Event report

The three speakers began by delivering short introductory notes and then a short video prepared by the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union about the expectations of the Portuguese youth for the future of Europe was played. 

The ensuing questions and proposals mostly focused on: 

• The importance of youth political participation at the local level;
• Equality of opportunities, particularly access to ERASMUS for all students;
• Greater oversight over the expenditure of European funds and the fight against corruption;
• The Rule of Law;
• European identity;
• The inclusion and protection of minorities in the EU;
• Access to housing, particularly by the youth.

In her reply, VP Šuica highlighted that, even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Commission was already working on a long-term strategy for rural areas. But this topic became more relevant with the pandemic because so many people, especially young people, decided to move to rural areas. She reminded that although 80% of the European territory is occupied by rural areas, only 100 million people (out of the EU’s 450 million population) currently lives in rural areas.
Minister Santos Silva pointed out that the purpose of the Conference on the Future of Europe is precisely to hear and debate a variety of views, even those critical, about the EU. On inequality, he stressed the importance of the Porto Social Summit, which contributed to put the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights and the European Social Model at the heart of EU policy. 
Secretary of State Zacarias reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to the Rule of Law and the Portuguese Presidency’s work on this dossier. She recognised that this issue posed questions and she appealed to the audience to present suggestions and new ideas to move forward this debate.