Members of the Young European Movement (YEM) were honoured to be chosen by the EU Delegation to the UK to represent Britain at the European Parliament in Strasbourg last week, where almost ten thousand young people gathered to participate in the 2023 European Youth Event. 

The European Youth Event brought together young people from all over the European Union and the wider world to share and shape their ideas on Europe’s future. It was a unique opportunity for 16- to 30-year-olds to interact, inspire each other and exchange their views with experts, activists, influencers and decision-makers, right in the heart of European democracy. 

During the event, members of the Young European Movement took part in activities co-created with institutions, international organisations, civil society, youth organisations and participants themselves, offering a space for discussions and networking. In light of the European and global context and ahead of the European elections 2024, part of the programme focused on the role of democracy and youth engagement. 

Throughout the event, YEM members emphasised the need to reconnect British youth with Europe by addressing Brexit deficits, such as rejoining the Erasmus+ Programme and resolving visa issues for students and young workers alike. They spoke with several leading EU officials, including Vice-President of the European Parliament, Katarina Barley. 

Members also had the opportunity to network and befriend volunteers from across Europe in a more social atmosphere, with evening activities kindly organised by the European Parliament aimed to build friendships and connections for life. 

With the event now concluded, YEM participants will be able to share ideas, expectations and concerns which they have for young people in Britain and across Europe, which will be fed into the European Parliament’s Youth Ideas Report to be distributed to all Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) ahead of the upcoming elections.