Position Paper | The populist anti-gender discourse and the impact on young people’s rights in Europe

This paper has been written by Florina-Marieta Neagu, Policy Officer for Social Equity. In recent years, Europe has been witnessing the rise of conservative actors, from politicians to civil society representatives, publicly opposing the so-called “gender ideology”. As a result, they managed to mobilise people against issues related to women’s rights, gender studies, marriage equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights, especially sexuality education and the right to abortion. What started as isolated incidents in some countries has quickly become a transnational movement. You can read the full paper here. Disclaimer: Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions [...]

Position Paper | The role of the far right in european farmers’ protestes over EU enviromental policies

This paper has been written by Oluchi Obi, Policy Officer for Eco-responsible Society. Many European countries have been experiencing a wave of growing support for far-right populist parties in recent European and national elections. This fact has resulted in greater parliamentary representation of the far right and an especially visible rising popularity of them among the younger voters. Seeing this evolution of the European political scene and its development in different countries, it is crucial to consider the implications that a possible victory of the extreme right in the EU would have on the development of environmental policies. It is [...]

Position Paper | Social media aids the rise in the populism with the potencial to destabilize democracy

This paper has been written by Michiel Barten, the Policy Officer for Digital Culture. Populism has seen a dramatic rise globally in the last two decades, spurred in part by a transformative shift in how societies communicate and interact. While social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok have democratized political participation by giving voice to underrepresented groups, it has also become a double-edged sword, enabling the spread of misinformation, polarization, and extremist rhetoric by populists, powerful enough to destabilize democracy and incite violence. [...] Read the rest of the Position Paper can be found here. Disclaimer: Funded [...]

Y Vote | Policy Paper on increasing youth participation in the democratic process and the impact of youth-led campaigns

Policy Paper written by Florina-Marieta Neagu (Policy Officer of AEGEE-Europe) with support from the Y Vote 2024 Project Team "Young people don't vote, they're not interested in politics". We often hear these words. On the other hand, many young people express that they feel underrepresented by political institutions and believe their voices are rarely reflected in decision-making processes. In 2019, the statistics changed after years of constant decline in the turnout in the European Elections. The voter turnout experienced the largest increase in decades, largely driven by the younger generation of voters across the EU, who defied expectations and participated [...]

AI ACT FAILS TO ADEQUATELY PROTECT HUMAN RIGHTS

Policy Paper written by Michiel Barten Artificial Intelligence is transforming the world at an unprecedented pace, reshaping industries, enhancing daily life, and introducing new ways of interacting with technology. However, with its rapid advancement, AI also carries significant implications for human rights. From privacy concerns to potential biases in decision-making processes, AI's impact on people's lives can be profound, influencing everything from job opportunities to personal freedoms. As AI becomes more integrated into critical areas like healthcare, law enforcement, and social services, ensuring that these technologies respect and protect human rights is essential. (...) The whole paper can be found [...]

The Role of Young People in Building Bridges and Uniting Cultures

Position paper written by Martyna Zapalska and Lena Sobczyńska. And was supported by Teddy van Amelsvoort. In an era of unprecedented global connections, our world still faces persistent conflicts and deep-rooted divides. At AEGEE-Europe, we believe young people have the power to bring upon positive change. Our recent position paper on the role of young people in building bridges and uniting cultures reflects our commitment to fostering open dialogue, promoting cultural exchange and awareness and youth leadership across Europe. Inspired by our conference last February in Eindhoven, where young people gathered to explore topics like diversity, inclusion and the [...]

Policy Paper On Advocating For Comprehensive Sexuality Education For Young People In Europe And The Role Of Youth Led Organisations

Policy Paper written by Florina-Marieta Neagu in March 2024 Comprehensive sexuality education plays a crucial part in equipping young people with the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes to further enjoy their human rights. Going beyond their sexual and reproductive health and rights, comprehensive sexuality education empowers youth to navigate their development, feelings and relationships, while living in a safe and inclusive space with their peers. However, across Europe, comprehensive sexuality education differs in its content, the age of delivery and implementation, and many young people still lack the necessary information and skills. Furthermore, there has been a rise of [...]

Position paper on Circular Economy

CIRCULAR ECONOMY MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND Written by Jana Niedringhaus AEGEE (Association des Etats Généraux des Etudiants de l’Europe/European Students’ Forum) is a non-governmental, politically independent, and non-profit student organisation, which was created in 1985. The mission of AEGEE is the creation of a borderless Europe, based on democracy and respect for human rights, by bringing together 13,000 students in around 150 cities and 38 countries with different cultural backgrounds. We strive for a democratic, diverse and borderless Europe, which is socially, economically and politically integrated and values the participation of young people in its construction and development. Our [...]