Looking back at the last legislative term, what were the most significant achievements or challenges you faced as a young member of the European Parliament?
For me one of the most significant things was the change to work as our political group’s coordinator for the committee on security and defence. It gave me a unique possibility to promote themes and values that aren’t given enough attention, and to promote a more human-centric idea of security. As a new MEP, it also gave me a window into one level of decision making in the parliament. I was the rapporteur on parliament’s first report on the EU’s civilian crisis management, where I was able to bring forth these themes.
As a standing rapporteur on India in the foreign affairs committee, I have been able to advocate for the importance of human rights in the EU’s relationship with India in both parliament’s resolutions and more widely by bringing attention to India’s worsening human rights situations.
I have also long been an advocate for promoting the role of young people in peacebuilding as laid down in the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security. During my term, I have been working with several civil society organisations and other MEP’s to promote the issue, published a Youth Inclusive Peace Mediation Guide and have made several amendments to a number of AFET reports, recognising the role of youth in peace work.
No generation is a homogeneous group, but I can see that there are generational differences around many topics.
However, there seems to be a limited recognition in our parliament of young people’s role in peacebuilding and conflict prevention. This I find at times frustrating, particularly considering the number of young people in many of the conflict zones in the world. I do not believe sustainable peace can be developed and sustained without the participation of all people, particularly the youth population.
Outside of foreign, security and defence policy, one of the key themes of my political career has been mental health. In the European Parliament, I am one of the co-chairs of the Coalition for Mental Health and Wellbeing.. In recent years, especially during the Covid crisis, I have finally seen a big shift in the discussion on the topic and I’m very grateful for all the activists and policymakers who have been making this change happen.
How do you think your age and generational perspective have influenced your work and decision-making in the European Parliament? Can you provide examples of issues where your perspective differed from older colleagues?
No generation is a homogeneous group, but I can see that there are generational differences around many topics.
Climate and environment is one clear example. There are people of all generations fighting against the deepening climate crisis, but on average younger people and policy makers are more ready to break the status quo to protect the future generations and the planet.
A big difference can be observed also in the discussion on mental health. Younger generations tend to view mental health issues with less stigma, more along the lines of physical health. Many younger policy makers, such as myself, have been willing to tell about our own experiences with mental health issues, which have raised some eyebrows with some of my colleagues.
Also in security and defence policy, it’s more common among younger policy-makers to see security from a wider and a more human centric point of view. This is also a topic different generations might view differently.
Have you encountered any obstacles or biases in the European Parliament based on your age?
Even though most of my colleagues have been respectful, there have been cases where I have felt demeaned because of my age and gender. Especially the fields of foreign policy and security are still, unfortunately, dominated by older men and some of them seem to think it is a natural way of things.
What are your expectations and priorities for the upcoming legislative term in the European Parliament? Are there specific issues or policies that you believe require urgent attention, especially from a youth perspective?
Climate and environment have been major topics in this legislative term and I am glad some progress has been made. However, it is still crucial that the next commission and the parliament fulfill all the targets that have been agreed upon and continue to increase the EU's ambitions.
I must also mention mental health, because it so often comes up while talking with young people. The commission’s communication in July was, in many ways, a step up on the EU’s approach, acknowledging the right of the citizens to receive accessible and good quality mental health care, and allocating more funding to projects relating to mental health. But in the current situation where most people suffering from mental health issues in the EU do not receive the help they need, these projects seem inadequate to battle one of the fastest growing public health issues. We need legislation and binding agreements to tackle the mental health crisis.
As a principle, young people should have their voices heard in every decision that affects them.
In light of recent youth-led movements and activism across Europe, such as climate strikes and social justice movements, how do you see the role of young MEPs in amplifying these concerns and translating them into policy actions at the European level?
Working with the young activist and youth-centred NGOs and amplifying their messages has been an important aspect of my work as an young MEP. I meet up with youth organisations regularly and also consult young people in my legislative work. And I try to seek out not just well established organisations, but individual activists and more loose activist groups as well. Many young activists do their work through social media and I have made many important contacts on those platforms.
How do you see the overall representation of young people in the European Parliament? What reforms or changes would you advocate for to enhance the representation and voice of young MEPs in the future?
It is a well established statistical fact that young people are one of the most under-represented groups in the European Parliament. According to the European Youth Forum, while around 20 percent of Europeans are between the ages of 18 and 35, last year only six percent of MEPs are in the same age group. In contrast around 20 percent of Europeans are between the ages of 51 and 65, but the number of parliamentarians representing the age group in the European Parliament is double, at 42 percent. Things are relatively similar in most member states where only five percent of parliamentarians in Europe are below 30 years old.
Representation is a serious issue for all different groups in our society. Studies show, time and time again, that the diversity of decision makers has tangible effects on the policies we enact, who gets their say and whose experiences and perspectives are considered.
One of the solutions that I have been advocating for a long time, is lowering the voting age to 16, which is already a reality in several European countries. Lowering the voting age would increase the weight of young people's opinions and make it easier for them to participate. Especially when the population as a whole is growing older, it is sensible to expand the pool of younger voters.
At the same time, more education and support of political participation should be given to young people, for example in schools, so that everybody has equal opportunities and information to form their own voting decisions.
Young people need to be heard in other ways as well. As a principle, young people should have their voices heard in every decision that affects them. We need more polling on the needs and opinions of the young people and we need to establish public hearings and events where young people can have their voices heard as a natural process of parliament’s legislative work.
The most important files Alametsä worked on for the last legislative term 2019-2023:
