The youth of Cyprus are the hope and the architects of tomorrow, said the PtB – “Empowering Youth”
The youth of Cyprus are the hope, the future and the architects of tomorrow and that is why they must participate in democracy, the Speaker of the Parliament Annita Dimitriou said today, adding that without the youth, democracy will not be represented equally, equally and with the whole of civil society.
In statements during an open discussion at an event themed “Giving Power to the Youth” of the 18th Conference of the European Youth Parliament of Cyprus, which takes place at the UCLan Cyprus University in Pyla, Mrs. Dimitriou said “what is more exciting, what is more beautiful, what is more constructive to be with these children, as Institutions, as individuals to we discuss about all the things that concern them, about all the things that they should lead, because it's time for our youth to come forward”.
He added that “our youth are our hope, they are the architects of tomorrow, they are our future and that is why they must participate in democracy because without them democracy will not be represented as it should be, equally, equally with the whole of civil society. I am really proud of these children and every time I am impressed by their interventions, by their suggestions and by how much more aware they are than we think”.
It is time, Mrs. Dimitriou continued, “to make sure that there are equal and equal opportunities for young people, so that they can develop, move forward and be proper active citizens, as we need to be in order to be able to face all these challenges in which we have before us”.
When asked what message she wants to send to young people about the importance of the EU, the Speaker of the Parliament replied that “the Union is the greatest diplomatic and political advantage of the Republic of Cyprus and we can't think where we would be if right now, especially with everything going on in a troubled region, we were outside the EU.”
It is for this reason, he noted, “that it would be good to show more the benefits and advantages that exist, since this year Cyprus completed 20 years since its accession to the Union, without, however, ignoring the challenges, difficulties and weaknesses which exist”.
It is in this way, he continued, “that we believe in our European status, that we want to ensure our European status and perspective, that the institutions themselves, in this case the very functioning of the European Parliament, should let's see how we shield Europe, our European future and our European perspective”.
He also noted that “young people will be given the opportunity, both through their studies and through their participation in the program, to get to know Europe better. It is what we must promote through our schools, to learn more about Europe and what it means in essence, for Cyprus to be a full member of the European Union and for this to constitute its greatest political advantage”.
In response to a question as to whether, as Speaker of the Parliament, she considers that Cyprus gives opportunities to young people in terms of the EU, Annita Dimitriou replied that “there is a wider need to be given more opportunities and we need to provide the tools and find the ways” . “The goal is for more young people to face fewer difficulties or challenges to be able to prove that they can contribute equally,” he added.
This, he continued, “is what the citizens are looking for and I think this was also the result of the recent European Parliament and local government elections, without at the same time ignoring or sidelining the importance of experience”.
But , said Ms. Dimitriou, “the ideal is exactly this mixture, of youth and freshness together with experience to be able to have the best representation result for all that we are called to manage”.
At the same time, he noted “we have an obligation to give and pave the way for more young men and women to follow”.
Furthermore, Athina Stavrou, President of the Board of Directors of the European Youth Parliament of Cyprus expressed “thanks to the President of Parliament for the fact that it placed the Congress under its auspices, but also for its presence in today's debate, which honors us and gives importance to our work, active citizenship and youth”.
