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BRUSSELS – Early this month, I had one of the most incredible experiences of my life – I joined 25 other young changemakers from around the world to meet with the European Union’s top official for foreign affairs and security.
At the Youth Policy Dialogue with EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, who is also the Vice President of the European Commission, we youth had a chance to make our voices heard.
Three days of intense discussions, policy workshops, and diplomatic meetings later, we had something real – concrete proposals that could shape the future of EU policymaking. And I got to be part of it.
This whole event was about proving that young people are not just the future – we are now.
The European Commission has recognized this by launching the Youth Policy Dialogues within the first 100 days of Kallas’ term. Why? To make sure youth voices actually influence EU foreign policy, not just in theory but in practice.
Each of four groups was to present three proposals to Kallas.
As an 18-year-old Ukrainian, representing a country literally fighting for its democracy, I joined the Peacebuilding & Conflict Resolution working group. We tackled a big question: How can the EU move from being a mediator to a real leader in global peace and security?
Right now, conflicts are happening everywhere – from Ukraine to the Middle East, from Latin America to Africa. The EU has to step up. Among the proposals, I can distinguish the following:
First of all, stronger military integration. Europe needs a unified defense strategy to protect its sovereignty and respond to crises faster.
Furthermore, we proposed Youth Practitioners Boards within EU delegations to give young people a real say in policy decisions. With the U.S. pulling back from some international commitments, the EU has to fill that gap through diplomacy, prevention campaigns, and mediation.
The event itself was unbelievable. We started with a crash course on EU policymaking, learning how decisions actually get made. After that, we took part in intense workshops on human rights, diplomacy, and conflict resolution.
We even played an interactive media literacy game, because in today’s world, knowing what’s real and what’s fake is more important than ever.
Then came the real deal: the direct dialogue with Kallas. We stood in the same room with one of the most influential people in EU foreign policy and presented our proposals.
As a Ukrainian and young European, I spoke on the true cost of war and the need for a just, lasting peace.
Ukraine seeks negotiations based on justice, accountability, and real security, not just another pause before further aggression.
Looking back, I feel nothing but gratitude. I am thankful to the Mission of Ukraine to the EU for their support, to the organizers and facilitators who made this possible, and most of all, to my fellow participants – some of the most passionate, driven people I’ve ever met.
Vladlen Zaitsev is a Reporter with Youth Journalism International.
