Youth unemployment in Europe: costs and policy responses - The concept of NEET

7 November 2012, Brussels, Belgium. Organisation: Eurofound Brussels Liaison Office. Venue: Restaurant l’Atelier, 28 Rue Franklin, 1000 Brussels
Objectives
The dramatic increase of youth unemployment in Europe over the past years has prompted a series of initiatives at EU level and in the Member States aiming at fostering young people’s transition to and integration into the labour market. The concept of NEET – ‘not in employment, education or training’ is being increasingly used by the EU policy makers when addressing the issue of youth unemployment from a more broad perspective. The objective of the lunch is to discuss the situation of this specific group of young people within the context of their re-integration in the labour market. The discussion will focus in particular on individual, societal and economic consequences of being young and NEET in Europe today and on the policy measures aiming at higher employment participation of young people which are implemented in the EU.  It will be based on the recent Eurofound report which identifies determinants of belonging to the NEET group, measures the economic and social costs of NEETS and assesses policy measures undertaken in the Member States to support young people’s access to the labour market.
Content
Eurofound Deputy Director Erika Mezger, Head of Employment and Change Unit Donald Storrie  and Research Manager Massimiliano Mascherini will introduce the debate. They will give insight into the policies that have been developed in the Member States, including examples of good practices in policy design and implementation. They will also highlight social partners views with regard to Member States policies as well as some elements of the EU current debate on the issue.
Emilie Turunen, Member of the European Parliament, rapporteur for the EP report on Promoting youth access to the labour market, strengthening trainee, internship and apprenticeship status (2010), will comment on the Eurofound report and contribute to the exchange with the social partners.
See also Economic and societal cost of Europe's youth not in employment, education or training (NEETs), Young people and 'NEETs', NEET - Characteristics, costs and policy responses in Europe.