The full scale invasion has led to immense human suffering, the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives, including tens of thousands of civilian casualties. Since the escalation of the war, nearly 1 800 children have been killed. It has forced many millions of Ukrainian residents to flee in search of safety, creating the biggest refugee crisis in Europe since the end of the Second World War. According to UNHCR Statistics, as of the beginning of 2024, there are 3.7 million internally displaced people in Ukraine, 6.3 million people fled the country and 14.6 million are in need of humanitarian assistance. 

Since a few months, the war has reached a bloody stalemate, where neither side is gaining any significant advantage.The civilian population is still experiencing immense suffering, with no resolution to the conflict being feasible in the foreseeable future. In the last few months Russia has further intensified its attacks and is expected to escalate even more. Furthermore, ongoing investigations conducted by among others the ICC, show strong evidence of Russia committing war crimes and crimes against humanity including: torture, rape, unlawful deportation of children, targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, executing prisoners of war, as well as many more atrocities. 

We, as young Europeans, stand united in our condemnation of this flagrant violation of international law and the basic principles of human rights and sovereignty. This aggressive act has not only led to a tragic loss of life and widespread suffering among the people living in Ukraine but has also threatened the foundations of global peace and security. We believe that Ukraine has a right to restore its borders to the state under its 1992 constitution in order to protect its citizens.

We remain to stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian youth, which was deprived of its right to education and a chance at creating their lives in peace. Young people not only represent the future, but also shape the present narrative, driving social change, and fostering peace-building efforts. This is why we believe that youth has a vital role to play in finding the resolution to the conflict. 

For the aforementioned AEGEE-Europe: 

• Condemns all attacks on civilians committed by Russia;
• Condemns in the strongest terms suffering brought on children and youth, who have been deprived of their education and a chance to live a happy, peaceful lives;
• Applauds the continued effort and commitment towards helping Ukraine, highlighting especially the role of youth and youth organisations;
• Calls for the international community, especially the EU, to strengthen its commitment towards helping Ukraine and providing necessary equipment for the defence and restoration of its sovereign territory;
• Demands continued humanitarian aid for those affected by the conflict;
• Demands strengthening the sanctions against Russia, to hold it accountable for its unjustifiable invasion;
• Hopes for the just resolution of the conflict and future peaceful coexistence of both states, while recognizing the difficult process that needs to happen in order to achieve it.

#StandWithUkraine

For our previous statements please refer to:

Statement | One month since the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam – AEGEE-Europe
Statement | One Year Since Russia’s 2022 Invasion of Ukraine – AEGEE-Europe

Sources:

https://www.unrefugees.org/emergencies/ukraine/ 

https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/01/1145262  

https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/10/1142617 

https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/02/08/ukraine-new-findings-russias-devastation-mariupol 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/jan/06/russia-ukraine-war-aid-white-house-putin-zelenskiy?page=with:block-6599340a8f08640ae963b0b9 

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/01/01/europe/ukraine-kyiv-mourning-new-year-intl/index.html 

https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/01/1145567 

Sustainability is part of AEGEE’s core values and it is part of our strategic plan to work towards a society that respects planetary boundaries in the fight against climate change. In this statement we want to highlight the agreements that have been reached during the 28th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties, COP 28, that was held in Dubai from November 30th to December 12th of 2023 and to raise awareness on the decisions that affect the future on Earth and whose effects might be irreversible. Thereby, we think it is important to express our opinion with regards to it.

A COP is an annual conference that takes place since 1995 and it is the supreme decision-making body from the UN Framework of Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC) 1. In the conference the ratifying states or parties are represented, and they assess the effects of the measures implemented by the convention. At this COP, key climate change issues were discussed such as the first stocktake on the progress of the Nationally Determined Contributions, NDC goals of the Paris Agreement, the implementation of the loss and damage fund established in COP27, the phase out of fossil fuels before 2050, the increasing of climate finance, innovative economic strategies, and working towards adaptation. All of this, in the warmest year on record 2 and with an increasing trend on natural disasters over the last decades 3.

One of the main outcomes and achievements of COP 28 is the agreement of countries on the need to transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems 4. However, there is no obligation for countries to take any specific action, there is no specific timescale and this agreement only aims at the energy supply, instead of the economy as a whole, thus disregarding other fossil intensive activities and products such as plastics or petrochemicals.

