The future of Europe is in the hands of young people
MEP György Hölvényi co-hosted a youth conference with the National Association of Large Families in the European Parliament on youth transition, in particular on issues related to the transition from education to the labor market, housing and family formation.
At the heart of the event is how today's young people and future parents see the opportunities they need to create their own homes. Another question is, what more decision-makers and NGOs can do to support young people in their transition to adulthood. Young people from 15 countries came to the event. György Hölvényi emphasized: “The future of Europe is in the hands of young people, which is why it is in our interest, as decision makers, in listening to and supporting them in order to provide them with a more predictable vision. The politician added: “It is important that we also focus on family-centered thinking from time to time on the EU scene. We can do this credibly only with the involvement of young people, who are before starting a family, seeking answers and waiting for their questions and fears. By engaging in dialogue and understanding the expectations and thoughts of the young generation, we can be brave enough to take on this beautiful, but very serious task. ” As the Minister of State for Family and Youth, Katalin Novák stressed: “Although the population of Europe is growing, the only reason for this is immigration, while the Member States' own population is decreasing year by year. We need to find the reasons why young people do not have children, what challenges and obstacles they face. Governments and EU institutions alone cannot tackle these challenges, so family organizations, churches, business partners, academia are essential, but young people are the key to this. Katalin Kardosné Gyurkó, president of the National Association of Large Families, said that starting a family nowadays is difficult. Society must stand with young people and help them through different stages of their lives.
Balázs Molnár, Vice President of KINCS, presented the surveys of our institute, which confirm that Hungarian young people continue to be family-oriented, imagining their future in marriage and with children. According to a survey among Hungarians of childbearing age, the number of children they wish to have is still 2.33 on average. According to the intergenerational research of KINCS, 97% of young people who imagine their lives in marriage are planning to have a child, this is while the significant increase in the number of marriages is rejoicing. Kinga Joó, Vice-President of NOE, senior coordinator at our institute, emphasized that three types of capital contribute to the well-being of young people, financial, knowledge-based and social. Today's conference, but also non-governmental organizations such as NOE, provide them with effective assistance in gaining social capital.
