Catherine Bearder MEP writes: Europe is about more than the economy, it’s about opportunity

At the official launch of the Stronger In Campaign on Monday it was great to see such a huge range of people, of all ages and from all walks of life, prepared to work together to secure Britain's place in Europe.

The board of the campaign represents all sections of society - students, the arts, business and trade unions - and almost half its members are women. This couldn't contrast more with the male, pale and stale line-ups of the Vote Leave and Leave EU campaigns.

The challenge now for Stronger In will be to translate such a broad base of support into a coherent and positive message. We don't just need to win over undecided voters, we need to make sure those who are broadly in favour of remaining in Europe turn up to cast their vote and play an active role in the campaign. Young people in particular are historically the least likely to vote, but the latest polls show 83% of them want to stay in the EU. They probably won't get passionate about dry economic facts on the impact of Brexit on trade and investment. We need to develop a powerful and uplifting narrative about why Britain's future in Europe matters to them and their everyday lives.

For me, part of that should mean emphasising that the EU is all about opportunity. Whether it is a ski season in Austria or a summer working in a bar in Spain, being in the EU has made it easier than ever before to start a new life almost anywhere in Europe. Since 2007, 100,000 British students have received Erasmus grants to study abroad, giving them a chance to expand their horizons and make friends from all over the continent. Thousands of young people currently live and work around Europe, from Barcelona to Berlin. Many of us now take it for granted, but one central achievement of the EU is that opportunity no longer ends at our national borders. As EU citizens we have easy access to opportunities in 28 different countries.

This includes the chance to come out and work in Brussels (which unfortunately young Brits don't often take advantage of!). There are paid traineeship schemes at the various EU institutions (see here and here), which provide an excellent way to get your foot in the door and gain some international experience. The ALDE Group of MEPs offers traineeships for young graduate Lib Dems interested in European politics (please contact me if interested). We also need to broaden access and ensure these kinds of careers aren't just the preserve of the well-connected middle class. That's why, along with Liberal colleagues, I've started a Young Visitors' competition which pays for young people from more disadvantaged backgrounds to come out and do a weeks' work experience in the European Parliament.

So I hope in the course of the referendum campaign we will make a strong case for why remaining in the EU is not just about the economy, it's about opportunity. It's about being part of something bigger, a borderless community of nations in which we can celebrate our shared values as well as our diverse cultures and traditions. If in the process more young people become aware of the opportunities they have to live and work around Europe, that will be an added bonus.

* Catherine Bearder is the Liberal Democrat MEP for the South East

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