Austrian children heading for EU youth Parliament

Austrian youngsters are involved in a simulated EU Parliament project in Vienna entitled “Bridge the Gap” in which the best in various debating seminars are invited to Brussels.

The various discussions took place between the 26 on 30 April with about 150 youngsters from across Austria involved.

The aim was to simulate the work of the European Parliament to give the youngsters first hand experience of what it was like to be involved in political debate.

The idea was that the youngsters would discuss political and social and economic issues just as they were discussed in Brussels and Strasbourg.

Issues were raised – debated – and argued in favour of or against. The best of those involved will then be invited to the international European youth Parliament in Amsterdam.

The project is aimed at bridging the gap between the generations and getting the young and old more actively involved.

All of the debates had to be carried out in either English or French.