Hearing on the specific situation of young migrants [antikvár]

PREFACE Two fundamental convictions lied behind the Heaving on the specific situation of young migrants: first of all that young people in Europe should be fully involved in building the future of European society; secondly that migrants, regardless of their origin, had a valuable contribution to make in debating those matters of concern to them and therefore to society at large. For these reasons the Sub-Committee on Migration of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Demography and the European Youth Centre of Budapest organised a pan-European debate involving 35 young people, coming from 27 different European countries and having first-hand knowledge or personal experience of migration, along with Parliamentarians and representatives of international organisations involved in this field. The very idea of organising such a hearing was innovative: the gathering was the first of its kind in the field of migration within the Council of Europe. The issues that were discussed were the most important in national and international agendas, such as participation and integration in society, education and training, the situation of unaccompanied minors and trafficking. The Hearing did not fail to live up to expectations. The discussion was lively and intense and both groups contributed with their own style and approach. There was an exchange of points of view, of personal experiences, concerns and hopes. Parliamentarians and young people worked together throughout the Hearing. The main results of their work will be included in a report of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Demography to be presented to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in January 2003. Let me conclude by thanking all the participants for their valuable contributions. Mr. Tadeusz Iwinski, Chairman