Five EUNICE students participated in the discussion panels of the European Student Assembly 2023. 230 students from European Universities gathered in Strasbourg
The participants of the 2nd edition of European Student Assembly -ESA 2023-, hosted in Strasbourg (France) from 31 May to 2 June, produced a collection of 75 recommendations on 10 debating topics last week. During this assembly, 230 students from 40 European University Alliances gathered to exchange ideas, discuss pressing matters, and collaborate on shaping the future of Europe. The event provided a unique opportunity for participants to actively contribute to the ongoing dialogue on important topics that impact students and society as a whole.
Five students represented EUNICE European University in this meeting: Julia Czyż from Poznań University of Technology (Poland), Ana Isabel Herrera-Ruiz and Pedro Arias-Villaroel from the University of Cantabria (Spain), Margherita Palazzolo from the University of Catania (Italy) and Nesrine Hebbar from Université Polytechnique Hauts-de-France (France). They are members of the EUNICE Student Advisory Board which is supporting EUNICE European University in many activities such as the engagement with the local community, the organisation of events for students or providing input about the design of the future European University structure.
The assembly featured a series of engaging panel discussions, workshops, and interactive sessions. Students had the chance to delve into key areas of interest, such as the skill gap, access to energies, sustainable development, inclusion, digital innovation, and more. Through constructive debates and collaborative efforts, they drafted and voted 75 political recommendations aimed at addressing the challenges and opportunities facing Europe.
The outcomes of the Assembly, including the political recommendations, will soon be disseminated among relevant stakeholders, policymakers, and educational institutions.
“As a law student, sitting, debating and voting within the walls of the European Parliament was truly a unique thrill. The experience was enriching in many ways: being confronted with 200 excellent students from all over Europe and from various fields was certainly stimulating both academically and culturally,” said Margherita Palazzolo from the University of Catania. She was delighted to see the proposals she was working on within her discussion panel number 6 were approved by the assembly: “My panel was directed towards fair digital transition in a context of critical raw material shortage. It was an opportunity to contribute to a dialogue on a topic that is very dear to me, digital justice in the field of artificial intelligence, through active participation in a European context of discussion and sharing. I am truly honoured.”
Objectives of ESA23
• Voicing the opinion of EUA students from different countries, backgrounds, fields and levels of study, all recruited for their engagement and motivation.
• Fostering the participation of students within EUAs while reinforcing collaboration between them and increasing the impact and visibility of the EUA initiative.
• Advocating deliberative processes as a way to regenerate European democracy and to reduce the gap between citizens and decision makers.
• Encourage students to get involved in European politics at local, national and European level and increase their participation in European democratic processes.
