Press release - The Final Position Paper on Globalisation
Looking beyond our European shores towards our neighbours and the world ahead is the underlying principle guiding the 2003 Year Plan Project of the European Students Forum. ‘Youth & Globalisation’ Year Plan Project sought to attract students’ attention to the contemporary issue of globalisation and to provide them the opportunity to make their voice heard and above all to wake up the sensitivity of others. All the conclusions reached produced the Final Strategy Paper on Globalisation.
The Final Strategy Paper on
Globalisation springs from a multicultural youth
dialogue based on consent and consensus involving the active participation of
over thirty-five student organizations covering the five continents. Departing
from a finely tuned definition of globalisation as a ‘dynamic multi-dimensional and interconnected process that generates
intertwined links affecting all aspects of contemporary life’, youth delegates advocated the importance of adopting free and fair
trade thus ensuring that developing countries have an equal bargaining power in
international trade.
Politically, globalisation has
permitted the augmentation of political power and activity which transcends the
nation states’ borders. In light of this reality, apprehension is shown towards
the current status of International Organisations and the recommendation falls
within enhanced accountability so as to nurture to maximize the legitimacy of
political systems enabling nation states to develop in-line with their
indigenous political culture.
All delegates cherished
a global civil society endorsing cultural diversity while a sound applause was
made at the assertion that globalisation remains an opportunity to deepen
knowledge of other cultures, gain broader access to information, and share
knowledge and experience, reduce insularity and eradicate prejudice, all leading
to common understanding, awareness of one’s culture as well as beliefs and
values within the global context
The Youth &
Globalisation Project started off with an online survey, having its emerging
indications to be examined developed further throughout the summer months in a
series of five study meetings focusing on the five thematic pillars of the
Project, meaning politics, economics, culture, geo-communications and civil
society. Subsequently, the Joint Study Meeting produced the Working Document on
Globalisation which was the point of departure at the World Youth Summit on
Globalisation, taking place last December at the European Parliament in
Brussels.
‘Following the positive response
obtained throughout this year of activities, it becomes imperative for the Project Team to continue further in the
analysis of globalisation. This time round,
the major challenge awaiting us all remains that pervading in global dynamics
and all the underlying issues involved and accentuated by the process of
globalisation’ stated Alexianne Galea, Project
Manager ‘Youth & Globalisation’.
The
Final Strategy Paper on
Globalisation of the European Students Forum can
be viewed online on www.aegee.org/globalyouth/wys.
AEGEE is one of Europe's largest
interdisciplinary and voluntary student associations, operating without being
linked to any political party, promoting a unified Europe, cross-border
co-operation, communication and integration in academic environment, and at the
same time striving to create an open and tolerant society of tomorrow. It is
represented in 271 university cities, in 40 countries all around Europe and has
about 17 000 members.
More
information:
Ewa Solarczyk
Vice-President / Director for Public
Relations
European Students' Forum -
AEGEE
Rue Nestor de Tiere 15
1030 Bruxelles
Phone: +32 2 245 23
00
Fax: +32 2 245 62 60
Web: www.aegee.org
Email:
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