The EU has designated 2022 the 'European Year of Youth' to highlight the importance of young people’s futures by including young people and their priorities in policy-making and organizing youth-focused activities across the EU. In this context, the European Migration Network organised a hybrid event bringing together young bright minds from all over Europe to reflect on how youth could and should be more effectively engaged in understanding and shaping migration policies and narratives.

EMN Belgium expanded the hybrid event into a two-day event. The first day, participants learned more about asylum and migration in Belgium through informal and peer-to peer learning, discussions and debates. They stepped into the shoes of an applicant for international protection in their journey upon arrival in Belgium during the "Refugee Route" organised by Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen, and had the opportunity to learn more about life in a reception centre by visiting an observation and orientation reception facility for unaccompanied minors.

The second day, the group joined young people from 13 other European countries in an EU-level online event. Through the learning tool ‘Destination Europe’ they had a chance to become familiar with the EU-decision making process and the main challenges and debates on the EU-level regarding migration and asylum. Furthermore, they had the chance to go into discussion with the European Commission and give their input on changing the narrative on migration. Last but not least, a testimony regarding integration and inclusion into a new host society was given by Nour Machlah who fled Syria and can now proudly call himself a European.

Photos of the event can be found by clicking here.