 | | Founder Members of the Youth Network |
At this initial meeting, the young people involved identified a number of key issues relating to islands that they want to see being addressed. These are:
- Changing Government and Mainland Attitudes Towards
Islands
- Representing the Interests of Young People
- Creating Jobs for Young Islanders
- Creating Exchanges Between Island Schools
- Attracting Young People to Stay on the Islands
- Creating New Activities for Islanders
- Promoting Islands Culture, Traditions and Languages
- Introducing Free Transport Connections with the Mainland
- Raising Awareness of Islands
- Creating Job Exchanges Between Islands
It was also agreed that a more formal Young European Islanders Network be established. The purpose of this new Network is to encourage cultural and information exchanges between young people living on European islands, while raising awareness of the positive aspects about being an islander and promoting the islands and encouraging young people to remain on their islands.
In the future, the Network also hopes to have an input into decision making that affects the islands at both local and national levels.
The Network also hopes to secure funding to establish a dedicated website, where young islanders can visit chat-rooms and keep in touch with other network members.
Members of the Network presently come from islands in Ireland, France, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Scotland.
A full version of the first official statement from the Young European islanders Network is available to download at the bottom of this page.
The Future:
There are now plans underway to organise a follow-up Youth event this summer on the French island, Belle Isle.
If you would like to find out more about the Young European Islanders Network please contact:
Joakim Hoffström, Vänö, Fin-25900 Dalsbruk, FINLAND
Tel +358 2 466 71 71
Email joakim.hoffstrom@gmail.com
OR
Katell Audrain, La BRISE, Quai Roussel, 56360 LE PALAIS, FRANCE
Tel +33 2 97 31 59 60
E-mail katellaudrain@free.fr |
