1.Youth in Action

2. AGENDA Introduction to the European Union European institutions EUs role in development The Cotonou Partnership How to advocate in the EU 3. Candidate CountriesCroatiaFormer Yugoslav Republic ofMacedoniaTurkeyPotential CandidateCountriesAlbaniaBosnia & HerzegovinaMontenegroSerbia including Kosovo underUN Security CouncilResolution 1244 4. Introduction to the EuropeanUnion The EU in a nutshell 27 member states (MS) and a population of over 500 million (USA = 312 million) In 2007, around 96 million young people aged between 15 and 29 years Young people represent about 20% of the EUpopulation This means the EU is also YOU 5. What is the Motto of the EuropeanUnion? a) United in prosperity (wealth) b) United in austerity (saving) c) United in diversity 6. The institutions of the EU TheThe European European ParliamentCommisson(EP) (EC) The Council of The the European EuropeanUnion (The CouncilCouncil) 7. The European Parliament Directly elected by the citizens of Europe in electionsevery 5 years 753 Members (MEPs):www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/search.html MEPs sit in the plenary according to political groupsnot national groups 20 committees + extra sub-committees in Brusselsprepare the work of the plenary sessions Vote in Plenary in Strasburg and Brussels 8. The European Parliament EUROPEANPARLIAMENTPOWERSBUDGETARY SUPERVISORYPOWER POWERLEGISLATIVEPOWER 9. An MEP can help you putyour topic on the EUagenda! 10. The European ParliamentWhich committees work on your issue? Development; Chaired by Ms. Eva Jolyhttp://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/performsearch.html Womans rights and gender equality; Chaired by Mr.Mikael Gustafssonhttp://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/performsearch.html Employment and social affairs; Chaired by Ms.Pervenche Bershttp://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/performsearch.html 11. When will the next EuropeanParliament elections take place? a) 2013 b) 2014 c) 2015 12. The European Commission The main executive body of the EU Led by a President nominated by the European Councilevery 5 years 25 EU Commissioners Each is responsible for a specific area (e.g. DevelopmentCooperation, Trade) Selected by the president , but must be approved by theCouncil and the EP Jos Manuel Barosso (Portugal) is the current President (2009-2014) 13. The European CommissionGUARDIANRIGHT OFOF THE INITIATIVE TREATIESEUROPEAN COMMISSIONFUNCTIONS MANAGESRESPONSIBLE FOREUIMPLEMENTATIONRESOURCESOF EC LAWREPRESENTSTHE EU ONINTERNATIONALSTAGE 14. The European Commission Who works on development? EuropeAid Development and Cooperation (DEVCO) Responsible for designing EU development policies and delivering aid through programmes and projects across the world Commissioner Andris Piebalgs (Latvia) Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO) Responsible for providing emergency assistance and relief to the victims of natural disasters or armed conflict outside the EU Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva (Bulgaria) 15. European Commissions page for the Youth:http://ec.europa.eu/youth/index_en.htm Barroso calls for using 82 billion euro unspent funds tohelp job creationhttp://www.europeanvoice.com/article/imported/barroso-calls-for-unspent-funds-to-help-job-creation-/73437.aspx Youth opportunities initiative (video on youthemployment):http://ec.europa.eu/avservices/video/player.cfm?ref=I073435&sitelang=en 16. Questions? 17. How many stars does the Europeanflag have?a) 12b) 15c) 25 18. EUs role in Development The fundamental principles guiding ECdevelopment effort Poverty reduction Coordination and complementarily between the EUand member states Coherence between the EUs development objectivesand its external policies which would affect developingcountries like Ghana or Cameroon 19. The Cotonou PartnershipAgreement Is an agreement between the EU and 79 African, Caribbeanand Pacific (ACP) countries, including Ghana, Sierra Leoneand Cameroon Main aims: Reduce poverty Include non state actors (NGOs like Plan) in aid policy Reinforce economic- and trade partnerships Aid to the ACP countries is funded through the EuropeanDevelopment Fund (EDF) Is important for you: you write to your government toremind them of the objectives of this agreement and theirresponsibilities! 20. The Cotonou PartnershipAgreementArticle 26 cooperation shall support policies, measures and operations aimed at:b) promoting the skills, energy, innovation and potential of youth in order to enhance theireconomic, social and cultural opportunities and enlarge their employment opportunities in the productive sector; 21. How many Europeans participate personally inhelping poor countries either by donating moneyor volunteering in relevant organisations?a) 22 %b) 30%c) 41% 22. How to Advocate in the EU What is the problem you want to address? How is the problem relevant to you? How is the EU part of the solution to your problem? Which concrete changes in policy and/or practice do you want to achieve? 23. How to influence EU Policy and Practice Raising your issues with EU Lawmakers Other advocacy opportunities 24. Influencing EU Legislation Legislation concerning cooperation with third countries is adopted through the ordinary legislative procedure (Co-decision): Starts with a legislative proposal from the Commission to theCouncil and the EP The proposal is debated, amended and eventually adopted bythe EP and the Council 25. Influencing the Commission? Identify who will be responsible for drafting the legislativeproposal in the Commission(which Directorate General(DG), which Unit and what officials) For youth employment within Europe: DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (Directorate C Europe 2020: Employment policies , Unit C3, M. Uebe) For employment in development cooperation: Directorate General for Development and Cooperation (EuropeAid, DEVCO D. Human and Society development, Unit D3, H. Bourgade) Build alliances with other likeminded NGOs and networkwith established NGO networks in Brussels to raiseawareness of your issues e.g. Youth Employment Action (YEA): www.youthemploymentaction.org/ 26. Influencing the EuropeanParliamentMake a mapping of important MEPs for The Netherlands and Lithuania (see link to relevant committees above)Network with influential MEPs and your national Permanent Representation to the EU 27. Influencing the EuropeanParliament Who else to target at the EP Rapporteur: The MEP responsible for drafting acommittees report E.g. Dutch MEP Marije Cornelissen was rapporteur for the report on employmentand social aspects in the Annual Growth Survey 2012, which also stresses the needto tackle youth unemployment Shadow Rapporteurs: MEPs from a differentpolitical group who shadow the drafting of thereport Political advisers 28. Influencing MEPs Target your national MEPs Find out their interests (search for their parliamentaryquestions and reports) Meet them face to face Use clear messages and impressive facts and statistics Share the newest relevant research/reports Establish yourself as the expert Try to win over their assistant Provide, concise, relevant and to the point informationabout your project and goals with clear advice on what youwant them to do 29. Other Advocacy opportunities Outside of the EU, you can contact the EU through the EUDelegation in your country:http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/web_en.htm Written Declaration (WD) A WD is a text of a maximum of 200 words on a matter falling within the European Unions sphere of activities. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) can use WDs to launch or re-launch a debate on a subject that comes within the EUs remit. 378 out of 756 signatures are required to adopt the text. During plenary sessions, MEPs can sign WDs in front of the chamber 30. Other Advocacy opportunities Regional and Country Strategy Papers Based on strategy papers and annual action programmes, EUfunding is delivered through budget support, grants andcontracts You can assist your partners in the south to influence theprogramming of aid through influencing Regional andCountry Strategy Papers e.g. under the Cotonou Partnership 31. TIPS Have clear objectives, messages and outcomes Identify the institution in charge and your key targets Establish your organisation as youth on the field Use your own government as first contact Network for collective influencing Use MEPs friendly to your cause Build key contacts in Brussels institutions and among theNGOs 32. How many official languages arethere in the EU? a) 20 b) 23 c) 27 33. Q&A