On 29th November at 9:00 pm, MeYouMe Final Statement was approved.
The Statement is released by the Meeting promoters and participants to governments, Institutions, associations of every participant country.
Final Statement
Having analysed the situation in the Mediterranean and debated on the issues of social inclusion, development and symmetrical Euro-Mediterranean cooperation, we as representatives of youth associations of the Mediterranean, participating in the MeYouMe Meeting 2009, have pointed out some key issues of this geographical area.
It is undeniable that the Mediterranean is a place where cultural, political and religious segmentation are present, and within which divisions and instability occur. Nevertheless, the Mediterranean area is a place where contacts, exchanges and coexistence have been taking place through centuries.
It is fundamental and politically urgent to re-launch and re-establish a Euro-Mediterranean area of cooperation and co-development.A critical re-launch of the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation is fundamental to develop a place for mediation and dialogue to counterbalance the limiting and alarming paradigm of the “clash of civilizations”. We want the new “Mediterranean Union” to become a concrete program instead of an “empty box”. This ongoing process needs a renewed and coordinated involvement of civil societies, as well as actual and equal participation of the two Mediterranean shores.
We, as representatives of Mediterranean youth associations, are the expression of rich tradition of joint and active participation and want to be the actors and promoters of development and inclusion processes in our communities.
Therefore, we, the youth, ask our governments, international bodies and civil societies the following:
- Responsible actions that ensure legality;
- A constant and permanent involvement of local associations to foster dialogue, communication and participation;
- The promotion of the possible innovative role of youth in the decision-making processes;
- The media to become responsible for quality information, which does not feed prejudices and clash of civilizations, including alternative sources of information as well;
- The use of more resources to implement and support projects and initiatives for development and social inclusion, with the chance to call forth economic resources originating from enterprises engaged in corporate social responsibility;
- Investment in research, education to integration, political education of the youth starting from civic awareness through formal and non-formal education;
- The overcome of digital divide;
- The promotion of knowledge of plurality of languages, cultures and religions in the Mediterranean area;
- A clear and transparent management, as well as a constant monitoring of funds used for development;
- The acknowledgement by EU institutions of NGOs and local associations as privileged interlocutors and stake-holders for development actions;
- Support setting up institutions representing the Mediterranean youth as assemblies and/or fora;
- The promotion of common policies on migration based on the principles of “welcoming” and integration values, also through multilateral agreements;
- Acknowledge and enforcement of fundamental human rights;
- The promotion of sustainable social and economic policies.
Considering all these requests, and in the capacity of youth and student organizations representatives from the Mediterranean countries, we commit ourselves to:
- Set up a network of youth associations active in the Mediterranean
- Share objectives and good practices through meeting venues and opportunities
- Promote and develop types and sources of alternative information
- Aid intercultural exchange programs
- Spur active and responsible citizenship
- Enhance and protect the principles of legality and justice, starting from daily actions
- Promote equal opportunities, social inclusion and respect of the environment within the whole social fabric
- Foster intercultural dialogue, thereby overcoming conflicts and segmentations
- Disseminate and have this statement endorsed by all institutions on all levels.
We, youth, strongly believe in the necessity and urgency to consolidate the creation of a Euro-Mediterranean space of cooperation.
This space might appear unreal and utopian due to numerous unsolved conflicts. Although, despite of all difficulties, what we are willing to work for is the creation of an equal and cohesive Euro-Mediterranean Community.
Falerna Lido (Italy) 29 novembre 2009
