EU Parliament: More must be done for young people, say MEPs

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page/038-74664-137-05-21-906-20100517IPR74663-17-05-2010-2010-false/default_mt.htm
18-05-2010 - 12:46

[Excerpt of the article. Click on the hyperlink above to view the entire article.]

More efforts should be made to promote non-formal education, combat youth unemployment and help young people with special needs, says a resolution adopted on Tuesday by the European Parliament. According to MEPs, youth mobility and volunteering need to be encouraged, and more attention should be given to sex education and promoting healthy lifestyles.

Parliament wants young people to be involved in the formulation of youth policy and calls for Member States to "provide support for local youth parliaments and councils". There should be "a youth perspective in policies, programmes and actions in the culture and media fields", says the resolution, and a European youth pass should be devised "so that young people can gain access to cultural institutions throughout the EU at a very low charge".

...

Non-discrimination, sex education and healthy lifestyle

The resolution emphasises "the importance of eliminating all kinds of discrimination among young people, such as discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion, disability, age and sexual orientation". It also stresses the need for better sex education and draws attention to "the continuing high level of under-age pregnancies". The importance of "further combating the use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco-related harm and other forms of addiction, including gambling" is highlighted by MEPs, who also emphasise the role of sport in promoting healthy lifestyles for young people.

REF. : 20100517IPR74663