JCI European Know-How Transfer: Taking Action for the Global Goals for Sustainable Development

From 29 September to 3 October more than 40 JCI delegates from all over Europe met in Brussels for the annual JCI European Know-How Transfer (EUKHT) to learn more about sustainable development in the European Union and offer solutions to advocate for the Global Goals for Sustainable Development. 

The JCI EUKHT is an annual program organized by JCI Europe that is open to young active citizens aged 18 – 40 who live in Europe. The young leaders that attended the EUKHT gained insights into European decision-making and strengthened the network between young civil society representatives and European policymakers.

This year’s JCI EUKHT topic—Taking Action for the Global Goals—provided participants with the unique opportunity to meet European Commission officials, policy experts, and European decision-makers. They discussed the role and progress of the European Union with regard to the implementation of the Global Goals while offering potential solutions on how civil society can contribute to this process. The first two days included intensive workshops and fruitful discussions with representatives from the European Commission as well as business and civil society organizations like the European Environmental Bureau, the European Youth Forum, Youth For Climate Brussels and Ecopreneur.eu.

Participants learned about the European Commission’s strategy on the Global Goals, approaches to foster social and sustainable entrepreneurship as well as circular economy models. During the second part of the program, delegates accompanied Members of the European Parliament (MEP) to get an insight on the functionalities of the European Union’s legislative body. JCI delegates talked to their MEP about community projects in their home countries and the social impact they are creating on the local level.

Former JCI member and MEP Siegfried Mureșan, the Vice-Chair of the EPP Group from Romania, has been actively supporting the JCI EUKHT for many years. He emphasized the importance of a strong and united European Union by advancing sustainable development by stating, “We support a more integrated Europe that is tackling current challenges like Brexit, climate change and environmental sustainability together.” He continued by saying, “We need the active involvement of the young generation to make their voice heard and stand up for a united and sustainable Europe.”

Registration for next year’s JCI EUKHT will open on 1 April 2020. For more information about the European Know-How Transfer please visit www.jci.cc/eukht.