As the European Parliament elections got near, candidates met with young people across Europe in round table discussions. TDM 2000 Malta took full advantage of their availability during this period and were able to speak to and interview 5 candidates before the elections. These sessions allowed youth to ask direct questions about the upcoming elections, their role in democracy, and what the candidates plan to do for them (youth) if elected. We also discussed the importance of having young candidates contesting in elections.
The format of the talks and interviews encouraged open dialogue, making the politicians of different parties and backgrounds more accessible to the youth. The activity highlighted the importance of youth in shaping Europe’s future where all Candidates stressed that young people are not just the future, but active contributors to change today’s and tomorrow’s world.
A series of questions was prepared beforehand and the individual candidates were interviewed and recorded creating 5 videos of different content as can be seen in our media. The candidates stressed on the need for people to go out and vote and not let others vote instead of us. They said that the youth vote has been lacking around Europe and hence democratic processes need to get closer to the younger generation, to nurture and listen to their needs and realities.
The round table meetings were more than just a campaign strategy; they were show to the growing recognition of youth as critical stakeholders in the political process. For many young participants, these meetings could have been a first step towards greater political involvement, giving them a platform to voice their concerns and hold politicians accountable.
The interviews can be found in this playlist.
