In November, the members of the European Youth Forum elect the new Board for the years 2011 and 2012. I've put myself forward as a candidate. Below, my letter of motivation to this post can be found.
Europe is a home for more than 100 million young people today: a true value to the societies. Young people are also facing numerous challenges, which have never affected us that much. The consequences of demographic change, migration, the need to create a fair labor market for all, autonomy for the youth – these are only a few of all. On the other hand, the young people’s interest towards taking part in the decisions affecting every one of them has rather shown the tendency to decrease.
The European Youth Forum (YFJ) is a democratic, youth-led platform, which aims at being 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.
I believe that the YFJ has done a great job in reaching closer to the vision. However, much is still there to be done and one cannot be certain whether this would never end.
European Youth Forum can contribute to the solving of the problems young people have today in Europe. Moreover, the YFJ can lead the way for the other regions in the world as well. For that, more focus should be put to influencing the policy-making processes in Europe and beyond. The internal reforms have made the organisation stronger and more efficient, I believe. Now it is time to see the changes taking effect externally by aiming at bringing all the young people in Europe at the centre of the political agenda.
As the Board Member of the European Youth Forum, I would be committed worker for the success of the young people, for the success of the Member Organisations and finally, for the success of the organisation itself.
Targets and Results
One should evaluate, what are the results of the work done, not what kind of or how much work has been done. I am glad that the draft of the Work Plan 2011-2012 has coherent goals, which go in line with the strategic priorities of the organisation. However, I believe that the Board along with the Secretariat has to work out clear indicators to measure the results achieved. In addition, all the objectives must be followed by tangible activity plans.
I have been working as a consultant for compilation and implementation of the strategies and development plans for more than three years. Thus, I consider strategic planning and evaluation of the activities my field of expertise, which can add the value to the functioning of the YFJ.
It is also important that there would be a clear work division between the Board and the Secretariat. In my mind, the Board as a politically elected body is mainly responsible for the overall functioning of the platform and sets the directions for the actions. The Board also acts as a face of the organisation. The Secretariat, on the other hand, ensures the smooth everyday work of the YFJ by implementing the goals set in the Work Plan. Having more or less 25 employees in the heart of Brussels is a strength and opportunity that cannot be left unused: the members of the Secretariat must be encouraged to act as advocacy workers towards fulfilling the aims of the Forum.
Political Agenda
The YFJ along with the Council of Europe Advisory Council on Youth has launched the process of having a convention of the youth rights. One can naturally argue, whether a convention is the only and the right way to achieve the rights based approach to youth policy. However, I believe that a convention is the most powerful tool to start a Europe-wide discussion over the issue.
If elected, the work towards the Convention on the Youth Rights would be one of my priorities. I have actively taken part in the work of the Advisory Council and thus the work already done is familiar to me.
Participation is one of the cornerstones of a democratic society. In terms of an ageing Europe, more and more pressure will be put on the young people. Moreover, the youth has already today a number of responsibilities, which unfortunately are not followed by the right to have a say in the decisions made. Lowering the voting age would bring the focus of the political agenda closer to the young people and take their wishes into consideration.
Thus, the vote at 16 would be a topic to deal with, when elected to the Board.
The platform is as strong as strong is its weakest member. In order to reach out, the YFJ has to put an effort into strengthening the Member Organisations as they are the key players in the countries, whose policies we want to influence. In addition, supporting the creation of the new youth organisations is also of importance in my mind as this would increase the youth participation in a long run.
I believe the YFJ has to act as a consultative body for the Member Organisations, with the adequate capacity to give support and advice when needed.
The last but not the least: as far as I remember, the overview of the finances has always been the boring part of the meetings. Yet, I am sure that all of the members would admit that without a budget would be a few or no activities.
Having been responsible for budgets of numerous projects of different kind, I can say that I am quite familiar with the numbers and able to contribute to the transparent and sustainable financial management of the Forum.
To conclude with, I am sure that I have the qualities and personal capacity, both political and administrative from which the organisation can benefit. Moreover, having been the delegate to COMEMs and other YFJ-related events I have an adequate understanding of the organisation and motivation to take it to the higher level. As a Board Member I would depict myself working in the fields of institutional relations, taking the responsibility for the communication with the Council of Europe and/or finances as I have previous experience in them.
