YEAR 2013 NEWS

The project entitled ‘Foreign policy in youth’s perspective’ is directed at young people between 18 and 30 years old from all Poland’s voivodeships. The participants of the project will consist of young leaders of non-governmental organizations, informal groups, social organizations, young scientists, young entrepreneurs and representatives of youth’s associations cooperating with political parties.

The aim of the project is encourage a public debate concerning Polish foreign policy among the young. At the moment, the debate is missing opinions, visions, and young generation’s stance. The subject matter of debates will regard the introduction of the euro, European integration, the role of European institutions, Poland’s position in the European Union, Eastern Partnership, the prospects of visa –free movement for Eastern Europe citizens, cross border cooperation and so called ‘non- Europe’ costs.

In July we are going to launch a website oczamimlodych.pl that will create a room for exchanging views, gathering opinions and voices of young Poles about Polish foreign policy. Therefore, we are looking for people who would like to contribute to this development by writing interesting texts, presenting their views, blogging and commenting on recent news and issues concerning foreign policy and European integration. The website will also provide some space for comments, online discussions and debates.

We have already planned to organize some debates in July and August to prepare the young for 8th Economic Forum of Young Leaders.

• 24-25 July 2013 – Warsaw; debating workshops, meetings with experts, working groups exercises, two debates on advantages and disadvantages of adopting the euro in Poland, and Poland’s position in the EU.
• 20-23 August – Lublin; workshops preparing for the forum, meetings with experts, presentation of EU Youth Programmes, two debates on Eastern Partnership and Polish Foreign Policy towards Ukraine and Belarus.
• 2-6 September 2013 8th Economic Forum of Young Leaders – Nowy Sącz; participation in the greatest young leaders’ meeting that gathers around 350 leaders of political, social, economic and civil society organizations from 42 countries, panel discussions, integration evenings

After the completion of the project a publication expressing opinions and views of Polish young generation about foreign policy, European integration and the future of Europe will be issued.

The project is co-financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.