Over the course of these three days, the European Parliament brought together more than 250 students, selected from nearly 2,889 applications, representing 34 countries and 54 nationalities. The event encouraged these young people to share their views during 8 panel discussions on key topics:
- Citizenship: how can the EU bridge the gap between its institutions and its citizens in order to build trust and encourage civic participation?
- Economy: how can the EU overcome uneven progress and encourage change across all sectors and societies?
- Budget: how can the EU rebalance and adapt its funding to reflect social changes?
- Transport: how can the EU develop an inclusive public transport system?
- Digital: how can the EU promote an inclusive digital culture and cybersecurity, and strengthen resilience?
- Education: how can the EU help universities to promote interdisciplinarity?
- Solidarity: how can the EU address demographic change and promote meaningful participation of older generations in society?
- Trade: how can the EU reconcile strategic autonomy with fundamental values in the field of trade agreements?
It was through these various discussions that the importance of European universities was highlighted, both in terms of their intercultural diversity and their role in fostering critical thinking among our students and their engagement with the European Union.
Among the 54 university alliances represented, BAUHAUS4EU was one of them!
A number of students from the BAUHAUS4EU Student Council were lucky to be among the candidates selected to take their seats in the European Parliament and take part in these discussions, which promote intercultural exchange and the diversity of the regions represented. Harriet Palethorpe, a second-year bachelor's degree student from Université Lumière Lyon 2 shared her experience with us :
“I would like to start by expressing my sincere gratitude to the BAUHAUS4EU alliance for giving me the opportunity to attend this year's European Student Assembly, and to the organising team in Strasbourg for putting together such a remarkable event.
What made this experience so special was the first-hand experience we all gained in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, being able to vote on and write our own laws like European deputies. The diversity and welcoming atmosphere among the other students made our three days together a very enjoyable experience. I was a member of Panel 6, which focused on education. It was a real opportunity to discuss and compare education systems from across the continent and especially rewarding as all our recommendations were voted through. I will keep very fond memories of this experience, having made real friends with many of my fellow participants. I hope our paths cross again!”
Their numerous exchanges during these discussions actively contributed to BAUHAUS4EU’s objectives: strengthening the intercultural aspect, improving opportunities for interdisciplinarity, reinforcing European identity, and actively participating in the transition towards a sustainable, inclusive, resilient and beautiful future.
