Event report

On 15 December, the European Information Centre of the Diputación de Huelva, Europe Direct Huelva, organised this event with first-school students from various institutes in Huelva, scheduled in our agenda of activities of the Conference on the Future of Europe. It took place at the Ibero-American Forum of Rábida (Huelva). The aim of these days was on the one hand to publicise the European Union and some of its historical milestones, and on the other hand, to generate a process of debate, claiming the role of young people in the conference, making their voice heard and encouraging their participation in the conference, inviting them to freely express their views and opinions on specific issues, all of which is framed within the framework of “YUVENTUD”. This event took place from 9:00 to 12:00, gathered 75 students from the high schools: IES Diego de Guzmán y Quesada, IES The Marist Order and College. The format chosen to celebrate this event was open space. First the students arrived in the plenary hall, where the day was introduced, and later divided into groups (by colors: Red,) between 20 and 30 people to mix them all. Once they were in the groups, 3 dynamics were carried out: Past, Present and Future of the European Union. The past to set out the milestones of the European Union, and to order them from greater to minor importance in their opinion; the present to position itself on topical European issues; and the future to discuss expectations and proposals on the future of the European Union that should be taken into consideration. Finally, the proposals of each group were presented to everyone in the Plenary. The group conclusions that were collected were as follows: —Expectations of the different working groups Yellow Group • That there be greater economic development. • There is full freedom of expression. • To follow the same path for development. • To think and act in green. • Achieving greater security and peace among all countries. • That young people be more listened to and have more opportunities. Red Group • More countries can use the euro as currency. • Improvements in public health, especially in the field of mental health. • Greater involvement with the environment. • Implementation of improvements in the education sector. Green Group • Development in the environmental field, to prevent its deterioration. • Greater ease and economic opportunities for conducting studies in both young people and adults. • To create a creative, diverse, conflict-free EU image that is self-criticising the people towards the EU and which, in turn, raises awareness among young people on the continental level. • To continue work on tolerance towards the diverse. • That there is a growing sense of equality in Europe, and a greater voice is given to citizens. —Proposals of the different working groups Grupo Amarillo • Confidence in other countries. • Correcting freedom of expression. • The quality of life is greater than the economy. • Improving education systems to bring new cultural and environmental values. • To establish partnerships with other countries to make Erasmus outside Europe. • Investing in social services that favour disadvantaged people. Red Group • The driving licence is granted from the age of 16. • Take action against unemployment and the rise in oil. • Invest in more resources to remove plastic in the oceans. • Investment in more resources for safe abortion in all Community countries. Green Group • Cultural, environmental, educational and egalitarian development in common. • More centralised education to respect and enrichment as citizens, in order to avoid hate groups and a higher level of education for more opportunities. • Aid and investment to economically disadvantaged social groups. • Real measures on climate change with immediate effect. • Monitoring wage equity. • To work towards the acceptance of cultures, religions and sexualities.