1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:06,000 Early November 2005, Köpenick, a suburb of Berlin. 2 00:00:06,000 --> 00:00:11,000 Here, for three days, 141 young people from 41 European countries 3 00:00:11,000 --> 00:00:16,000 held a passionate debate about a burning question on their continent, racism. 4 00:00:16,000 --> 00:00:20,000 One of the participants was Leila, a British girl of Somali origin. 5 00:00:20,000 --> 00:00:24,000 One momentous event brought about her presence in Berlin. 6 00:00:24,000 --> 00:00:31,000 The reason I'm here is because of the bombings that happened in London in July. 7 00:00:31,000 --> 00:00:35,000 The Somali name became under the spotlight of the media. 8 00:00:35,000 --> 00:00:41,000 And what we've done is, a very active young group of Somalis, 9 00:00:41,000 --> 00:00:44,000 who never met before, got together in one room 10 00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:48,000 and decided we had to do something together. 11 00:00:48,000 --> 00:00:51,000 This small group undertook various initiatives 12 00:00:51,000 --> 00:00:54,000 to rebuild their image with the public in London. 13 00:00:54,000 --> 00:00:58,000 Artists, singers and poets rallied to the cause. 14 00:00:58,000 --> 00:01:00,000 There was significant press coverage, 15 00:01:00,000 --> 00:01:05,000 and Leila succeeded at the same time in gaining the respect of her own community. 16 00:01:05,000 --> 00:01:10,000 In Berlin, everyone present has found ongoing discrimination in European society. 17 00:01:10,000 --> 00:01:14,000 During the conference, everybody chose a particular theme. 18 00:01:14,000 --> 00:01:18,000 Leila's was Islamophobia. 19 00:01:18,000 --> 00:01:24,000 The reason I chose this group that talked about the topic of Islamophobia 20 00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:31,000 is because it's something that me and my community are faced with every day, 21 00:01:31,000 --> 00:01:33,000 something that we have to go and defend ourselves. 22 00:01:33,000 --> 00:01:35,000 My sister was attacked at a bus stop, 23 00:01:35,000 --> 00:01:39,000 verbally attacked because she was wearing a scarf, 24 00:01:39,000 --> 00:01:42,000 and she was Somali. 25 00:01:42,000 --> 00:01:46,000 Called Youth in Action for Diversity and Tolerance 26 00:01:46,000 --> 00:01:48,000 and co-organized by the European Commission, 27 00:01:48,000 --> 00:01:50,000 this conference promoted exchange 28 00:01:50,000 --> 00:01:54,000 and encouraged young people to participate at a European level. 29 00:01:56,000 --> 00:02:01,000 It was such an intense subject and distressing subject, I think, for all of us, 30 00:02:01,000 --> 00:02:04,000 because sometimes it really hits home. 31 00:02:04,000 --> 00:02:07,000 I think a lot of anger came out sometimes. 32 00:02:07,000 --> 00:02:12,000 In the afternoon, I think, we got to the stage where we were fed up 33 00:02:12,000 --> 00:02:15,000 and tired, physically, mentally tired. 34 00:02:15,000 --> 00:02:18,000 You know, and you forgot. 35 00:02:18,000 --> 00:02:21,000 It was like being in a war in that room. 36 00:02:21,000 --> 00:02:24,000 For Leila, it was a chance to access another dimension. 37 00:02:24,000 --> 00:02:27,000 I have to say I'm very honored, actually, to be within a meeting 38 00:02:27,000 --> 00:02:30,000 where everybody comes from different backgrounds, 39 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:32,000 even though it's only Europe. 40 00:02:32,000 --> 00:02:33,000 But it's really big. 41 00:02:33,000 --> 00:02:35,000 And I was downstairs at a big meeting, 42 00:02:35,000 --> 00:02:36,000 and I was just looking around thinking, 43 00:02:36,000 --> 00:02:38,000 wow, we all speak different languages, 44 00:02:38,000 --> 00:02:39,000 we all come from different cultures, 45 00:02:39,000 --> 00:02:41,000 we all have different opinions. 46 00:02:41,000 --> 00:02:44,000 I thought, this is hard work. 47 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:49,000 After an intense, heated debate, 48 00:02:49,000 --> 00:02:52,000 a declaration was presented to political decision-makers, 49 00:02:52,000 --> 00:02:56,000 listing measures that young people would like to take or implement themselves. 