Did you know that the Conference on the Future of Europe kicks off today? The EU is inviting all Europeans to discuss our shared future, regardless of where or when they live – this is a fantastic opportunity for us Finns here at the edge of Europe.
Use your unique opportunity to be heard, in honour of Europe Day! What speaks to you: climate change, health, the EU’s role in the world, values, security, European democracy, migration, or perhaps education, sport and culture? This is about our future as young people. It is extremely important to influence the union’s future so that Europe becomes shaped into a place where we ourselves want to live in the future. So make your voice heard and come up with ideas for the EU of the future together with other Europeans!
You can join by clicking here. On this site you can easily share your own views on the future of Europe and stay up to date on events being organised across Europe. If there’s anything positive about this era of remote everything, it’s that taking part in online events is easier than ever before, and at the same time you can practise your language skills. On the other hand, if you’d rather stay safely within your own mother tongue, the European Commission offers a free machine translation system for any of the EU’s twenty-four official languages.
Take a moment to put into words your hopes for the future of our union. What is already going well, and what should be improved? The conference runs until spring next year, and its conclusions will help chart the future of Europe.
Happy Europe Day 2021!
Saara Hildén
JEF Tampere EU Affairs Officer and Vice President
The author hopes that the EU will take strong climate action in the future, strengthen the union’s fundamental values, and promote global equality, and expects the conference to encourage young people in particular to envision our future.