AER’s Youth Regional Network stands on its own two feet
Brussels (B), 7 May 2013
Today, the Youth Regional Network (YRN) of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) adopted its own statutes as an international non-profit organisation. “I am particularly proud that our network reached such a maturity. Having a legal entity will give us with no doubt new opportunities, facilitate our access to necessary sources and broaden our network.” stated YRN’s President, Beat Rohner.
Our young politicians will of course pursue all structural relations with the AER, with which they collaborate to promote the rights and the role of young people in Europe. Members of the YRN will therefore continue to be closely involved in all stages of AER’s decision making process.
Michèle Sabban, AER’s President, told the young people that “Europe needs your skills on its way out of the crisis it is facing today. We currently hear many pessimistic speeches on Europe’s dark future. They are not worth our attention because young people are the ones who are going to actually shape Europe’s destiny”. “The ball is in your court: regions and young people are at the forefront as to revive trust and growth and not lock themselves up in the pessimism that we often feel today.” she added.
“The AER YRN is one of these meeting places where you can exchange your ideas and opinions with other young people coming from across Europe and realise how incredibly rich and diverse our old continent really is. It is also a forum which promotes mutual respect and where you can learn how some issues are dealt with differently in other Regions.” stated Marianne Saenen, Member of the Walloon (B) Parliament.
The Youth Regional Network was set up by the Assembly of European Regions in 2008, with the aim of providing young people with a platform on the European stage. It is composed by regional youth organisations, councils and parliaments from wider Europe. The platform works as a forum where young people can influence regional and European policy while exchanging experiences and good practices. It also promotes institutional youth participation at the regional and local levels. One of the aims of the Network is to support the legal framework for regional youth participation.
YRN gathers currently 100 members from 12 countries and 22 regions. It is composed of four thematic Committees: ‘Professional life and Entrepreneurship’, ‘Education and culture’, ‘Health and Social affairs’, ‘Social Media’.
The Assembly of European Regions (AER – aer.eu) is the largest independent network of regions in wider Europe. Bringing together 250 regions from 35 countries and 16 interregional organisations, AER is the political voice of its members and a forum for interregional co-operation.
For more information: [email protected]