50 00:02:58,000 --> 00:03:01,000 We believe that young people can play a significant part 51 00:03:01,000 --> 00:03:03,000 in improving the situation 52 00:03:03,000 --> 00:03:07,000 by personally taking an active stand on all levels, 53 00:03:07,000 --> 00:03:09,000 from local to international, 54 00:03:09,000 --> 00:03:13,000 from the decision-making to implementation of concrete measures. 55 00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:19,000 I'd like to thank you all very warmly for your commitment. 56 00:03:21,000 --> 00:03:23,000 Thank you very, very much. 57 00:03:24,000 --> 00:03:27,000 Everybody, I think, wants to know what's going to happen next. 58 00:03:27,000 --> 00:03:28,000 Is this going to be taken? 59 00:03:28,000 --> 00:03:30,000 Are we going to see results? 60 00:03:30,000 --> 00:03:33,000 So this is, I mean, could anyone answer that question for us? 61 00:03:33,000 --> 00:03:35,000 Because I think we put so much hard work, 62 00:03:35,000 --> 00:03:37,000 we want to see some results. 63 00:03:37,000 --> 00:03:39,000 While you were working, I was not, you know, 64 00:03:39,000 --> 00:03:41,000 just sitting there and being lazy, no. 65 00:03:41,000 --> 00:03:44,000 I was also working, and I was also developing an action plan, 66 00:03:44,000 --> 00:03:47,000 and I'm going to present you this action plan now, 67 00:03:47,000 --> 00:03:49,000 an action plan for the implementation... 68 00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:52,000 For the European Commission, the fight against racism and xenophobia 69 00:03:52,000 --> 00:03:55,000 will remain a priority for the years to come. 70 00:03:56,000 --> 00:03:58,000 One of the things I'm going to take back with me 71 00:03:58,000 --> 00:04:01,000 is giving myself a chance to learn more every day, 72 00:04:01,000 --> 00:04:03,000 because coming to this conference, 73 00:04:03,000 --> 00:04:05,000 I've actually learned a lot more from people, 74 00:04:05,000 --> 00:04:07,000 with the work they're doing, it gave me... 75 00:04:09,000 --> 00:04:11,000 I wish, you know, we were on the world newspaper today 76 00:04:11,000 --> 00:04:13,000 about this conference. 77 00:04:13,000 --> 00:04:16,000 I mean, can you imagine if the whole world knew about this conference now? 78 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:18,000 How it would affect people, anyone in the train, 79 00:04:18,000 --> 00:04:20,000 would think, wow, this is great, this is happening. 80 00:04:20,000 --> 00:04:22,000 We need to find a certain media 81 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:25,000 that would always show the positive side. 82 00:04:26,000 --> 00:04:31,000 European Youth Week 83 00:04:34,000 --> 00:04:38,000 European Youth Week starts at the beginning of December 2005. 84 00:04:38,000 --> 00:04:41,000 Here in Freiburg, the European Commission's youth program 85 00:04:41,000 --> 00:04:44,000 will be a main feature, as it will be everywhere in Europe. 86 00:04:44,000 --> 00:04:46,000 Marion is 22. 87 00:04:46,000 --> 00:04:48,000 Like a hundred or so other young Germans, 88 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:50,000 she's taking part in the Europeers project. 89 00:04:50,000 --> 00:04:52,000 Her aim is to let her generation know 90 00:04:52,000 --> 00:04:54,000 that they can benefit from European programs. 91 00:04:55,000 --> 00:04:57,000 Marion knows what she's talking about 92 00:04:57,000 --> 00:05:00,000 because she herself was helped by the youth program. 93 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:03,000 I always wanted to do something after my baccalaureate, 94 00:05:03,000 --> 00:05:05,000 before going to university. 95 00:05:05,000 --> 00:05:07,000 I needed a break. 96 00:05:07,000 --> 00:05:09,000 After 13 years at school, always learning, 97 00:05:09,000 --> 00:05:11,000 always being passive. 