IDEA at the EU Youth Conference in Dublin

The EU Youth Conference, held twice a year and organised by the current presidency of the Council of the EU, is a core part of the EU Youth Dialogue, bringing together youth councils, youth organisations, and ministerial representatives to work on EU youth policy. 

The conference in Dublin was especially important, for two reasons. First, the EU is currently in the midst of preparing a new EU Youth Strategy, which includes preparing changes to EU Youth Goals, but second, the focus of the current trio presidencies (Ireland, Lithuania, Greece) and the 12th cycle of the EU Youth Dialogue that coincides with it, is Youth Goal #4, Constructive dialogue and information. At IDEA, and the European debate community, we obviously have a lot to say about that, including ensuring that constructive dialogue remains a priority, that is, that teaching young people to disagree productively remains a visible goal of education. 

We were able to build new contacts, meet friends, and exchange different views and experiences from youth work. It was especially good to see how engaged the whole sector is in advocating for a stronger Erasmus+ programme in the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework. We are already looking forward to Lithuania!