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Video
30 July 2021

How does Covid-19 affect young people?

Children, youth and older people
The Coronavirus pandemic strongly affected young people. They are frequently blamed for spreading the virus. They also face widespread unemployment. In this vlog, FRA Director Michael O’Flaherty points to the need to address such challenges. On FRA’s side, young people, as human rights champions, will be at the heart of the debate at the Fundamental Rights Forum from 11 to 12 October.
Downloads
30 July 2021
Video blog Michael O'Flaherty: How does Covid-19 affect young people? mp4 file (105.95 MB)

Transcript

When we look back at COVID times, I think we’ll see that young people were among the most impacted.

Right now, it’s about how they’re unfairly being blamed for spreading the virus.

It’s also about how they risk being put to the back of the queue for the re-opening of services and normal life.

But it’s much more than that.

It’s about the shocking unemployment figures for young people in many places in Europe.

It’s about the particularly difficult experience of young people in already marginalised communities.

Think of the migrant – the young migrant – in a reception facility.

Think of the young LGBTI person forced to live in a place where they were not welcome.

We’re frequently told also by young people that a problem right through the period has been that they’re not being listened to by the rest of us.

We need to fix this.

One part of the fix will be the discussion at the Fundamental Rights Forum that takes place on the 11th and 12th of October, where the theme of young people as champions of rights in our societies will be at the heart of the debate.

Please join us – visit the registration online at the Forum website.