- Posted 11-May-2021
Europe Direct and the European Documentation Centre of the University of Cyprus celebrated Europe Day
On the occasion of Europe Day, which is celebrated every year on May 9, Europe Direct and the European Documentation Centre of the University of Cyprus organised an online discussion on "The Conference on the Future of Europe: Challenges and Prospects for Youth", honouring European Day.
Speakers were Mr. Ierotheos Papadopoulos, Head of the European Commission`s Representation in Cyprus and Ms. Christiana Xenofontos, Board Member of the European Youth Forum. The discussion was moderated by Mr. Menelaos Menelaou, Head of Academic Affairs and Student Welfare Service at the University of Cyprus.
Mr. Papadopoulos referred to the importance of the anniversary, stating that the building of a common future with six countries, initially tying their economic interests such as energy, coal and steel, made a new war impossible. The European Union, as we know it today with the participation of 27 member states, has managed to make openings to new policies, he said, adding that we join forces, work together and thus face the challenges of the future, such as the economy and its effects from pandemic, migration, jobs, climate change, the environment and the new digital world. "At the Conference on the Future of Europe, citizens have the opportunity to state their priorities and in a year from today we will have collected the material on what the citizens of Europe want for its future, for our common home. The dialogue at the Conference on the Future of Europe will be open until the Spring of 2022 and in it the citizen can participate individually or in an organised way in his own language, which will be translated into all languages, with the aim of this direct two-way interaction. to create a strong, honest and constructive unified dialogue. "What the citizens will express will essentially help the leaders to make the decisions for the future of Europe", noted Mr. Papadopoulos
Ms. Xenophontos said that Europe Day acquires a special meaning for Cyprus as it still struggles with issues of reunification and reconciliation. If the European Union has given us anything, he said, it is security to live together in peace and with so many opportunities, especially for young people, with various programmes such as Erasmus+ with easy movement and contact with other worlds, without restrictions, with the pandemic is certainly a challenge that needs to be reconsidered in new circumstances. "The European Youth Forum participates at a high level, following the procedures for the Conference, conveying what young people want. Workshops were already held with thematic priorities set by the young people themselves, discussing with 113 organisations from all national councils. At the same time, the programme funded by the European Commission with the name "25%" is in progress, which corresponds to 25% of the young population in Europe, which due to institutional obstacles still does not have a guaranteed place in policy making. "The youth of small Cyprus invest and try to give another note to the Conference of Europe, despite the conditions it faces, it asks to ensure a strong Forum for the direct participation of the citizens".
The Rector of the University of Cyprus, Professor Tasos Christofides, under the auspices of which the Europe Direct of the University of Cyprus operates, welcomed Europe Day, saying that the 9th of May, 1950 marked the anniversary of the historic Robert Schuman Declaration, which led to the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). On the occasion of the 71st anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, Mr. Christofides underlined the need for practical solidarity in dealing with the pandemic and the economic crisis in order to protect the integrity and unity of the Union. Today, he added, the European Union is managing one of the most difficult challenges it has had to face. The 9th of May, the Rector noted, is honoured every year with a number of anniversary events in all EU Member States with the aim of informing and raising awareness of European citizens about the policies of the European Union and shaping policies that will give a new vision for the Europe we want. This year, he concluded, the University of Cyprus actively contributes to the Conference on the Future of Europe, with a variety of actions and events.
The virtual event took place with the contribution of the Information Technology Infrastructure Service. You can watch the discussion at the link: https://youtu.be/qkrJ_9uVxh8. More information about the Europe Direct of the University of Cyprus and the actions that follow, you can visit the website: https://europedirectucy.eu/
Source: Press Release (https://bit.ly/2SwTIwH)