Rotterdam 2009: 1st North Sea International Forum

The 1st North Sea International Forum was held in Rotterdam from the 4th to the 10th of May 2009. This international event gathered 120 students from over ten different countries to debate the future of Europe. They discussed all kinds of issues, ranging from foreign affairs to the state of the environment. Europe is sometimes nicknamed ‘the Old Continent’ and this event aimed to change this with new solutions and ideas.

Future Challenges for Young People

European youth are presented with a growing number of challenges in the areas of globalisation, ageing populations and the shift to knowledge-based economies. Social challenges, discrimination and problems with the integration of migrants are encountered by young people on a daily basis. The session’s theme ‘Future Challenges for Young People’ was chosen to encourage the participants of the session to find creative solutions. One evening during the session was dedicated to the so-called ’structured dialogue’: participants presented their ideas to an audience of decision-makers.

Rotterdam was the European Youth Capital 2009 and the conference was an official part of the programme.