Euroscola - 12 April 2018

"We dream of a world where no one needs to leave their home because of war, violence, persecution or poverty" said the Greek school delegate, as an introduction to the #euroscola session of 12 April 2018, bringing personal testimony to the situation of refugees struggling to enter Europe, four kilometers from her home.

"We are eager to create a better Europe, by building a more egalitarian society, in full respect of multicultural diversity" added the Polish delegation.

The 540 high-school students had the opportunity to ask their questions to Heidi Hautala, Finnish MEP and Vice-President of the European Parliament.

Those questions ranged from how the EU looks at its citizens, beyond statistics, to what the EU does to prepare its youth to the job market, with a focus on investment in education, through to the EU outlook on globalisation, seen as a curse or a benediction.

Ms. Hautala concluded her speech by inviting the youth to engage themselves in a cause that inspires them, in order to feel fully part of society.

In the afternoon, the students worked in groups on key EU issues including environment and renewable energy; security and freedom; migration and integration; youth employment or Europe's future; before going back the the hemicycle where they deliberated and voted upon their peers' proposals.