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EPP Group
Youth Week 2023
DISCUSS. DEBATE. CREATE
4-7 September
#EPP4Youth
About
Programme
Visits
Daily Updates
Speakers
Youth Village Map
Livestreams
Your Role in Youth Week
This event has been designed for you, the youth of Europe. The future of Europe is in your hands. During EPP Group Youth Week your voice will be heard at the heart of decision-making in Brussels.
All 800 youth delegates aged 18 to 30 year-olds will participate alongside Commissioners, MEPs, policy advisors and external experts over four days. Remember, your voice today could be the European policy of tomorrow.
We look forward to your contributions as you discuss, debate and create solutions to some of Europe’s major challenges.
What will you be involved in?
- Plenary Discussions
- Panel Debates
- Workshops
- Pitches
- Presentations
2023 Themes
- The Future of Europe’s Economy
- A Europe that Protects
- A Europe that Creates Opportunities and Safeguards our Environment
- A Europe of Solidarity
EPP Group – Who we are and what we have done
In 2023, we are celebrating our 70th anniversary!
The EPP Group has stood the test of time, and we’re proud of our heritage and achievements!
We celebrate the European way of life and we will continue building a prosperous economy that benefits every European family.
PROGRAMME
DAY 1: Monday, 4th September
12:00 – 14:45 hrs REGISTRATION AND ACCREDITATION
14:45 – 15:00 hrs WELCOME
15.00 – 18:00 hrs INSIGHTS FROM EXPERTS: DELIVERING FOR EUROPE
- Trends and topics in the EU
- Youth reaching youth: How to launch a social media campaign
- How to maximize the impact of your message on social media
PANEL DISCUSSION
18:30 – 19:30 hrs NETWORKING: ‘YOU AND THE EU’ QUIZ
DAY 2: Tuesday, 5th September
9:00 – 12:00 hrs INSIGHTS FROM EXPERTS: DELIVERING FOR EUROPE PART II
- How to get youth engaged online
- Getting in the ring, how to get your arguments across
- Campaign trends in the US
12:00 – 12:45 hrs BREAK
12:45 – 14:00 hrs SECURITY PROCEDURE
14:00 – 14:30 hrs OFFICIAL OPENING EPP GROUP YOUTH WEEK 2023
14:30 – 15:00 hrs POLITICAL ASSEMBLY: INTERVENTIONS
15:00 – 15:05 hrs THEMED BRIEFINGS
15:05 – 16:10 THEME I: THE FUTURE OF EUROPE’S ECONOMY
Topics: An Energy Union, cost of living crisis, the future of jobs, new Trade Agreements, AI and digital technologies, green investments, infrastructure, harnessing our natural resources, reducing red tape
16:10 – 16:30 hrs NETWORKING BREAK
16:30 – 17:15 hrs THEME II: A EUROPE THAT PROTECTS
Topics: Security and defence, migration, border control, economy and single market, foreign policy esp. China, enlargement
17:15– 18:00 hrs THEME III: A EUROPE THAT CREATES OPPORTUNITIES AND SAFEGUARDS OUR ENVIRONMENT
Rule of Law, fight against corruption, EU health strategy, reforming agriculture, fighting climate change and protecting our environment, protecting European democracy.
18:00 – 18:45 hrs THEME IV: A EUROPE OF SOLIDARITY
European way of life/Christian values, the Single Market in the digital age, fighting the brain drain, engaging youth and managing demographic changes.
DAY 3: Wednesday, 6th September
8:30 – 10:00 hrs SECURITY PROCEDURE
10:00 – 13:00 hrs WORKING GROUPS: TEAM UP!
