Michèle SABBAN

Québec (CDN), 5 May 2009.

Michèle SABBAN signs a joint Declaration with Alfred Pilon, chief executive officer and Secretary General of the Youth international Offices of Québec (LOJIQ), in favour of youth mobility (see below).

In the context of the major economic and social crisis, regions are mobilising towards a future program in favour of youth employment and mobility.

Faced with youth unemployment, it is only a matter of observing local authorities within the European Union to see that initiatives do exist. These initiatives should in turn be more valued and encouraged. Indeed, interregional cooperation, namely in the domain of employment and the international mobility of young people, offers a number of opportunities for training or work experience. We are also aware that these experiences are important for the education and integration of young people, particularly in the context of an increasingly uncertain labour market.

Under the EURODYSSEY exchange programme, the Assembly of European Regions (AER), the largest network of regions in wider Europe, signed a joint Declaration to promote youth employment.

Partnership agreements are therefore being made between European local authorities and the LOJIQ. In Ile-de-France, there are nearly 100 people, apprentices, unemployed and job-creators, who spend professional time in Quebec each year. The contribution of mobility programs established by local authorities is essential to tackle youth unemployment. Furthermore, meetings with our friends in Quebec will be an opportunity for us to reiterate community commitment in the fight against youth unemployment.

 More information about AER Eurodyssey programme: http://www.aer.eu/en/about-aer/programmes/eurodyssee.html

The Assembly of European Regions  (AER) is the largest independent network of regions in wider Europe. Bringing together more than 270 regions from 33 countries and 16 interregional organisations, AER is the political voice of its members and a forum for interregional co-operation.

AER Contacts:
Richard Medic, Spokesperson / Director of Press and Communications, r.medic@aer.eu -
Tel (mob) +33 678 695 235
Francine Huhardeaux, Press and Communications Officer, f.huhardeaux@aer.eu - Tel./ Fax :  +33 3 88 22 74 49