It is worth noting that fossil fuels are the main cause of global warming 5 and we are not on the way to achieve our goal of slowing the rise of temperature as shown by the first stocktake of COP Paris 2015 6, which settled to limit the rise of global temperature to 1,5 degrees higher with respect to the preindustrial times by the end of the century. But even so, progress has been made, since a commitment was made to triple the renewable energy capacity by 2030.

In the field of climate finance, wealthier nations have committed to pay 792M $ 7 to the loss and damage fund to help developing countries to treat climate change and the devastation effects of climate catastrophes. Although this is a start, it is hardly enough for the developing nations to deal with climate effects 8. Not to mention that it is not clear whether these pledges will be carried out and whether they will reach the people who really need them 9.

The need to address the implications that climate change has on health was referred to with the Health Day being held for the first time and the commitment of the Global North to pay 777M $ to combat neglected tropical diseases such as the river blindness and lymphatic filariasis 10. Besides the implementation of these funds, it was agreed to the replenishment of the Green Climate Fund, Least Developed Countries Fund, Adaptation Fund, and Special Climate Change Fund 11.

In AEGEE-Europe, we strive for sustainability and for a just and inclusive transformation of societies. We think there is room for improvement in the climate change conferences and we want to demand a stronger commitment to fight climate change.

A Climate summit should not be just greenwashing for nations and organisations but they must be fully committed to the agreements and do not put other interests that go against the fight on climate change first. An increase in transparency has been done yet there should be a clearer way to tackle the conflicts of interests that have been evident in this summit 12, where the COP president is the CEO of ADNOC, the United Arab Emirates’ state oil company, and the enormous presence of fossil fuel representatives and lobbyists with at least 2456 delegates, almost four times the number at COP 27, overtaking delegates from the most susceptible countries 13. Furthermore, hosting the COP in a non-democratic country, where human rights are not respected, discourages dissidence 14. Climate summits must work according to the common goals to preserve the climate, where fossil fuel companies should have a limited role, they should not influence climate policy since they can take advantage of that.

As stated by IPCC 15, it is urgent to transform the economy on a planetary level towards a circular model, based on the sustainability of all productive resources, and to change the consumption habits and lifestyle of the population, especially in developed countries. The unequal development in the different regions of the world has created the paradox that the ones that most carry the burden of the costs of climate change are the ones that contributed less to creating it.

The transition cannot wait and should not rely on carbon capture techniques 16, which are costly technologies that are not yet fully developed and might fail at a large scale as a tool to mitigate climate change 17. They are only a strategy for fossil fuel companies to delay it and not to lose their profit and their hegemonic position while repositioning themselves in the new sustainable global market. So they should not be used as an excuse or distraction to phase out fossil fuels.

We consider the aforementioned betterments essential to be able to reduce the effects of climate change, although we fully support any actions that can help us preserve the environment and do not compromise the future on earth, and we fully embrace any step that can lead to a sustainable society.

Sources

https://www.cop28.com/en/

https://unfccc.int/news/cop28-agreement-signals-beginning-of-the-end-of-the-fossil-fuel-era

https://climate.copernicus.eu/record-warm-november-consolidates-2023-warmest-year

https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/number-of-natural-disaster-events

https://unfccc.int/process/bodies/supreme-bodies/conference-of-the-parties-cop

https://www.cisl.cam.ac.uk/cop-climate-change-conference

https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/causes-effects-climate-change

https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/12/1144742

https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/12/global-what-happened-at-cop28-essential-need-to-knows/

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-67143989

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-67704098

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/environment/2023/12/09/climate-change/cop28-oil-gas-presence/

https://kickbigpollutersout.org/articles/release-record-number-fossil-fuel-lobbyists-attend-cop28

https://www.carbonbrief.org/cop28-key-outcomes-agreed-at-the-un-climate-talks-in-dubai/

https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-summit/2023/12/01-02/

https://www.nature.org/en-us/what-we-do/our-priorities/tackle-climate-change/climate-change-stories/cop-climate-change-conference/

