This is what freedom means to you and everyone around you
Treaty of Middelburg
What would you like to change in the world when it comes to freedom? I would like to see a world where freedom is not conditional—where the right to speak out, protest, and advocate for justice is genuinely protected, not just in principle but in practice. Too often, freedom is granted selectively, depending on political convenience, economic interests, or national security narratives. Whether it’s environmental defenders facing criminalization, marginalized communities being silenced, or youth-led movements being dismissed, the ability to exercise fundamental rights is increasingly at risk. One key change I would push for is ensuring that environmental justice and civic freedom go hand in hand. People fighting to protect land, water, and ecosystems should not have to risk their safety to do so. Governments and corporations must be held accountable for their role in suppressing environmental activism, and legal frameworks should actively safeguard those on the frontlines of climate advocacy. Another critical shift is challenging the normalization of state control and surveillance, particularly in times of crisis. As we see governments across the world expand their military budgets and tighten security policies—especially in response to conflicts like the war in Ukraine—freedom is increasingly framed as a privilege rather than a right. I would like to see greater transparency in decision-making, stronger protections for digital rights, and a firm stance against the use of national security as an excuse to curtail civic liberties. Finally, I want to see a world where young people are truly empowered to shape the future, not just as symbolic voices but as key decision-makers. Freedom should mean more than just the absence of repression—it should be about actively creating spaces where youth movements, grassroots organizations, and local communities have the resources, support, and legal protections needed to drive systemic change.
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Margaux Duillet
Treaty of Middelburg
If I could change something on a realistic scale regarding freedom, it would be to create space for meaningful, respectful dialogue across differences within the communities I engage with—where people can express themselves without fear and still feel safe, both physically and mentally. I recognize that my attention, energy, time, and financial resources are limited, so I would start by narrowing the scope to what I can realistically handle. For now, that means beginning with myself and my immediate surroundings. Even if this approach makes me vulnerable to being hurt or misunderstood, I choose to engage with curiosity, care, and responsibility—because I exist, and how I show up in this world matters to me.
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Olha Yevheyuk
Treaty of Middelburg
I would introduce a global law requiring all countries to uphold basic human rights. If a country fails to do so, it should face consequences such as fines or sanctions enforced by the United Nations. It’s shocking that, in 2025, some nations still fail to guarantee fundamental rights for all their citizens.
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Eli Dadema
Treaty of Middelburg
I'd like to give the power back to the people. Making the institutions stronger only on the global issues, while the rest of the decisions should be decided as close to the people as possible. If you give the power back to the people and make the process as democratic as possible, everyone would have a say in their politics. On a broader level, I think that peace is the core problem that we need to solve to achieve freedom. Peace not only between counties, but also between people and communities. By achieving peace, we can work together to implement true and lasting freedom.
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Reinis Gils
Treaty of Middelburg
Barriers that restrict access to education. For example: - gender disparity - passport and visa restrictions (westerners being able to travel for education while its heavily restricted the other way around) - brain drain - financial problems
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Vivien Greiwe
Treaty of Middelburg
I would like to see a world where freedom is truly accessible to all, regardless of background, wealth, or location. This means removing barriers to education, ensuring digital rights and privacy, and giving young people a real voice in decision-making. I want to help create systems where youth can express themselves freely, access opportunities without discrimination, and shape policies that affect their future. True freedom isn’t just about individual rights—it’s about building a society where everyone has the power to thrive.
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Alexander Popov
Treaty of Middelburg
I would like to see a world where freedom is truly equal — not limited by gender, race, religion, or where someone is born. Too often, freedom is a privilege, not a right. I want to help create a world where everyone has the freedom to be educated, to feel safe, to be themselves, and to speak without fear.
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Sydney Trapman
Treaty of Middelburg
Availability for change in political power, for everyone; immigration, war, segregation, and ethnocracy all starts with politics, politician respectively which has been not elected by fair choice or questionable system of governments. By giving the people the power to be able to make an impact on this would the first step towards freedom in the world.
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Aziz Bayezid Ertug
