Reporting back from the 3rd European Youth Forum for Road Safety

Under the auspices of the European Commission the 3rd European Youth Forum for Road Safety was organized on the first and second of July 2010. More than 70 youth delegates from over 35 countries were brought together in Brussels to discuss road safety and to strengthen the European Youth Network. YOURS was honored to report on its activities and how the participants could join the road safety efforts made at a global level.

The event was organized by the Responsible Young Drivers Belgium, with a leading role for our Youth Taskforce member Mr Axl Druart. Together with his colleagues he created an interesting and very pragmatic progamme. The first day was fully focused on sharing road safety information and introducing all organizations represented at the forum. With great enthusiasm the participants shared their campaigns, events and good practices. It was a very inspiring first half with many good ideas. One of the presentations from the UK by Mr Manpreet Darroch, was on the use of (social) media. His Tune into Traffic campaign was a very encouraging example how you can make a road safety campaign attractive and ´sexy´ for young people.

There was also time for ‘setting the scene’ globally, with several presentation from organizations working at an international level. The FIA Foundation presented the future Decade of Action and the Make Roads Safe Campaign, the European Commission presented the just released new outlines to half road deaths by 2020, Mr Aliou Oumarou shared his road safety experiences and problems on the African continent and YOURS gave a global overview of the road safety crisis and how the participants could join the World Crossing Campaign and the MINE section.

The second day offered a hands-on, action oriented agenda. Before July 2011 all participating nations pledged to implement a ´Collective European Action´. The group was split in 4 smaller ones for a two hour workshop. Together they discussed a shared road safety poster for their European Action and made a roadmap who would do what, where and when. Because many young people were focused on the issue alcohol, the European Commission generously provided for each participant an Alcohol Goggle and a box of Alcohol Testers.

During the last session every group presented back the outcomes of their roadmap and gave feedback on the shared poster. Michelin represented the private sector and gave a useful presentation on how to approach a sponsor for financial support. In conclusion, we can look back at a very successful Youth Forum with many motivated and passionate young people determined to make the roads safer for young people