UNESCO EU Youth hopes Education will overcome Obstacles to Values for a Democratic Europe

In a "Strasbourg 2004' Declaration", Young People of UNESCO European Federation Clubs from many countries, concluding a weekly Seminar supported by CoE, focused at "Education as a tool" to overcome "all" political, socio-economic, cultural a.o. "Obstacles" to "common Values that we share as Europeans", on "respect of Human Rights and tolerance, solidarity and sharing of knowledge, participation with dialogue, debate of ideas and creativity", "in order to build a better and more effective, democratic Europe".

They rightfully pointed an accusing finger at "the Negative role and Monopoly of Media" traditional managers in many cases, among a series of "Obstacles which prevent development of Democracy and culture of Peace", such as "Discrimination and money alienation, social and generation Gaps, Antagonistic competition and prejudices, fear of changes and Stress", etc, while also "deploring lack of interest and participation of Citizens", as in the 1999 and 2004 EU Elections : A list full of symptoms, but rather short on their causes..

In more concrete terms, UNESCO Youth Clubs, after meeting CoE officials in Strasbourg, called to "build a Network of UNESCO Clubs in Europe, using New Tehnologies to share projects and spread the movement" (which needs to be strengthened mainly at Northern countries), foster "closer relationships with Schools and local Communities" to "promote values to young people" but also a "possibility to express themselves" in democracy, and for "Projects on History, interCultural exchange and life-long learning for democratic environment, in Family and Schools or Universities, etc.

- "Young People should take initiatives to enter faster into decision-making, before the system alienates them", said to "SeNas" the President of UNESCO World and European Clubs' Federation, George Christofides, who started a 2003 - 2008 elected term.

- "We want to act according to our Values, even when some Political choices oppose them", stressed to "SeNas" the active President of French Federation, Yves Lopez, who added that "the fact that UNESCO chose Strasbourg had a timely Symbolic meaning".

"SeNas" was spontaneously impressed, among various interesting youngsters, by a polyglot Romanian girl fluently using more than six (6 !) Languages ; a series of artful Bulgarian, Moldovan, French, a.o. Singers ; the cooperative participation of Spain (with special mention to Catalonia); a Greek delegate patiently promoting "Olympic Truce" symbolic project even a few days before Games start ; the organisational spirit and fugue of French team's new and historic leaders ; and a young couple from Cyprus, practically divided since 1974, but united on 2004 in Strasbourg through a beautiful Greek Cypriot lady, teacher of History, Marianne, (proud for her contribution to the collective "Declaration", but angry at "SeNas" when, at first, we didn't take it so seriously), and a sympathetic, even if critical, US-trained Turkish Cypriot businessman, Osman, (practically interested to Confidence-building measures to ease Trade all-over the island and with the EU, announced meanwhile in Nicosia).

Let those of their Hopes which are really faithful to Human Rights, wise by History's Memory, and stimulated by a fresh wish for a Democratic and creative Future, be fullfiled.