Volunteering, the backbone of our society.

"Europe's future will be determined by the degree of adherence to this project, in particular by the younger generations. I think that is very important that the EPP Group focuses on the needs and opportunities offered to young people, particularly during this year in which the programmes for education and training of new generations will be revised. We decided to organise this hearing to convene experts, representatives from youth and volunteering associations - which remain the backbone of society - in order to listen to and discuss with them what should be the lines to follow when they return to their Member States with this information", said Marco Scurria MEP, EPP Group Spokesperson on Culture, in his opening remarks during the EPP Group Hearing on "Youth and Volunteering: New Active EU Citizenship" that took place on Thursday in the European Parliament.

"Today's event has illustrated once more how important it will be to maintain a separate youth programme within the next programme generation. This would support and strengthen the initiatives and associations presented today as well as many other ones all over Europe. All of them are worthy to be supported to the best possible manner on our part", highlighted Doris Pack MEP, Chairwoman of the Culture and Education Committee of the European Parliament.

"The deep crisis in which Europe is going through is not confined to a financial nature. We need a new European project to reinvigorate what the Founding Fathers did, as we need a new generation of young Europeans who are aware of their role and their identity", concluded Marco Scurria MEP.

The EPP Group hearing was based on the Report on the European Year of Volunteering (2011) adopted by the European Parliament in December 2010. The EPP Group promotes volunteering as an important pillar of our democratic and pluralistic societies. It is an expression of active commitment and support. Volunteering covers all kinds of formal or non-formal voluntary activity which is undertaken by a person's own free will, choice and motivation without concern for financial gain. Its impact on our societies is considerable. Volunteers are active in the social or educational field, in support of the environment or development cooperation, in cultural activities, at local level as well as on missions outside their home country. In order to foster a culture of participation and active citizenship in Europe, volunteers need to be given the access as well as the encouragement and the conditions to exercise volunteering activities.