How can YOU help save democracy? Speech text by Claire SOULIER, FENELON

The EU plays an important role in our lives; without the EU, the economy would weaken, countries would become more inward-looking, and peace would be compromised. But, for the EU to work, we, the citizens need to feel that we truly belong to the European Union, which means that our voices need to be heard by the EU institutions.

I am going to list five ways we, the future voters, can contribute to keeping the EU democratic:

First: Start a petition to get the vote at 16! In Austria and Malta, young people can vote in the elections to the European Parliament, so why can’t we? At 16, you can already work and therefore pay contributions and taxes, so why would you not have the right to have a say on how this money is used? Politicians would take us more seriously if we had the vote, don’t you think?

Second: Become a member of one of your school's decision-making bodies! That way, you can make a difference in your school. It’s a good way to learn to express yourself in public, to work in a team, to take part in a vote, and to defend your convictions. If you believe in democracy, it’s a great way to learn how it works! Warning: It’s not simple! However, it can be very gratifying to work with others for the common good.

Third: Take part in a peaceful demonstration! The government is never indifferent when youth takes to the streets, because we are the future voters. If young people make a lot a noise about an issue, it means that it needs to be taken seriously by those in power. We don't have the right to express ourselves through the ballot box yet, but we can through peaceful marches! The school strikes for the climate are proof that we are committed to fighting for our planet and our survival. Let's show the government what our priorities are! It's our democratic right to strike for what we believe in. 

Fourth:  Demand more and better Civics lessons at school! Most people do not take part in the vote for the European Parliament because they don’t know enough about what it does or about the candidates. Education is the only solution here. Students, but adults too, should be taught about the EU and its institutions otherwise they will not understand why the EU is so important. Why do we only have 30 minutes per week of Civics at school? And why do we not learn practical things like how to vote, or how to run an association, or how I can get in touch with my member of parliament? Why do we not have civic engagement projects in High School? The best way to learn how to be a good citizen is surely to be given the opportunity to help others.

Fifth: Get adults to vote! In the 2014 European Parliament elections, only 42 percent voted (that’s the EU average); how legitimate is a parliament that does not represent the vast majority of people? It is really serious and now people have to understand that voting is not only a choice but also a duty. So please, remind the adults you know to do their bit for democracy, unless of course you would prefer to live under an authoritarian regime…

Charline listed some of the causes of the alarming democratic crisis and Mathilde described our chaotic future if we let populism gain more ground. Valentine gave us hope by mentioning the possible political solutions to the democratic crisis, and I have just given you five ways you too can do your part in keeping our European Union democratic; no effort is too small when the situation is urgent, every drop of water counts when a fire has to be put out.