Student's statements

Frederiki Eracleous at the Opening Event on 23.06.2025

Thank you very much for coming here. I’m truly honoured to take part in this important roundtable on Europe’s role in the world.

As a Cypriot and a human rights student in Germany, I experience Europe from both its periphery and its centre. Cyprus is geographically and politically on the margins of the European Union—and yet fully part of it. This position gives me a dual perspective: one that recognizes the EU’s achievements and ideals, but also one that sees, firsthand, the tensions between the values Europe promotes and the complex realities on the ground.

Cyprus is a divided country, occupied since 1974. Despite being a Member State, it remains partially under foreign military control. This long-standing situation highlights a fundamental dilemma: while the EU upholds principles like sovereignty, peace, and the rule of law, it has been unable—or unwilling—to enforce these values consistently, even within its own borders. For many of us, this raises the question: how far do European values really reach, and under what conditions are they defended?

Looking more broadly, we see that Europe is facing serious challenges, both internally and externally. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has triggered a strong and unified European response, reminding the world that the EU can act decisively in defence of its values. But at the same time, within Europe, we see democratic backsliding, rising populism, and threats to the independence of the judiciary and media in several Member States.

We are also witnessing how Europe’s global image is changing. Once seen as a beacon of human rights and democracy, Europe is now also criticized for its colonial legacy, for closing its borders to people fleeing conflict, and for acting in ways that seem to favour strategic interests over moral leadership.

For Europe to remain a credible actor in the world, it must first address the contradictions within. Promoting democracy and human rights externally requires defending them robustly internally. This includes standing up to illiberal regimes within the Union, safeguarding academic freedom, and restoring public trust in democratic institutions.

At the same time, Europe must rethink how it engages globally. Rather than positioning itself as a teacher of values, it should embrace humility and foster dialogue—especially with countries in the Global South, and with those who experience the consequences of Europe's past actions and present decisions. Values like democracy, equality, and human rights are not exclusively European—they are global aspirations. The EU should support them not by imposition, but through mutual respect, cooperation, and solidarity.

In a world marked by shifting power dynamics, climate crises, and ideological polarization, Europe has the potential to be a constructive force—but only if it is willing to listen, to reflect, and to lead by example. That begins by acknowledging its ambivalences, and by involving voices from the margins, including those of young people, researchers, and citizens who still believe in the promise of a more just, democratic, and peaceful Europe.

Thank you.

Benedetta Favotto at the Opening Event on 23.06.2025

Good afternoon,
I am very grateful to be here today as a young European citizen, born and raised in Italy: a country where European values coexist with deep scepticism, political disillusionment, and fragile civic education. In many regions of Europe, including my own, identifying as “European” still feels optional, or even controversial. But I am convinced that this shared identity is both possible and necessary, especially in times like these.
We are living through extremely difficult years. War has returned to the continent, global tensions are high, populism is gaining ground, climate and migration crises are reshaping our world. And at the same time, there is a growing sense of frustration, of promises unkept, of institutions perceived as distant or ineffective.
And yet, despite all this, I want to start by saying: I believe in Europe.
I believe in Europe as a space of peace, justice and freedom, and as a project of cooperation: one that, although imperfect, has historically replaced violent confrontation with dialogue and solidarity. I see the European Union as an extraordinary resource: a pillar of economic recovery during the pandemic, a key actor in global humanitarian aid, a space where green transition, data protection, and human rights are not abstract ideals but policy priorities.
As a young person, I see hope in initiatives like carbon taxation and deforestation regulation, in the defence of academic freedom, and in the EU’s unique potential to become the next frontier for education: a refuge for critical thought at a time when other democracies are turning against their own universities.
But I also recognise the challenges and the contradictions.
We speak of unity, but often act in fragmentation. We claim to defend rights, while militarising borders and outsourcing migration control. We want to lead globally, but struggle with inequality, democratic backsliding, and indecisiveness at home. And we talk about exporting values (democracy, rule of law, gender equality) without acknowledging the post-colonial legacies and double standards that still shape our global engagement.
In this complex landscape, I think we cannot overlook the role of media and education in shaping public perceptions. In Italy, algorithm-driven news and politically aligned media often create echo chambers, reinforcing existing beliefs and fuelling polarisation. At the same time, the school system largely fails to equip students with the tools to understand civic life, European integration, or democratic participation. As a result, many young people feel betrayed and abandoned, disconnected from Europe and unsure of their place in it, not because they don’t care, but because they were never truly invited to feel part of the project.
These are not reasons to give up on Europe. They are reasons to do better: to move from aspiration to action, from rhetoric to accountability. If Europe wants to remain relevant, it must first be coherent. It must show that it can stand on its own two feet, politically, economically, and morally, before it can lead others.
As a student and as a citizen, I don’t want a Europe that behaves like a mini-superpower. I want a Europe that can act as a bridge, a mediator, and a laboratory for pluralism. A space where different visions of the world can coexist, and where young people are not just listened to, but truly involved in shaping our future.
I do not believe in Europe’s superiority, but I do believe in its potential to be a place where peace is the first instinct, where sustainability is not just a slogan, and where dignity is truly universal.
We need more Europe, not less. But more of a Europe that listens, learns, and leads with care. And that is why I’m here today: not just to celebrate what Europe is, but to imagine what it can become.
Thank you.