliament.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, It is truly a pleasure to be part of this opening session of the European Youth Hearing, an event which follows the 2023 EYE (or European Youth Event), where I witnessed firsthand the engagement of all of you and all the young people who are present and contributing to a better, safer and stronger Europe for all.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, As we have also just heard following this year's EYE, over 1000 impressive ideas were collected from young people across the continent, and the 15 most popular ideas are now gathered together in the youth ideas reports.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, But to be clear, this is not just a compilation of ideas where we put them in one document and wait for the next event. If anything, this is a result of a collective effort, a journey that is filled with intense exchanges, with discussions and activities that took place at the EYE. It represents your dreams, your aspirations of a generation of Europeans, that is actively shaping the future of Europe.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, So, this Youth Ideas report covers a wide range of topics from sustainability initiatives to educational opportunities, as we've just heard, and the digital transformation of our society. And I know that some of these ideas are already being rolled out and put into place by youth organisations across Europe. And I very much want to commend you for that.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Now, when we look at, when you see this event today, what would be the ideal outcome, so to speak? We would see it as a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration between young people and your elected representatives. This is the next step in bringing such top voted ideas directly to your members of the European Parliament.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, It is an opportunity to discuss your concerns with European policymakers while also listening to members as they discuss their legislative work. So being as are expert on that and how to connect with younger with young voters.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Now, every day we get closer and closer to the 2024 European elections, and with every new geopolitical development, we are again reminded how important, how decisive the outcome of such elections will be, because the result of these elections will determine the path that we will take and they will shape the decisions taken on the European level for the next five years.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, In fact, when you will speak to the colleagues I mentioned Slovenia, but they we also have a role here as chair of the committee, Employment and Social Affairs Committee. This is a discussion we have every day. So this is a defining time in your lives, especially for those of you who have not voted before. Even more so in those countries who have lowered their voting age to 16.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, So young people's voices reflect the evolving needs of society, and that is why it is important to listen. It is important to pass on the message. It is important to be clear and to recognise that each and every single vote matters.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, So I would very much encourage you to take away from here, from your experience after the EYE, after this event, after meeting your members, after making new friends, new colleagues, new lifelong colleagues, I would say that's how I started my youth activism by meetings such as this, including some also in this room in order to find your voice, whether offline or online and participating in the election campaign and making your voice heard.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Now, to concluding appeals, first of all, the Youth Ideas report and the European Youth Hearing are not just symbolic gestures. They are powerful tools for shaping the policies and actions that will define our future. We need you to keep up your engagement besides voting. As I just said, be more than that, to more critize, ask, express doubt and make your position hard.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, And secondly, here is the appeal to two colleagues who are sitting up here. Let's listen to these ideas and take them on board. This is where we can put them in our campaign manifestos when we are going to go from city to city, from village to village, as we go closer to the election. This is where the frontrunners of change are, and that is what we need to take with us and that is what we hope you take away from here. So, thank you very much and enjoy. And good luck in the part in the discussions you have. Thank you.