Why do you want to participate?

Participating in this event is both exciting and important to me, especially given the challenges that we are facing in today ́s world. Many of us have believed for a long time that freedom was a given in our Western societies, but recent global events have shattered that illusion. The invasion of Ukraine, the rise of far-right movements in Europe, and growing restrictions on personal freedoms, such as book bans and reproductive rights in the U.S, highlight that democratic values are fragile. The freedom event in Zeeland provides a fantastic opportunity for me to engage with other young people on these pressing social and political issues, exchanging perspectives and finding ways to take meaningful action. As a science student, I don’t often explore these topics in-depth, but I very much recognize their importance in shaping our future. Additionally, I am deeply passionate about environmental issues, and I see this event as a valuable opportunity to connect climate action with broader discussions on freedom and democracy. By working together, we can better understand how to drive change in our respective fields and societies.

What does freedom mean to you?

Freedom is something we often take for granted until it is threatened. Growing up in a privileged Western society as Spain, I used to view freedom as a distant concept, something others had to fight for while we enjoyed it effortlessly. However, recent events have shown that freedom is neither permanent nor guaranteed. From political oppression and war to economic inequality and censorship, restrictions on freedom come in many forms. A quote from a book from Hermann Hesse’s Demian that I read resonates with me: "We should revere everything and see the world as sacred." This phrase reminds me that freedom is not just about legal rights; it is about the structures and attitudes that shape our lives. Inequality, discrimination, and economic instability can be just as oppressive as explicit legal restrictions. True freedom means ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, has the ability to live with dignity and autonomy. It also comes with responsibility if we value our own freedom, we must fight to protect and extend it to others.

What are the biggest challenges?

One of the greatest freedom challenges for young people today is the growing sense of uncertainty and lack of control over our futures. Economic struggles, limited job opportunities, and rising education costs make independence increasingly difficult. At the same time, we are witnessing the rollback of rights we once assumed were secure whether its attacks on reproductive rights, increasing government surveillance, or the suppression of free speech through censorship. The rise of far-right politics in many countries threatens tolerance and diversity, further restricting the freedoms of marginalized groups. Moreover, while young people are highly aware of issues like climate change and social injustice, we often feel powerless in the face of political inaction. Addressing these challenges requires systemic change, including greater youth representation in decision-making processes, stronger protections for democratic values, and policies that prioritize our generation’s future.

Do you have a message?

I think we could establish community-based youth initiatives to encourage civic engagement. This could be in the form of youth councils, debate forums, workshops, and activities favouring others, focused on human rights and democracy.. We could start this in Zeeland, to show what we can achieve when we collaborate together and roll this out to other areas, within and outside of the Netherlands. We can use technology and our multicultural diverse study backgrounds in our favour to create ‘action groups’ per theme. And I think it is key not just to talk about what could or should be done, but actually doing something about those things.