Youth Convention on the Future of Europe (Hansard, 19 June 2002)

§ The Minister for Trade (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)

The youth convention is an initiative proposed by Giscard d'Estaing, President of the European Convention, to involve young people in the Future of Europe debate. Representatives nominated by member states and accession countries and the European Parliament will hold a plenary session on 9–10 July before reporting to the convention on 11/12 July.

The UK's delegation has six members. Three were selected by a national essay competition, for which there were over 80 entries, organised jointly by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Independent: Claire McCarthy, Miles Kemp and Carina Dunkerly. Three others were appointed by the main UK political parties represented at the convention. They are Blair McDougall (Labour); Sam Dobbyn (Conservative); and Alison Goldsworthy (Liberal Democrat).