European Youth Week is one of the European Union’s flagship events for celebrating youth engagement, participation, and shared European values. It brings together young people, youth organisations, EU institutions, and stakeholders from across Europe and partner countries, aiming to create a dynamic space for dialogue, ideas, and collaboration.
During 24–25 April, three Young European Ambassadors from the Western Balkans, Kejvin Jaku, Merita Dukaj, and Sava Dokmanovic, took part in this vibrant gathering, contributing directly to the program by facilitating a workshop titled “Generation Enlargement: How youth can shape the future of enlargement and democracy?” Through presentations, an EU enlargement quiz, and an interactive activity called “Merging the Future,” the session invited participants to actively engage in discussions around EU enlargement. The high-level event opened with a ceremony held in the hemicycle of the European Parliament in Brussels. The setting itself created a powerful sense of occasion, placing young participants at the heart of European decision-making spaces. The ceremony concluded with a live violin performance, adding a cultural and emotional dimension that set the tone for the day ahead.
At the core of this insightful experience was the YEA led workshop, which became a key moment for dialogue and exchange between young people. Merita Dukaj opened the session by presenting the Young European Ambassadors network, highlighting its advocacy role and its importance in amplifying youth voices across the region. This was followed by an interactive session from Kejvin Jaku, which explored EU enlargement through the lenses of security, prosperity, and youth exchanges. His session emphasized that enlargement is not only a political or institutional process, but also a pathway to greater stability, expanded opportunities, and stronger connections between people. The discussion was further enriched by Nika, a Young European Ambassador from the Eastern Partnership, who focused on the rule of law and brought attention to the importance of governance, democratic standards, and strong institutions as the backbone of a credible and sustainable enlargement process.
Beyond the workshop, participants continued their engagement by attending other sessions throughout the event. These moments allowed for deeper learning, exposure to diverse perspectives, and meaningful exchanges on a wide range of topics shaping the future of Europe. At its core, the message of the experience was clear: EU with YOU. Enlargement is not a distant or abstract process, it is a shared journey shaped by young people themselves. Their ideas, engagement, and everyday actions play a defining role, while the European Union stands as a partner that actively listens, connects, and supports.
European Youth Week once again proved that when young people are given the space to participate, they do more than just contribute. They co-shape a more resilient and sustainable future.
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