Wars worry young people, who also question EU defense actions

Escola Secundária Leal da Câmara in Sintra held another “Europa Viva” conference, which was attended by dozens of students. The wars in Ukraine and Gaza were dominant topics, and students questioned the EU’s actions to protect and keep Europeans safe.

PSD MEP Carlos Coelho believes that “it takes more than words to bring Netanyahu to his senses. There must be firm threats and statements that if he, for example, continues to move in a certain direction, there will be no more arms deliveries. Then the European Union does not have much strength; we are not the ones supplying weapons to Israel.” According to the MEP, the EU should put pressure on its North American ally to “bring Israel into order.”

According to Sandra Pereira, PCP MEP, the EU’s role should be diplomatic and focused on “the pursuit of peace and political resolution of conflicts.”

When asked by a student about Europe’s actions to support Ukraine, Luis Tomé, a professor at the Autonomous University of Lisbon, responded that “Europe has done much more than Putin, the Ukrainians and the whole world expected in response to the Russian invasion.” “For a teacher, “the right way is always to punish, criticize the aggressor and support the victim.” Sandra Pereira disagrees. He says sanctions create problems because Europeans suffer from them.

With the Europeans already at the door, the students wanted to know what the MEPs would do to reduce abstinence among young Portuguese. Pedro Marques, a PS MEP, says the goal is to meet them where they are, on social media. “There are those who are already doing this (…), extreme right-wing parties, not only in Portugal but in many European countries. It is very dangerous,” he says.

The Europa Viva conferences are an initiative CMTV, CM, Jornal de Negócios, Record and Sábado magazine in partnership with the Autonomous University of Lisbon. It involves students participating in the EPAS – European Parliament Ambassador School program and aims to give young people the opportunity to understand their rights as EU citizens and learn about the decision-making process of Members of the European Parliament.

“Energy in the public sector”

How can we fight climate change?
The energy sector plays a fundamental role and can only contribute to the fight against climate change if it is in the public sector and focused on the needs of the population, and not on the profits of large economic groups, which is what is happening.

What should be the EU’s role in the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East?
I think that political conflict resolution could be a fundamental role of the European Union, but I never wanted that and never wanted to assume it. And that was the role that it could play in the Middle East, but also in the East, on the issue of the war in Ukraine.

Europa Viva every Sunday.
From migration to housing and public transport policies. Don’t miss this Sunday (11:30) the show “Europa Viva” on the channel CMTV, which will cover the Ponta Delgada conference. A program that shows the problems of young people and what members of the European Parliament are doing.