Conclusions of EU Youth Conference highlight employment as critical to the inclusion of young people in society

Peter Matjašiè , President of the European Youth Forum stated: ‘’We are pleased to see that the joint discussions of young people and policy-makers at the EU Youth Conference reflect the social inclusion needs of young people today; especially regarding the transition from education to employment with quality career guidance counseling and paid internships.

The conclusions emphasise the role youth organisations play in the social inclusion of young people and should be recognised for their contribution. It is very important that there is agreement that young people should always have a decisive role in shaping youth work”.

In addressing the issue of social inclusion, Mary Cunningham, Director, National Youth Council of Ireland noted: “Social change is possible when we start working together and, as the inspirational young people from Hi-Rez Youth Centre reminded the conference yesterday that tackling social exclusion is everybody’s business. Youth organisations have a key role to play in helping young people change the way they feel about social exclusion and in showing how all young people can be included and be comfortable being themselves – whoever they are”.

“During the three days of this conference more than 700 babies will have been born in Ireland – too many of these will be counted among the socially excluded now and in the future. To effect real change we must address the structural issues that sustain this reality and ensure that ‘social inclusion’ becomes the central piece in the social policy jigsaw puzzle both here in Ireland and across the EU,” she concluded.