Bertie and Raphaël had the privilige to be the panelists in Panel 6: Living with dignity, where we tackled the issue of affordable housing for Europe’s youth. From brainstorming online to voting in the hemicycle, every step of the process felt real, impactful, and unforgettable. Prior to meeting in person in Strasbourg, we had got some trainings, and worked together on our policy proposals. During the sessions in the European Parliament, we discussed, debated, and finalized our proposals. We also voted for all proposals from all panels. Additionally, we joined the inter panel debates on mental health and other topics.
Our group worked together to craft 10 policy recommendations aiming to bring forward bold housing solutions: reducing soaring rents, matching supply with real demand, ensuring decent living standards, and even imagining new ways of living, such as the micro-urban villages, combining sustainability, affordability, and community.
However, beyond the words and votes, what we will remember most is the people. ESA brought together over 230 students from over 170 institutions to address the main challenges for Europe’s future. Students from all corners of Europe and beyond came together with ideas, questions, and incredible energy.
Joining ESA gave us an opportunity to learn more about EU politics, cross cultural communication, and form friendships with so many students from different cultures. We met students from many countries, including Sweden, Norway, Italy, Spain, Greece, the Netherlands, Sri Lanka, France, Spain, Portugal, Poland, India, Pakistan, Mexico, and Ireland, etc. It was interesting to meet them and form friendships. We did not just work together, but we lived together, shared rooms, meals, late-night talks and early-morning laughs. In just a few days, a group of strangers became friends, allies, a team.
It was also nice to meet some politicians and ESA organisers in the European Parliament. They delivered an inspirational speech. They reminded us that our voices are important. We can make the change. We can be the change.
We came back home feeling energised, inspired, and a little nostalgic. This wasn’t just a conference, but it was an adventure.
A huge thank you to our universities, UNIVERSEH alliance, the European Parliament, and the European Commission for this opportunity to dive deep into the democratic process, and to truly feel like a part of something bigger.
(Written by Bertie Suwardi from Luleå University of Technology, and Raphaël Diot from Universite Toulouse – Jean Jaures).
Pictures by Fusing Pheonix.
