The European elections to be held next year are a “very big challenge” said the head of the European Parliament Office in Cyprus, Andreas Kettis, noting the importance of well-informed citizens, especially of young people, on EU matters.
He also said that it is necessary for young people to acquire skills for the professions of the future, in view of the first EPAS Together conference, today in Limassol and on Saturday in Nicosia.
Speaking to CNA and asked if young Europeans are willing to participate in the European elections next year, Kettis said that “this is the big question and it will depend on how well informed young people are about the benefits of the European integration process.”
The head of the European Parliament Office in Cyprus, said that in his recent meeting with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, to hand over the annual report of the European Parliament Office in Cyprus, he was assured that the new curriculum will include aspects concerning EU history.
“It is very important that children can understand the European project and their rights” from a young age, said Kettis.
“Europe consists of its citizens and especially the young citizens of the member states. The major investment should be in them. To learn their rights and their opportunities and not to take European cooperation for granted,” he said.
He noted that this is achieved through actions and programs concerning young people, such as the European Parliament Ambassador School (EPAS), Erasmus plus, Discover EU and many others.
Kettis reiterated that young people are the ones who lay the foundations of a better Europe and the impression that prevails in many people that Brussels is something distant, bureaucratic, and impersonal should be proved wrong.
Skills are an absolute necessity in a United Europe
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The European Parliament Office in Cyprus is organizing for the first time a transnational two-day conference, “Transnational EPAS Together 2023”, on the subject of the professions of the future, with Kettis noting that this is a particularly crucial issue with a direct connection to this year’s European Year of Skills.
He added that B? Lyceum students, “EPAS Ambassadors”, from secondary schools in Ireland, Malta and the United Kingdom will visit Cyprus to participate in various activities with their Cypriot partners. He noted that 130 students, about 30-40 people from each country, will participate in the conference.
When Kettis was asked about the importance of holding the conference in Cyprus, he replied that “we want to bring young people from northern and southern Europe together in order to exchange views and prepare for the future.”
He noted that the range of possibilities and prospects opening up for young people through the acquisition of skills is very important for their professional advancement.
Source: Cyprus News Agency