Konferenz „Jugendaustausch in Europa feiern“ in Paris

Twenty-four young people from France, Germany, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia took part in the conference ‘Celebrating Youth Exchanges in Europe!’. As committed members of national youth councils, youth organisations and associations, they reaffirmed the importance of youth work and international exchange for participation, cooperation and stability in Europe.

The meeting built on the cooperation between the DFJW and RYCO, which has been in place since 2016. The DFJW had supported RYCO’s founding process; both organisations share the conviction that young people must have a say in decisions that affect them. RYCO sees itself as an independent institutional mechanism of the six Western Balkan partner countries, designed to promote reconciliation and cooperation among young people in the region through youth exchanges.

In a discussion with Benjamin Haddad, the French Minister of State for Europe, the participants discussed the enlargement of the European Union. It became clear that EU enlargement is not merely an institutional and geopolitical issue. Young people, youth organisations and civil society structures must be involved at an early stage. Particularly in the countries of the Western Balkans, young people’s trust in European institutions must not be betrayed. This requires credible prospects, transparent processes and concrete opportunities for participation.

In Paris, the participants were also received at the French National Assembly, the German Embassy and the joint representation of the Grand Est region and the Saarland. Discussions with policy-makers, diplomats and experts focused on the enlargement of the European Union, the protection of democracy, tackling disinformation, rising nationalism and the importance of youth exchanges for conflict prevention.

At the same time, the participants drew attention to the challenges facing youth organisation structures in Europe. These include restricted scope for civil society action and insufficient funding. They called for greater cooperation between youth federations, equitable access to international mobility and the recognition of young people as partners in policy-making.

Sophie Schmitz, Deputy Chair of the Bundesjugendring: “Young people need a Europe that facilitates encounters rather than hindering them. International youth work thrives on young people taking on responsibility across borders and developing joint responses to European challenges. This requires adequate funding and open borders. Checks such as those at the German-French border make encounters practically difficult and run counter to the idea of European cooperation.”