Pierogi, moussaka, pizza: Europe tastes colorful, diverse, and steeped in tradition. People, languages, and ideas from different countries shape everyday life in Berlin. But what does Europe mean to young people? What's important to them? What role does the EU play in their lives? And can young people in Europe even have a say? These questions were the focus of the seminar "#MyEurope – Your Everyday Life. Your Future. Your Europe."
Understanding Europe through play
"Europe. A Question of Values" – the participants began their exchange with the board game published by the Council of Europe. The game playfully encouraged them to reflect together on fundamental values: freedom of expression, fair justice, gender equality, free elections, diversity, and non-discrimination. Discussions, question cards, and small challenges demonstrated that these values unite us in Europe and affect the daily lives of every individual.
Young people and their everyday relationship to Europe
, two young people from the Berlin jumpTeam continued the search for commonalities in Europe and their relevance to everyday life with the participants.
Together, they gathered ideas on where young people in Europe would like to see improvements: border controls, environmental and climate protection, data privacy, shared values, and peace. On posters styled like Instagram posts, they formulated their demands: more environmental protection and solutions to CO₂ emissions, freedom of expression, justice, diversity, housing rights for all, and accommodation for the homeless.
- jumpTeam: committed young people from all over Germany who advocate for participation in the European Youth Dialogue. They organize workshops and discussion rounds so that young people can have their say on what they want to change in Europe.
- They also promote the Youth Goals, currently focusing on Youth Goal 1: "Strengthening youth in democratic life."
Young people should have more political participation, know their rights, and be able to actively participate in decisions. Europe should be a place where young people are heard and taken seriously.
From idea to your own mediaproject
With these suggestions in mind, the workshop groups for comics, animation/tag tool, and film began on the second day. Together, they researched, discussed, and then creatively implemented their ideas. Each group developed a media product that expresses their perspective on Europe.
On the final day, the young people presented their results to a large audience:
Seminar results
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Image from the story "Europtopia Saves the EU" from the participants' comic book
Democracy, security and more
Finally, the workshop and the entire group were asked once again, "What is important to me in Europe?" Answers ranged from democracy, security and freedom of choice to freedom of expression, respect and good cooperation between countries.
The EU Youth Dialogue, where young people can contribute their ideas, remains an important area for the wannseeFORUM through its collaboration at the national level and through concrete seminars with young people, because young people want to have a say in Europe. And above all: they have something to say.
