Participants react to the first day of the European Youth Event. The EYE (European Youth Event) brings together at the European Parliament in Strasbourg and online thousands of young people from all over the European Union and the world, to share and shape their ideas on Europe’s future.

Strasbourg

interview

European Youth Event 2023 (T)

European Youth Event 2023 (EYE): voxpops by participants

SOUNDBITE (Bulgarian) Neli, Participant to The EYE from Bulgaria, The event is very exciting because there are people not only from the European Union, but also from many other countries. I think it is a unique opportunity for young people to touch the heart of democracy in Europe and to communicate with persons from all over the world.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch) Gavin, Participant to The EYE, Find it very exciting. When I came here, uh, when I just came in, it was hard to see how many different people you are. Incredible. And they come from all different countries. But what surprised me was how easily I can speak to other people here. Everyone speaks to each other and during the day I chatted with at least fifty different people and also in different languages. In Dutch and German in English. And everyone is open to hear what you say. And I think that is a very exciting experience.

SOUNDBITE (Italian) Zeneli, Participant to The EYE from Italy, The event, certainly is very stimulating,it makes us, gives us the opportunity to get to know each other among young people and get in touch with the European environment of the European Union, then get closer to ourselves as European citizens. I'm learning so much. 

SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Juan, Participant to The EYE from Spain,That people deserve. After so many difficult years, with covid, with inflation, with difficulties for young people. It's very nice to be here and I hope to meet even more people from many countries, to continue talking about the future of Europe.

SOUNDBITE (Romanian) Alexandra-Madalina, Participant to The EYE from ROmania,I am very excited about the event, I am glad to have the opportunity to attend this gathering. I am delighted to say that I am part of Erasmus Generation and I have the opportunity to share my ideas with an open-minded world.

SOUNDBITE (French) Ait, Participant to The EYE from France,Yes, It's the first day, that's going very well and tomorrow, we'll be speaking as a speaker. So it's another opportunity for us and we can't wait. We can't wait to do it.

SOUNDBITE (French) Nilse, Participant to The EYE from France, Yes, indeed, there is an aspect of getting to know the European Parliament that is very interesting and really quite fascinating. And then, the dimension is being able to share projects with different nationalities within the European Union. 

SOUNDBITE (French) Julie, Participant to The EYE from France,Yes, it's really a moment of sharing, above all, with a lot of different nationalities. It is also a moment of exchange of different ideas and opinions. So far, we have already learned a lot from different politicians who have played the game of answering student questions. It was very, very pleasant.

SOUNDBITE (French) Sameh, Participant to The EYE from France, For me, it was good to highlight the European Skills Year. So, we understood that it's time and it's very important to ensure that we learn more and more soft skills, digital skills, organizations, business skills... and this frol a young age. It's very important to implement it and to highlight it more and more. 

SOUNDBITE (Italian) Zeneli, Participant to The EYE from Italy, I think it is an excellent opportunity especially for all young children like us to get together in such an event, therefore of a European calibe. And then be able to discuss what are some of the topics, the main problems of the moment, or even simply not to talk about problems, but what could actually be reinforced and what maybe we are doing at European level.

SOUNDBITE (German) Jasmin, Participant to The EYE from Germany, Very, very nice. It is really cool to see how everything is set up here, where the people simply work, who also decide for Parliament who determine the future of Europe, simply. And you can quickly talk to them all, even from different countries.