European Youth Forum

European Youth Forum

Logo of the European Youth Forum
Abbreviation YFJ
Formation 1996
Headquarters Rue de l’Industrie, 10, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Official language
 English, French
President
 Johanna Nyman
Website http://www.youthforum.org

The European Youth Forum (from Youth Forum Jeunesse, YFJ) is the platform of the national youth councils and international non-governmental youth organisations in Europe.[1] It strives for youth rights in international institutions such as the European Union, the Council of Europe and the United Nations.

The European Youth Forum works in the fields of youth policy and youth work development. It focuses its work on European youth policy matters, whilst through engagement on the global level it is enhancing the capacities of its members and promoting global interdependence. In its daily work the European Youth Forum represents the views and opinions of youth organisations in all relevant policy areas and promotes the cross-sectoral nature of youth policy towards a variety of institutional actors. The principles of equality and sustainable development are mainstreamed in the work of the European Youth Forum.[2][3][4]

As of January 2014,[5] it consists of 40 National Youth Councils[1] and 59 international youth NGOs,[1] a total of 99[6] bodies from across Europe.[5]

History

The European Youth Forum is a European international organisation, which was established in 1996 by national youth councils and international non-governmental youth organisations. It works as the successor to the Council of European National Youth Committees (CENYC), Youth Forum of the European Communities (YFEU) and the European Co-ordination Bureau of International Youth Organisations (ECB). CENYC and ECB had been representing youth interests since the sixties.[7] The YFEU was set up by them in the late 1970s to work vis a vis the European Union (then called the European Community). The establishment of a single structure replacing all three was a major rationalisation.

Vision, mission and aims

According to the European Youth Forum,[8] their Vision, mission and aims are as follows:

Vision

To be the voice of young people in Europe, where young people are equal citizens and are encouraged and supported to achieve their fullest potential as global citizens.

Mission

The European Youth Forum is an independent, democratic, youth-led platform, representing national youth councils and international youth organisations from across Europe.

The Youth Forum works to empower young people to participate actively in society to improve their own lives, by representing and advocating their needs and interests and those of their organisations.

Aims

Organisation

Presidents

Date President Nationality
2015–2016 Ms Johanna Nyman  Finland
2011 - 2014 Mr Peter Matjašič  Slovenia
2009–2010 Mr Tine Radinja  Slovenia
2007–2008 Ms Bettina Schwarzmayr  Austria
2005–2006 Mr Renaldas Vaisbrodas  Lithuania
2003–2004 Mr Giacomo Filibeck  Italy
2001–2002 Mr Henrik Söderman  Finland
1999–2000 Mr Pau Solanilla  Spain
1997–1998 Ms Pauliina Arola  Finland

Current Board

Each board elected by the entire membership every 2 years at the General Assembly, it is made up of:

The Secertary General attends the board meetings as a non-voting ex-officio

Name Position Nationality Nominating Organization
Mr Peter Matjašič President  Slovenia Mladinski svet Slovenije (MSS) and Young European Federalists (JEF)
Ms Guoda Lomanaite Vice President (INGYO)  Lithuania European Liberal Youth, (LYMEC)
Lloyd Russell-Moyle Vice President (NYC)  United Kingdom British Youth Council (BYC)
Márcio Barcelos Board Member (INGYO)  Portugal World Organisation of the Scout Movement (European office) (WOSM)
Mirosław Krzanik Board Member (INGYO)  Poland Association des Etats Généraux des Etudiants de l'Europe (AEGEE)
Jure Štajnbaher Board Member (INGYO)  Slovenia Young European Socialists (YES)
Vasia Alexandri Board Member (INGYO)  Greece Youth of European People's Party (YEPP)
Johanna Nyman Board Member (NYC)  Finland Suomen Nuorisoyhteistyö – Allianssi - Allianssi
Jerry Den Haan Board Member (NYC)  Netherlands Nationale Jeugdraad (NJ / DNYC),
Elise Drouet Board Member (NYC)  France Comité pour les Relations Nationales et Internationales des Associations de Jeunesse et d'éducation populaire (CNAJEP)
Aleksandra Kamilova Board Member (NYC)  Estonia Eesti Noorteühenduste Liit (ENL)

Secretary-Generals

Name Term
Mr Allan Pall 2014–present
Mr Giuseppe Porcaro 2009–2014
Mr Diogo Pinto 2005–2009
Ms Johanna Tzanidaki 2003–2005
Mr Kim Svendsen 2001–2002
Mr Tobias Flessenkemper 1998–2001
Ms Hrönn Pétursdóttir 1997–1998
Mr Stephen Grogan 1996

Funding

In 2012, almost 87% of the Youth Forum income stemmed from annual grants from international institutions. 83.9% of the total income came from the European Communities’ Budget, through a grant from DG Education and Culture, while around 3.2% was from Council of Europe grants.[9]

