“Transport” in the Algarve was a central topic of debate among young people

Last Friday, at 6pm, the first session of “UNITED FOR DEMOCRACY” took place at UTL/Akivida. whose motto was “Transport”.

In the UTL/Akivida atrium, the audience, essentially young (students, representatives of party youth and citizens’ movements for the railway), sat down to listen and debate regional issues that are happening today. “Transport” was the central theme, but there was time to discuss “Abstention”, especially in the European elections.

The session that started with a quizz on the European union, as a way of breaking the ice, he gave space, immediately afterwards, to two guests: Manuel Tão, professor with a doctorate in transport economics and Nuno Almeida, a psychologist and researcher who coordinated a study at the University of Algarve on abstentions, to open the debate about the two themes.

Manuel Tão reveals that transport is of great importance, as “Without the existence of transport there is no European project”. In the professor’s opinion, a railway investment should be made in the future, restoring the connection between the Algarve with Alentejo and Andalusia.

Among the many complaints, the youngest were concerned about the lack of rail transport, the high ticket prices and the constraints on travel in the district of Faro. They also reinforced that with electrification and requalification, the railway will become more efficient and economical for the future of territorial and social cohesion, in contrast to automobiles.

Based on the study he carried out, Nuno Almeida highlighted the increase in the abstention rate over time, particularly among young people and that this behavior is due to ignorance and political disinterest. A reality that is even more felt in the European elections and which was highlighted by the organization that calls for people to vote on June 9, 2024.

For young people, politics is a subject that should be discussed more and for this reason, they defend the existence of greater political literacy, reinforcing that voting is a choice that symbolizes freedom. Aware of the current situation, they understand that parties should change their communication strategies with the aim of clarifying their programs and question what the European Union could do for them.

Councilor Álvaro Leal from the municipality of VRSA was present at this session, who focused his speech on the Youth Forum organized in this city and which serves as a space for active listening to the problems and issues of new generations, with a view to the practical development of these ideas .

This initiative is organized by Europe Direct Algarve and the Algarve Regional Coordination and Development Commission, supported by the European Commission. The next session will take place on March 27th, at Clube de Tavira and will focus on the theme of “Quality of life”.

The debates are free to enter and always take place between 6pm and 8pm.

For more information, see the project website About us| Together (europa.eu) that inspired this initiative.