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-67508331

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-67581277

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-67701412

https://www.who.int/news/item/02-12-2023-over-40-million-health-professionals-demand-bold-health-and-climate-action-at-cop28

https://www.who.int/news/item/04-12-2023-global-partners-pledge-usd777-million-to-combat-neglected-tropical-diseases

https://healthpolicy-watch.news/first-ever-cop28-health-day-unfolds-amidst-uproar-over-cop-presidents-fossil-fuel-remarks/

https://prospect.org/environment/2023-12-12-cop-28-uae-climate-change-flop/

https://www.npr.org/2023/12/09/1217970348/what-it-means-for-an-oil-producing-country-the-uae-to-host-un-climate-talks

https://www.npr.org/2023/12/07/1217504214/a-record-number-of-fossil-fuel-reps-at-cop28-climate-talks

https://www.ciel.org/news/475-carbon-capture-lobbyists-at-cop28-exposes-fossil-fuels-grip/

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-67607289

https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/activists-protest-against-fossil-fuel-industry-cop28-climate-summit-2023-12-05/

https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/what-are-loopholes-cop28-climate-deal-2023-12-14/

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-67701544

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-64723497

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-67679734

https://www.nrdc.org/bio/joe-thwaites/cop-28-climate-fund-pledge-tracker

https://www.greenclimate.fund/news/cop28-green-climate-fund-reaches-record-funding-level

https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/who-is-pledging-climate-finance-cop28-how-much-2023-12-06/

https://unfccc.int/topics/introduction-to-climate-finance

https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/what-you-need-know-about-cop27-loss-and-damage-fund

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/12/global-cop28-agreement-to-move-away-from-fossil-fuels-sets-precedent-but-falls-short-of-safeguarding-human-rights/

https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/11/29/cop28-opens-un-should-take-uae-task

https://www.euronews.com/green/2023/11/24/repressive-state-activists-raise-concerns-about-surveillance-and-arrest-at-cop28

https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/what-is-carbon-capture-and-storage/

https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg3/figures/summary-for-policymakers/figure-spm-7/

https://www.ipcc.ch/report/sixth-assessment-report-cycle/

https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2018/02/ipcc_wg3_ar5_chapter6.pdf

https://www.carbonbrief.org/in-depth-qa-the-ipccs-sixth-assessment-on-how-to-tackle-climate-change/

https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/sites/2/2019/02/SR15_Chapter2_Low_Res.pdf

https://canadiangeographic.ca/articles/the-truth-about-carbon-capture/

https://ieefa.org/resources/carbon-capture-crux-lessons-learned

https://www.globalwitness.org/en/blog/carbon-capture-oil-lobby-cop28/

https://www.globalwitness.org/en/press-releases/world-cannot-meet-climate-targets-relying-carbon-capture-and-storage/

Disclaimer: Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

According to the International Organization for Migration (2023), approximately 27.600 people have lost their lives or are reported missing in the Mediterranean region since 2014, with almost 2.000 people in 2023. Drowning, violence, and lack of access to adequate health assistance or to food, water and shelter are listed among the main causes of death. Unfortunately, in 2023, there are still many unnecessary barriers for those seeking safety at the European continent’s borders. These include the erosion of the right to asylum, systemic pushbacks and mass deportations, police brutality, a slow response in the EU’s action on search and rescue missions, the criminalisation of solidarity in Europe and an increase in smuggling and human trafficking (Human Rights Watch, 2021). Once they reach the European continent, migrants held in overcrowded camps often experience inadequate living conditions and the lack of access to basic services such as health or legal assistance is heavily restricted. 

The Social Equity and Political Activism Working Groups of AEGEE-Europe organised this month an online campaign to raise awareness about the human rights violations and consequences of the European migratory laws and the migration business. They emphasised the urgent need for change in addressing such violations and the importance of standing as allies against discrimination based on place of origin. 

Over the last three years, AEGEE engaged in advocacy efforts and raising-awareness activities with relevant stakeholders to contribute to achieving meaningful change and address discrimination based on place of origin. Therefore, we urge authorities involved at the borders of Europe to take immediate action against the abuse and human rights violations in border control operations. 

We condemn the violent pushbacks, lack of response to distress calls, and the inhumane treatment and human rights violations conducted by national and European authorities at the border and in refugee camps. 

We call upon the European governments to take full responsibility for aiding migrants on the European continent, participate in search and rescue missions and fulfil their obligations under the EU and international law. 

