By: Alexa Dominique Pascual and Cassian Peña

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Meeting with Giulia Tariello, Alexa, and Cassian

Summary: Giulia Tariello, former Italian Youth Delegate, shared insights on youth advocacy in Italy and Europe, highlighting challenges in employment, climate activism, education funding, and gender equality. The discussion explored youth engagement with the UN and national security concerns.

Purpose: To understand youth advocacy in Italy and key issues affecting young people in Europe.

 

Transcript:

Alexa: Can you share your experience as an EU Youth Delegate and discuss key issues impacting youth in Italy and Europe, including human rights, climate change, and national security?

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Giulia: Thank you for the question. Last year, I served as the Italian Youth Delegate, engaging with youth across Europe. My role focused on coordinating activities with other European youth delegates, organizing monthly meetings, and preparing for UN-related events like the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).

Regarding youth concerns, unemployment remains a major issue in Italy, with high rates and uncertainty about retirement. The economic impact of the war in Ukraine and inflation further exacerbate these challenges. Public opinion on military support for Ukraine is divided—some support economic and military aid, while others criticize continued war financing.

Climate activism is strong, with movements like Fridays for Future and Extinction Rebellion gaining traction. However, opinions remain split on protest methods. Education is another concern, with high dropout rates and government efforts to reform technical schools by integrating theoretical and practical learning.

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Cassian: Would you say the biggest challenge is funding or structural issues?

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Giulia: Funding is a primary challenge. Some European countries lack youth delegate programs due to financial constraints—Spain and France, for instance, do not have national youth delegate programs. Even in countries with established programs, youth representatives are sometimes sidelined rather than fully integrated into delegations.

Education also suffers from funding cuts. Curriculum reductions mean history education often ends at World War II due to time and resource constraints. Additionally, many young people feel discouraged from pursuing education due to poor job prospects, creating a sociological challenge beyond just government policies.

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Alexa: What initiatives exist to support youth education and political engagement?

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Giulia: While there are no direct financing organizations for public schools, youth groups organize workshops, university events, and discussions with diplomats to encourage civic participation. Last year, we conducted workshops on Agenda 2030, gender equality, and policy drafting to teach students negotiation and policymaking skills.

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Alexa: How is the Italian government addressing gender equality and women's participation in leadership?

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Giulia: Unfortunately, progress is slow. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s first female leader, chooses to be addressed with the masculine form of her title, symbolizing a broader issue in how women's rights are perceived. Some politicians propose restricting abortion rights and have increased taxes on menstrual products. Public protests exist, but meaningful legislative action is limited.

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Cassian: There are significant economic disparities between northern and southern Italy. How does this affect employment opportunities?

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Giulia: The North-South divide has historical roots. The North is more industrialized, offering better job prospects, while the South lacks infrastructure and investment. Many young people from the South migrate to the North or abroad for better opportunities. Some regions, like Apulia, have successfully invested in tourism and international business to attract investment.

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Alexa: How do young Italians perceive NATO and the country’s defense spending?

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Giulia: Many support humanitarian aid for Ukraine but are wary of defense spending. There is a perception that the U.S. dominates NATO decision-making, and some Italians feel their government has little say. While there is no strong opposition to NATO, concerns arise when defense funding competes with education or social services.

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Alexa: How can international organizations provide more opportunities for youth participation?

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Giulia: Italy has several organizations facilitating youth engagement, including the Italian Society for International Organization, the Youth Ambassador Society (which manages G7 and G20 youth representation), and NGOs supporting youth participation in Model UN programs. However, awareness of these opportunities remains low, limiting broader participation.

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Alexa: It’s inspiring to see women advocating for these issues. We at InNetwork are organizing youth panels and discussions on foreign policy. Would you be interested in participating?

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Giulia: Absolutely! I’d be happy to contribute.

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Alexa: Thank you for your time and insights. We appreciate your perspective and look forward to collaborating.

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Giulia: Thank you as well. Arrivederci!