98 00:05:11,000 --> 00:05:15,000 And at university, it's more of the same thing. 99 00:05:15,000 --> 00:05:19,000 You sit there, and somebody tells you something. 100 00:05:19,000 --> 00:05:22,000 And that's why I wanted to do something practical 101 00:05:22,000 --> 00:05:26,000 with my own hands, and to travel a bit. 102 00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:33,000 The European Voluntary Service offered her the chance 103 00:05:33,000 --> 00:05:35,000 to work at an institution in England 104 00:05:35,000 --> 00:05:37,000 looking after disabled children. 105 00:05:37,000 --> 00:05:41,000 I learned lots of things, including very practical things, 106 00:05:41,000 --> 00:05:44,000 like learning English for a start, and really well, 107 00:05:44,000 --> 00:05:47,000 because I spoke English all the time. 108 00:05:47,000 --> 00:05:49,000 It was simple. There was no alternative. 109 00:05:49,000 --> 00:05:51,000 And it was fantastic. 110 00:05:51,000 --> 00:05:54,000 On her return from England, Marion decided to go to university 111 00:05:54,000 --> 00:05:56,000 to study English and German literature. 112 00:05:56,000 --> 00:05:59,000 Marion's passionate about learning and getting involved. 113 00:05:59,000 --> 00:06:01,000 She's not only joined a theatre review group, 114 00:06:01,000 --> 00:06:03,000 but also a local radio station. 115 00:06:03,000 --> 00:06:06,000 All this, of course, on a voluntary basis. 116 00:06:06,000 --> 00:06:09,000 Why am I a volunteer? 117 00:06:09,000 --> 00:06:12,000 I think that when you are serious about something 118 00:06:12,000 --> 00:06:15,000 and give something to other people, 119 00:06:15,000 --> 00:06:19,000 your time, for example, and you look after people, 120 00:06:19,000 --> 00:06:21,000 you get something in return. 121 00:06:21,000 --> 00:06:25,000 But that also depends on the way you give. 122 00:06:28,000 --> 00:06:30,000 So on top of all her voluntary activities, 123 00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:34,000 Marion's busy at a European level with the Europeas Project. 124 00:06:35,000 --> 00:06:38,000 What we do is the same all over Germany. 125 00:06:38,000 --> 00:06:42,000 There are 100 volunteers in their hometowns, 126 00:06:43,000 --> 00:06:47,000 or where they're studying, or just wherever they are at the moment. 127 00:06:47,000 --> 00:06:51,000 These young people go into schools, youth clubs, 128 00:06:51,000 --> 00:06:55,000 and talk about their experiences and give information too. 129 00:07:00,000 --> 00:07:04,000 I should like to talk to Mrs Stella, if that's possible. 130 00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:07,000 She asked me to call her back about the event in December, 131 00:07:07,000 --> 00:07:10,000 the peer-to-peer on Europe. 132 00:07:13,000 --> 00:07:15,000 Okay, thanks. 133 00:07:19,000 --> 00:07:22,000 Informing people is a really big step. 134 00:07:22,000 --> 00:07:24,000 It takes experience. 135 00:07:24,000 --> 00:07:26,000 It's part of what we have to do. 136 00:07:29,000 --> 00:07:32,000 I need to discuss that with my colleague, who's coming too, 137 00:07:32,000 --> 00:07:34,000 but we'll be back in touch about it. 138 00:07:34,000 --> 00:07:37,000 Great. Thanks very much. Bye. 139 00:07:43,000 --> 00:07:46,000 Marion is not the only Europea in Freiburg. 140 00:07:46,000 --> 00:07:48,000 She met four girls who are now her friends 141 00:07:48,000 --> 00:07:51,000 at a national training course for the project. 142 00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:55,000 During European Youth Week, 143 00:07:55,000 --> 00:07:58,000 Marion and the others will run information sessions. 144 00:07:58,000 --> 00:08:02,000 Today they're looking at the room which they'll use for their presentation. 145 00:08:03,000 --> 00:08:08,000 When you think how great it is that Europe is so small 146 00:08:08,000 --> 00:08:11,000 in terms of its surface area, 147 00:08:11,000 --> 00:08:16,000 but at the same time it has so much to offer from every point of view, 148 00:08:16,000 --> 00:08:20,000 people, cultures, landscapes. 