I am availing myself of the Irish EU Presidency to further develop youth policy at home and to influence youth policy in Europe. Progressing the European Commission's White Paper, A New Impetus for European Youth, is a priority for the youth agenda during the Irish Presidency. I plan to hold a youth conference at ministerial level in County Clare from 4 to 6 March next and, while its overall theme reflects the youth Presidency priority of progressing the White Paper, it will focus particularly on two issues. These are young people and politics — a key dimension of youth participation — and the development of youth policy at EU level. Approximately 170 delegates, including young people, are expected to attend this conference from both member states and acceding countries.
At the January meeting of the European Union's youth working party, the Irish Presidency introduced a draft resolution on social inclusion with specific regard to young people, which will highlight the issues involved for these young people in many different areas of activity and concern. I intend to place this on the agenda of the EU Council of Education and Youth Ministers in May 2004. A declaration on racism, violence and intolerance in relation to young people is also proposed for discussion at these meetings.
Léargas — the Exchange Bureau is organising a meeting of the national agencies for the youth programme in Dublin in May 2004. The theme of this conference will be the development of youth policies in accordance with the EU White Paper on youth. The National Youth Council of Ireland will also be involved in a meeting of the European youth forum in Dublin in May next.
Also during the Presidency, a meeting of directors general of youth from all the EU member states will take place in Dublin in June, 2004 and discussion will focus on the possible contents of a new youth programme and further advancement of the principles contained in the EU White Paper on youth. An informal meeting of the youth working party will also take place in Dublin in June 2004.