- Cost of living crisis (THEME I)
- The future of jobs (THEME I)
- EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (THEME II)
- What’s next for EU enlargement (Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia)? (THEME II)
- Reforming agriculture (THEME III)
- Fight against corruption (THEME III)
- Protecting the youth against cyberbullying (THEME III)
- What can the EU do to address its demographic deficit? (THEME IV)
13:00 – 14:00 hrs BREAK
14:00 – 15:30 hrs SECURITY PROCEDURE
15:30 – 16.30 hrs INTERVENTION CHAIRMAN MANFRED WEBER
16:30 – 17:30 hrs SECURITY PROCEDURE
17:30 – 20:00 hrs WORKING GROUPS: TEAM UP! (PART II)
20:00 hrs MEETING WITH NATIONAL DELEGATIONS
20:00 hrs PITCHING WORKSHOP (FOR DELEGATES OF THE WORKING GROUPS PRESENTING THE NEXT DAY)
DAY 4: Thursday, 7th September
9:00 – 10:30 hrs SECURITY PROCEDURE
8:30 – 9:15 hrs Rehearsal Working Group Pitches
10:30- 13:00 hrs PRESENTATION OF TOP IDEAS FROM THE WORKING GROUPS AND VOTING SESSION
Presentation of the 8 working groups
Voting Session
Awards Ceremony
Closing remarks
European Anthem – Ode to Joy
13:00 hrs BREAK
14:00 hrs ROTATING VISITS (Optional)
- European Parliament
- House of European History
- Parlamentarium
Rotating Visits
Download the Rotating Visits overview.
360° Virtual Tour of the European Parliament
Take a virtual tour of the Parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg, meet members of the European Parliament and better understand the work at the heart of European democracy.
Keynote Speakers
Roberta METSOLA, MEP
President of the European Parliament
Nationality: Maltese 
Roberta Metsola, became the President of the European Parliament in January 2022. Starting as an MEP in 2013, she later became the First Vice-President of the European Parliament in November 2020. Metsola’s election marked historic milestones, including being the youngest-ever president, the first Maltese president, and the first female president since 2002, emphasizing her dedication to shaping Europe’s future.
DAY 2 (5th September)
Manfred WEBER, MEP
Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, President of the European People’s Party
Nationality: German 
Manfred Weber, a key figure in German and European politics, has led the EPP Group in the European Parliament since 2014 and became EPP President in 2022. Starting as a German MEP in 2004, he made history by winning the 2003 Bavarian state elections as the youngest-ever parliamentarian at 29. Weber’s leadership has been marked by moderation and influence in EU politics, dedicated to Europe’s brighter future.
DAY 2 (5th September)
Ursula von der Leyen
President of the European Commission
Nationality: German
Ursula von der Leyen was elected as President of the European Commission in 2019. As the head of the European executive, she has defined six headline ambitions for Europe for her mandate: a European Green Deal, a Europe fit for the digital age, an economy that works for people, a stronger Europe in the world, promoting our European way of life, and a new push for European democracy. Before 2019, Ursula von der Leyen was Minister at federal level in Germany for more than 14 years and responsible for family, then labour and social affairs, and later defence.
DAY 2 (5th September)
Speakers
Valdis Dombrovskis
Executive Vice President of the European Commission, Commissioner for an economy that works for people and trade
Nationality: Latvian 
Valdis Dombrovskis, a Latvian politician and the European Commissioner for Trade since 2020. He previously held the position of European Commissioner for Financial Stability, Financial Services, and Capital Markets Union from 2016 to 2020, demonstrating adept governance during his tenure as Latvia’s Prime Minister from 2009 to 2014.
DAY 2 (5th September)
Margaritis SCHINAS
Vice President of the European Commission, Commissioner
Nationality: Greek 
Margaritis Schinas is a Greek politician and former civil servant. In December 2019, he became a Vice-President in the Von der Leyen Commission, holding the portfolio of European Commissioner for Promoting our European Way of Life. A member of the New Democracy party, he was previously an MEP and served as the chief spokesperson of the European Commission.
DAY 2 (5th September)
Dubravka ŠUICA
EPP Vice President Presidency, Commissioner Democracy and Demography
Dubravka Šuica, a Croatian politician from the liberal Croatian Democratic Union, is the Vice-President of the European Commission for Democracy and Demography since 2019. She served as Dubrovnik’s mayor from 2001 to 2009, becoming one of the first female mayors of major Croatian cities. She holds leadership roles in the EPP Women’s association and the EPP’s EU parliament group.
