European Youth Event
On October 8-9, we were at the @ep_eye – which brought together at the European Parliament in Strasbourg 10 000+ young people, experts, activists, influencers and European decision-makers from all over Europe. Look at some glimpses of the event!
Jakhini: - People often say about us the ‘younger generation’ that we are 'too chill' about things. But I like how we interact. We’re all very frank, we can speak our minds and we all listen to each other, which is really nice.
Jakhini: - I don’t know what it’s like for you Dylan but I love everything here! Last year I gave a keynote and this year I’m hosting the hybrid stream, introducing the events, welcoming people to the online platform. But I’m also here because I feel events like these give you a lot of energy and inspiration. It’s just so chill here...
Today Tobias works alongside Oke - both appear in the first image. They now seek to expand their project on a global scale. “We all need to be part of the solution. We believe that once you have tried picking up trash from the water, it will move something within your soul and give you a new, clearer perspective on ocean pollution”.
Dylan: You’re right, I feel good here, it’s a very welcoming place. I mainly came to connect with other young Europeans. To discuss topics that we all care about: safety, climate change, education.
Oh did I tell you? I’m running to become a politician back in the Netherlands. City Council.
Sara: Can you believe I used to be so ashamed of my culture, of my religion that I hid it away from people? Whenever I met new people and they asked where I was from I would simply say ‘I am Italian’.
Sara: “But here I was never considered a full Italian, and back home I didn’t feel like a true Tunisian. Talk about an identity crisis…
Once I ended up watching a movie that promoted Islam in a sense. And I felt so ashamed to be associated with that, that I started crying. That was a turning moment for me. Back then I realized that the pain I lived through was not due to my identity or who I was; it was caused by the shame I felt because of my identity.
So I decided to stop being ashamed. It was really important for me to wear my traditional Tunisian outfit today. All of the things I used to feel ashamed of, are the same things that make me proud to be who I am today.”
(*The EYE is the culmination of the European Parliament’s youth consultation process for the Conference on the Future of Europe. Do you want to learn more about the Conference on the Future of Europe? Sign up to know more via the together.eu platform @europeanparliament )
Photos by Soundous Boualam
