Young people have been hit particularly hard by the recent social and economic crisis. According to latest EU figures, five million young Europeans are looking for a job. Many of them will miss opportunities because they lack the right qualifications or experience. In response, the European Commission recently launched its “Youth on the Move” initiative, aimed at helping young Europeans succeed in the knowledge economy, making it easier for them to find a job, and help them study, train or work abroad.

Tailored for 30 journalists coming from the EU-27, this seminar will address today’s main challenges: maximising the performance and international attractiveness of Europe's universities; improving the quality of education and training in Europe; promoting international student and trainee mobility, and improving the employment situation of young people in Europe.

- Event moderator is Ann Mettler from The Lisbon Council

The seminar orgnised by the European Journalism Centre in co-operation with the European Commission, will be held in Florence, alongside the State of the Union conference and the Festival of Europe. Invited speakers include Jan Truszczynsky, Director General for Education and Culture, European Commission, Phil Baty, Times Higher Education; Maria Luisa Ferreira, European Investment Bank; Raymond Torres, International Institute for Labour Studies, Andreas Schleicher, OECD; Lars Sondergaard, The World Bank etc. The State of the Union conference will feature Jerzy Buzek, President of the European Parliament; Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission; Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security policy; Franco Frattini, Italian Minister for Foreign affairs; Wu Jianmin, President of China Foreign Affairs University etc.

The organisers cover the travel arrangements, accommodation and meals for the duration of the programme. The event is open for journalists from national print, broadcast and online media from the EU-27.

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