Treaty of Middelburg
When it comes to freedom, I believe that true liberty goes beyond just the freedom of expression or the freedom from warfare. While these are undoubtedly essential, the kind of freedom I would like to see in the world encompasses much more. It is about the freedom to live peacefully side by side, despite our differences, and the freedom to build bridges across cultures and nations. This includes fostering an environment where mutual understanding, respect, and cooperation replace fear and division. Moreover, I believe that freedom should also extend to economic opportunities, as economic freedom is a fundamental component of a better life. One of the most urgent challenges of our time is the persistent issue of poverty. Economic freedom allows people the opportunity to escape the cycle of poverty, and I believe that by stimulating more economic relations between countries, we can create a more equitable world. Through stronger trade, shared innovation, and global collaboration, we can empower individuals and communities, providing them with the tools they need to rise above poverty and secure a better future. True freedom, in my view, is the ability for every person to live a life without fear, without the constraints of poverty, and without the constant threat of violence. It is a world where people can coexist peacefully, and where opportunities for prosperity and growth are not limited by where you were born or the resources you have. By encouraging economic collaboration and promoting peaceful coexistence, we can create a more inclusive world where everyone has the freedom to live a dignified and fulfilling life.
Team members
- ■ August de Bats
Why do you want to participate?
With the world currently experiencing so many conflicts, and with tensions rising in various parts of the world, the importance of advocating for peace has never felt more urgent. I believe that now, more than ever, it’s essential to stand up for those who are suffering the most and to remind ourselves that peace is something we should never take for granted. In recent times, it’s become clear how fragile peace can be. As we see wars raging in different regions and hear about the constant threat of new conflicts, it’s hard to ignore how many lives are impacted by violence and instability. The people who suffer the most are often the ones who have the least control over these situations. Seeing this has inspired me to take action and be part of efforts that work towards lasting peace. I think it’s important that we, as a global society, wake up to the fact that peace isn’t something we can simply expect to always be there. It’s something that needs to be actively protected, and we cannot assume that peace will last without effort. Sometimes, we forget that what we have in our everyday lives — safety, stability, and freedom — is not guaranteed for everyone. It’s easy to overlook the struggles of others, but these conflicts have shown me how much work needs to be done to ensure that peace is something everyone can experience. Through this conference, I want to learn from others who are also passionate about peace and find ways we can all come together to make a real difference. I believe that as young people, we have the power to challenge the status quo and create change in our communities and beyond. I am eager to be part of a movement that works to raise awareness about the importance of peace, to promote dialogue, and to take steps towards a future where peace is not just something we hope for, but something we actively build, starting by advocating through meassures such as the youth peace conference.
What does freedom mean to you?
As an "Indische Nederlander" (Dutch-Indonesian), I’ve learned from the history of my grandparents and ancestors that freedom is a fragile thing. Growing up with a background where my family’s history includes both those who oppressed freedom and those who were victims of stripped away freedom, I’ve come to understand how easily freedom can be taken away and how hard it can be to regain. As a third generation Dutch-Indo I enjoy the freedoms that are given and provided here in the Netherlands and notice the value of Freedom and its essence within a society. However with rising tension, wars being waged and people suffering i cannot just stand by and act like i can not at least try to make a change. Therefore freedom also means to me to take the responsibility of this fragile right and stand up for the ones who have been stripped away from their freedom.
What are the biggest challenges?
The biggest challenge young people face when it comes to peace is that we often take it for granted. Since many of the wars and conflicts happening around the world are so far away, it can be hard for us to fully grasp how fragile peace really is. We live in a time where peace seems like the default, something that we expect to always be there, simply because we don't experience the direct consequences of conflict in our own daily lives. However, this sense of security can be dangerously misleading. In today’s globalized world, the interconnectedness of nations means that even if wars are waged on the other side of the planet, their effects can still ripple through every aspect of our lives. Trade, communication, and even cultural exchanges are all linked, so instability in one part of the world can quickly escalate and impact us in ways we might not immediately notice. Because of this, we cannot afford to ignore the reality that peace is not something that lasts by itself. It needs to be actively protected and nurtured. Advocating for peace has never been more important because the stability we enjoy today could quickly be at risk. It’s easy to assume that wars will always be distant and that we will remain untouched, but history has shown us how quickly tensions can rise and conflicts can escalate. Before we know it, we could be caught in the middle of a global crisis, and peace could slip away from us. That’s why it’s crucial that young people, who will inherit the future, start recognizing how fragile peace really is and actively work toward preserving it, not just for themselves, but for everyone in the world.
Do you have a message?
At this moment, I don’t have a fully formed or concise philosophy on how to advocate for peace. Instead, I’m eager to join the Youth Peace Conference with the hope of inspiring one another and collaboratively developing a shared vision and approach. I believe that through dialogue, exchange of ideas, and collective reflection, we can create a strong and unified philosophy that can guide our actions and contribute to lasting peace. I’m excited about the opportunity to learn from others and work together in shaping how we, as young people, can best advocate for peace in our world.
