The overall objective of the Young Mediterranean Voices programme is to empower the youth to enhance a culture of dialogue to contribute to public policy. Its aim is to hold an intercultural debate and creative thinking on how to transform youth voices to youth agency and leadership for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

Youth included in the programme is offered an intercultural debate competition addressing quality education, gender equality, climate action, peace, justice, and strong institutions. Three of the participants and one of the ten judges were Maltese. 

“It is our duty to build the next generation of Euro-Mediterranean dialogue leaders to transform debate into action for a sustainable future”, said Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion Carmelo Abela during his address at the first Euro-Med Debate and Policy Forum. 

Minister Abela presented awards to the winners of the debate competition for best female debater, best male debater, and the best team. He encouraged the youth to encompass the boldness, the determination, and the foresight to fulfil the vision of the 2030 Agenda. 

“As the driving force in modern-day technology, you as young people, can most able promote renewable energy sources, climate change education and awareness, and the protection of the environment while calling for just and inclusive societies”, Mr Abela said. 

Calling for further debates

Following the completion of the debate and policy forum, Mr Abela said that now policymakers need to guarantee that the numerous debates and arguments generated on various policies are duly analysed and the most insightful ideas need to be acted upon. 

He also said that this approach fits with the UN Youth Strategy 2030 and the EU Youth Strategy 2027 to ensure that the youth is at the forefront of our common agenda. Moreover, he added that the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion together with other entities in Malta stand ready to support the Anna Lindh Foundation in the development of a Young Mediterranean Voices Leadership Academy, as the press release says. 

Organised by Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, the Anna Lindh Foundation, the British Council, the Parliamentary Secretariat for Youth, Sport and Voluntary Organisations, and co-funded by the European Commission, it provided an open space for youth from across the Mediterranean as well as empowerment to lead positive change with their innovative ideas and solutions.

The countries of representation of these young delegates were Algeria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Morocco, Palestine, Slovenia, Spain, Tunisia, and the United Kingdom.

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Mr Abela referred to the youth as the driving force for the successful implementation of the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda. “Bearing in mind that half the world’s population is under the age of 30, investing in youth is critical,” the minister said.

“Those who learn from an early age to appreciate democratic values can help build stable democratic and peaceful structures for the future,” the minister said. On this note, he mentioned that Malta became the second country within the European Union after Austria to lower the national voting age to 16, so they can also cast their vote in the upcoming MEP and local council elections. Minister Abela also praised the work of the National Youth Council in Malta and the contribution of Maltese youth to local council work.

“We believe that more emphasis should be put on the benefits of cleaner, climate-smart growth with a view to bringing new jobs, economic opportunities and innovation. Through the engagement of different stakeholders, including the private sector, we can increase the drive towards achieving sustainable, responsible investment opportunities,” Mr Abela said.

The minister added that while the Joint Synthesis Report (JSR) produced by the European Union and its member states on how to implement the sustainable development goals through EU Development Policy shows significant progress, it also has some deficiencies in follow-up measures on the agreed commitments. He urged the mainstreaming of sustainable development across all sectors, as well as he voiced the importance of contribution to be made to the JSR in view of the capacity building measures.

The Development Foreign Affairs Council — chaired by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini — also discussed the United Nation’s 2030 Agenda. The ministers exchanged views on how to successfully tackle the challenges of climate change. The discussion contributed to the preparations for the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, coming up in July this year, as well as to the Climate Summit and the Sustainable Development Goals Summit, to be held in September 2019, as a side event of the United Nations General Assembly, according to the DOI report.

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