This week, the Party of European Socialists hosted a fringe event within the framework of the Young European Socialists’ 30+2 anniversary, bringing Europe’s youth together to discuss how we can find solutions to issues facing young people.
The event focussed on fighting climate change, improving mental health services across Europe with its implications on young people, and youth activism. All issues which have been central to the PES and our manifesto.
The event was opened by PES Deputy Secretary General, Yonnec Polet, and centered around an informal and interactive conversation between Thomas Bajada (a young S&D MEP from Malta covering climate protection policies) and the 100 YES audience members present.
Opening the discussion, PES Deputy Secretary General Yonnec Polet said:
‘’Youth has always been at the heart of our work at the PES. Together with YES, we have been pushing successfully for initiatives like the European Youth Guarantee, ensuring that young people have access to education and employment. In contrast to the far-right, we offer real solutions to existing concerns. Our political family will therefore continue to join forces and exchange, as we did today’’.
In response to the questions about issues facing young people today, Thomas Bajada, MEP said:
‘’There is much work still to do: tackling the climate crisis, addressing mental health issues, fighting the rise of the far-right across Europe, and continuing to strive for gender equality and LGBTI rights.
‘’Young people have an important role to play here: they have the right to be heard and represented, and their voice must translate effectively into actions’’.
The PES family is a leading force in the fight against climate change and in spearheading the Green Deal, striving for a just transition where nobody is left behind, no pause for climate change and no place for climate change denialism.
We have been vocal on the need to put physical and mental health on equal footing, calling for a strong European Mental Health Strategy, with a focus on the needs of young people.
Moreover, youth is a priority for the PES; the PES family introduced and reinforced the European Youth Guarantee, put forward a proposal for a Directive on Traineeships, established the Gender Equality Strategy, and put forward the European Green Deal; encouraging youth participation and representation, in favour of setting up respective structures accordingly.
PES congratulates the YES on their 30+2 years event this week.
We would also like to commend YES Secretary General, Sofie Amalie Stage, and YES President, Enric López Jurado, for their excellent leadership. Their hard work has been at the forefront of the YES movement and we look forward to continuing good cooperation.
More information about YES is available at: youngsocialists.eu
Check the photos from the event.
