In the European Commission you can find the presence of Youth Delegates. A Youth Delegate can be:
1) a representative of his/her own country first and foremost, as part of the national delegation.
2) a representative of young people.
3) a young person him/herself.
A Youth Delegate is a representative of young people within the European Commission, who serves as a bridge between young people and the Commission. The Youth Delegate’s role is to ensure that the voices and perspectives of young people are heard and taken into account in the development of EU policies and initiatives. This may involve consulting with young people to understand their needs and concerns, communicating these to Commission officials, and advocating for the implementation of policies that address youth-related issues. The Youth Delegate serves as a voice for young people in the EU and helps to ensure that their interests and well-being are prioritized in the decision-making process.
Becoming a Youth Delegate in the European Commission typically involves a competitive selection process. The exact process may vary, but here are some steps that are commonly involved:
1) Eligibility: Candidates must meet certain eligibility criteria, such as being a citizen of an EU member state and being between the ages of 18 and 30.
2) Application: Interested individuals must submit a written application, which typically includes a personal statement, a CV, and other relevant information.
3) Selection process: The selection process may include an interview, an assessment of language skills, and a review of the candidate’s application materials.
4)Appointment: Successful candidates are appointed as Youth Delegates and serve for a specified period of time, typically one to two years.
It is important to note that the selection process for a Youth Delegate may vary depending on the specific initiative and the host organization. However, in general, becoming a Youth Delegate requires demonstrating a strong commitment to youth issues, excellent communication skills, and a clear understanding of the EU and its policies.
The number of Youth Delegates in the European Commission can vary depending on the specific initiative and program. Some programs may have one or a few Youth Delegates, while others may have a larger number of delegates. Additionally, the number of Youth Delegates may change over time as programs are created, modified, or discontinued. It is important to note that the European Commission has a number of initiatives and programs that engage with young people and youth organizations, and the Youth Delegate concept may be just one aspect of these efforts. The Commission may also have other mechanisms for involving young people in policy making, such as youth consultations, youth forums, and youth events.
One good example of why the role of Youth Delegate is so important happened in the past, when the European Commission held a consultation with young people on the theme of “Youth in the Digital Age”. The Youth Delegates were tasked with engaging with young people across the European Union to understand their views and experiences related to digital technologies and the challenges they face in this area. The Youth Delegates collected feedback from young people through surveys, workshops, and online consultations and compiled a report on their findings. This report was then presented to the European Commission, which used the information to inform its policy-making in the area of digital technologies and youth.
In this example, the role of the Youth Delegates was crucial in ensuring that the voices and perspectives of young people were heard and taken into account in the policy making process. Without the Youth Delegates, the European Commission may not have had a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities young people face in the digital age, and may have developed policies that did not effectively address their needs and concerns. This example illustrates how Youth Delegates can serve as advocates for young people and help to ensure that their needs and interests are taken into account in the policy making process. By representing the views and experiences of young people, Youth Delegates can play a crucial role in creating policies and initiatives that support and empower young people in the European Union.
