From My ‘EU Moment’ to the Ballot Box: Engaging Youth in European Elections
Opinion piece by Kaan Turhal (DE)
I have a strong passion for politics and enjoy getting involved in various ways. A significant moment for me was attending the Summer Academy of the European Parliament’s Liaison Office in August 2023 — it was my first major EU experience, which I refer to as my “EU moment.” This experience sparked my engagement in organizations such as Ruhrpott für Europa, Young European Federalists, and the European Youth Parliament. It made me realize that the EU is not just an abstract concept, especially for young people. We all have a role to play in shaping it. Therefore, I aim to empower others to discover their own “EU moment.”
I strongly believe that everyone should take responsibility for safeguarding our valuable European democracy, and this begins with voting. That is why I advocate for lowering the voting age to 16 as a good starting point. Particularly now, with authoritarian leaders from China and Russia attempting to undermine European democracy, it is more important than ever for us to stand united against them. Let us unite to support a peaceful Europe and oppose right-wing extremism through our participation!
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The issue is that many people view the EU as distant and elitist, and they fail to recognize how much it impacts our daily lives. We need to address this, starting with how we educate about the EU, such as through school curriculums. In my experience in Germany, it is often portrayed as too dull and irrelevant, but that is certainly not the case! Unfortunately, we also observe that young people tend to vote less frequently than the older generation. That is why I am motivated to reach out to them through street events, school programs, and other initiatives to broaden the understanding of the EU. NGOs play a crucial role in this, serving as the bridge builders for political education, and I am truly grateful for their presence.
One of the most impactful and heartwarming experiences for me was contributing to the European Youth Event in Berlin and witnessing the joy of Europeans from different countries coming together in one place. It was a powerful reminder that we can strengthen unity in the EU.
This experience, among many others, fuels my passion to continue advocating for a robust, inclusive European democracy where every voice, especially those of the young, is heard and valued.
