Why do you want to participate?

My name is Amelie Lubbe. I am a South African-born and raised woman. Growing up in South Africa, I witnessed first-hand how fundamental freedoms such as fear and want are stripped from our people and how a want for a better life is for many just not a realistic dream to have. This has fuelled a fire in me to dedicate my life to fighting for injustices and freedom for more people so that a better life is not just some far-fetched dream. This has led me to study International Relations and Organizations at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. As a devoted Christian, I was blessed with so much in life, and even though my own life has not always been easy, I still strive to give back as much as I can with what I have humbly received. Becoming an ambassador and participating in the International Youth Freedom conference would be an honour. I have unique life experiences that could be incredibly valuable to this youth conference. In politics today, there are a lot to fear, with the drastic shift of trends in Europe and across the globe, we have to stand united now more than ever, that's why it's so important to participate in conferences such as this one so the youth can have a voice in this fast-changing world. So our interests are also protected.

What does freedom mean to you?

Freedom, to me, is when people have the opportunity to build a better life—one shaped by choice, not circumstance. True freedom means living a life that feels like your own, not one dictated by forces beyond your control. It is the ability to decide your own path, to have options, and to move through the world with agency, rather than feeling trapped in a life you never chose. When the word "freedom" stops sounding like an intangible word that carries no weight, into a word that creates an opportunity for people to shape their own lives, break free from systemic constraints, and pursue a future where dignity, security, and choice are not privileges but rights.

What are the biggest challenges?

Freedom can be understood through two different lenses: one in which a young person grows up with fewer privileges and another in which the basics—such as education, security, and stability—are already provided. For young people from both backgrounds, the most pressing challenge today is the freedom to express themselves—whether through speech or worship—without fear of repression or judgment. It seems as if today in the global political sphere we are entering into an increasingly polarised world. Where opinions or beliefs of a group or society no longer range along a continuum but become concentrated at opposing extremes. In this lies the risk of free speech, worship and freedom from fear—the ability to speak openly without facing social, political, or institutional consequences. For those from less privileged backgrounds, the struggle is often freedom from want—the sense of lacking opportunities and feeling trapped by circumstances. I would also advocate that mental health is a big challenge that hinders the freedom of want for many youth.

Do you have a message?

To help curb freedom of want, I would advocate for initiatives like Dreams in Action (DIA), a South African organisation dedicated to helping disadvantaged children realise their potential. This is to draw more focus on mental health initiatives. This would involve workshops designed to guide teenagers through their aspirations, offering mentorship, practical advice, and pathways to realise their dreams. The program would collaborate with other organisations to secure scholarships, ensuring that those who are willing to commit to long-term goals have the support they need. These sessions would be tailored to teenagers facing critical decisions about their future—whether to enter the workforce or pursue higher education, especially those who feel their ambitions are out of reach, for what they have and how they grew up.