149 00:08:20,000 --> 00:08:26,000 To me, being European is being part of a whole. 150 00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:43,000 For Luca, it's the end of a long and incredible adventure. 151 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:47,000 He's finishing his first feature film as a producer and technical director. 152 00:08:47,000 --> 00:08:51,000 Achieving this dream here in Turin and sharing it with others 153 00:08:51,000 --> 00:08:55,000 has not been easy for this young man who didn't study cinema, 154 00:08:55,000 --> 00:08:59,000 especially because in Italian cinema everything happens in Rome or Milan. 155 00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:02,000 How did Luca get started? 156 00:09:03,000 --> 00:09:07,000 I did European voluntary service in Madrid for six months. 157 00:09:09,000 --> 00:09:12,000 It was a really great experience 158 00:09:12,000 --> 00:09:16,000 and I was able to produce some video clips for up-and-coming bands. 159 00:09:19,000 --> 00:09:23,000 Back in Italy, because I had worked artistically in the cinema, 160 00:09:24,000 --> 00:09:28,000 I presented a future capital project to the European Union, 161 00:09:28,000 --> 00:09:31,000 called Cinema Anch'io. 162 00:09:32,000 --> 00:09:36,000 Future capital is an initiative of the European Commission's youth programme. 163 00:09:36,000 --> 00:09:39,000 It's designed to be a prolongation of European voluntary service. 164 00:09:39,000 --> 00:09:42,000 The objective is for young people to profit from everything they've learned 165 00:09:42,000 --> 00:09:44,000 during their voluntary service abroad 166 00:09:44,000 --> 00:09:48,000 and while they're there, they can contribute to the development of the future capital. 167 00:09:49,000 --> 00:09:52,000 Cinema Anch'io is soon going to become a cultural association 168 00:09:52,000 --> 00:09:55,000 for independent film production. 169 00:09:55,000 --> 00:09:59,000 The aim is to offer what I call artistic rights to everyone. 170 00:10:01,000 --> 00:10:04,000 Everyone who wants to learn about cinema. 171 00:10:06,000 --> 00:10:10,000 I think it's a great opportunity for young people to learn about cinema 172 00:10:10,000 --> 00:10:14,000 and to be able to contribute to the development of the future capital. 173 00:10:14,000 --> 00:10:17,000 Everyone who wants to learn about cinema. 174 00:10:18,000 --> 00:10:22,000 Cinema Anch'io offers free training in cinema for young people. 175 00:10:22,000 --> 00:10:25,000 It was at one of those courses that Luca met Sonia 176 00:10:25,000 --> 00:10:29,000 and offered her the chance to produce the film Danza la Conscienza. 177 00:10:30,000 --> 00:10:33,000 The film tells the story of a young French girl 178 00:10:33,000 --> 00:10:36,000 who moves from France to Italy, 179 00:10:36,000 --> 00:10:41,000 how her thinking changes and how she gets over a certain number of obstacles. 180 00:10:45,000 --> 00:10:49,000 We held casting sessions to find the actors. 181 00:10:49,000 --> 00:10:53,000 Lots of people responded and were interested in working as an actor. 182 00:10:57,000 --> 00:11:01,000 Even though they knew they would have to work for free, they were very keen. 183 00:11:07,000 --> 00:11:11,000 Directly and indirectly, the project involved more than 500 people. 184 00:11:11,000 --> 00:11:15,000 Imagine the cultural impact it had in this post-industrial city. 185 00:11:18,000 --> 00:11:20,000 I realized that in my town, 186 00:11:20,000 --> 00:11:23,000 as I'm sure in many others in Italy and other countries, 187 00:11:23,000 --> 00:11:28,000 lots of people wanted to find out about cinema and do some film work. 188 00:11:29,000 --> 00:11:32,000 But there are very few opportunities. 189 00:11:34,000 --> 00:11:38,000 For his film, Luca approached the cinema commission for the Piedmont region. 190 00:11:38,000 --> 00:11:41,000 He received aid in the form of shooting equipment. 191 00:11:41,000 --> 00:11:43,000 Let's go to the film commission. 192 00:11:47,000 --> 00:11:49,000 How was the shooting? 