European Union and young people
If you are a British citizen you will also now be a European citizen. This gives you certain rights:
First, citizens of the European Union have the right to free movement within any member country. For example that means if you want to go to Finland no-one can stop you. You don't need a visa and you can stay there as long as you want, as long as you have the means to support yourself. If you get sick while you are there you can use the health services in the same way that a national of the country would do.
Second, you can buy things for yourself in any member country and bring them back home without having to pay duties (taxes) on the goods. This has resulted in a large number of people in Britain going to France and filling their cars up with cheap alcohol and cigarettes for example.
Thirdly, you have the right to live and work in any country. If you are a student or a pensioner and you are not working, you may be required to show that you have the money to support yourself while in the other country. If you get paid benefit it may be possible for this to be paid for a certain time while you are looking for work in another European country (see also the information on Working in Europe).
Fourthly, educational degrees and diplomas from one country within the European Union are now generally recognised within other member states. So if you have a degree or diploma from the UK you should find it is acceptable if you apply for a course or a job in another European Union country.
Fifthly, as a European citizen you have the right as any other individual does, to petition the European parliament through your MEP or the European ombudsman.
The European Union also has an impact on young people's lives by providing funds to support training, work experience, exchanges and other activities, particularly for disadvantaged young people.
The European Union has said that young people are its future and it has tried to encourage young people to travel within Europe and learn about the Union. In order to do this money has been set aside for various programmes.
Organisations
The British Council
The British Council is the UK's National Agency for the Youth in Action programme and is the UK's international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations.
Telephone: 0161 9577755
Address: Youth in Action, British Council, 10 Spring Gardens, London, SW1A 2BN.
Fax: 020 7389 4033
Email: youthinaction@britishcouncil.org
Website: www.britishcouncil.org/youthinaction
Eurodesk UK
Eurodesk is a European Network for the dissemination of European information and for the provision of telephone enquiry answering ser vices at national or regional level for young people and those who work with them.
Telephone: 020 7389 4779
Address: Contracts & Projects (Education, Science & Society), British Council, 10 Spring Gardens, London, SW1A 2BN.
Fax: 020 7389 4033
Website: http://www.eurodesk.org.uk/
European Youth Foundation
Set up in 1972, the European Youth Foundation (EYF) is an institution of the Council of Europe. Its purpose is to encourage co-operation among young people in Europe by providing financial support to such European youth activities which serve the promotion of peace, understanding and co-operation in a spirit of respect for the Council of Europe's fundamental values such as human rights, democracy, tolerance and solidarity.
Telephone: 00 33 03 88 41 32 05
Address: Directorate of Youth and Sport, 30, rue Pierre de Coubertin, Strasbourg, F7000 ,France
Fax: 00 33 03 90 21 49 64
Email: eyf@coe.int
Website: http://www.coe.int/T/E/Cultural_Co-operation/Youth/4._Financial_support/European_Youth_Foundation/default.asp
European Youth Parliament United Kingdom
The EYP is an international, non-partisan organisation which seeks to increase young people's awareness of European issues, and provide a truly unique educational experience. National EYP Committees exist to promote the objectives of the EYP in their country. This is often achieved by organising various European events.
Telephone: 01993 709940
Address: Flat B, 10 Tysoe Street, Angel, London, EC1R 4RQ.
Fax: 01993 709910
Email: info@eypuk.org
Website: http://www.eypuk.org/
European Youth Portal
If you are thinking of going to another European country to study or work, or on holiday... if you are looking for activities or opportunities in Europe... if you have something to say, or ask, about European issues, this portal could be a good place to start! It offers you information, news and discussions - all about Europe and relevant to young people.
Email: EAC-PORTAL-YOUTH@cec.eu.int
Website: http://europa.eu/youth/index.cfm?l_id=en
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