Ways member Sözen joined the European Year of Youth’s closing conference, ‘Claim the Future’, in the European Parliament in Brussels last month. Read here about the event and his experience.

On December 6, 2022, the European Year of Youth’s closing conference, under the theme ‘Claim the Future’, was held in the European Parliament in Brussels. As the end of the European Year of Youth 2022 approached, it was time to look at it’s achievements and to reflect on the Year’s legacy and on how youth policy would remain high on the policy agenda of the EU. The objectives of this event were to take stock of the year and define the next steps for 2023. The future working method to address the issues was also discussed. During the day-long conference, about 700 stakeholders, from the age of 18 years to 70 years old, had the chance to meet decision-makers of the EU and take part in thematic sessions on education and mental health and discuss the achievements and legacy of 2022.

WAYS took the opportunity to join in this activity, with the aim to increase the advocacy on education, mental health, and digital Europe. We have participated in different events around these issues during the years and here we had a chance to connect with different representatives of organizations from all over the European Union. Our aim was to influence European youth policy development following one of our organization’s strategic priorities. As participants, we were also provided with accommodation and food, and we had a chance to see the lovely city of Brussels thanks to this conference.