DAY 2 (5th September)
Adina VĂLEAN
Commissioner for Transport
Nationality: Romanian 
Adina-Ioana Vălean is a Romanian politician serving as the European Commissioner for Transport since 2019, appointed by President Ursula von der Leyen. She is affiliated with the National Liberal Party and the European People’s Party, having a significant career in both national and European politics.
DAY 2 (5th September)
Lidia PEREIRA, MEP
President of YEPP, the youth organisation of the European People's Party. Member of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and subcommittee on Tax Affairs
Nationality: Portuguese 
In the 2019 European elections, Pereira ran a groundbreaking carbon-neutral campaign, spotlighting climate change. She actively promotes transparency and environmental conservation in the European Parliament’s Intergroups. In 2021, Pereira played a pivotal role in the delegation to COP26, reaffirming her global commitment to combat climate change.
DAY 2 (5th September)
DAY 4 (7th September)
Eva MAYDELL, MEP
President of YMN, the Young Members Network of the EPP Group. EPP Group Coordinator in the Special Committee on Artificial Intelligence in a Digital Age
Nationality: Bulgarian 
Eva Maydell, a prominent Bulgarian MEP, gained her position in the EPP Group in 2014, becoming its youngest member. Her impactful contributions earned her accolades like ”Best Newcomer MEP” and recognition in Forbes’ ”30 under 30” Europe. POLITICO recognized her as one of the 40 most influential MEPs.
DAY 2 (5th September)
DAY 4 (7th September)
Sabine VERHEYEN, MEP
Chair of the Committee on Culture and Education of the European Parliament. Member of the Special Committee on foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation
Nationality: German
Sabine Verheyen, a German MEP since 2009, chaired the Committee on Culture and Education since 2019, previously coordinating for the EPP Group. Her roles include co-rapporteur for the audio-visual media services directive in 2016 and joining the Special Committee on Foreign Interference in all Democratic Processes in the EU in 2020. She holds a significant role in the CDU in North Rhine-Westphalia.
DAY 2 (5th September)
Frances FITZGERALD, MEP
Vice-Chair of the EPP Group Presidency, Member of the Intergroup on Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
Nationality: Irish 
Frances Fitzgerald represents Fine Gael within the EPP. Her extensive political career includes roles as Tánaiste, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Minister for Justice and Equality, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, and Leader of Fine Gael in the Seanad. She also served as a TD and a Senator. Notably, she was the second Fine Gael politician to hold the office of Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) in 1987. Frances is a Member of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and is also a powerful advocate of Women’s Rights and sits on the Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee.
DAY 2 (5th September)
Jörgen WARBORN, MEP
Vice-Coordinator of the EPP Group in the Committee on International Trade, Member of the Committee on International Trade and a Substitute Member of the Committee on Transport and Tourism and the Committee on Budgets
Nationality: Swedish 
Jörgen Warborn, a Swedish entrepreneur and politician of the Moderate Party, serves as vice-coordinator of the EPP Group in the Committee on International Trade. He was Mayor of Varberg Municipality from the 2010 general election until his election into the Swedish Parliament in 2014. In 2018, he was re-elected to the Swedish Riksdag. He briefly served as a Member of the Swedish delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in 2019 and he has been national Chairman of the Moderate Party’s business council since 2016.
DAY 2 (5th September)
Željana ZOVKO, MEP
Vice-Chair of the EPP Group Presidency
Nationality: Croatian
Željana Zovko, a diplomat and politician, has been a Croatian MEP since 2016. She served as an ambassador in France and Spain. Zovko’s political journey led her to the European Parliament in 2016. She was reelected in 2019, holding key roles, including vice-chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and vice president of the EPP Group. She has also served as a chief observer for EU election observation missions in Nepal and Honduras.
DAY 2 (5th September)
Rasa JUKNEVICIENE, MEP
Vice-Chair of the EPP Group Presidency, External Policy Chair of the EPP Group
Nationality: Lithuanian 
Rasa Juknevičienė, a Lithuanian politician and paediatrician, has been a MEP since 2019. She served as Lithuania’s Minister of Defense and is affiliated with the center-right Homeland Union. She also held various roles in the Lithuanian Parliament from 1996 to 2019, including Deputy Chair of the Committee on National Security and Defense, and Head of the Seimas Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.
