Student's statements

Saodat Gazieve at the Opening Event on 23.06.2025

A Central Asian Student’s Reflection on “Europe in the World”

1. Embracing Change and Building Bridges

Jean Monnet, one of Europe’s founding figures, famously remarked that “People only accept change when they are faced with necessity, and only recognize necessity when a crisis is upon them”(carnegieendowment.org). Today, thankfully, we are not gathered here in the grip of crisis – but out of a shared belief in the necessity of building something better together. The opening of the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence “Europe in the World” reflects this spirit. As Prof. Dr. Claudia Wiesner said during the event, ‘The European Union was never designed to be a military alliance; instead, its strength lies in engaging with the world through education, dialogue, understanding, and shared values.’ This Centre embodies that approach, showing how Europe seeks to reach out not with force, but with knowledge and cooperation.

My name is Saodat, and I come from Uzbekistan, in the heart of Central Asia. I am currently a master’s student of Human Rights in Law, Politics, and Society at Fulda University in Germany. It was truly an honor to speak at this event marking the launch of Europe in the World. As a student from outside Europe and one who has come here to learn and exchange ideas I want to offer a personal reflection on what this moment means.

2. Personal Journey from Uzbekistan to Europe

Back home in Uzbekistan, I worked as a legal advisor navigating complex international compliance issues. Later, I joined the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime as a project facilitator, where I organized training sessions for youth. More recently, I helped coordinate an international sustainability conference. In each of these roles, whether in Tashkent or here in Germany, I noticed a common thread, that people flourish when they feel heard. For example, when young participants at the UN training realized they could ask questions freely, their eyes lit up with excitement. Likewise, when conference attendees from different continents debated climate policy, they learned from each other because everyone had a seat at the table. These moments taught me that values like freedom of expression, respect for law, and human dignity are not abstract ideals; they come alive in the way we learn and collaborate. As a human rights student, I deeply appreciate how ingrained these principles are here in Europe. The European Union’s motto is “United in diversity,” and for me that is not just a slogan. I see it in action at events like this – diverse people uniting around shared ideals. Despite our different backgrounds and opinions, we agree on fundamental truths: every person has rights, and the rule of law and human dignity protect us all. I stand here as living proof that these European ideals can resonate far beyond Europe’s borders. They have influenced my own journey and inspired me to contribute to my community, both here and back home in Central Asia.

3. Shared values between Uzbekistan and Europe

How can a student from Uzbekistan feel such a deep connection to European values? At first glance, it might seem unexpected, but the truth is simple: the ideals we cherish, like justice, fairness, human dignity, and the transformative power of education, are universal. In recent years, Uzbekistan has embraced greater openness, especially in academia and public life. Walk into any of our universities today, and you’ll find bright, curious students eager to learn, ask questions, and engage with the world. Thanks to growing international partnerships, including many with European institutions, opportunities for collaboration have never been stronger. Programs like Erasmus+ (and before it, Tempus) have allowed Uzbek students to study in Europe while bringing European scholars to our classrooms. This isn’t just a one-way exchange; it’s a true partnership built on mutual respect and shared curiosity. Take legal education as an example. Uzbekistan’s law schools have worked with universities in Germany, France, and beyond to modernize curricula and even establish joint degree programs. These changes prepare students not just for careers at home but for global citizenship, grounded in values like justice and the rule of law. Research in Uzbekistan is also becoming more dynamic, with universities collaborating with industry, investing in innovation, and opening doors to international cooperation. Many of these positive changes have been supported by European programs, showing what’s possible when academic communities work together across borders. What connects Uzbekistan and Europe is a shared belief that academic freedom, respect for diverse perspectives, and critical thinking are essential for a thriving society, not just optional luxuries. European values such as the rule of law, human dignity, and justice have inspired reforms in my country. Importantly, these aren’t seen as foreign ideas but as goals we’ve embraced as our own. As European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen once said, “We all have our own traditions, our own values, and our own way of doing things. But I would always choose Europe’s way of life, which is the Union of solidarity, tolerance, and reliability, over any other.” That spirit of open dialogue and mutual respect is something we value in Uzbekistan too. When we exchange ideas across cultures, we don’t just learn from each other; we strengthen the values that unite us.

