Geoff represents Rural Youth Europe members at European Youth Forum

Rural Youth Europe representative Geoff Thompson with Veronika Nordhus (International Movement of Catholic Agricultural and Rural Youth).

Annaclone and Magherally young farmer, Geoff Thompson, recently represented Rural Youth Europe (RYE) at the European Youth Forum's (EYF) Council of Member's meeting (COMEM) in Brussels.

The four-day event saw representatives from over 150 different international non-governmental youth organisations (INGYOs) come together to discuss pressing issues affecting young people from across European society.

Speaking after the event, Geoff explained: “The EYF Council of Member’s meeting was another opportunity for Rural Youth Europe to represent our member’s views and to ensure that the concerns of young people from a rural background are being voiced at the highest level of the European democratic process.

“During the event, the council voted on several policy papers on topics such as equality, non-discrimination, youth autonomy and social inclusion and wherever possible the delegation from Rural Youth Europe did our utmost to ensure that the concerns of our members were being voiced and included in the process.”

Geoff added: “In addition to presenting the concerns of our members, the COMEM offered an opportunity for RYE to build upon existing relations with other INGYOs in order to ensure continued collaboration and to strengthen relationships with our partner organisations throughout the EU.”