Citizen Dialogue

Tomorrow I will go to Brussels and the second European Youth Media Days. Three intense days of networking and media production with people from all over Europe.

New media, open minds and challenging ideas. From 15 to 17 October 2008, the next generation of European journalists meets at the European Parliament in Brussels for the second European Youth Media Days. 200 youngsters from all 27 EU member states, chosen to be the most creative and motivated amongst 1767 high-quality applications, have now been awarded with a place.

The European Youth Media Days 2008, to be opened on Wednesday 15 October by European Parliament Vice-President Alejo Vidal-Quadras, have started already: The recently selected 200 participants interact, debate and prepare their European media productions in the online community www.youthmediadays.eu. This also enables those who are not able to go to Brussels to stay in touch with their peers and share their thoughts about Europe.

The hands-on workshops for creation of new European media formats – on air, online, and printed – are the core-element of three days EYMD 2008. Complemented by high-ranking-debates and events with the President of the European Parliament, political group chairmen, correspondents, and media professionals from across the continent the EYMD will provide insights into the Brussels sphere of media, culture, and politics. Moreover participants have the chance to share knowledge, improve media skills and gain a unique international experience at the centre of European political life.

My ambition are to give a global view, where media are one of the most important tools and one of the pillars for change. And if the next generation journalists will think more global then the current, we have a better opportunity to make progress.