We call upon the European countries and EU institutions to provide a concrete accountability system and put in place measures that would ensure transparency and effective investigations into search and rescue missions.

We condemn the increasing criminalisation of solidarity and we urge the European countries to eliminate the laws that criminalise those offering humanitarian assistance to migrants and refugees on their journey across Europe. 

Sources

Human Rights Watch (2021) Greece: Events of 2021, World Report 2022. Available at: https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2022/country-chapters/greece (Accessed: 11 August 2023).

International Organization for Migration (2023) Data | Missing Migrants Project. Available at: https://missingmigrants.iom.int/data (Accessed: 25 July 2023).

International Rescue Committee (2023) Greek shipwreck: Everything you need to know. Available at: https://www.rescue.org/article/greek-shipwreck-everything-you-need-know (Accessed: 11 August 2023).

United Nations (2023) Save lives, UN agencies appeal, after yet another tragedy in the Mediterranean. Available at: https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/08/1139622 (Accessed: 11 August 2023).

We, as AEGEE-Europe, believe that it is imperative to take comprehensive measures towards eliminating these barriers and combatting discrimination. Empowering people with disabilities should be at the core of our efforts for building an inclusive society. We must ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to public services, employment and educational opportunities. We must challenge those stereotypes and prejudices that facilitate a climate of exclusion, confront our own ableism and advocate for inclusive policies and programmes for all.  Therefore, the Social Equity Working Group called upon action during their Action Week (Instagram: @se.aegee). The campaign has shown, it is important to celebrate diversity, to cultivate empathy and understanding. People with disabilities should be embraced as equal members of society and their unique experiences should be considered. We should strive for raising awareness, promoting dialogue and facilitating a space where people with disabilities can share their stories and fully exercise their rights.

We call upon governments to:

• adapt existing legislation and enact new policy frameworks that contribute to combatting all forms of discrimination and safeguarding the rights of people with disabilities;
• ensure access to equal and quality education for all, regardless of their disability, should facilitate inclusive learning environments and promote accessibility, organise training for teachers and awareness-raising activities and materials, to combat bullying and discrimination in schools;
• work towards eliminating programmatic barriers that restrict access to health services, establishing inclusive public health systems and accommodating existing programmes to the needs of people with disabilities.

We call upon private sector representatives, in collaboration with national and local authorities to:

• work towards eliminating barriers to employment, including recruitment, training opportunities and career advancement, encourage employers to create inclusive workspaces and facilitate the recruitment of people with disabilities in all sectors.

We call upon civil society representatives, governments and individuals to:

• develop raising-awareness campaigns and events, challenge stereotypes and prejudice, celebrate people with disabilities and facilitate mutual understanding in society.

We, as AEGEEans, want to act as an idol for young Europeans to strive for the inclusion of people with disabilities in youth organisations and to fight against ableist structures.

Sources:

World Bank (2023) Disability Inclusion Overview, The World Bank. Available at: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/disability (Accessed: 27 June 2023).

On June 6th at 02:50, the Russian military destroyed the Nova Kakhovka dam on the Dnipro River in Kherson Oblast of Ukraine. The intentional explosion caused the structure to fail and release the water in the reservoir that was stored up to a record high of 18 m, which resulted in a catastrophic flood, releasing 18 trillion litres of water. This is a humanitarian and ecological catastrophe. Thousands of people had to be evacuated from the area already. The evacuations have been impeded by continued shelling by the Russian army. The Ukrainian authorities estimate that approximately 40.000 people are directly affected by the flooding. Multiple settlements have been completely flooded. 

Following Article 56 of Protocol I of the Geneva Convention which prohibits the deliberate destruction of “installations containing dangerous forces,” the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam constitutes yet another war crime of the Russian military. 

In addition to the initial impact on human life caused by the flood, the destruction of the dam leads to multiple severe ecological consequences:

Water Pollution: The floodwaters carry a range of pollutants, including sediments, chemicals, and waste materials from urban and industrial areas. This contamination poses a threat to the quality of water sources, making them unfit for human consumption and harming aquatic organisms. It can also lead to the eutrophication of water bodies, resulting in the depletion of oxygen levels and the death of fish and other aquatic life.

