‘Celebration of European Youth’ Conference

SEM supports the National Youth Council in hosting the Conference

As the European Year of Youth comes to a close, Servizzi Ewropej f’Malta (SEM) and the National Youth Council (KNŻ) hosted a conference that brought together youths from various sectors, both from Malta and the rest of Europe.

This conference provided a space in which different youth organisations had the opportunity to exchange best practices in activism and the social causes in which they are involved, with the purpose of laying the foundations for the future.

In attendance for this conference was the Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds, Dr Chris Bonett, who delivered the opening speech, the president of the European Youth Forum and several representatives of National Youth Councils from different European countries. Officials from Aġenzija Żgħażagħ were also present to share their expertise and listen to the opinions and recommendations of young people

Throughout the conference interventions were made by several Maltese influential figures, who were invited to share their experience within the local context and help motivate young people. Furthermore, a virtual message from the President of the European Parliament, Dr Roberta Metsola was also shared with the participants.

Youths present had the opportunity to participate in workshops that focused on the following themes: the environment, arts and culture, civic engagement, youths in the community, and sports. Experts from the respective sectors were invited to join the workshops and share their expertise as well as best practices on how issues are to be tackled. The results from each workshop were then presented by KNŻ members during the conclusions on the conference.

An intervention was also delivered by SEM officials on EU Careers opportunities and how youths can access traineeship programmes within the EU institutions and agencies.

An award ceremony was held at the end of the conference for participants of the National Youth Parliament organised by KNŻ over the summer. Youths that participated in the conference were then presented with a participation certificate.