Last month, on October 9 & 10, I had the immense honor of attending the EU Global Gateway High-level Youth Event organized by the European Commission in Brussels. This unique event brought together youth leaders, policymakers, and EU stakeholders to celebrate the transformative impact of the EU’s youth agenda. It was a gathering to mark significant milestones, forge new partnerships, and foster connections among youth advisory structures and champions, all aimed at advancing youth initiatives within the Global Gateway Strategy for EU international partnerships.
Engaging with high-level policymakers and young leaders from diverse backgrounds, the event emphasized the meaningful impact of youth-led initiatives while reflecting on the achievements of the EU Youth Action Plan (YAP) since its adoption in October 2022. One of the most empowering aspects of the event was that we—the youth—organized and led every activity, working closely with DG-INTPA to realize the vision of Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen.
Day one was filled with activities focused on strengthening connections across EU youth networks worldwide. We heard from European Commission representatives, including Mr. Martin Seychell and Agnieszka Skuratowicz, who emphasized the vital role of youth in the Commission’s work and the achievements and future goals of the YAP. Success stories shared by Youth Sounding Board (YSB) members from EU Delegations and headquarters highlighted the critical role that YSBs and other youth advisory structures play in fostering EU partnerships and addressing issues like regional integration and climate action. Parallel sessions offered young participants opportunities for knowledge-sharing and capacity-building. I joined the “Group Empower” session, where we collaborated on strategies to amplify young voices in policy and decision-making at the EU, partner countries, and regional and multilateral levels, developing forward-looking recommendations for the Commissioner.
Day two featured high-level engagements, including keynote speeches by Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen, Commissioner for International Partnerships at the EU Commission, and Mr. Felipe Paullier, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs. These sessions highlighted the strategic role of youth as partners to European institutions and underscored the power of intergenerational dialogue and collaboration. Panelists discussed institutional barriers and the need for youth-friendly funding schemes to foster more meaningful participation. Conversations also underscored the role of youth as change-makers within Global Gateway investments, especially amid geopolitical challenges. Throughout the day, delegates and stakeholders connected at the event’s marketplace, showcasing youth programs, tools, and capacity-building opportunities. In her closing remarks, Commissioner Urpilainen summarized the key insights gained, following our presentation of recommendations to enhance youth engagement, connection, and empowerment through the Youth Action Plan.
Before concluding my time in Brussels, we met with Mr. Paullier to discuss ways for youth to deepen collaboration within UN systems, especially as we prepare for post-Summit of the Future next steps. We also had a reflection meeting with Commissioner Urpilainen, during which global YSB members reviewed our one-year journey under our two-year mandate and heard from both former and current youth advisors as the Commissioner’s term comes to an end.
As the first and only Liberian on the EU Global Youth Sounding Board, I am continually humbled and inspired by the connections I’ve made with my YSB colleagues. This experience renewed my belief—echoed by several speakers—that, as young people, “every meaningful change we wish to see begins within ourselves.” When trusted and empowered as key partners, and through solidarity across borders, youth can indeed play a crucial role in addressing critical national, regional, and global challenges, as we demonstrated in Brussels and continue to show in our communities.
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