Europe never so good, President tells youths

The European Union has drawn the continent's peoples into "the most exciting adventure in democratic partnership ever undertaken by humankind", President Mary McAleese has said.

Addressing more than 300 young people at the opening session of the European Youth Parliament's general assembly in the Dáil yesterday, Mrs McAleese observed that Europe, though far from being a "problem-free zone", has "never been so secure, so prosperous or so free".

She recalled that in 1963, President John F Kennedy addressed the Oireachtas. On the same trip, he visited Berlin and delivered "one of the finest speeches ever made about European freedom".

"In words that resonate even today, Kennedy defiantly reminded a then divided Europe that 'freedom is indivisible', and looked forward to the day when the 'great Continent of Europe' would be joined as one," she said.

"Today's European Union has drawn more and more of Europe's peoples into the most exciting adventure in democratic partnership ever undertaken by humankind."

Mrs McAleese contrasted today's Europe with the war-ravaged continent of two generations ago, which "stared into the abyss of total political, civic and economic failure.

"In despair the founders of the Union dreamt of another kind of Europe, one based on partnership, prosperity and peace. This is it, this is that Europe, not perfect, but infinitely better than any Europe there has ever been at any time in all of history.

"It is a work in progress, this Europe of ours, and so each generation has to take seriously its responsibility to bequeath to its children a better Europe than the one it inherited."

As part of the European Youth Parliament 56th international session in Ireland this week, young people from 30 countries have been debating issues including global warming, migration, healthcare and trade. Participants discussed policy approaches before proposing resolutions to the general assembly.

A resolution on EU reform recommended raising public awareness of the Reform Treaty followed by referendums in all member states in order to increase democratic legitimacy.

It also suggested the introduction of EU citizenship classes in member states and called for pan-European TV news programmes.

On the question of how the EU could meet its growing energy needs while ensuring reduced carbon emissions, participants called on member states to switch from dependence on fossil fuels to alternative energy sources in transport, industry and the household.

They also called for the Union to promote a more flexible energy market and consider the use of nuclear technologies as a viable long-term energy alternative, provided that the safety of stored waste could be guaranteed.

Resolutions will be forwarded to the European Parliament and Commission for discussion.

Organiser Séamus Carey said environmental issues arose as a particular concern. "The young people feel a huge responsibility to act on some of these important issues, particularly with regard to issues like climate change."