Nova Gorica: Openly with Decision-Makers

On Friday, 7 April 2023, MEP Irena Joveva took part in the Odkrito z odločevalci (Openly with Decision-Makers) discussion with secondary school students from the Gimnazija Nova Gorica. The young audience presented their initiatives for action in the areas they had highlighted as the most topical during workshops. The MEP applauded their choice of topics as excellent and relevant, and welcomed their good suggestions.

The content of the debates was based on the goals defined in the EU Youth Strategy 2019–2027. Out of the 11 goals set out in the Strategy, the students chose four: Connecting EU with Youth, Equality of All Genders, Quality Employment for All, and Mental Health & Well-Being.

In order to implement the Strategy in relation to the goal of Connecting EU with Youth, the students proposed stimulating youth participation through referendums on youth issues which would be open to everyone aged between 16 and 25 years of age. MEP Joveva agreed that young people absolutely need to be involved in decision-making processes (to a greater extent), but that the concept of European-level youth referendums would not be feasible in practice. She added that it would be possible to lower the voting age to 16, as is already the case in some EU Member States, but argued that this would presumably not – at least not sufficiently – enhance participation among people. “It is up to us, politicians, to demonstrate and prove to you that we work to serve your interests, that we are here to listen to you and respond to your demands where we can. To be good role models. This is what will drive greater participation and this is what I am trying to put into practice on a daily basis,” she said.

Poto: Matjaž Mačus, young EP ambassador, student of Gimnazija Nova Gorica

As to the goal of Quality Employment for All, the young people made several suggestions, including a job shadowing scheme. This would allow final year secondary school students to learn about different jobs that match their desired education. The MEP supported the proposal and explained that such a mechanism already exists at EU level: “There is a cross-border programme within Erasmus+, which focuses on quality jobs, exchanges of good practices and additional training for young people before they enter the labour market through financially supported work placements.” She stressed, however, that participation is only open to applicants of legal age, which has to be taken into account.

In the area of mental health, young people expressed the urgency for setting up various meetings, workshops and training sessions across European countries to exchange good practices. Joveva agreed, explaining that during the current term of the European Parliament, mental health issues have finally come more to the fore. She shared with the audience that she has been appointed Vice-Chair of the newly established Subcommittee on Public Health and that she places mental health at the top of her list of priorities.

With respect to the goal of ensuring equal pay for equal work and an equal distribution of work responsibilities, the young people proposed that for women, part-time work of six-hours be considered full-time employment. The MEP commented on the proposal by saying that if implemented, it would then discriminate against men. However, she believed that a proposal to allow for the possibility of part-time work in general, for all, would be worth considering. She did point out, however, that the EU lacks competence in this area.

Foto: Matjaž Mačus

Joveva also elaborated that the EU is taking important steps to promote equality between men and women in the workplace, with measures ranging from regulations to ensure gender balance among non-executive directors of companies to directives, for example on applying the principle of equal pay for equal work for men and women, with pay transparency and enforcement mechanisms.

Joining MEP Joveva for e discussion with the young audience on their proposals were Matej Arčon, Minister for Slovenians Abroad, Elena Zavadlav Ušaj, State Councillor, and Samo Turel, Mayor of the Municipality of Nova Gorica.