#EuropeShallHearUs has been a motto for our German-Baltic Conference since 2019, and indeed Europe did hear us as the DBJW found its way to Brussels for the very first time from March 18th to the 20th, 2024. With our team of six, we set out to extend our outreach and deepen our engagement at the European level, sharing our 2023 policy papers, building relationships, and having lively dialogues with key stakeholders and organizations.

Our itinerary was packed with a variety of meetings, each taking us one step further in carrying out our mission at the EU level. Among the notable individuals and organizations we had the privilege to meet were:

• Stefanos Agathokleous, Communications Officer from Eurodesk: Eurodesk plays a vital role in promoting European mobility opportunities for young people. Our discussion with Stefanos shed light on the various avenues for youth engagement and collaboration at the European level.

• Frederick Wilke, Permanent Representation of Niedersachsen to the EU: Through our conversation with Frederick, we gained insights into the regional perspectives and interests within the EU, crucial for understanding the diversity of voices and priorities shaping European policies.

• Madis Raaper, Attache from the Permanent Representation of Estonia to the EU: Estonia's representation provided us with firsthand knowledge of the Baltic region's engagement with the EU, highlighting areas of mutual interest and collaboration.

• Martina Marcassa and Léa Ichikawa, Project Managers from the Digital Collective: Our interaction with the Digital Collective, a Brussels-based NGO, underscored the significance of digitalization and youth involvement in shaping the future of Europe.

• Ms. Žaneta Vegnere and Maija Celmina, Members of Latvian Commissioner Dombrovskis Cabinet: Meeting with members of Commissioner Dombrovskis' team provided us with insights into Latvia's role in EU policymaking and the importance of youth perspectives in shaping EU initiatives.

• German MEP Viola von Cramon: Engaging with MEP Viola von Cramon allowed us to discuss our policy priorities, share our experiences from the German-Baltic Conference, and advocate for youth-centered policies at the European Parliament.

Our trip to Brussels was not only an opportunity for us to share our policy papers from the German-Baltic Conference in 2023, held in Tartu, but also to lay the groundwork for future collaborations and exchanges. We discussed our upcoming conference topic on Artificial Intelligence (AI), exploring its implications for youth and society in Europe.

Our time in Brussels also allowed us to immerse ourselves in the workings of the EU institutions, gaining a deeper understanding of their functions and processes. As advocates for youth engagement and participation in shaping the future of Europe, we were inspired by the vibrant atmosphere of the "Capital of Europe" and reinvigorated in our commitment to fostering dialogue and cooperation across borders, especially with the upcoming European elections from June 6th to 9th - make sure to cast your vote and have your voice heard this year!

All in all, our inaugural trip to Brussels was a wonderful success, reaffirming our belief in the power of youth to shape the future of Europe. We returned home with a renewed sense of purpose and determination to continue our work at the European level, building bridges and driving positive change for young people across the continent. We can’t wait for the next DBJW visit to Brussels!