Última actualización Martes, 11/02/2025
On February 8, 2025, Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, and Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, Glenn Micallef, hosted a common Youth Policy Dialogue titled “Breaking Barriers – Bridging Borders – Growing Together” at a high school in Nova Gorica, Slovenia.
Nova Gorica is one of the two European Capitals of Culture for 2025, alongside Chemnitz, Germany. Moreover, Nova Gorica, historically linked to Gorizia in Italy, holds the distinction of being the first-ever transnational European Capital of Culture. The timing of the event was also significant, as it coincided with Slovenia’s national cultural holiday.
A total of 40 young participants took part in the event. The group represented young people from EU Member States, Western Balkans and European Neighbourhood countries. Many of these young people are actively involved in youth work, working or volunteering with organisations such as the Young European Federalists or serving as Young European Ambassadors.
After the opening remarks by the Commissioners and introductions by participants, the group split into three breakout sessions for in-depth discussions on the following topics:
- Breaking Barriers: Empowering Mobility for Work and Study – Exploring ways to improve opportunities for youth, not only to facilitate closer integration but also to break down both physical and mental barriers, fostering peace, cooperation, and mutual understanding between the EU and its future members.
- Building Bridges: Advancing Regional Integration – Discussing how regional integration can promote peacebuilding and reconciliation among countries with historical tensions.
- Growing Together: Youth for Enlargement, Peace, and Reconciliation – Understanding young people’s perspectives, experiences, and recommendations on how the EU, together with youth, can contribute to fostering dialogue, mutual understanding, and long-term stability in Europe.
The Dialogue was a great success, with participants actively engaging in fruitful and meaningful exchanges with the Commissioners. This diverse group of young people also offered valuable insights that will inform and shape the policy-making process on the issues discussed. As the day concluded, both the participants and Commissioners left with a sense of optimism and a shared commitment to advancing youth involvement in shaping Europe’s future.
