25 years later: How do young people perceive the Barcelona Process - Regionalprogramm Politischer Dialog und regionale Integration im Südlichen Mittelmeer
It is often stated that the history of the Euro-Mediterranean region has been shaped by exchanges and interaction between nations and cultures across the Mediterranean Sea. And with over 60% of its population under the age of 30, the Euro-Mediterranean is one of the youngest regions in the world, which makes young people crucial to the future of this historical cooperation.
In 1995, initially 27 partners agreed to provide a framework for strengthened dialogue and comprehensive cooperation in the Mediterranean region which resulted in the Barcelona Process. Commonly known as the Union for the Mediterranean, this process has been an opportunity to make relations more operational and achievable throughout regional and sub-regional projects with relevance for those living in the region. The initiatives have been addressing areas such as economy, environment, energy, health, migration, education and social affairs. When it comes to challenges facing youth in the region, the Barcelona Process stressed that "youth exchanges should be the means to prepare future generations for a closer cooperation between the Euro-Mediterranean partners. A Euro-Mediterranean youth exchange cooperation programme should therefore be established based on experience acquired in Europe and taking account of the partners' needs”. At the same time, with an average of 30% youth unemployment, the Euro-Mediterranean region has among the highest rates of youth unemployment worldwide.