Image with orange background. On the left side is the text: "General Assembly of the European Youth Forum", followed by the location and the date of the event. On the right side there is an image with 7 young men who hold a flag that has the text "for youth rights" on it.
Tuesday, 7 January, 2025 - 11:10

From November 21st to 24th, the Erasmus Student Network participated in the General Assembly of the European Youth Forum (YFJ) in Ghent, Belgium. This important event brought together International Non-Governmental Youth Organizations and National Youth Councils from across Europe to address pressing challenges, set priorities, and adopt key decisions shaping the future of youth advocacy. The event opened with the handover ceremony for the European Youth Capital, where Ghent passed the symbolic keys to Lviv, the 2025 titleholder. Additionally, Parma was announced as the 2027 Youth Capital, highlighting the continued focus on empowering youth initiatives across European cities.

The assembly began with an inspiring speech by Rareș Voicu, President of the European Youth Forum, followed by engaging discussions and the adoption of impactful motions. These included advocating for linguistic diversity to strengthen European cohesion, and promoting the inclusion of International Non-Governmental Youth Organizations (INGYOs) in the EU Youth Dialogue.

The event was also a platform for collaboration and knowledge-sharing, with ESN actively contributing to discussions on youth engagement and the internationalization of education. Special emphasis was placed on transversal priorities like inclusion, green sustainability, and digitalization, reflecting the interconnected challenges facing today’s youth. These exchanges demonstrated the importance of collective efforts to improve opportunities and address barriers faced by young people across Europe.

One of the assembly’s most significant outcomes was the approval of the YFJ Policy Programme for 2023-2025, which will steer the European Youth Forum’s work over the next two years. This programme prioritizes sustainability, equality, and active youth participation in decision-making processes.

For ESN, the General Assembly reinforced the importance of collaboration and youth-driven solutions in addressing shared challenges and building a stronger Europe. It highlighted the power of collective action and the critical role youth organizations play in shaping policies and opportunities. ESN with other organisations, also expressed a need for the platform to revise its funding mechanisms, especially around the membership topic. Through constant dialogue and collaboration, ESN continues its commitment to advocating for the enrichment of society though  international students.