Jim Higgins, Fine Gael MEP for Ireland North West, has welcomed the European Union's new initiative entitled Youth in Action Partnerships. This new programme will be regulated by regional or local public bodies across the EU with Léargas responsible for regulating the programme in Ireland.
The Youth in Action programme aims to promote young people’s active citizenship and to foster mutual understanding between young people in different countries. The action plan aims to increase the mobility of young people by supporting youth exchanges. This allows groups of young people to host or be hosted by a group from another country and will help break down cultural differences while at the same time fostering new relationships between people that would never meet or learn about different societies or cultures.
"This plan will help to break down barriers and make Europe more accessible for its younger citizens which is of vital importance as we need the next generation to be more aware of how important the EU is and what they can do to influence the EU so it best reflects their feelings and represents the citizens’ views,” said Mr Higgins.
