The European Youth Forum (YFJ) General Assembly (GA) took place in Rotterdam (Holland) on 13-15 November 2008. The event that was hosted by YOUR WORLD – Rotterdam European Youth Capital 2009 was attended by EFAy coordinator Lucy Collyer and Vice Presidents Andreas Dahlén and Thomas Leys.

Over 200 young delegates from National Youth Councils and International Non Governmental Youth Organisations gathered in Rotterdam to elect a new Bureau for
2009-10 and adopt a Work Plan and budget for the coming two years. The General Assembly also adopted different policy documents during its working sessions that will shape its actions in representing youth interests towards its partners in Europe.

The General Assembly approved a proposal for a new youth agenda for the European Union stating YFJ's main expectations of the next mandate of the European Parliament and the European Commission (2009-2014). The EFAy welcomes the adoption of a common proposal and sees the initiative as a strengthening of a common European youth policy.

Along with YFJ GA delegates the EFAy were invited by the Club de Madrid to participate in an evening event of the First Global Forum on Leadership for Shared Societies.
During this event, the "young leaders of tomorrow" had the opportunity to share their experiences and ideas with some of the former and current leaders of the world, officials from international organisations, international experts and civil society leaders.

The EFAy look forward to continue working closely with YFJ and its members. Being a young European today means having common experiences and shared responsibilities. Therefore the EFAy takes an active part in the process of building a future Europe.

European Youth Forum website
http://www.youthforum.org/

Article by EFAy in a YFJ publication "Recognition and self-determination for a European-wide democracy"

http://www.youthforum.org/Downloads/Press_publications/yo/2008/YO_futureagenda.pdf