Archivio opinioni

Erminia Mazzoni

Esperta di Politiche del Lavoro e dell’UE

Italy astonished for Mr. David Sassoli’s death found a burst of light in his successor, Mrs. Roberta Metsola, who in her opening speech, after her election, said, among others, “The first thing I would like to do as President is to think of David Sassoli’s Legacy: he was a fighter, he fought for Europe and for us, for this Parliament...”.

I had the fortune to meet Mrs. Metsola at the end of the 2009/2014 European parliamentary term and I share with her the belonging to the European Popular Party. She is the first female president of the European Parliament after exactly 20 years. She is the youngest. And most of all she comes form the smallest European Country, Malta, and form the South. Thus I thought it would be propitious as well as precious to have a suggestion from the new President of the European Parliament about the European future and its “next Generation”. She accepted my request. I appreciate her attention very much because it suggests her disposition to listen and her humble nature. And I am proud to thank her publicly.

“2022 is the European Year of Youth. It is about encouraging young people to take part in building a greener and more inclusive future.

Throughout EU Member States and throughout the calendar year, youth organisations will invite young Europeans to make their voice heard on multiple topics such as the digital transition, student exchange programmes, climate action and more. It is for them to tell us what they expect from us, what they feel Europe should be. It is about engaging a new generation to think about Europe again.

This Year of Youth is linked to the Conference on the Future of Europe - a unique EU-wide initiative to consult with citizens and take on board their concerns. Under 26-year olds make up one-third of the citizen Conference panels.

They also make up one-third of the Conference panel ambassadors, who are the people who will relay recommendations to EU decision makers. This is very significant and it is a true testimony of trust in Europe’s youth. It is our job to listen to young Europeans properly”.