DAY 2 (5th September)
Paulo RANGEL, MEP
Vice-Chair of the EPP Group Presidency
Nationality: Portuguese
Paulo Rangel, a Portuguese jurist and politician of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), has been a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) since 2009. He serves as treasurer of the EPP and has held various roles, including vice-chairman of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs. Rangel has also been involved in national politics, running for the leadership of the PSD in 2010 and 2021.
DAY 2 (5th September)
Romana TOMC, MEP
Vice Chair of the EPP Working group on Employment and Social Affairs
Nationality: Slovenian 
Romana Tomc, a Slovenian MEP from the Slovenian Democratic Party, has served in the European Parliament since 2014. She focuses on employment and social affairs. Mrs. Tomc actively engages in various delegations and supports initiatives like the MEP Alliance for Mental Health and MEPs Against Cancer. In December 2020, she received The Parliament Magazine’s Employment, Social Affairs, and Regions award.
DAY 2 (5th September)
Cristian-Silviu BUŞOI, MEP
Chair of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
Nationality: Romanian
Cristian-Silviu BUŞOI, Member of the European Parliament and Chair of the Industry, Research and Energy Committee, is also involved in various other committees and delegations. With degrees in Medicine, Law, and Diplomacy, he began his political journey in 1996 and has been serving in the European Parliament since 2007 for three consecutive terms.
DAY 2 (5th September)
DAVID McALLISTER, MEP
Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs
Nationality: German
David McAllister, a German politician, has been an MEP since 2014. He serves as Vice President of the EPP and Vice Chairman of the International Democrat Union. McAllister chaired the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee since February 2017. He previously served as Minister-President of Lower Saxony from 2010 to 2013.
DAY 2 (5th September)
Michael GAHLER, MEP
EPP Coordinator on Foreign Affairs and Parliament Rapporteur on Ukraine and on Tunesia
Nationality: German
Michael Gahler, a German diplomat and politician, has been an MEP since 1999, representing the Christian Democratic Union in the EPP. He serves as Vice-President of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and is a member of the Subcommittee on Human Rights. Gahler is also known for his roles in election observation missions and his commitment to strengthening EU-Taiwan relations.
DAY 2 (5th September)
Angelika NIEBLER, MEP
Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
Nationality: German
Angelika Niebler is a German lawyer and politician who has been serving as a Member of the European Parliament since 1999. She represents the Christian Social Union in Bavaria within the EPP. She serves as her party’s deputy chairwoman since 2015, under leaders Horst Seehofer and Markus Söder.
DAY 2 (5th September)
Tom BERENDSEN, MEP
Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
Nationality: Dutch 
Tom Berendsen, a Dutch politician representing the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), has been an MEP since 2019, actively engaging in European Parliament committees like Industry, Research and Energy and Regional Development. He also strengthens international ties through the delegation for relations with the Pan-African Parliament and contributes to shaping European policies as part of the URBAN Intergroup.
DAY 2 (5th September)
Tomáš ZDECHOVSKÝ, MEP
Chair of the DCAS Delegation, Committee on Foreign Affairs
Nationality: Czech
Tomáš Zdechovský is a Czech politician, crisis manager, media analyst, poet and author. In 2004, he founded a PR and communication company. He was elected a member of the European Parliament in 2014.
DAY 3 (6th September)
Raimonds Bricis
EPP Group Social Media Team Leader
Raimonds leads the EPP Group Social Media Team, responsible for developing online campaigns. Previously, he was Communications Manager for the NATO Communications and Information Agency. Before working with international organisations, Raimonds worked in the private sector, where he was responsible for brand and marketing management for the companies like KBC Group, Parex bank (now Citadele), and Saatchi & Saatchi.
