Youth Policy Dialogues: how meeting European decision-makers empowered me as a young activist

Author: Kaja Możdżeń / Editor: Mariam Topchishvili, Alumni 

Let’s start by explaining what a Youth Policy Dialogue is. Since the 2022 European Year of Youth, each European Commissioner has met with young people to discuss topics related to their role in the European Commission.

And meeting three Commissioners in the span of a month, thanks to these Policy Dialogues? Sounds like a dream. But for me, that was the case.

It all started in December 2023 with an email offering me to take part in a meeting on disinformation in Warsaw with Commissioner Roxana Mînzatu, responsible for social rights and skills, quality jobs and preparedness. Of course, I said yes. At that time, I wasn’t fully aware of how unique and amazing this opportunity was.

So, the year 2024 arrives, and I’m on my way to Warsaw. The participants gather, and there are around 20 of us. After a while to get to know each other, we get to sit down and prepare for the discussion before Commissioner Mînzatu arrives. Our leading topic was ‘#True #Fake – Unmasking the Truth in a Digital World – Boosting digital and media literacy skills among young people as a way to fight disinformation’. 

Once the Commissioner came and greeted us, the dialogue was initiated. For two hours, we spoke about Artificial Intelligence, issues with social media use like screen addiction and ways to overcome these problems through formal and non-formal education. To be honest, I was nervous (and the discussion being live-streamed only added to the stress), but I felt proud when I started speaking up about my thoughts on the matter. (You can find key takeaways from this Youth Policy Dialogue here.)

Another opportunity to meet decision-makers came long, not with an email this time, but a LinkedIn message. It was an invitation to Nova Gorica, Slovenia, for a Youth Policy Dialogue, ‘Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges, Growing Together’, with Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos and Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport Glenn Micallef. Was it surprising? Of course, I never expected to receive opportunities like that. Did I agree to this offer? Absolutely.

What made this occasion even more exciting was the fact that there were 40 participants from 40 different countries, which made the topic regarding EU enlargement and international mobilities even more ideal for this meeting. Not only that, the choice of the location was intentional, as Nova Gorica and the neighbouring Italian City of Gorizia received the title of the European Year of Culture 2025, being a perfect example of cross-border cooperation. As I arrived in Slovenia, I quickly understood how lucky I was to be part of such an event. This time, the format of the discussion was different – after everyone had introduced themselves to the Commissioners, we split into working groups to debate in-depth aspects related to the main topic. For example, my working group focused on EU enlargement in the eyes of young people, the consolidation of Europe and ways to create safe and inclusive spaces. This allowed not only for more opportunities to exchange personal experiences and opinions, but also to create concrete recommendations as a result of our discussions. 

In the meantime, both of the Commissioners visited all of the working groups and joined discussions. The Youth Policy Dialogue ended with delegates from different groups presenting outcomes from their conversations. Some of the aspects brought up included European programmes for youth (Erasmus+, European Solidarity Corps), regional integration, and, of course, EU enlargement.  (You can read more about this Youth Policy Dialogue here.)

What did I learn from this experience?

I look at these memories fondly. Meeting important people who are behind real changes in the European Union was unbelievable and extremely empowering.  A huge part of my positive experience was also meeting other youth activists – getting to know the perspectives of others and what actions they take in their local communities inspired me to develop even more in civic participation. What especially struck me were the speeches of Commissioner Kos and Commissioner Micallef. They felt sincere, confident and powerful.

In the end, I would like to list four aspects that were emphasised during a speech by Commissioner Marta Kos: learn, engage, connect, and change. It’s a simple formula, and yet it so perfectly encapsulates activism as a whole. As an activist learns, grows and shows action, change is sure to happen.