Can Europe kick it with the kids?

What do young people think about the European Union? Some clearly support it, as evidenced by surveys indicating that young people tend to vote for pro-European liberal and green parties. Others are more suspicious. A significant number of young people have flocked to populist, far-right or far-left parties, or believe the system is somehow broken and unlikely to deliver the kind of future they want.

EU decision-making can seem remote — especially if the issues you care about arent on the agenda. POLITICO asked eight of the European Parliaments youngest members, some of whom are about to embark on their first term, how do you make the EU more relevant to young people?

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Be more transparent, listen

Kira Peter-Hansen, 21, is a Danish MEP from the Socialist Peoples Party.

Politicians can make the European Union relevant to young people by letting them into the decision-making process and giving them a better sense of what it is they do. As an MEP, I will let people follow my day-to-day life on social media and tell them about the political battles taking place.

We also have to make sure that people who voted for a greener and more sustainable future feel heard in Brussels. Local and citizens initiatives are part of the solution and are helping to drive change, and I will continue to support the young citizens who have taken to the streets across the EU to demand climate action.

Fighting for a fast green transition should be the EUs priority. We need a policy that makes big polluters pay first, leaves no one behind and gives security and opportunity to citizens, workers and communities. We also have to raise awareness — among citizens and decision-makers alike — about their carbon footprint and ensure they are well-informed about the implications of failing to tackle climate change.

This kind of direct, fact-based communication will help young Europeans see that the EU has an extremely important role to play in the battle to save our climate.

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Make the EU more democratic

Manon Aubry, 29, is a French MEP from France Unbowed.

Young people are particularly distant from European elections and politics. In France, around seven out of 10 young citizens do not vote for their European representatives. The main reason? Lack of influence and a lack of information about EU politics. Both stem from malfunctions within so-called European democracy that the EU should urgently address.

The EU is designed to be impervious to citizens influence. Although it brands itself as one of the worlds major democracies, it is led by an unelected Commission and its Parliament has no legislative initiative. The EU would be more relevant for young people if it were more democratic, with a right of initiative for the Parliament and reinforced control over the Commission.

Moreover, most EU decisions are made behind closed doors. The process should be more accessible for public scrutiny and political debates, including at the European Council, should be accessible to everyone. As citizens representatives, it is MEPs responsibility to ensure popular education on European politics and to be political whistleblowers for the wider public, just as it is their duty to take action on the issues people care about — such as climate change.

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Speak their language

Markéta Gregorová, 26, is a Czech MEP from the Pirate Party.

In the last parliamentary term, the average age of MEPs was 53. And while theres no question that experience is highly important in politics, we cant expect the previous generation to be able to address new challenges and keep up with the rapid pace of change without the input of young people.

The European Parliament needs to become more diverse and represent all segments of the population — and that includes young people. Why not invite YouTube influencers, such as PewDiePie, to the Parliament? They should be part of the conversation.

The EU hasnt done nearly enough to address whats worrying us. We need to talk about unemployment, or the fact the many young people cant afford to buy an apartment, dont have access to quality education and are deeply concerned about our governments lack of action on climate change.

Lets start by speaking about these issues — loudly — with young people and in their language.

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Champion the right issues

Magid Magid, 29, is a British MEP from the Green Party.

One of the greatest misconceptions among politicians today is that young people are just not that into politics.

Too many politicians think that the way to connect with the youth is by using their language, appearing on Instagram or Snapchat or — for the more savvy ones — hanging out with YouTube influencers. And sure, these things can make an impact. But if you look at the effect that Greta Thunberg, the Swedish climate activist, has had these past few months, then you know that the best way to make young people interested in politics is to make what we do relevant to them.

I have three concrete proposals for the European Union.

Magid Magid has three proposals for the EU | Photo courtesy of Magid Magid

First, lower the legal voting age to 16. If you give young people the right to vote, they are more likely to take a lifelong interest in politics, develop a habit of voting and pay attention to what is going on around them because they will feel like they can do something about it.

Second, get serious about fighting climate change. In many ways the EU is already a leader on that front, but we could go so much further. For example, we could start a green bank that gives starter investment to transformative projects across the Continent.

And lastly, the EU needs to become more democratic. As a start, lets have European citizens elect the president of the European Commission. Beyond that, we should consider introducing participatory budgeting exercises and citizens assemblies to bring democracy to life for everyone.

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Invest in young people

Delara Burkhardt, 26, is a German MEP from the Social Democratic Party.

To address modern challenges credibly, the EU has to listen to its young people.

My generation grew up in a united Europe and believes in the importance of addressing common challenges — climate change, migration and tax evasion, to name just three — together. We want our voices to be heard.

The EU has to show it is more than just an economic union that looks out for the well-being of companies. My generation wants a Europe that cares for its citizens and invests in its youth. Europe should be a place of opportunity, where young people grow up in equal living conditions, where young interns dont work for free, where there is more money for youth exchanges and education.

The EU needs to step up the plate and show that it takes the social and climate challenges of our times seriously.

To achieve this, we need a smarter, bigger EU budget that invests in youth and labor market policy initiatives, better infrastructure and innovation. We need to develop a social vision of Europe, and involve young people in the decision-making.

The EU needs to step up the plate and show that it takes the social and climate challenges of our times seriously. If Brussels can show its ready to do so, I am convinced that more young Europeans will relate to its mission and its core values.

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Worry about brain drain

Karlo Ressler, 29, is a Croatian MEP from the Croatian Democratic Union.

Its actually rather simple: Listen to young peoples concerns and include them in policymaking.

Although the issues they care about differ by country, young people share three big worries: education, employment and the opportunity to live, work and raise a family in a comfortable environment.

Advances in technology, globalization and migration have accelerated the pace of social change, with disproportionate effects forRead More – Source

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