This is the Europe we want!

Addressed to EU leaders, the Rome Youth Declaration [78 KB] , adopted on Sunday 25 March by more than 200 young delegates from the EU's 27 member countries, is more than just a vision for tomorrow’s Europe. It contains concrete proposals for the EU leaders gathered the same day in Germany to adopt the Berlin Declaration [64 KB] . The Youth declaration calls for a European constitutional treaty and a leading role for the EU in a globalised world. Crucially, the document sheds light on the issues of most concern to young Europeans today: sustainable development; education for all; a society that is both prosperous and fair, and more scope for young people to participate in the democratic life of the European Union.

Gathered in Rome at the historical site of the EU’s conception 50 years ago to the day, the young delegates worked over two days to summarise a month’s hard work and adopt the declaration, which they then presented and discussed with the EU institutions at a special panel debate.

The Youth summit was officially opened by commission vice-president Margot Wallström, who encouraged participants to seize this opportunity. “We want to listen to you. What is your vision of Europe's future?”

The 50^th anniversary marks the opening of a new chapter for the EU, said Bettina Schwarzmayr, president of the European Youth Forum. The declaration announces that the younger generation is ready and willing to take responsibility for helping shape the Europe of tomorrow.

To discover what happened at the Youth Summit, watch the recording of the closure of the summit.

Video interviews

Young people also had the opportunity to quiz political representatives:

"United in diversity" is the EU motto, what does it mean for you? What would you expect from the EU in future? What are the main challenges that the EU will face in future? What have been the most significant achievements and failures of the EU in its first 50 years? Could you imagine Europe today without the EU?

Watch their answers:

• Margot Wallström, commission vice-president, part 1 0'56", part 2 1'52"
• Pat Cox, president of the European Movement 3'08"
• Alejo Vidal-Quadras, European parliament vice-president 1'42"
• Emma Bonino, Italian European affairs minister 1'09"
• Hans-Gert Pöttering, European Parliament president 0'41"
• Ján Figel' EU youth commissioner and Ursula von der Leyen, German youth minister 3'06"
• Ágnes Heller, professor of philosophy and political science 1'45"
• Giovanna Melandri, Italian youth minister 2'11"
• Jeremy Rifkin, author and economist 3'24"

During the weekend of celebrations for the EU’s 50th birthday, citizens and visitors to Rome were asked what they thought about the EU. See their answers here 4'53"

All videos courtesy of EuropocketTV, a European online TV service for young people. (Reporters Miriam and Martina).

Opening speeches:

• Ms Margot Wallstrom, Vice-President of the European Commission
• Ms Ursula von der Leyen, German Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth [21 KB]
• Mr Alejo Vidal-Quadras, Vice-President of the European Parliament [33 KB]
• Mr Ján Figel', European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth [18 KB]
• Ms Bettina Schwarzmayr, President of the European Youth Forum [42 KB]
• Ms Ágnes Heller, Professor of Philosophy and Political Science, Budapest and New York Universities [78 KB]