Glenn’s mission: Youth dialogue in first 100 days, action plan on cyberbullying and sport diplomacy

Glenn Micallef will be expected to organise a policy dialogue for young people within the first 100 days of his approval as European Commissioner.

This emerges from the mission letter Micallef was handed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday when she announced the portfolios for the new term.

Micallef, 35, was designated as European Commissioner for youth, culture, sport and intergenerational fairness. Like all commissioner-designates he will still have to undergo a grilling at the hands of MEPs before taking up his job.

“Your task will be to ensure we keep supporting young people and build on what we have in common and what brings us together in diversity, from our cultural heritage to sport at all levels,” Von der Leyen’s letter reads.

Micallef is also tasked with ensuring that decisions are taken with future generations in mind. “You should use a strategic foresight approach to look at challenges in this regard,” the letter states.

A “central part” of Micallef’s role will be to give “young people a greater freedom and responsibility” within European societies and democracies.

Micallef will be tasked to prepare a strategy on intergenerational fairness that will map out how communication between generations can be strengthened. The strategy will have to ensure that the interests of present and future generations are respected throughout the EU’s law making and policy initiatives.

“I would like you to take forward initiatives that ensure that young people can use their voice to help shape Europe’s future, including by coordinating the work of colleagues on the annual youth policy dialogues, the first of which should take place within the first 100 days,” Von der Leyen told Micallef.

Read the mission letter below:

Cyberbullying and impacts of social media

The Maltese commissioner-designate will also help set up the President’s Youth Advisory Board to advise on issues that matter to peers in their community and act as a sounding board for ideas developed by the Commission.

A more significant task will be to “focus” on the impact of social media and excessive screen time on young people. “You will lead the work on an action plan against cyberbullying,” Von der Leyen said, adding that she also expected Micallef to contribute to the EU-wide inquiry on the broader impacts of social media.

Micallef will, with other members of the Commission, be responsible for the implementation of the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child.

In the fields of culture and sport, Micallef is expected to develop a new “culture compass”, described as an “overarching strategic framework to guide and harness the multiple dimensions of culture”, and “focus” on improving the working conditions of artists and cultural professionals.

“You will make proposals to make it easier for people, in particular the younger generation, to visit and make the most of our cultural heritage,” Von der Leyen said.

Strengthening sport diplomacy

Micallef will also be expected to prepare a new strategy to “strengthen the European sport model based on solidarity, values and competitiveness”.

He is also expected to “strengthen European sport diplomacy” by engaging with partners around the world and focus on the impact of major sporting events.

One of Micallef’s tasks will be to update the Council recommendation on physical activity intended to enhance mental wellbeing.

Micallef will be working under the guidance of the executive vice-president for people, skills and preparedness, a portfolio handed to Romanian nominee Ruxana Minzatu.

The Directorate General for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport will support Micallef in his work.

“Given the scale of the challenges and the many issues in our in-tray, we must hit the ground running on day one,” Von der Leyen said, inviting Micallef to get in touch with the relevant services that would fall in his portfolio to prepare for his hearing in the European Parliament.