Partnership projects also constitute an essential part of Youth Forum income, and such income includes the support of partner organisations for concrete activities, e.g. YFJ Member Organisations hosting YFJ meetings, or grants from foundations or other entities, such as the United Nations, Governments or Local Authorities.[9]

Volunteer Time Contributions (VTCs)are an essential source of external funding, and which allow the YFJ to fulfill its co-funding requirements as per the European Commission. VTCs also represent the further recognition of volunteer work as an important contribution to society and to the work of youth organisations. These contributions in 2012 represent approximately 4.8% of the Youth Forum budget.[9]

Membership

The European Youth Forum has 99 member organizations of two types of Membership: National Youth Council and International Non-Governmental Youth Organization, of which there are three levels: Observer, Candidate and Full member. Only full members may vote at the statutory meetings of the Forum.

According to the statues:

All members have to fulfil the following general criteria:

National Youth Councils

Presently there are 40 National Youth Councils who are members of the European Youth Forum. Poland, Hungary and Macedonia both have recently established National Youth Councils who are not yet part of the European Youth Forum. Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo/a and Turkey don't currently have recognized National Youth Councils.

National Youth Council members must: a) be the national co-ordination body of non-governmental youth organisations in a European State; b) be open to all democratic youth organisations at national level To be full members they must be open to all and represent most of the main democratic youth movements and organisations at the national level in that State.

Country Name Acronym Status
 Finland Suomen Nuorisoyhteistyö – Allianssi Allianssi Full
 United Kingdom British Youth Council BYC Full
 Netherlands Nationale Jeugdraad NJ / DNYC Full
 France Comité pour les Relations Nationales et Internationales des Associations de Jeunesse et d'Education Populaire CNAJEP Full
 Estonia Eesti Noorteühenduste Liit ENL Full
 Luxembourg Conférence Générale de la Jeunesse Luxembourgoise CGJL Full
 Spain Consejo de la Juventud de España CJE Full
 Portugal Conselho Nacional de Juventude CNJ Full
 Catalonia Consell Nacional de la Joventut de Catalunya CNJC Full (non-voting)
 Moldova Consiliul Național al Tineretului din Moldova CNTM Full
 Belgium:  French Community Comité pour les Relations Internationales de Jeunesse CRIJ Full (Vote shared with VJR)
  Switzerland National Youth Council of Switzerland SAJV/CSAJ Full
 Cyprus Cyprus Youth Council CYC Full
 Germany Deutsches Nationalkomitee für Internationale Jugendarbeit DNK Full
 Denmark Dansk Ungdoms Fællesråd DUF Full
 Greece National Youth Council of Greece ESYN Full
 Italy Forum Nazionale dei Giovani FNG Full
 Malta Kunsill Nazzjonali Taz-Zghazagh KNZ Full
 Lithuania Lietuvos jaunimo organizacijų taryba[10] LIJOT Full
 Latvia Latvijas Jaunatnes Padome LJP Full
 Norway Landsrådet for Norske barne- og ungdomsorganisasjoner LNU Full
 Sweden Landsrådet för Sveriges ungdomsorganisationer LSU Full
 Iceland Landsamband æskulýðsfélaga LÆF Full
 Slovenia Mladinski Svet Slovenjie MSS Full
 Croatia Mreža Mladih Hrvatske / Croatian Youth Network MMH Full
 Azerbaijan National Assembly of Youth Organisations of the Republic of Azerbaijan NAYORA Full
 Georgia National Council of Youth Organisations of Georgia NCYOG Full
 Armenia National Youth Council of Armenia NYCA Full
 Ireland National Youth Council of Ireland NYCI Full
 Russia National Youth Council of Russia NYCR Full
 Austria Oesterreichische Kinder- und Jugendvertretung ÖJV Full
 Belarus Belarusian Union of Youth and Children's Public Associations RADA Full
 Slovakia Rada Mládeže Slovenska RMS Full
 Czech Republic Česká rada dětí a mládeže ČRDM Full
 Belgium:  Flemish Community Vlaamse Jeugdraad VJR Full (Vote shared with CRIJ)
 Romania Consiliul Tineretului Din Romania CTR Candidate
 Ukraine Ukrainian Youth Forum UYF Candidate
 Serbia Krovna Organizacija Mladih Srbije KOMS Candidate
 Belgium:  German-speaking Community Rat der Deutschsprachigen Jugend RDJ Observer
 Bulgaria Naciolen Mladezki Forum NMF Candidate

International Non-Governmental Youth Organisations

Presently there are 57 International Non-Governmental Youth Organisations who are members of the European Youth Forum.

