Starting in July 2026, a new 18-month campaign by the European Union Youth Dialogue will be launched. Its aim is to explore how young people access information, develop their critical thinking skills, and build their understanding of the world in a constantly evolving digital environment. This topic resonates strongly with contemporary educational challenges.
Young people have never had access to so much information. Social networks, online media, short videos, generative artificial intelligence, and collaborative platforms now constitute daily gateways to news and knowledge. This abundance represents a considerable opportunity for opening up to the world. But it also raises new questions: how to distinguish reliable information from misleading information? How to verify a source? How to develop an informed opinion in an environment where content circulates ever faster? These questions are now at the heart of European discussions on citizenship and democracy.
According to a recent Eurobarometer survey A survey focused on youth revealed that 74% of young Europeans believe their education has equipped them with the digital skills necessary to identify misinformation. In France, this figure rises to 84%. These results highlight the crucial role played by educators in fostering critical thinking. However, they also serve as a reminder that identifying false information is only part of the challenge. Understanding how information spreads, deciphering algorithms, recognizing biases, comparing viewpoints, and exercising sound judgment remain essential skills for fully participating in democratic life.
An issue of education and citizenship
Beyond digital skills, this new EU Youth Dialogue campaign invites reflection on the role of education in shaping citizens. In rural areas, as elsewhere, young people are confronted with complex debates related to ecological transitions, changes in the world of work, geopolitical issues, and the impact of digital technologies. Faced with these challenges, access to reliable information becomes essential for civic engagement. Developing critical thinking skills is not just about protecting oneself against misinformation. It is also about learning to argue, listening to different points of view, participating in public debate, and collectively building solutions to the challenges of our time.
As in previous campaigns, young people will be invited to share their experiences, concerns, and proposals through various consultation forums organized at the local, national, and European levels. The contributions gathered will inform the work of the EU Youth Dialogue and contribute to the development of recommendations for European institutions.
For youth organizations, educational institutions, and networks committed to civic participation, this new campaign represents an opportunity to pursue an essential reflection: how can we support young people in understanding the world around them so that they can fully participate in it? At a time when information circulates faster than ever, critical thinking appears more than ever as a fundamental civic skill.