193 00:11:50,000 --> 00:11:53,000 It's finished. I'm here to show you the trailer. 194 00:11:58,000 --> 00:12:03,000 When Luca came to the office, we liked his film. 195 00:12:04,000 --> 00:12:08,000 Which was more interesting than the average one we see, 196 00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:12,000 because of its European dimensions. 197 00:12:22,000 --> 00:12:25,000 I don't know. Maybe I got lost. 198 00:12:25,000 --> 00:12:29,000 Well, then you take refuge in your beautiful world of poetry. 199 00:12:30,000 --> 00:12:32,000 On this November evening in 2005, 200 00:12:32,000 --> 00:12:35,000 some of the actors and technicians are getting together 201 00:12:35,000 --> 00:12:38,000 at the editor's place to take a first look at the website. 202 00:12:40,000 --> 00:12:43,000 I think there is a place for young people in Europe. 203 00:12:43,000 --> 00:12:46,000 I cannot compare today's Europe with yesterday's, 204 00:12:46,000 --> 00:12:51,000 because I'm young, and I do not know how things were before. 205 00:12:51,000 --> 00:12:54,000 But today I would like to put everything in place, 206 00:12:54,000 --> 00:12:58,000 to get on with what I like doing, making films, 207 00:12:59,000 --> 00:13:02,000 and to offer others the chance to do the same, 208 00:13:02,000 --> 00:13:05,000 especially other young people. 209 00:13:21,000 --> 00:13:24,000 This is Stockholm, where Nicholas has just been 210 00:13:24,000 --> 00:13:27,000 at a trendy party for a magazine launch. 211 00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:29,000 To get home to the north of Sweden, 212 00:13:29,000 --> 00:13:32,000 on the edge of the Arctic Circle, he needs to take a plane. 213 00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:38,000 It's 3.30 p.m. when he lands, and it's already dark. 214 00:13:38,000 --> 00:13:41,000 So far, you might think that Nick is just another young guy. 215 00:13:41,000 --> 00:13:44,000 After all, he lives in what's called here a collective. 216 00:13:44,000 --> 00:13:46,000 That's to say, he's a young man, 217 00:13:46,000 --> 00:13:49,000 but he's also a young man, and he's a young man. 218 00:13:49,000 --> 00:13:51,000 And like many other young people in northern Sweden, 219 00:13:51,000 --> 00:13:53,000 he plays floorball. 220 00:13:53,000 --> 00:13:55,000 But appearances can be deceptive, 221 00:13:55,000 --> 00:13:57,000 because Nick is far from ordinary. 222 00:13:59,000 --> 00:14:02,000 Here, people traditionally work in the wood and paper sector, 223 00:14:02,000 --> 00:14:05,000 but Nick has decided to go his own way. 224 00:14:06,000 --> 00:14:08,000 At just 23 years old, 225 00:14:08,000 --> 00:14:11,000 he runs the biggest advertising agency in the region. 226 00:14:13,000 --> 00:14:16,000 He's a young man, but he's a young man. 227 00:14:17,000 --> 00:14:20,000 Helikopter is a full-service advertising agency. 228 00:14:20,000 --> 00:14:22,000 We have seven employees. 229 00:14:23,000 --> 00:14:26,000 We are a very young office and very go-ahead. 230 00:14:27,000 --> 00:14:29,000 We have ideas. 231 00:14:29,000 --> 00:14:31,000 We know the local market very well. 232 00:14:33,000 --> 00:14:36,000 But we have also worked on the design of decorations 233 00:14:36,000 --> 00:14:39,000 for floorball competitions at the international level. 234 00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:43,000 We have also worked on the design of decorations 235 00:14:43,000 --> 00:14:45,000 for floorball competitions 236 00:14:45,000 --> 00:14:47,000 at the international level. 237 00:14:49,000 --> 00:14:51,000 That's Helikopter. 238 00:14:51,000 --> 00:14:53,000 That's Helikopter. 239 00:14:54,000 --> 00:14:57,000 But how has this astonishing young man achieved all this? 240 00:14:57,000 --> 00:14:59,000 Nick had the benefit of training 241 00:14:59,000 --> 00:15:02,000 given by the European Junior Achievement Young Enterprise Network, 242 00:15:02,000 --> 00:15:04,000 supported by the European Commission. 