Treaty of Middelburg
I aspire to contribute to a world where freedom is universally recognized and upheld, unencumbered by socio-economic, political, or cultural barriers. This vision entails advocating for robust educational frameworks that foster critical thinking, digital literacy, and an understanding of civic responsibilities. Empowering individuals with knowledge equips them to navigate and challenge systems that infringe upon their freedoms. Additionally, I aim to support the creation of inclusive platforms for dialogue and decision-making, ensuring that marginalized voices are heard and considered in policy formulations. Strengthening international collaborations to address transnational challenges—such as armed conflicts, human trafficking, and cyber threats—is also crucial, as these issues transcend borders and require collective action. Ultimately, cultivating a global culture that values empathy, equity, and justice is essential to sustaining and expanding the realms of freedom for all.
Team members
- ■ Ersi Retounioti
Why do you want to participate?
In my close social circle, I have encountered freedom not as a static privilege but as a contested, multifaceted process. I was blessed to grow up in a peaceful environment but soon became deeply aware of the vast disparities in how freedom is distributed. My voice mattered, but I also knew that across borders this was not the case whether by war, poverty, or oppressive norms. I remember how, as a child, I would read about girls denied access to school or hear stories of women facing violence for asserting control over their own bodies. These narratives did not feel distant or abstract to me. They sat uncomfortably close. I since have strived to provide a platform for initiatives that I felt could bring us a step closer to freedom. My academic and extracurricular experiences have made me sensitive to the tensions between personal autonomy and institutional power. At UM, where I serve on the Faculty Council and co-lead the UNICEF STM, I’ve advocated equitable education access, inclusivity, and transparent governance. These roles have taught me that freedom is not just the absence of constraint—it is the continual renegotiation of rights, power, and recognition. I want to participate in the Youth Freedom Conference to critically examine the structures that both enable and inhibit freedom for young people today. I believe that spaces like this—where diverse voices gather to question, redefine, and rebuild the frameworks of liberty—are not only rare but indispensable. The conference's objective to draft the 'Treaty of Middelburg' aligns with my commitment to effecting tangible change through collective action. This convergence of youth voices and policymaking platforms offers a rare chance to bridge generational perspectives on freedom, ensuring that the aspirations of young people are woven into the fabric of global strategies.
What does freedom mean to you?
Freedom, to me, is a dynamic and evolving capacity to make informed choices, express oneself without fear, and pursue personal and collective aspirations. This perspective aligns with the assertion that freedom requires both the necessary material means and the development of mental capabilities to make informed decisions. In an interconnected world, freedom also implies interdependence, in essence recognizing that one's liberties are intertwined with others’ rights. Thus, freedom is not a static prerogative but a continuous negotiation that, in our current reality, is skewed by injustice and uncertainty. Another relevant notion is precarity, as humans often acknowledge some lives are more livable than others based on systemic valuation. Freedom demands vigilance against emerging threats and adaptability to restructure for a value system that serves everyone.
What are the biggest challenges?
Young people today face a myriad of challenges that impede their freedoms. The rise in state-based armed conflicts, as highlighted in the annual WEF Global Risks Report, has led to increased geopolitical tensions and humanitarian crises, disproportionately affecting the youth. Furthermore, the erosion of trust in governmental institutions, especially among young adults, undermines their sense of agency and participation in democratic processes. Additionally, the digital landscape presents new challenges; while it offers platforms for expression, it also exposes individuals at a ripe age to complex power structures that are often aimed at surveillance, misinformation, and attention subversion, complicating their ability to navigate and assert their freedoms.
Do you have a message?
Freedom flourishes when nurtured by informed, engaged, and compassionate individuals who recognize that their liberties are intertwined with the wellbeing of others. Not everyone starts on the same footing and complete justice is not necessarily engraved in our DNA. Regardless, we all share the responsibility and the power to redefine freedom in ways that resonate with our times’ injustices as well as to honor the struggles of those who came before us. In my opinion, translating these changes to effective policy implementation that leaves no one behind is needed immediately. Actions that are pointing towards a free humanity must be accompanied by serious evaluations to make freedom a one-way destination.
