Experts from Spain, United Kingdom, Italy, Greece, Turkey and Portugal, belonging to the European collaborative Exyonet network, have submitted, at the Euro Forum Eyes, a White Book on the improvement of the employability of young Europeans, in which they urge the EU to create a Permanent Observatory specifically dedicated to the study of unemployment in this population group.

Among the specific powers granted to the said agency, we can mention the development of common actions, advice to the relevant public and private entities, the dissemination of European aid and the promotion of best practices in each country as well as establishing a collaboration network between member states and professionals regarding all actions aimed at young people at risk of social exclusion. These experts expressed their concern because “in several EU countries, one in two young people under the age of 25 is unemployed”. “The answer must be multidisciplinary and the problem needs to be addressed via social, labour, and preventive mechanisms” they asserted.

The project, which is part of the EU Youth in Action Programme, has, therefore, submitted its conclusions in Brussels with the presentation of this White Book. The document also recommends “given the gaps in the field of employability and re-employment”, the need for specific regulations related to young people at risk of social exclusion, and it encourages the European and national public administrations to treat youth unemployment “as a priority”.

The five entities involved in Exyonet are Meridianos (Spain), which is heading the project; Ealing Council (United Kingdom), Cooperativa Eriches (Italy), the Government of Izmir (Turkey) and ECTE (European Centre for Training in Employment (Greece). However, Exyonet is open to the participation of any public or private entity dedicated to the employability of young people at risk of social exclusion (exyonet.eu). On the other hand, Ken Robinson, an international expert in education and a world leading business expert, during his conference on ‘The element: How finding your passion changes everything’, at Euro Forum Eyes, stated that “Euro Forum Eyes is another element in the worldwide discussion in which all countries, the United States, Latin America, Europe, should cooperate to change the educational system”.