DAY 1 (4th September)
María Rodríguez Alcázar
President of the European Youth Forum
Nationality: Spanish 
María Rodríguez Alcázar is the President of the European Youth Forum. She became an activist and advocate for human rights at 14, when she joined the secondary school union in her village in Spain. Since then, she has been representing young people in various capacities, including the Vice President of the Spanish Youth Council (CJE). She is now a PhD student at Ghent University and the United Nations University Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies, and she holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations and a Masters in African Studies.
DAY 1 (4th September)
Gesine Weber
Expert on European Security and Defence
Nationality: German
Gesine Weber is an expert on European security and defence, focusing particularly on Europe as a geopolitical actor. Currently a research fellow in the Geostrategy programme of the German Marshall Fund of the United States in Paris, she is regularly published and a frequent commentator in European and international media. Gesine is one of the leading female experts under 30 in her field.
DAY 1 (4th September)
Iva Palmieri
Strategy coordinator, Web Communication Unit, European Parliament
Nationality: Italian 
Iva is responsible for developing new digital communication strategies and coordinating institutional digital marketing campaigns at the European Parliament. Currently, she is part of the team coordinating the campaign for the European elections in 2024 (6-9 June: save the date!). She has been working on social media and communication since 2013. Before joining the Parliament in 2017, Iva worked as a journalist, social media manager and digital communication consultant.
DAY 1 (4th September)
Gaia Manco
Head of Service, Web Communication Unit, European Parliament
Nationality: Italian & French 
Gaia Manco mobilises Europeans to become active for democracy with the together.eu community. She also coordinates the EP’s engagement with content creators to find innovative ways to reach new voters.
After working in the core team that ran the thistimeI’mvoting campaign for the 2019 European elections, Gaia hopes to witness an even higher turnout in 2024!
Before joining the EP in 2017, Gaia worked as a journalist and digital media consultant in France, the UK, Germany, China and South Africa.
DAY 1 (4th September)
Lauren Mason
Policy and Advocacy Manager, European Youth Forum
Nationality: British 
Lauren Mason is Policy and Advocacy Manager at the European Youth Forum in Brussels, where she focuses on youth participation and digitalisation. She is leading the Youth Forum’s campaign to lower the voting age to 16 in all elections across Europe, and advocates to ensure that the online world is an empowering place for all young people.
DAY 1 (4th September)
DEBORAH NASH
CEO Brussels at Teneo
Nationality: Irish
Deborah excels in government affairs and strategic communications, notably in technology and media sectors. With 15 years of experience, she offers strategic counsel on positioning, reputation management, and advocacy. Deborah also leads talent strategy in the Brussels office, starting her career with a human rights NGO and a public affairs agency.
DAY 2 (5th September)
Tom Cochran
PR Consultant, formerly Chief Digital Officer for President Obama & US State Department
Nationality: American 
Tom Cochran is a seasoned PR executive with two decades of experience. As a Partner and Chief Growth Officer at 720 Strategies in Washington, DC, he’s been instrumental in strategic communications. His four years in the Obama administration as a presidential appointee and digital leader have made him a standout voice in the industry.
DAY 2 (5th September)
Sally Murphy
Communications Consultant
Nationality: Irish
Sally Murphy, a TEDx women speaker, is an inspiring storyteller. As the CEO of welltold, she offers global coaching and consultancy services, working with clients like Google and Johnson & Johnson. Sally won the Northern Ireland Creative Industry Skills Award in 2017 and spoke at Microsoft Ireland for International Women’s Day in 2019. Her message encourages leaders to share their stories and shine.
DAY 2 (5th September)
Moderators
Joanne Sweeney
Digital Media Specialist, Author & Speaker
Joanne, a Google trainer, renowned speaker at Meta and Twitter events, specializes in government and public sector social media and digital communications. Her accredited courses are embraced by professionals worldwide.
Jack Parrock
EU Correspondent & Presenter
Jack Parrock is a Brussels-based independent news correspondent and presenter working for DW News, the Times, Euronews and the Telegraph, as well as a well-known conference host and moderator specialising in EU affairs.
Youth Village Map
Daily Updates
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2023 Livestreams
2022 Livestreams
