Prodromou was speaking during an informal teleconference of EU Youth Ministers convened by the Croatian EU presidency, a Ministry of Education press release says.

Ministers discussed how the coronavirus pandemic has had an impact on young people`s access to services as well as about the challenges the pandemic poses in youth employment.

“New challenges call for new ways of supporting and empowering young people and youth organisations,” Prodromou said during his intervention.

“Despite difficulties posed by the restriction of movement young people have shown resilience and a strong spirit of solidarity,” he added.

The Cypriot Minister also referred to an initiative by the Cyprus Youth Board to support young volunteers as well as the launching of a working group comprised by representatives from civil society and public authorities so that the situation can be monitored and practical ways of helping young people and youth organisations can be promoted.

“Such groups could also operate at European level, so that credible data can be collected and the necessary measures can be taken,” Prodromou concluded.

Source: CNA

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As we get a clearer picture of how things develop, with the data provided by the government advisors and epidemiologists, we will be able to announce how the rest of the year will be completed, he said.

The Minister held teleconference with the parents’ associations from all levels of education. He said the discussions were constructive, noting they provided useful suggestions. He also informed them on the course of online education and support as well as the next steps.
 
He informed the parents on the ministry’s planning for the rest of the year and about the graduates and the Pancyprian admissions’ tests “as they are a priority and concern for all”.

The Minister urged teachers to continue providing educational support to children during the next two weeks which are part of the Easter holiday. He suggested they take a break from Holy Thursday until Easter Tuesday.

It is important to maintain communication and a sense that teachers are standing by the children, he added.

Regarding planning, he said as the days go by, we will have a clearer picture and with the data provided by the government’s advisors and epidemiologists, we will be able to announce how the rest of the school year will continue.

As far as graduates are concerned, he said the children will be examined for the material they have covered until 13^th of March. However, there will be announcements. “We will provide solutions for the children’s school career and for graduates to claim positions at the public universities of Cyprus and Greece on equal terms with credible procedures”, the minister added.

The minister said he assured parents, especially those of elementary education that the support will continue.

Asked if planning will be disrupted if the exams for entry to the Greek universities take place in September, Prodromou said “we don’t have planning for September”. However, he said that if the epidemiological situation is altered, then we cannot exclude anything. The effort is to prepare the exams before the enlistment of the new National Guard conscripts, the minister said.

He further added that all children that do not have tablets will be given while internet services will be installed in all the 2000 cases which applied.

Source: CNA

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The event concerns youth directly, and they are its protagonists, since its aim is to showcase youth as one of the most vibrant and hope-bearing groups of society.

This year marks the 25 year anniversary of the Youth Board itself, and this symbolism sends the message once again that the Youth Board stands by the youth of the island since its founding, invests in their future through innovative and creative programs, pertaining to education, training and information-sharing. In the last 25 years, the organization has been working diligently in order to offer to the youth, new spaces of freedom and expression, and to inspire them in order to be actively involved in creative sectors of social and artistic activity.

In this year’s Festival, we are holding again the NGO Fair, in collaboration with the NGO Support Center and the Cyprus Youth Council, with the participation of more than 75 organizations (NGOs) that are active in topics related to volunteerism, social welfare, the environment, culture, human rights and others.

Moreover, those attending the Festival will enjoy the music of cypriot bands, but also artists from Cameroon, as well as short films by Cyprus-based artists, participate in open discussions / debates, observe alternative science experiments, and meet ComicCon cosplayers. In addition, the Festival will give the opportunity for the audience to witness exiting new technology advancements and applications, to experience an alternative «human» library, but also to become familiar with EU programs and campaigns. There will also be a kids corner, with activities for children and a karagöz (shadow theatre) performance.

Finally, let us note that since 2017, all the activities of the Youth Board, including the Youth Festival are supported by the National Youth Strategy of Cyprus, which is the result of the work carried out by the organization in the last 25 years, thus imprinting the vision of the state for the youth.

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