243 00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:08,000 He started a small company and published a book 244 00:15:08,000 --> 00:15:10,000 giving advice to young people 245 00:15:10,000 --> 00:15:12,000 who were about to leave the parental home. 246 00:15:13,000 --> 00:15:16,000 We wanted to do something serious. 247 00:15:17,000 --> 00:15:20,000 And then we began by doing a market study on toilet paper 248 00:15:21,000 --> 00:15:24,000 to find out which was the best. 249 00:15:29,000 --> 00:15:31,000 The book, which was both practical and funny, 250 00:15:31,000 --> 00:15:33,000 not only appealed to the general public, 251 00:15:33,000 --> 00:15:35,000 but also to the Swedish jury 252 00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:37,000 for the Best Entrepreneurial Initiative Prize. 253 00:15:37,000 --> 00:15:39,000 Very soon, Nick was invited to lecture 254 00:15:39,000 --> 00:15:41,000 at various companies and schools. 255 00:15:43,000 --> 00:15:45,000 After a while, I said to myself, 256 00:15:45,000 --> 00:15:47,000 perhaps I can get paid for that. 257 00:15:47,000 --> 00:15:50,000 I asked for 500, 1,000, 2,000, 258 00:15:50,000 --> 00:15:53,000 4,000 Swedish kronor, 259 00:15:53,000 --> 00:15:55,000 and the people paid it. 260 00:15:59,000 --> 00:16:02,000 There was a time when I got lots of offers, 261 00:16:02,000 --> 00:16:05,000 interesting and fun things. 262 00:16:05,000 --> 00:16:08,000 I always said yes. 263 00:16:08,000 --> 00:16:10,000 My strategy was to get paid, 264 00:16:10,000 --> 00:16:12,000 yes. 265 00:16:12,000 --> 00:16:15,000 My strategy was to say yes. 266 00:16:15,000 --> 00:16:18,000 To work in a big carpet warehouse, 267 00:16:18,000 --> 00:16:21,000 selling things by the square meter, 268 00:16:21,000 --> 00:16:24,000 and then another job. 269 00:16:26,000 --> 00:16:29,000 Six months later, a helicopter called me, 270 00:16:29,000 --> 00:16:32,000 and because I was in the habit of saying yes, 271 00:16:32,000 --> 00:16:35,000 I said yes. 272 00:16:41,000 --> 00:16:43,000 By always saying yes to what life has offered him, 273 00:16:43,000 --> 00:16:46,000 Nick has become the boss of Helicopter. 274 00:16:46,000 --> 00:16:48,000 As one of Piteo's celebrities, 275 00:16:48,000 --> 00:16:51,000 the local media are always interested in him. 276 00:16:52,000 --> 00:16:54,000 I really love this town. 277 00:16:54,000 --> 00:16:57,000 Nice people live here. 278 00:16:59,000 --> 00:17:01,000 People here who don't know him personally 279 00:17:01,000 --> 00:17:04,000 have certainly heard of his yellow car and shoes. 280 00:17:06,000 --> 00:17:08,000 Quite obviously, he's understood the art of publicity 281 00:17:08,000 --> 00:17:10,000 and applies it to himself. 282 00:17:10,000 --> 00:17:13,000 At 23, it was time for him to write his second book, 283 00:17:13,000 --> 00:17:15,000 this time about his own success. 284 00:17:15,000 --> 00:17:17,000 The title is both creative and daring, 285 00:17:17,000 --> 00:17:20,000 Entrepreneurship, Toilet Paper and Bullshit. 286 00:17:22,000 --> 00:17:24,000 The problem with most young people 287 00:17:24,000 --> 00:17:27,000 is that they have big ambitions, 288 00:17:27,000 --> 00:17:30,000 but they can only do one thing. 289 00:17:30,000 --> 00:17:32,000 I'm the opposite. 290 00:17:32,000 --> 00:17:35,000 I think about lots of things, and I do them. 291 00:17:35,000 --> 00:17:38,000 So Nick is an exceptional person. 292 00:17:38,000 --> 00:17:41,000 But in fact, research shows that 63% of young people in Europe 293 00:17:41,000 --> 00:17:44,000 see themselves being their own boss. 294 00:17:45,000 --> 00:17:47,000 Indeed, uncertainties over employment 295 00:17:47,000 --> 00:17:50,000 are pushing young people to develop their entrepreneurial spirit. 296 00:17:50,000 --> 00:17:53,000 This attitude is encouraged by the European Union, 297 00:17:53,000 --> 00:17:56,000 which sees young entrepreneurs as drivers of innovation and creativity, 298 00:17:56,000 --> 00:17:59,000 which will benefit the entire European economy. 299 00:17:59,000 --> 00:18:02,000 We asked Nick what was his secret. 