NEWS · 29 November 2023 · by Ceira
The project has been taking up a lot of our time, but we really want to make it the best it can be – a project that can help unite all those who support the Rejoin movement and provide some facts to target the misinformation about rejoining!
The fact file and mythbusting section of Rejoin Resources is looking really exciting and I think will be a great resource to have once it is published! I have mostly been focusing on connecting local pro-EU groups up and down the UK and our directory and map is starting to come together well too.
Stay European projects like Rejoin Resources are only possible because of our amazing members and donors. We are a small team but we believe that our work will really help to organise and galvanise the Rejoin campaign until the UK is back where it belongs!
Through my involvement with Stay European, and the wider National Rejoin March alliance it supports, I have been lucky enough to attend events that have really helped to inform my work and inspire me.
Speaking of the National Rejoin March in London, what a great experience the day was! Personally, I was so moved and inspired by the amount of people I met and people’s stories about their own struggles since Brexit, and also the amazing stories about life inside the EU and how incredible people’s experiences were of living freely, studying and working around Europe pre-referendum.
There was a massive amount of positivity throughout the whole event and hope for a united future, something I have been able to bring with me into the work I have been doing behind the scenes!
Young people and Brexit
I recently attended an EU Youth Delegation in London over 2 days and I was really excited to meet some incredible people and activists. The event brought together a huge range of young people and people working in youth organisations, human rights experts and civil society groups to discuss and debate key issues facing youth across Europe and the UK, specifically since Brexit and the loss of opportunities. There was a lot of sharing stories around youth engagement, a formal launch of a network of European Affairs Societies in UK universities and there were discussions about local issues that young people face around the UK.
A huge theme that kept coming up was the loss of Erasmus+ and how the Turing Scheme is not delivering as promised; a lot like many of the flimsy ‘post-Brexit contingency plans’, the loss of our place in the EU is a huge disadvantage and is hitting young people hard.
Other issues I repeatedly heard people bring up were things like the lack of freedom of movement and opportunities, and how Brexit has cut funding for groups that work with disadvantaged young people and the arts. I also heard many concerns on environmental issues and the loss of opportunities to work with the EU on new green policies.
The event really highlighted to me that the vast majority of young people see the most straightforward route to ease and resolve many of these issues: for the UK to rejoin the EU. I learned a huge amount about the issues that have arisen since Brexit – many that are not reported on enough. Young people’s futures really are hanging in the balance. But young people are also putting together projects to make our voices heard and demand better.
Day for Rejoin
As you may have seen, National Rejoin March have recently announced the date for our Day For Rejoin 2024: Sat 23 March 2024. There is already so much buzz around local events in the planning! I am on the committee as a representative of Stay European and I am currently planning my own local event in Liverpool too – I'm excited to see the day get even bigger and better than last year. If you fancy planning an event near you or need some inspiration on what to organise, visit the NRM website:
‘NRM Community Voices’ has also launched on National Rejoin March’s social media pages and is a collection of short, personal accounts of current issues and thoughts from the people involved in the march, and is a great way to get to know the real working people behind the campaigns and events! I have a few ready myself and think it’s a great opportunity to hear the real, unfiltered feelings about subjects that are affecting the country.
Thank you for reading this update on my work and activism. Your support of Stay European really does make a difference. Without it, we just couldn’t continue to work on projects and grow as we are. Thank you!
