Video message by Commissioner Šuica at the European Democrat Students study mission to Zagreb

European Democrat Students study mission to Zagreb

Dear students, dear young participants,

I cannot be there with you, but I didn't want to miss the opportunity to send a word of encouragement.

Europe is facing multiple crises.

And it has never been more important for our citizens to be engaged, especially young people.

This is why your work is so important.

Decision-makers at all levels rely on your ideas and energy to design policies that will work for your future.

We kept this in mind as we designed the Pact for the Mediterranean.

Take, for example, the Mediterranean University – one of the Pact's key initiatives, and very close to my heart.

It will connect higher education institutions, from Marseille to Fez, to Beirut, bringing the European Universities alliance model to the Mediterranean region.

Creating joint programmes.

Developing micro-credentials that get young people ready for the challenges of the labour market.

Supporting research and innovation, as well as start-ups and entrepreneurship.

And boosting mobility – so that students from all shores of the Mare Nostrum learn from each other and return home with new skills and experiences.

This work is crucial, because each person we help to reach their full potential is a person who can, in turn, improve their own communities.

A person who builds stability and grows new markets for Mediterranean businesses.

I hope some of you will be the first participants in this project, and will link the EU and communities all around the Mediterranean.

Because we need young leaders like yourselves to build on our work – and to give us feedback.

Dear students,

I am a believer in democratic representation and participation.

Which is why I am currently working on creating a Youth Parliamentary Assembly.

This Assembly will bring together young, elected officials from across the region, not only to discuss our progress on the Pact, but all EU initiatives that affect the region.

If you have ideas on this initiative, please let me know.

We want young people to be heard.

I hope that one day, some of you may be a part of it.

In the meantime, enjoy your study mission, and I count on you to lead by example among your peers.

Thank you so much and all the best.