The European Union
The Europe Region WAGGGS speaks out on behalf of girls and young women in the European Institutions
It is relatively recently that “Youth” has been a topic for decision-makers in the European Union. Youth first became an issue at this level following the Treaty of Maastricht, but it was only with the publication of the White Paper on Youth in 2001 that the Member States of the EU were invited to increase cooperation in four youth priority areas: participation, information, voluntary activities and a greater understanding and knowledge of youth. The White Paper also proposed to take the youth dimension more into account when other relevant policies are developed, such as health and anti-discrimination.
A Framework for European Co-operation in the Youth Field was established by the European Council in 2002, focusing on developing the active citizenship of young people, their social and occupational integration, and including a youth dimension in other policies. In 2005, this framework was updated to take into account the European Youth Pact, adopted by the European Council in 2005 to promote the education, training, mobility, social inclusion and employment of young people.
The development of youth policies is the responsibility of the Youth Unit in the DG Education and Culture of the European Commission, which also is responsible for the Youth in Action Programme. The Europe Region, together with a number of other childrens rights NGOS, is also contributing to the development of EU policy on the Rights of the Child, led by the Commission Directorate responsible for Freedom, Security and Justice.
The Europe Region WAGGGS contributed to the development of the White Paper on Youth and continues to follow and contribute to European youth policy issues, particularly in co-operation with the European Youth Forum.
Following the adolescent health survey in 2005, and the development of seven key advocacy messages on adolescent health, the Europe Region WAGGGS has also begun to follow and contribute to the work of other Commission Directorates such as DG SANCO (which is responsible for health). For example, WAGGGS participates in a Commission round table which is working to develop a possible EU-level strategy on sexual health of young people.