Crop Damage: Agricultural lands have been submerged, leading to the loss of crops and affecting food production. The floodwaters may introduce pollutants and sediments into the soil, rendering it unsuitable for future cultivation. The agricultural sector will face significant challenges in recovering from this damage, impacting food security and livelihoods.

Habitat Destruction: The floodwaters have engulfed vast areas of land, including national parks and agricultural fields. This has led to the destruction of habitats for numerous plant and animal species, disrupting their natural life cycles and potentially causing long-term damage to biodiversity.

Loss of Wildlife: The floodwaters have likely caused the displacement and loss of wildlife populations. Animals may drown or struggle to find higher ground, leading to significant mortality rates. Migratory routes and nesting sites for birds and other wildlife may be disrupted, impacting their breeding patterns and overall population dynamics.

In addition, the destruction of the dam endangers the security of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (NPP). The water from the Dnipro River is used to cool the residual heat of spent nuclear fuel rods that need continuous cooling for multiple years to prevent radiation leaks. At the moment, the cooling is still stable due to a filled safety reservoir. However, due to the falling water level of the river, caused by the destruction of the dam, this is not a permanent solution. The NPP is occupied and militarised by Russia. 

We, as AEGEEans, believe in the human right of people to live in a peaceful, healthy and sustainable environment. We stand for the protection of people’s homes and private life, which is a prerequisite for enjoying the right to a dignified life. The catastrophic ecological consequences of Russia’s actions deprive Ukrainians of those rights. Reiterating our previous statements on the atrocities of the war, we defend the right of Ukraine to have its territories returned in order to protect the lives of civilians and restore its territorial integrity.

For all of explained above, AEGEE:

Condemns the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam and all other Ukrainian infrastructure by the Russian Federation.

Condemns the deliberate triggering of the humanitarian and ecological disaster by the Russian military.

Condemns the endangerment of the security of the Zaporizhzhia NPP by the Russian occupation.

We continue to support Ukraine in its efforts to bring about the complete de-occupation of all Ukrainian territories.

Sources:

https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-kakhovka-catastrophe-war-weary-ukrainians-reel-under-massive-flooding-a-b32e9e85-3430-4131-b400-9e8573033e09

This is a war of choice. Russia decided to invade Ukraine because it denied the Ukrainian people the right to make their own decisions about the political future of their country. Evidence of the actions of Russia’s military forces in Ukraine have caused the International Criminal Court to open an investigation against Russia into crimes against humanity, including war crimes.

The defensive efforts of Ukrainian forces have brought the Russian advances to a grueling halt and led to liberations in other areas. Still, Russia has brazenly annexed four regions of Ukraine in a PR-exercise marketed as referendums and continues to occupy roughly 17% of Ukraine’s territory. However, no vote could feasibly be organized within the time frame of a few days, nor could a free and fair vote be guaranteed under Russia’s hostile occupation. 

We, as young Europeans, believe that it is therefore right and just that all Ukrainian territories, as recognized under its 1992 constitution, be returned to Ukraine in order to protect the lives of civilians and restore the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

For all the explained above, AEGEE:

Condemns in the strongest terms possible the use of violence against civilians in Ukraine as a means of warfare and the attempts to eradicate the Ukrainian national identity. 

Condemns in particular the suffering brought to young people all across Ukraine, from children forcibly separated from their parents, to destroyed schools and young people’s stolen hopes and dreams.

Demands that European governments and the EU continue providing all necessary support to Ukraine, especially in terms of financial and humanitarian assistance.

Applauds the strength and resilience of our Ukrainian locals who keep the vision of a democratic and united Europe alive, even in the darkest of times.

Hopes for a genuinely peaceful future for both Ukraine and Russia despite the long and difficult road to get there.

#StandWithUkraine

Sources:

https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/02/1133737

https://www.oecd.org/ukraine-hub/policy-responses/the-ukrainian-refugee-crisis-546ed0a7/

https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2022/02/upending-putins-russia-ukraine-myth/

https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/statement-icc-prosecutor-karim-aa-khan-qc-situation-ukraine-i-have-decided-proceed-opening

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/09/24/ukraine-putin-referendums/

https://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2023/feb/21/a-year-of-war-how-russian-forces-have-been-pushed-back-in-ukraine

The actions needed to make these goals happen have not been established. The statements our world leaders end up being left as empty promises that keep occurring year after year.

