On the implementation of the European Pact for Youth

UNDERLINES: 

• that young people constitute a valuable resource for both the present and the future, and contribute to the creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship that Europe needs in order to fulfil the aims of the Lisbon Strategy;
• that young people face many challenges, particularly in accessing the labour market, with youth unemployment on average double the overall rate within the EU;
• the importance of a youth perspective in the Lisbon Strategy and the key contribution which implementation of the Education and Training 2010 work programme, the open method of coordination in the field of social protection and social inclusion, the Structural Funds, the European Research Framework Programmes and other relevant programmes, such as the Lifelong Learning, Youth and future Youth in Action Programmes, can make towards achieving the objectives of the Youth Pact;
• the need to promote the social inclusion of young people, especially those with fewer opportunities, so as to foster social cohesion;
• the importance for young people of policies aimed at balancing work and family life, particularly given the challenges posed by demographic change;
• the relevance of non-formal and informal learning and young people's mobility, supported by instruments such as the Youth Programme and the future Youth in Action Programme 20072013, to helping young people develop a wide range of skills and competences;
• the importance of promoting a structured dialogue with young people, youth organisations and those active in the youth field at all levels;