26.9.08

WELCOME BY MR LLUĺS MARIA DE PUIG,

PRESIDENT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY

TO MS NYAMKO SABUNI, MINISTER OF INTEGRATION
AND GENDER EQUALITY OF SWEDEN

(Strasbourg, Wednesday 1 October 2008, 4 p.m.)

I am pleased to welcome Ms Nyamko SABUNI, Minister of Integration and Gender Equality of Sweden, as we start our debate on the need to refresh the youth agenda of the Council of Europe.

Dear Minister, in the context of globalisation, European society has been changing rapidly. The ‘baby boom’ is over, and some fear a demographic decline in Europe. The new generation of young Europeans is confronted with the challenges of a more dynamic, more multicultural society.

We seek to involve them in an open discussion about things that matter, because the future of democracy depends on their commitment and active participation in civil and institutional life. I believe that the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg that we have reopened earlier today will serve as the centre of excellence for exchanging ideas and a meeting point of all generations.

Dear Minister, you represent the younger generation as a political leader. Your personal experience of tackling complex social and intercultural issues is of great interest to this Assembly. We therefore look forward to hearing your views on the contribution Sweden can make to the youth agenda. Ms Sabuni, you have the floor.