In addition to this, COP26 has shown serious issues of transparency and credibility as all meetings where decisions were made have been behind closed doors. Youth representatives have had no chance to state their positions and be part of the decision making process.

We live in a state of climate emergency that requires immediate action before the damage on our planet and the effect that this has on the life of its inhabitants is irreversible. A survey carried out by the European Environmental Bureau found that in 2021 over three quarters of young Europeans between 15 to 35 years old believe that climate change is a very serious problem at this moment. For the first time, in the same study climate change ranks first as the single most serious problem facing the world as a whole.

Increasing numbers of young people are taking an active stand to influence political decision making in favour of a healthy environment for all. For this reason, youth need to be actively involved in decision making processes in order to assure climate justice is reached. The lack of youth involvement is a sign of great concern for this conference and the future of next generations to come.

COP26 has been a huge disappointment in many fronts for climate activists as well as observers. This is due to the continued lack of support for climate adaptation finance, loss and damage and lack of efforts to address climate injustice. Decision makers are not taking the measures proven to be necessary to implement a green transition that protects the most vulnerable and is inclusive for everyone.

People in most-affected countries continue to be victims of a crisis they did not cause, and measures to support those most affected are not being sufficiently implemented. For example, the Global South remains to be exposed to severe climate change consequences while governments and corporations are not taking the required effort and accountability for their actions and involvement in this process.

Moreover, the number of stakeholders in the field of fossil fuel represented during the conference is a matter of serious concern due the conflict of interest that these represent together with lack of democratic legitimacy of the fossil fuel lobby in reaching climate neutrality. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has found that emissions from fossil fuels are the dominant cause of global warming. In 2018, 89% of global CO2 emissions came from fossil fuels and industry.

We are highly concerned that the interest of these stakeholders will hinder the rapid change that is required to reach climate neutrality. The decision makers need to take and implement immediate long-term effective actions that ensure a healthy and functional planet for the years to come rather than benefit from the short term benefits of corporations.

As AEGEE we advocate for young people to be actively involved in the transition towards a more sustainable and inclusive society where no one is left behind.

The action taken during the COP26 is insufficient and we call for corporations and governments to take further accountability for the commitments taken while at the same time giving youth a stage to take part in these decision making processes as we are all severely affected by the direct consequences of the actions of a few and youth can help bring along the change we so desperately need.

Sources:
https://www.ipcc.ch/2021/08/09/ar6-wg1-20210809-pr/
https://ukcop26.org/cop26-goals/
https://www.globalwitness.org/en/press-releases/hundreds-fossil-fuel-lobbyists-flooding-cop26-climate-talks/
https://www.scidev.net/global/news/global-south-observers-blocked-from-cop26-negotiations/
https://insideclimatenews.org/news/10112021/cop26-youth-activists/
https://www.clientearth.org/latest/latest-updates/stories/fossil-fuels-and-climate-change-the-facts/
https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/2273

As of 2019, only about 10% of the worlds’ refugees resided within the EU with most asylum seekers originating from Syria, Venezuela and Afghanistan. As a result, refugees constitute a mere 0,6% of the entire EU population (3), a figure that stands in stark contrast to the sometimes peddled notion of an EU overrun by refugees. On the whole, young people are strongly affected by displacement as presently around 40% of all forcibly removed people worldwide are under the age of 18 (4) and youth under the age of 25 make-up roughly two-thirds of that group.

World Refugee Day is a yearly occasion created by the UN in 2001 to honour, celebrate and strengthen refugees around the world. It not only aims at shining a light on the hardships of flight but also aims to raise awareness for the resilience, needs and dreams of refugees. Therefore, the theme of the 2021 World Refugee Day is “together we heal, learn and shine” to mobilize for health care and education of refugees as well as to bring people closer together, build understanding and create environments fit to develop one’s potential (5, 6)

AEGEE was founded on the vision of a borderless Europe and promotes the ideas of democracy, human rights and diversity. We believe that the physical and psychological protection of refugees during and after escape is of crucial importance. It is necessary that their guaranteed rights under the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees are secured at any stage, whether that be while entering a country, applying for asylum or already adapting to life in a new state.  

