YMCA Europe’s presence at the General Assembly of the European Youth Forum has once again proven our commitment to a society where youth voices actively shape the present and the future.
Our two delegates, Rima Marangozyan and Dragoș Tarța, were present in Ghent and contributed to the push for greater youth involvement in decision making and for a more equitable Europe.
The highlight of the General Assembly was the adoption of the European Youth Forum’s Policy Programme, an extensive document spanning six key action areas: Democracy, Youth Organisations and Safeguarding Young People’s Civic Space, Ecological Crises, Social and Economic Inclusion, Equality, Inclusion and Diversity, and Digitalization.
The YFJ’s newly adopted policy programme aims to serve as its foundation for present and future advocacy efforts and incorporates varied perspectives on European youth’s most pressing needs and challenges.
Our involvement in the European Youth Forum is not only an honor, but also a responsibility: as YMCA Europe, we strive to bring youth voices forward and to empower young people to know and use their say. We are glad to have had the opportunity to participate in this event and we reiterate our commitment to a world where equity and dignity serve as the basis for moving forward.
Attending the European Youth Forum (YFJ) General Assembly as a delegate for YMCA Europe was a unique and exciting experience, especially since it was my first time participating in such a forum. One of the most remarkable aspects of the experience was the realization that my voice – and the collective voice of youth organizations – can genuinely influence decisions on critical topics. This empowerment brought with it a profound sense of responsibility: to support decisions that are not only beneficial to me or my organization but that serve the broader interest of young people across diverse communities. – Rima Marangozyan
“The European Youth Forum General Assembly was a remarkable opportunity to witness both young people’s commitment to the common strive for youth rights, as well as the diversity of perspectives that exists across Europe. For me, the chance to interact with so many passionate young people and to stand up for what we believe in as a global movement is an immense privilege.” – Dragoș Tarța
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our colleagues from the European Youth Forum and to young people across Europe and beyond for being the change they want to see in the world.