4. Dialogue, academic freedom, and mutual learning in uncertain times

Why do academic exchanges in general matter so much, especially in challenging times? Simply put, because knowledge and understanding are our best antidotes to uncertainty and division. We all know the world is facing tough challenges. Just glance at the headlines: geopolitical conflicts are raging, societies are experiencing social and political polarization, and there is even a brutal war on our continent’s doorstep. In times like these, it can feel as if walls are rising between countries, between communities, between people. But gatherings like today are our way of tearing those walls down. They remind us that when we come together to exchange ideas freely, we build bridges stronger than any border. In open dialogue, we discover common ground despite our differences and that is incredibly powerful. Make no mistake: academic freedom and open debate cannot be taken for granted. In fact, research shows that academic freedom has been in retreat in many places. According to the latest Academic Freedom Index, academic freedom has significantly declined in 22 countries since 2012, those countries are home to roughly half of the world’s population (universitetslararen.se). This means billions of people now live in societies where scholars and students cannot speak, research, or learn as freely as they could a decade ago. I am proud to say that my own country, Uzbekistan, is cited as one of the rare cases where academic freedom has actually improved recently (albeit from a very low base) (universitetslararen.se). That gives me hope. It shows that positive change is possible even in places that started far behind. However, this fact also reminds me – and all of us – how important it is to defend the freedom to learn, teach, and speak everywhere in the world. Academic freedom is fragile and its gains are never guaranteed. As Professor Claudia Wiesner noted at today’s event, truly honoring academic freedom means accepting even those academic findings or opinions that contradict our own because “freedom also must be the freedom of people with another opinion.” This principle lies at the heart of both academia and democracy (coeworldeu.eu).

When we share knowledge across cultures, especially during turbulent times, we are quietly but powerfully resisting the forces that seek to divide us. Each student exchange program, each scholarly discussion, each friendship formed at events like this is a statement of hope, a statement that we choose dialogue over distrust, collaboration over isolation. In an era when authoritarian tendencies and censorship are on the rise globally, upholding spaces of free inquiry and debate is critical. Ursula von der Leyen herself warned that Europe’s way of life, based on openness and debate, is “being challenged every day, as much by anti-Europeans from within as from without”(en.wikiquote.org). We must not allow those forces of division, whether they come from within or outside, to hijack our shared values. Instead, by engaging in open dialogue and learning from one another, we reinforce a culture of understanding that can withstand these challenges.

5. Europe’s role in the world. Norms and realities

Standing here in Germany at a Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence, it’s natural to reflect on Europe’s role in the world and how it is perceived. The European Union has long seen itself as a champion of certain normative values, promoting democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and multilateral cooperation on the global stage. These are the values that drew many of us from afar to engage with Europe. And indeed, people around the globe continue to look to Europe as a model and partner. Surveys confirm that the EU enjoys broadly positive regard worldwide, a recent 24-country study found a 66% median favorable view of the EU among the global public (pewresearch.org). This suggests that, notwithstanding its challenges, Europe’s example of regional unity and rights-based governance holds great appeal. At the same time, Europe faces internal and external challenges that test its commitment to its ideals.

Internally, the Union has contended with the rise of populist movements and debates over its core principles. Externally, crises have knocked at the door, from financial turmoil to a pandemic to the ongoing war in Ukraine. These challenges have forced the EU to confront geopolitical realities in ways it perhaps hadn’t before. As Monnet’s quote reminded us, times of crisis can spur necessary change. In fact, the EU’s response to recent crises has included steps once unimaginable, for example, financing the delivery of defensive weapons to a country under attack, which European leaders called a “watershed moment” (carnegieendowment.org). Europe has had to learn the “language of power” even as it holds tight to the language of principles. Yet, through all these tests, Europe’s normative core endures. The struggle to support Ukraine, for instance, is not just about geography and it is fundamentally about defending the principle that might does not make right, that the sovereignty and freedom of peoples must be upheld. As President von der Leyen observed in another context, the war in Ukraine ultimately poses the question of whether it will be the rule of law or the “right of might” that prevails in the world (en.wikiquote.org). Europe strives to answer that question by standing up for its values, even when doing so is hard. In short, Europe’s global role today is a balancing act: staying true to its normative ideals while adapting to harsh geopolitical realities. It is heartening that, so far, the Union and its people have shown solidarity in the face of such tests, proving that the European project is, at its best, both idealistic and resilient.

6. Education as a bridge of hope

In closing, I want to share a hopeful observation. It is easy to become discouraged by world events or the magnitude of the challenges we face. But whenever I start to feel pessimistic, I think of moments like this - all of us here, different yet united, learning from one another. It reminds me that for every act of conflict or intolerance that makes the news, there are countless quiet acts of understanding and cooperation that often go unnoticed. We come from different corners of the world - Europe, Asia, and beyond – but here we are, finding a common language and purpose. That is something truly inspiring and uplifting. Education, I firmly believe, is one of the strongest bridges between cultures. Each exchange program, each academic workshop, each candid conversation between a student from Uzbekistan and a student from Europe builds new ties. These person-to-person connections form the bedrock of a more peaceful and cooperative world. They help ensure that the next generation (all of us “young Europeans” at heart, regardless of nationality) will carry forward the values of dialogue and mutual respect. Indeed, one of my fellow students insightfully noted in our discussions today that the European Union should give “power to the youth in a way of acting, not just listening.” In other words, we young people want to be active partners in shaping our shared future - and education gives us the tools to do so. I remain optimistic that, by investing in academic freedom and international cooperation, we are charting a path toward a better future. The Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence “Europe in the World” itself is a symbol of that optimism and a hub where ideas can be exchanged freely, and where cooperation triumphs over division. Let us carry the spirit of this day with us, today and always.

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.