Over 450 activities took place during the two-day event, including panel discussions, interactive workshops, artistic performances, networking opportunities, and educational sessions. More than 1,000 people followed the event via livestream, particularly the sessions held in the Parliament’s hemicycle. EYE2025 brought together high-level speakers, Members of the European Parliament, EU experts, and young citizens in a shared commitment to democratic values and active citizenship.
Sara Sechi, Executive Secretary of Don Bosco International (DBI), the body representing the Salesian Congregation within EU institutions, participated in the Youth Policy Dialogue on EU priorities with Mr. Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport. During the exchange, DBI emphasized the importance of ensuring fair and inclusive youth participation in EU processes. Ms Sechi highlighted the need to overcome barriers such as language, socio-economic background, and environmental challenges, which often prevent young people in vulnerable or marginalised situations from engaging in decision-making. She also underlined the potential of networks like DBI to facilitate meaningful encounters between EU representatives and young people across Member States. In a brief conversation following the session, Commissioner Micallef expressed interest in continuing the dialogue and proposed a meeting with the Rector Major, Fr. Fabio Attard, to explore these issues further.
Other key moments of EYE2025 included a Q&A session with Ms Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Technological Sovereignty, Security and Democracy. The discussion addressed digital rights in democratic societies, the role of social media, the growth of innovative European start-ups, and ethical concerns surrounding the use of artificial intelligence in the defence sector. Youth participation and the intergenerational gap were also central themes in workshops led by the youth group of the European People’s Party (YEPP), as well as in the Engaged4YOUth session co-organised by the CULT and PETI Committees of the European Parliament.
Throughout the event, DBI engaged in conversations with several Members of the European Parliament and their teams, including MEP Lídia Pereira, MEP Nela Riehl, MEP Hristo Petrov, MEP Hannes Heide, MEP Marcos Ros Sempere, and MEP Benedetta Scuderi.
EYE2025 was more than an event, it was a powerful demonstration of youth engagement in European democracy. It brought together thousands of young people with diverse stories, backgrounds, and visions for the future of the Union. Recognizing the importance of listening to and empowering young voices, DBI looks forward to participating in the next edition of EYE, this time accompanied by a group of young people from Salesian communities across Europe.
Don Bosco Internation (DBI)
