European Youth Conference in LUBLIN – workshop sessions

Workshop sessions explored the following topics:

• Workshop #1: You and EU values
  The discussion explored how universal and EU values might shape a shared European identity for youth, fostering a sense of responsibility and highlighting their daily benefits, particularly amidst euroscepticism and radical movements. It also examined whether ongoing crises, such as migration challenges, climate change, and geopolitical tensions, challenged or redefined Europe as a unified construct and how young people could actively contribute to strengthening this unity in the face of such challenges, as well as what support they would need. It was also assessed whether existing EU youth programmes, like Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps, were sufficient for fostering youth-led diplomacy and promoting EU ideals worldwide.
• Workshop #2: You and your safety in the EU 
  The workshop explored perceptions of safety in Europe, identified key threats to EU security, and examined their impact on the mental health of young people. Discussions focused on how youth could build resilience, foster connections with neighbouring countries, and use programmes like Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps to promote a secure and united Europe. It was important to determine what kind of support young people needed in this area. Additionally, the workshop highlighted the importance of youth voices in shaping policies and initiatives that contributed to long-term security and unity. The conversation also focused on ways to strengthen the EU community in the effort to build a more resilient Europe.
• Workshop #3: You in a digital world 
  The workshop explored Europe’s readiness to face digital challenges and assessed whether young people, as digital natives, were prepared for threats like fake news, algorithms, cyber-attacks, and challenges posed by AI. It also examined what Europe needed to do to protect citizens while integrating youth perspectives into digital transformation policies. The workshop provided a space to discuss how young people could actively contribute to the creation of digital policies that not only protected but also empowered citizens in the face of evolving digital challenges.
• Workshop #4: You and your voice in the EU 
  The discussion explored whether young people could influence EU actions and address the democratic deficit through better engagement and awareness of youth mechanisms. It examined the most effective ways to make these mechanisms more accessible and to ensure meaningful participation at all levels, from local to EU-wide. The role of education, digital tools, and outreach programmes in enhancing youth awareness and participation in EU decision-making processes was also discussed.
• Workshop #5: Youth dialogue – best practices, case studies 
  The workshop examined how National Working Groups for Youth Dialogue operated across different countries. Discussions focused on funding, organizational support, and envisioning the ideal National Working Group for Youth Dialogue model that could strengthen youth engagement, enhance collaboration, and ensure effective representation of young people’s voices. Additionally, the workshop explored how young people could actively shape the direction and priorities of these National Working Groups to better address their evolving needs and aspirations.