Event report

Junior European Parliament ambassadors, students who are involved in the European Parliament Ambassador School (EPAS) programme, are debating Europe’s future: How should Europe look like in 2050? There are multiple online events. All of them are structured around 5 topics of the Conference. These events differ from many others because the students involved are between 14 and 18 years old. About 50 students from 14 different EU member states participated in the online event. Students collaborated in small international teams to prepare presentations and proposals regarding Values and Rights, the Rule of Law and Security. They shared their proposals in the online event and voted for the proposal(s) they considered the most important. Students were able to discuss their proposals during the event with: Malgorzata Fiedot-Davies, Eurodesk Ireland Coordinator Yannis A. Stivachtis, professor of political science and Jean Monnet Chair, Virginia Tech Colin G Baker, Assistant Director for Education and Outreach, EU Jean Monnet Centre, Virginia Tech; Co-Chair, AP European History National Development Committee Mr Karl Doutlik, former Head of Representation EU Commission Outcome (student’s proposals): 1) Due to the Covid-19 pandemic; domestic violence has increased by 25-33% globally, since 2020. Not only that but the pricing of menstrual products has also heightened in recent years. Establish a legal framework to protect families through: Providing a phone number specifically for psychological or physical distress in families Reinforced protection of children and their rights Establishing a price limit/cap on menstrual products. 2) Covid-19 has resulted in approximately 114 million job losses, just in 2020. Fund small business and start-ups to decrease unemployment and encourage innovation. Increased support of the digital work environment where possible. Provision of recovery benefits to people who lost their job due to Covid-19. 3) At least 84 million people around the world have been forced to flee their homes. Among them, 26.4 million are refugees under the age of 18. Increase the support and asylum of refugees. Urge people through education and awareness campaigns to donate to refugee providing charities and organizations Proportionality fund member states providing for refugees. Urge world leaders to implement more food banks and asylums. 4) Combatting race and LGBTQ+ related discrimination. Through spreading awareness, education, and social media guidelines Encourage schools or public areas to provide seminars on the importance of multiculturalism and the harm discrimination causes. Provide more emphasis on sexual education in classes like biology with more gender inclusive language. Urge social media platforms to tighten their guidelines on reported hate speech.