High unemployment, notably among young people, and increasing numbers of young citizens living in a marginalised situation are a threat to the coherence of our societies. The widening gap between politicians and citizens endangers the feeling of belonging to a democratic society. We expect the Intergovernmental Conference to address these issues and ensure that the European Union possesses all instruments which are necessary to tackle these problems at the appropriate levels. In the future, European debates and decision-making needs to be open and transparent, and relevant information on the Unions policies should reach all citizens. Young people have the right to know in what way their future is determined.
Young people are eager and committed to participate in the debates on Europe's future.
It is vital to improve the level of democracy in the European Union institutions. Decision-making has to be reformed and the European Parliament should have a stronger role. The IGC will have to improve the functioning of the institutions in this respect. However, it would be a shame if the IGC would be restricted to institutional reform, without any progress on other issues which are of even greater importance to its young citizens. The European Union will have to improve its social profile and strengthen its cultural dimension.