Furthermore, we take a stance against so-called “push backs” in the Mediterranean sea which have been employed by European authorities since the start of the migration crisis to stop refugees from reaching European territories. The ECCHR defines pushbacks as a “set of state measures by which refugees and migrants are forced back over a border, …, without consideration of their individual circumstances and without any possibility to apply for asylum, ….” (9). Push backs are carried out on land by using violence to hinder refugees from entering, or at sea by pulling refugees’ boats into non-European waters and abandoning them. Since this practice puts refugees in life-threatening danger and forces them back into possibly unsafe states, it may run afoul of the 1951 Convention, especially article 33 and constitutes an inhumane practice irreconcilable with basic norms of human decency and violates the right to safety of some of the most vulnerable people.

AEGEE has always been of the conviction that the protection of refugee rights should be of high priority. To realize the guarantees given by the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees we demand:  

To the European institutions: 

• Revision of the list of 3rd-world countries which are considered to be “Safe Third Countries” due to a possible violation of the non-refoulement clause (10)
• Revision of actions with the countries which are neglecting the provisions included in the Dublin Regulation

To the single individual countries:

• Enhance their participation in the European security programs, instead of providing national, closing solutions and fences, as recommended by the same Frontex Annual Risk Analysis (2016)[31], in its scenario no. 2, a scenario that can be highly improved by more cooperation and interaction between Member states (10)

Refugee rights are human rights and national governments should increase their efforts to secure their fulfilment to the fullest. We, as AEGEEans, stand in solidarity with refugees and forcibly removed people and continue to advocate for a just and inclusive Europe for all.

Sources:

(1)  Convention and Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees art. 1 A (2) (https://www.unhcr.org/3b66c2aa10.html)

(2) https://www.unhcr.org/figures-at-a-glance.html

(3) https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/promoting-our-european-way-life/statistics-migration-europe_en#RefugeesinEurope

(4) https://www.unhcr.org/refugee-statistics/

(5) https://www.unhcr.org/world-refugee-day.html

(6) https://www.globalgiving.org/world-refugee-day/

(7)https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/opinion/2020/09/30/Afghanistan-EU-Joint-Way-Forward-migration-asylum-seekers 

(8) https://helprefugees.org/news/afghanistan-unlawful-deportations/ 

(9) https://www.ecchr.eu/en/glossary/push-back/  

(10) /policy-paper-on-migration/ 

https://www.fluter.de/bitte-mal-etwas-konventioneller 

https://www.borderviolence.eu/legal-framework/ 

IDAHOBIT was established in order to raise awareness about the discrimination, violence and other forms of oppression LGBTQI+ people face on a daily basis around the world and to motivate people to take action against such kinds of behavior.

On the 17th of May 1990, the World Health Organization (WHO) decided to remove homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases and thus taking an imporant step towards addressing the stigma and inequalities LGBTQI+ people have been historically facing.

The increasingly worrying trend against LGBTQI+ that individual European member states have been showing, for example Poland with LGBTQI+ free zones, has been causing very strong concerns to human rights’ organisations internationally. Rights for which we have been fighting for decades now, such as the rights of freedom of speech and expression, of assembly and participation, of equal access to employment, education and health systems and many more, are nowadays put into question. The European Parliament has showed their will to set the example against such unacceptable cases of discrimination by a symbolic resolution declaring the EU as an ‘LGBTIQ Freedom zone’ in March 2021, which AEGEE warmly welcomes.

AEGEE-Europe is committed to the work towards more equal rights for all young people in Europe and around the world, and contributing to the fight for social equality and equity. We call upon all AEGEE locals and AEGEEans to be the example in their societies by joining the IDAHOBIT local and international actions, by continuing to contribute in the fight against structural discrimination and in general ensuring for more equal rights of all young people by mainstreaming diversity, intersectionality and inclusivity in all areas of our work. As LGBTQI+ people have been standing up for equal rights for decades now, so do we remain committed to striving for more inclusive societies and #foryouthrights.

Sources:

1. International classification of diseases: https://www.who.int/…/classi…/classification-of-diseases

2. The Paradox of Poland’s LGBT-Free Zones:  https://balkaninsight.com/…/neither-in-nor-out-the…/

3. EU resolution on the LGBTIQ Freedom zone: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/…/parliament-declares…

In January 2020 Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, commented: “People need to be at the very centre of all our policies. My wish is therefore that all Europeans will actively contribute to the Conference on the Future of Europe and play a leading role in setting the European Union’s priorities. It is only together that we can build our Union of tomorrow.” We strongly supported that vision. 14 months later, we are witnessing a different scenario.

