Organization for Youth Education & Development (OYED)
European Union White Paper on Youth Policy
European Union White Paper on Youth Policy
This paragraph will focus on White Papers that have been published by the European Union with regard to the issue of youth policy.Commission White Papers are documents containing proposals for Community actions in a specific area. In some cases, they follow a Green Paper which, in turn, launches a consultation process at the European level. When a White Paper is accepted by the Council, it can lead to an action programs for the Union in the given area.
Examples include the White Papers on Completion of the Internal Market (1985), on Growth, Competitiveness and Employment (1993), as well as on European Governance (2001). More recently, the White Paper on Services of General Interest (2004) and on a European Communication Policy (2006) have also shaped the development of Community policies.
When conducting research on white papers related to issues of youth policy the results are limited. Only one White Paper concerning youth is to be found in the EU database.
2001:
• European Commission White Paper: A new impetus for European Youth
The main idea behind this White Paper is to propose a new framework for cooperation among various actors in youth matters in order to better involve young people in decisions that concern them. In recent years, Europe has experienced economic and socio-cultural changes that have significantly affected its youth. The aim of the White Paper is, thus, to meet the expectations of young people by giving them the means to express their ideas and to make a greater contribution to society. The White Paper on Youth is also intended as a response to young people's strong disaffection with the traditional forms of participation in public life. Following the example of the White Paper on Governance 1, it calls on young Europeans to become active citizens. In order to help European Union (EU) member states and regions to take action for young people in Europe, the White Paper proposes a new framework for cooperation consisting of two components: increasing cooperation between EU countries and taking greater account of the youth factor in sectorial policies.
