China, EU pass youth leaders statement
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Xinhua, October 24, 2011
The EU-China Youth Leaders Summit concluded on Monday with the issuance of the EU-China Youth Leaders Statement.
The three-day summit, co-organized by the All-China Youth Federation and the European Commission, is a part of a series of "flagship events" for the EU-China Year of Youth.
Young people from both sides are using the events to discuss various topics, including the role of young people in an aging society, climate change and sustainable development, the role of regional organizations and youth entrepreneurship.
Highlighting the positive aspects of the Year, especially the launch of new initiatives between Chinese and European youth, the EU-China Youth Leaders Statement aims to boost future cooperation between the EU and China.
The statement said Chinese and European youth organizations should be effectively involved in the formulation, implementation and monitoring of the EU-China strategic partnership and provided with adequate support as they strive to contribute to the further development of youth policy dialogues.
The statement also urges the establishment of a mechanism for structured dialogues between youth stakeholders, academics, the private sector, civil society and decision-makers from China and the EU, in order to allow them to follow policy discussions and monitor their implementation, ensure ongoing dialogues and raise awareness on common global challenges.
The creation of multiple avenues, including online platforms and networks, is recommended to inspire young people to share the knowledge created through experience and success, the statement said.
Premier Wen Jiabao and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barosso jointly initiated the EU-China Year of Youth during the 12th EU-China summit held in 2009.
The initiative aims to promote intercultural dialogue and strengthen mutual understanding and friendship between young people in China and the EU, as well as encourage them to support the development of China-EU relations.
Lu Yongzheng, vice president of the All-China Youth Federation, said during the closing ceremony of the EU-China Youth Leaders Summit that the Year has won active support and involvement from young people of both sides.
"It proved to be fruitful in expanding consensus and cooperation between youth and youth organizations of both sides," Lu said.
Youth exchanges are an important part of people-to-people exchanges, Lu said, adding that the development of people-to-people exchanges not only complies with the common interests and needs of both sides, but are also a necessity for the continued development of EU-China relations.
Lu expressed his hope that new media, especially official websites, microblogs and mobile phones. should be extensively used to promote EU-China youth exchanges and relations.
European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth Androulla Vassiliou also made an appearance at the closing ceremony.
