Article title: Empowering Youth: Raising Awareness of EU Rights and Values for a Stronger Europe
Written by: PlanBe, Plan it Be it
In a world that is becoming increasingly complex, the European Union underlines the importance of rights protection and democracy. If we want young people to utilize these rights and be active citizens, they need to understand the essence of those rights, the philosophy behind them, and the protection channels available.
The youth workers, educators, and organizations involved with youth and youth development are of central importance in ensuring that youth get the right information. When youth understand their rights and support their freedom, we strengthen them and foster their role in shaping European values-based, democratic, and integrationist society. Being knowledgeable about youth rights puts us in a position to be active and capable partisans and hold on to their values within the larger structure of Europe. For this reason, safeguarding these rights remains paramount within the European Union and towards realizing the region’s goal of ensuring that everybody is given a voice and enjoys the rule of law. Hence, its introduction to these young people is not only relevant but is, in fact, a proactive envisioning for a stronger Europe of active, participatory citizens.
Youth workers, educators, and organizations dedicated to youth development play a vital role in bridging the knowledge gap among young individuals. By raising awareness and enlightening youth about their rights, we not only empower them as individuals but also encourage their participation in building a Europe that is democratic, open, and inclusive. Understanding their rights equips young people to become engaged citizens, capable of advocating for their values within the broader European framework. The European Union’s commitment to safeguarding these rights is essential for fostering a society where every individual has a voice and the rule of law prevails. Therefore, bringing this awareness to young people is not just necessary; it is an investment in a more resilient and participatory future for Europe.
This means that youth workers, educators, and organizations that work with Young People should step up and complement the efforts of raising awareness by filling in the knowledge gap of young people. In this way, through the power that is brought to youth awareness of this knowledge, we do not only strengthen them in person but also involve them in becoming active citizens in constructing a Europe that is free, open, and democratic. The European Union today plays a significant role in protecting rights in Europe and promoting democracy, which is necessary in the contemporary world. As described above, in order to be able to enjoy these rights and become active citizens fully, youth need to know what rights they have, what values they uphold, and what processes are in place to enforce these rights.
Thus, it is crucial for youth workers, educators, and youth development organizations to intervene and educate young people, as most of them are ignorant of this. Enlightening youth on such perspectives is a win-win for them and society because it prepares them for active citizenship in fashioning a more inclusive Europe.
The EU Charter of Fundamental Freedoms outlines several rights for all EU citizens: freedom, equality, justice, dignity, etc. These involve rights that make a difference in people’s lives, from the rights to privacy and freedom from discrimination to access to education, healthcare, and working conditions (European Union, 2012). These rights are not simply theoretical; they are part of the realization of a society in which every citizen has a say and is governed by law. However, the need outbreak is that many youths do not know the rights accruable from the EU citizenship arm. Current research indicates that many young people do not possess information on EU rights, but they might be able to avail themselves of and hence promote them for themselves and other citizens (Eurobarometer, 2023). Filling this knowledge gap can help youth claim their rights, become champions, and be fully engaged citizens.
Among the target groups, youth workers and non-governmental organizations will need to engage most extensively in promoting the rights and values of the EU in the youth. Youth workers are seen as authorities in the lives of youths in their communities. They can help introduce such topics in ways that would be relevant to the lives of young people. Organizations can cultivate communications about such rights so that young people can actively strive for such an environment to understand the significance of these rights. Also, the youth workers need to adopt significant non-formal education techniques like workshops, role play, and debate to enhance their knowledge of EU rights. Such approaches foster curiosity and interaction, making youths feel and act closer to the principles of rights (Council of Europe, 2020).
The same applies to Digital platforms and social media, which are practical tools since youths are most often engaged in online activities. Short informative videos, social media campaigns, and challenges that can be played out on social media are effective ways of making learning about rights under the EU highly shareable and fun. These platforms offer platforms for youth to express themselves freely, share their ideas and experiences, and pass on the EU principles of democracy, human rights, and diversity (European Commission, 2021). In addition, the use of real-life issues, including climate change, social justice, and equality, among others, that the young people can relate to helps the youth workers preach how EU rights not just as a theory but as fundamental in addressing the issues that the youth cherish (European Youth Forum, 2022).
A very good example of such a strategy is the creation of our soon-to-come ‘youth ambassador” training course. This will also increase the effectiveness of peer-to-peer teaching through NGOs, where young persons will spread what they have been taught to friends, their families, or their communities. According to European Education and Culture Executive Agency, learners of this age or group respond well to their counterparts’ instructions, which has helped this model (EACEA, 2018). It can also enable young people to build advocacy skills through programs in active citizenship and the rights of youth as EU citizens.
Increasing the awareness of the rights and values of EU citizens is another significant step towards unification, as all the young citizens see the possibility of their rights and opportunities within the EU. For young people, especially those from less privileged backgrounds, this knowledge has an affirmative outcome of offering them means allowing them to state and claim their rights, request fair treatment, and fight for inclusion. The critique enhancing awareness and engagement in active citizenship is essential among youth workers, educators, NGOs, and activists. The pop-promoting initiatives also spread knowledge about EU rights and values, so they help build a Europe in which young people are informed about their rights and influence the EU by supporting democratic justice and equality.
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