As the European institutions get stronger, and voter turnout in the European elections gradually decreases, the European Commission has turned to the MTV generation, with a motivating youth-oriented campaign.

The campaign, which has already sparked both positive and negative reactions on the Euro-blogosphere, follows the recent launch of the European Parliaments official campaign, which has also drawn has criticism for failing to relate to the real problems Europeans are facing, especially in light of the financial crisis and its aftershock.

The campaign, run jointly with MTV, which broadcasts across 162 countries in 33 languages, has taken the name 'Can you hear me Europe?' includes a website which is available in all EU languages, (including “ελληνικόσ”) where the youth can express themselves and broadcast their voices (although in all honesty I don’t know what good it will do them…)

All the bells and whistles (Facebook and Twitter) van be utilized, making the campaign even more inviting for youths.

While watching the ‘latest video’, featuring “The Veronicas”, who said that “Europe is one of the most beautiful places in the world” (such as, is the Asia and the America such as…), I realized the following:

Yes, the youth need to be motivated.

Yes they should be reached through popular media (such as MTV)

Yes they should go vote…

But the essential problem that comes with all these campaigns is one- When someone is voting in the EU elections, they are voting for a party, or members who they want to represent them in the next Parliamentary term. They are voting for people to represent them, regarding both the local issues that they want taken care of, as well as the orientation on the major European issues.

The MTV campaign just doesn’t do that. All (it appears) to do, is remind youths that we are holding EU elections. Let’s hope that is enough.

Quoting the CANEUHEARME site, “You can also … get the skinny on what the elections are all about and check out what some of Europe’s top recording artists have to say about being part of the coolest community - Europe.” Sounds like fun!

The multitude of the European Institutions’ initiatives to ‘advertise’ the European elections to the ‘clients’ (voters) just appears as if they are throwing a handful of darts blindfolded, hoping to hit the dartboard…