Maginness hails MTV Euro adverts

Friday 15 May 2009

SDLP European Candidate Alban Maginness has welcomed the involvement of MTV in the campaign to encourage young people to vote in the upcoming European elections on the 4 June 2009.

SDLP European Candidate Alban Maginness has welcomed the involvement of MTV in the campaign to encourage young people to vote in the upcoming European elections on the 4 June 2009.

Mr Maginness said: "It is vitally important that young people from Northern Ireland as citizens of European are encouraged to vote not only in the upcoming European Election but also in any future elections, in order for them to exercise their democratic right and allow their voice to be heard.

"MTV have come on board to encourage young people to vote in the upcoming election and will run advertisements on their international network of 168 channels. The adverts will transmit the message that voting is a way for young people to make their voices heard and they will use the slogan 'Can you hear me?'

"I would encourage young people in Northern Ireland to come out and make their voices heard on the 4 June and ensure their opinions are heard and accounted for. Young people benefit from the European Union as they are entitled to study in any European country, travel anywhere they want, as well as work anywhere within it. Therefore it is important they take an interest in it.

"This week I met Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel and I stressed the importance of encouraging young people to take part in projects such as the ERASMUS programme.

"The SDLP pledge to do everything we can to enable higher and further education students to participate in study abroad.

"The interests of young people have been neglected in the European Parliament without the SDLP - it is time for us all to win again."