Relaunching Europe event in Sofia - More and better jobs for youth

Chapter 4 Bulgaria organized 'Relaunching Europe' event in Sofia, on 29 April 2013 for Groupe of the progressive alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament. The event was focused on getting young people back into training, education or employment. 'Relaunching Europe, Our Alternative Vision for the Future' was a series of events where young people ask questions and share opinion .

Hannes Swoboda, president of the S&D Group, opened the event with a strong statement about the crisis and its economic, political and social dimensions. He highlighted the positive experience of a youth guarantee in Austria, where young people are offered a job, training or further education to ensure they find suitable employment. “We want a Europe that cares for all of its citizens. And for that, we need growth and jobs, so that people can regain hope for their future.”

Bulgarian Socialist party leader and Party of European Socialists President Sergei Stanishev and leading Bulgarian socialist MP Plamen Oresharski took the stage to talk about the right to dignity, and how having a job gives you independence and dignity. It quickly emerged that the problems of Bulgaria – unemployment, social inequalities and lack of opportunities – are largely European problems. And European problems demand European solutions, like the European Youth Guarantee, recently adopted after successful campaigning by the PES and the S&D Group.