Plenaire zitting EESC voor studenten in volle gang (en)
CES/10/47
16 April 2010
Defying Iceland's volcanic ash enveloping Europe and the resulting flight cancellations and delays, 19 out of 27 student delegations arrived in Brussels to take part in a special plenary session of the European Economic and Social Committee. Divided into three groups which reflect the composition of the Committee, namely business, trade unions and various interests, they are presently thrashing out amendments of an opinion on alcohol-related harm, which will be debated at the plenary session late this afternoon.
"European political process needs more input from young people. This is why you are here", said EESC President Mario Sepi in his welcome address. Echoing his view, Irini Pari, EESc Vice-President added that "by inviting students to Brussels we wanted to share our passion for Europe and show you that Europe is not just about politicking". Georgios Dassis, Employees Group President wished that this event "would teach students about negotiating that is a way to live in peace in prosperity". "You already have the responsibility for the Europe of tomorrow. Yes, Europe is yours, so look after it!" added Martin Westlake, EESC' Secretary general.
Students have the challenge of agreeing the text of an opinion on alcohol-related harm. Prior to today's event, they have submitted over 70 amendments to the draft opinion, which they are currently discussing in working groups.
The meeting of the business group presided over by Irini Pari wearing a blue cap, witnessed opposition to undue restriction on alcohol sales and the calls for businesses to take care of employees with alcohol problems. "However, if support offered by the employer does not help an employee overcome the problem, adequate measures, including firing an employee, need to be taken", said one of participants.
Students sitting in a trade union group called for responsible alcohol advertising, which, as one of the delegates put it, "should definitely be banned from all media outlets potentially aimed at youth". They insisted on the need to advertise a healthy lifestyle among young people and floated the idea of businesses helping employees and their families achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
The Various Interest's Group, which in the EESC brings together farmers, NGOs, consumers' associations and the like, mulled over the pan-European harmonisation of the minimum age for the purchase of alcohol. "We should not have a fixed legal drinking age. It should vary according to alcohol content of beverages so that one could gradually acquire a culture of drinking", stated one of the students.
Once the groups agree on their positions, they will all meet at the plenary session in order to reach a consensus on the final text of the opinion. The plenary meeting is expected to last long into the evening.
The students will be in Brussels until tomorrow and their itinerary will also include a visit to the European Parliament and a tour of the city. Participating schools were selected at random from almost a thousand applications.