300 00:18:02,000 --> 00:18:05,000 Tell yes, dare to win, 301 00:18:05,000 --> 00:18:08,000 and dare to fail. 302 00:18:15,000 --> 00:18:17,000 22-year-old Katia is Polish. 303 00:18:17,000 --> 00:18:19,000 She's spending a year in Brussels 304 00:18:19,000 --> 00:18:22,000 representing a European Students' Association, the AEGEE. 305 00:18:22,000 --> 00:18:25,000 Working with her are seven other young volunteers. 306 00:18:25,000 --> 00:18:29,000 They're all passionately working for European integration 24 hours a day. 307 00:18:30,000 --> 00:18:33,000 Bernd is German. He looks after public relations. 308 00:18:37,000 --> 00:18:40,000 Alistair is Maltese. His area, external relations. 309 00:18:41,000 --> 00:18:44,000 Like Katia, Caroline comes from Poland. 310 00:18:44,000 --> 00:18:47,000 She's just visiting to help out with writing a request for subsidy 311 00:18:47,000 --> 00:18:50,000 for a future project from the European Commission. 312 00:18:51,000 --> 00:18:53,000 Vangelis is Greek. 313 00:18:54,000 --> 00:18:57,000 He's the network development director. 314 00:18:57,000 --> 00:19:00,000 And President Leon is from Macedonia. 315 00:19:02,000 --> 00:19:04,000 And then two newcomers. 316 00:19:04,000 --> 00:19:07,000 Ufak and Aga, both from Turkey. 317 00:19:08,000 --> 00:19:11,000 It's a small community which reflects the European house. 318 00:19:14,000 --> 00:19:17,000 Everyone who lives in the house is here for his or her ideas. 319 00:19:22,000 --> 00:19:24,000 We come to Brussels for a year 320 00:19:24,000 --> 00:19:27,000 to live in this house and work as volunteers. 321 00:19:30,000 --> 00:19:34,000 We leave our families, our private lives, our university studies behind. 322 00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:41,000 We are here to contribute to making this place, this Europe, better. 323 00:19:45,000 --> 00:19:47,000 Whenever people are asking 324 00:19:47,000 --> 00:19:50,000 how come you're living all together in this house, 325 00:19:51,000 --> 00:19:54,000 working together, the answer is never easy. 326 00:19:58,000 --> 00:20:01,000 We are not choosing to live together here and work together here. 327 00:20:02,000 --> 00:20:04,000 We are elected to come here. 328 00:20:04,000 --> 00:20:07,000 So it happens that people don't know each other even. 329 00:20:07,000 --> 00:20:10,000 And then they come here, they share a room, 330 00:20:10,000 --> 00:20:12,000 they share their working space. 331 00:20:21,000 --> 00:20:24,000 It can be very difficult to overcome some problems. 332 00:20:25,000 --> 00:20:27,000 So we have our own democracy. 333 00:20:27,000 --> 00:20:30,000 But in the end, all of us are here for one aim. 334 00:20:30,000 --> 00:20:33,000 The common denominator here is everyone's commitment. 335 00:20:34,000 --> 00:20:36,000 Olaf is Dutch. 336 00:20:36,000 --> 00:20:38,000 He's just returned from Azerbaijan 337 00:20:38,000 --> 00:20:41,000 where he monitored the elections as an observer. 338 00:20:41,000 --> 00:20:44,000 Elections are performed in a democratic atmosphere. 339 00:20:45,000 --> 00:20:47,000 If you come into a polling station, 340 00:20:47,000 --> 00:20:49,000 as an international observer, 341 00:20:49,000 --> 00:20:52,000 they say, ah, welcome, international observers. 342 00:20:52,000 --> 00:20:54,000 There's a special chair for you over there. 343 00:20:54,000 --> 00:20:57,000 And you have to sit on the total other end of the room, 344 00:20:57,000 --> 00:21:00,000 and there you can sit, and you have to observe, 345 00:21:00,000 --> 00:21:03,000 because observers are not allowed to walk around, 346 00:21:03,000 --> 00:21:06,000 you have to sit there, which of course we didn't do. 347 00:21:06,000 --> 00:21:09,000 A few days previously, Katia was in Berlin 348 00:21:09,000 --> 00:21:12,000 attending a European conference on racism. 349 00:21:12,000 --> 00:21:15,000 I went to Berlin because the topic of the conference 350 00:21:15,000 --> 00:21:17,000 is directly linking with my task. 351 00:21:17,000 --> 00:21:20,000 I'm responsible for European institutions, 352 00:21:20,000 --> 00:21:23,000 and this was about youth in action. 