The Union of tomorrow can not be built by substantially cutting the Conference duration, from two years to just around 9 months. The EU institutions called for an inclusive, interactive and broader process. This goal is impossible to be achieved in such a short time, even without the consideration of how complicated it will be in the upcoming months to hold large-scale in-person events that are considered “an essential part of the Conference”.

The governance structure of the Conference we have been presented with seems to be unnecessarily complicated and can lead to another deadlock, especially due to the requirement of consensus for all decisions of the Executive Board. This poses a number of threats to the progress of the Conference and it’s follow up, potentially an outcome no one will be satisfied with in the end, and we cannot help but wonder if this is truly the best way to go.

Moreover, the outcomes of the Conference are still vague, which raises the concern of it being a mere exercise for the citizens, with no intended value or impact. We deeply believe the goals of the Conference, and the consequent follow up, should be clearly defined. The proposals presented during the Conference must be transformed into constructive reforms and policies and the commitment of the institutions to this process shall be clearly visible already now. Only then can the citizens commit to the cause as well. Additionally, any treaty changes should not be ruled out and proposals for these should be based on the citizens input.

These last arguments directly look at the progressive solutions that can be achieved through an ambitious Conference. Especially in these tough times, it is needed to reflect on how the Union can make its next step, even more united when called to face the current challenges (Pandemic response, economic recovery, green transition) and the future ones that might arise.

We have also witnessed how the impact of Covid19 pandemic has been massive and tragic in the European continent and beyond.

As healthcare systems remain primarily a responsibility of the Member States, the European Union has had limited space and power to act and provide unitary solutions that could support even further the response to the Pandemic. Other instruments, like Next Generation EU, are, on the contrary, leading the way for an actual spirit of solidarity, a founding pillar of the Union. It is specifically after having seen how serious and long-lasting these emergency situations can be that we can not accept a step back from the initial ambitions for the Conference.

While discussing future developments, only the current Member States will have a chance to express their concerns, put forward the ideas and engage in dialogue with the representatives of the key EU institutions. Shaping the draft of the functioning of the European Union for the upcoming ten years should also involve officials from countries, which are currently engaged in accession negotiations under the Enlargement Process.

Effective foreign policy is one of the most pressing issues to be addressed by the Conference. European Union should be an example for all countries, international institutions and other actors on how to implement laws, respect each other’s rights and freedoms, and cooperate for the common good.

Strengthening the relations between the EU and the Southern Neighbourhood and Eastern Partnership countries is needed, as well as building bridges with other Middle Eastern and African states. Those regions are in need of development assistance, guidance, COVID-19 pandemic support and, most importantly, peace initiatives. By joint efforts, we should be able to hinder terrorist activities, eliminate human trafficking, cope with the humanitarian crisis and stop the spreading of civil wars and unrests in the region. Only then we can assure peace and stability for all Europeans.

Nonetheless, we welcome the inclusion of young people in the general European citizens’ panels to be held all around Europe, as a more concrete signal of the opportunity for younger generations to shape the outcomes of the entire process. Consequently, we call on Member States to respect this principle for the national panels they have the freedom to organize, ensuring a true diversity and representation of all citizens, in terms of geographic origin, age, gender, socio-economic background. It is paramount, that the youth representation is significant in all the panels, despite their constant structural underrepresentation and that we are provided an equal chance. The EU has been attempting to strengthen their bond with the European youth since multiple years, creating and following the principles of the EU Youth Dialogue. The Conference on the Future of Europe is an exquisite chance for the institutions to follow their own words – “Europe cannot afford wasted talent, social exclusion or disengagement among its youth. Young people should not only be architects of their own life, but also contribute to positive change in society.”

The civil society, including youth organisations, in the EU but also in those countries which are candidates or potential candidates to become members of the Union, are ready to take on this challenge, to effectively ensure a bottom-up effort for the future of Europe. Yet we demand a process that is democratic, transparent and meaningful. A process where everyone is included and everyone’s voice is heard.