Full IYNGO Members either must have: at least 5000 young members in ten European States, and under no circumstances have less than 300 young members in any one of these ten States; or: have a motivated recommendation from: the Secretary-General and Board; or the Consultative Body on Membership Applications which advises the Board on Membership Applications.

Observer INGYO members must have 3000 young members in at least six European States with at least 100 members in any of these six states.

INGYOs cannot become members if they are largely identical in terms of aims, membership and structures of an existing INGYO, which is already a member. This is to be appreciated solely by the General Assembly, by a two thirds majority, abstentions not counted.

Name Acronym Status
Association des Etats Généraux des Etudiants de l'Europe AEGEE Full
Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organisations ALLIANCE Full
International ATD Fourth World Movement ATD-Quart Monde Full
Board of European Students of Technology BEST Observers
Democrat Youth Community of Europe DEMYC Full
European Bureau of Conscientious Objection EBCO/BEOC Full
Young European Socialists ECOSY Full
European Confederation of Youth Clubs ECYC Full
European Democrat Students EDS Full
European Educational Exchanges – Youth for Understanding EEE-YFU Full
European Federation for Intercultural Learning EFIL Full
Erasmus Student Network ESN Full
European Union of Deaf Youth EUDY Observers
ACTIVE - Sobriety, Friendship and Peace ACTIVE Full
European Students' Union ESU/ESIB Full
European Trade Union Confederation Youth ETUC Youth Full
EU Federation of Youth Hostel Associations EUFED Full
European Union of Jewish Students EUJS/UEEJ Full
Ecumenical Youth Council in Europe EYCE Full
International Federation of Catholic Parochial Youth Movements FIMCAP Full
Federation of Young European Greens FYEG Full
International Federation of Liberal Youth IFLRY Full
International Falcon Movement - Socialist Education International IFM-SEI Full
International Federation of Medical Students' Associations IFMSA Full
International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Youth and Student Organisation IGLYO Full
International Union of Socialist Youth IUSY Full
International Young Nature Friends IYNF Full
International Young Catholic Students - International Movement of Catholic Students JECI-MIEC Full
Young European Federalists JEF Full
European Liberal Youth LYMEC Full
International Movement of Catholic Agricultural and Rural Youth MIJARC-Europe Full
Organising Bureau of European School Student Unions OBESSU Full
Rural Youth Europe RYEurope Full
Service Civil International SCI Full
World Esperanto Youth Organization TEJO Full
World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts WAGGGS Full
World Organisation of the Scout Movement (European office) WOSM Full
Youth Action for Peace YAP Full (Suspended)
Youth and Environment Europe YEE Full
Youth of the European People's Party YEPP Full
Youth for Exchange and Understanding YEU Full
European Alliance of Young Men's Christian Associations YMCA Full
Young Women's Christian Association YWCA Full
Youth of European Nationalities YEN Full
European Council of Young Farmers CEJA Observers
European Confederation of Independent Trade Unions CESI-Youth Observers
Don Bosco Youth Net Don Bosco Observers
European Free Alliance Youth EFAY Observers
European Non-Governmental Sports Organisation Youth Committee ENGSO Youth Observers
European Youth Press EYP Observers
International Federation of Training Centres for the Promotion of Progressive Education FICEMEA Observers
International Coordination of Young Christian Workers ICYCW/CIJOC Observers
Jeunesses Musicales International JMI Observers
Pax Christi International Pax Christi Observers
Red Cross Youth RCY Observers
Youth Express Network Y-E-N Observers
Children's International Summer Villages CISV Candidate
International Federation of Hard of Hearing Young People IFHOHYP Observers
Freedom, Legality and Rights in Europe FLARE Candidate

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Reforming the Budget, Changing Europe: A Public Consultation Paper in view of the 2008/2009 Budget Review" from the European Commission Archived 19 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine.
  2. ↑ Strategic Priorities of the European Youth Forum 2007-2012 Archived 5 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine.
  3. ↑ "HOME". Coe.int. Retrieved 2013-06-15.
  4. ↑ "Platform of European Social NGOs". SocialPlatform. Retrieved 2013-06-15.
  5. 1 2 YFJ press release 1 July 2008, "French EU Presidency: Young Europeans need to hear good news" Archived 21 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine.
  6. ↑ "European Youth Forum website opening page. Accessed 2 January 2008". Youthforum.org. Retrieved 2013-06-15.
  7. ↑ Archived profile of the Council of European National Youth Committees (CENYC), held in the European University Institute - Historical Archives of the European Union, 1994-2006.
  8. ↑ "About Us", European Youth Forum website. Accessed 20 July 2009
  9. 1 2 3 Finance page from the YFJ website. Accessed 29 March 2010 Archived 24 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine.
  10. ↑ Kategorija: LiJOT žinios. "lijot.lt". lijot.lt. Retrieved 2013-06-15.

External links

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