353 00:21:24,000 --> 00:21:28,000 So it's directly my thematic responsibility from here. 354 00:21:28,000 --> 00:21:33,000 So I went there to meet the DG Ag, with whom I'm working, 355 00:21:33,000 --> 00:21:36,000 to meet other people working in the same areas 356 00:21:36,000 --> 00:21:38,000 to find partners from projects. 357 00:21:38,000 --> 00:21:42,000 Recently, the EU pays much more attention to the young people 358 00:21:43,000 --> 00:21:45,000 than it was before. 359 00:21:46,000 --> 00:21:49,000 But it's because the young people are asking for their place, 360 00:21:49,000 --> 00:21:51,000 and they are doing it very strong. 361 00:21:51,000 --> 00:21:55,000 And that's also why we are here, to ask for our place, 362 00:21:55,000 --> 00:21:57,000 to ask for our space in Europe, 363 00:21:57,000 --> 00:21:59,000 and to show that our role is very strong. 364 00:21:59,000 --> 00:22:04,000 And I'm very positive about the fact that it will just be better. 365 00:22:05,000 --> 00:22:07,000 Back in Brussels, she's off for a debriefing 366 00:22:07,000 --> 00:22:10,000 at the European Commission, which co-organised the event. 367 00:22:11,000 --> 00:22:14,000 We have both been in Berlin. How did you feel about it? 368 00:22:14,000 --> 00:22:17,000 It was definitely interesting and definitely something very important. 369 00:22:17,000 --> 00:22:19,000 Katja never has time to catch her breath. 370 00:22:19,000 --> 00:22:22,000 Back from the Commission, a new urgent matter to attend to, 371 00:22:22,000 --> 00:22:24,000 the request for subsidy from the Commission. 372 00:22:24,000 --> 00:22:27,000 I wanted to ask you, till when is the post office at the MEDI open? 373 00:22:27,000 --> 00:22:31,000 Is it till 8pm or maybe till midnight? 374 00:22:31,000 --> 00:22:34,000 Because we have a late grant application to submit today, 375 00:22:34,000 --> 00:22:36,000 and every hour is important. 376 00:22:37,000 --> 00:22:40,000 It's to do with a project aimed at making young people aware 377 00:22:40,000 --> 00:22:42,000 of the importance of democracy. 378 00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:45,000 The dossier has to be posted before 10pm. 379 00:22:45,000 --> 00:22:47,000 If it isn't, it won't be accepted. 380 00:22:47,000 --> 00:22:50,000 Please don't suicide until the next 25 minutes, 381 00:22:50,000 --> 00:22:52,000 because we have to send in an application. 382 00:22:52,000 --> 00:22:54,000 Yeah, I hope it will be finished. 383 00:22:55,000 --> 00:22:56,000 Yes, yes, yes! 384 00:22:56,000 --> 00:22:59,000 9.15, the document's finally finished. 385 00:22:59,000 --> 00:23:01,000 We were supposed to be paper-friendly. 386 00:23:01,000 --> 00:23:02,000 More trees. 387 00:23:02,000 --> 00:23:05,000 But there's a hiccup. The printer has decided to go on strike. 388 00:23:05,000 --> 00:23:06,000 Too late. 389 00:23:06,000 --> 00:23:08,000 Time to get stressed. 390 00:23:08,000 --> 00:23:11,000 Precious minutes are lost. There's no way they'll catch the post. 391 00:23:11,000 --> 00:23:15,000 Actually, if it would be possible to pick them up in one hour, 392 00:23:15,000 --> 00:23:17,000 this would be great. 393 00:23:17,000 --> 00:23:19,000 Fortunately, Katia comes up with a solution. 394 00:23:19,000 --> 00:23:22,000 Her courier company will make sure the dossier arrives on time. 395 00:23:27,000 --> 00:23:30,000 Like Katia and her friends, there are lots of young Europeans 396 00:23:30,000 --> 00:23:32,000 who are personally committed and actively participate 397 00:23:32,000 --> 00:23:34,000 in the political life of their continent. 398 00:23:34,000 --> 00:23:38,000 Notably via projects supported by the European Commission's Youth Programme. 399 00:23:38,000 --> 00:23:40,000 Now we are waiting for the results. 400 00:23:40,000 --> 00:23:44,000 Every year, several dozen youth organisations operating at the European level 401 00:23:44,000 --> 00:23:47,000 also receive support from the European Union. 402 00:23:47,000 --> 00:23:50,000 Providing, of course, they get their application in on time.