JEF Belgium takes part in the campaign “I Choose Europe”, which is co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union and coordinated by Young European Federalists (JEF Europe) together with 10 further national JEF sections and several other civil society organisations: Animafac, Assembly of European Regions, Balkans Beyond Borders, Center for Intercultural Dialogue, DYPALL Network, Europe4Youth, European Educational Exchanges – Youth for Understanding, and the Union of European Federalists.
Our goal is to strengthen young people’s public participation before and after the European Elections 2019 and encourage them to vote. By achieving this, we want to send a strong message to decision-makers and the public that the European youth is not just a passive audience, but a growing social and political force.
With a series of debates and public events we are raising awareness about the European Elections:
March 13th – 18th, Paris, France
European Youth Exchange
Together with more than 120 participants from all over Europe took part to the first large scale youth exchange of the #IChooseEurope campaign. Not only did we learn from each other during the dozens of parallel workshops over the 5 days of the event. We also officially launched the #IChooseEurope campaign during Quartier Général – Le Festival des jeunes engagé·e·s en Europe! Thanks to all the partners of the project and our co-participants for making it happen!
April 25th, Leuven, Belgium
Debate with Belgian Candidates to the European Parliament
Together with the Europe service of the province of Flemish Brabant, VLEVA and KU Leuven, we are organizing a European elections debate with the following candidates:
- Marianne Thyssen (CD&V)
- Mark Demesmaeker (N-VA)
- Kathleen Van Brempt (sp.a)
- Lieve Wierinck (Open Vld )
- Gerolf Annemans (Vlaams Belang)
- Petra De Sutter (Groen)
Moderator: Prof. Steven Van Hecke (KU Leuven)
When? 7.30 p.m.
Where? Auditorium van het Provinciehuis, Provincieplein 1 – 3010 Leuven
Please register here before April 22
April 30th, Brussels, Belgium
Debate with Belgian Candidates to the European Parliament
& Final Stop of the “I choose Europe” Bus Tour
Another local campaign event takes place on April 30th, when the I Choose Europe bus tour has its final stop in Brussels. At 6.30 pm, we will open the doors and invite everyone to join us for welcome drinks, some quick and easy info on the elections in Belgium & a full and frank discussion with a selection of Belgian candidates to the European Parliament!
To the Facebook event page
As part of the campaign activities, the “I Choose Europe” bus visits more than 12 locations in 12 countries. Its main goal is to connect the countries participating in the campaign and making a good case for maintaining and strengthening the freedom of movement in Europe in the context of the upcoming elections. On April 30th, the bus will bring young people from different parts of Europe to Brussels.
May 5th, Brussels Belgium
JEF Belgium Stand at “Fête IRIS Feest”
The cosmopolitan city of Brussels has been the capital of the European Union for over 20 years. It has many institutions, all of which are important in our citizens’ lives. If you want to learn more about European actions in general and the upcoming elections to the European Parliament in particular, you will find us with in the “European Village” at the Brussels Park from 12:00 – 18:00h. We will welcome you with a lot of fun activities, insightful information and open minds!
May 9th, Brussels, Belgium
Debate with Belgian Candidates to the European Parliament
JEF Belgium will join the debate at the Brussels Parliament, organised by ULB and VUB, where we will moderate one of the debate tables and facilitate the discussion with first-time voters from Belgium about the following topics: migration, climate change, poverty reduction, desinformation & “fake news”.
May 26th, Belgium
EUROPEAN ELECTIONS
