Money Doesn't Matter, say Europe's Young People

LONDON, July 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

With alarming youth unemployment figures, you might expect that money would be on the minds of Europe's young people. But according to new poll figures released today, nothing could be further from the truth.

The Prince's Trust, British Youth Council, AIESEC (the world's largest student run organisation), and a 29 year old Buddhist master, His Holiness Karmapa Thaye Dorje, all contributed to the Wealth of Europe poll, which found:

• 0% say making money is the meaning of life, while 70% say it's helping and inspiring others.

• 42% say that recognition and responsibility motivates them the most. 3% say money is the biggest motivator.

• 43% feel the most important value in life is love. Only 4% feel justice is most important.

• 36% say volunteering is the best way to make a positive impact on society. Only 6% say it's working for the public sector or government. 4% don't think they can have a positive impact.

• 30% say getting other young people into training and employment is most pressing for them at the moment, 15% was the stability of the Euro. Not a single person feels that supporting their country in the Olympic Games is most pressing.

The poll of 530 Europeans aged 18-30, is part of the Wealth of Europe initiative on Facebook, set up by His Holiness to explore the value of values in the 21st century economy. On Monday, His Holiness leads talks in London on 'Is there more to life than making money?' with representatives from the House of Lords, Action for Happiness, New Economics Foundation and youth ambassadors from The Prince's Trust. He will then hold similar discussions with young people in France (26 July - 5 August) and Germany (7 August - 12 August) as part of his European tour.

His Holiness Karmapa Thaye Dorje, the head of one of the four strands of Tibetan Buddhism, says 'When we live to earn rather than earn to live, there can be problems of excess and greed. Fortunately, young Europeans seem to be more motivated by love and helping others, rather than money. This is a sign of great hope for the future prosperity of Europe.'

The European Youth Forum, the European Students Union, Generation Europe Foundation, ThinkYoung, are also supporting the initiative.

Contact: Simon Cohen, +44-(0)751-538-7314, simon@globaltolerance.com