The National Student Confederation along with JEF and UEF-Bulgaria have the pleasure of inviting you to the international seminar “Fostering Youth Participation in the European Elections”which will be held in Sofia from 11 to 18 November 2018.
The European elections in 2019 are of crucial importance for the future of the EU. Taking place in a different and unique context because of Brexit, they are a big challenge for the politicians to show a new vision and an excellent opportunity to further engage the citizens and youth in particular in the construction of a stronger political union. That there is a need to educate young people to take part in elections is not an issue. However, the turnout is lower than that in national elections and there’s an overall perception that voting in European Parliament elections “doesn’t change anything”. Total voter turnout at the last European elections in 2014 was 43,2 % just 0,2 % over the historic low in 2009. Of that, youth turnout has fallen the most, sliding to 27,8 % in 2014 from 29% in 2009. In fact, as young people hold more positive attitudes towards the EU than older generations, their absence at the polling stations actually rewards parties that are more critical of EU integration. One thing is certain: the EU needs its youth back – its opinions, ideas and energy, in order to stay strong.
The educational seminar “Fostering Youth Participation in the European Elections“ to be held in Sofia from 11 to 19 November 2018 will meet the need to inform the new European generation how the EU works and the rights and obligations the EU citizenship brings in order to encourage them to vote in the European elections and contribute to boost the turnout.