Just like that, the fourth edition of the European Student Assembly (ESA) came to an end, but not without leaving a mark. Even this time, the UNITA Alliance was strongly represented, with a delegation of seven students among the 230 selected participants. Held in the iconic hemicycle of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, the ESA gathered students from 190 universities and 50 nationalities in the shared effort to draft policy recommendations that could shape Europe’s future.
The ESA unfolds in three phases:
- a preparatory online period in which eight thematic panels formulate their proposals;
- a three-day “onlife” gathering in Strasbourg where these recommendations are discussed and voted on;
- and finally, the most crucial stage of dissemination.
For those involved, however, this timeline does not capture the full depth of the experience. To truly understand the essence of such an experience, students’ direct testimonials must be heard.
Francesco Bologna (University of Turin) summed it up well:
“It is precisely the concept of plurality and mutual exchange, in a context of shared European values, that I carry with me from ESA.”
This idea of connection – across cultures, disciplines, and perspectives – is a common thread in the testimonies of all UNITA participants.
For Chiara De Piccoli (University of Turin), the most striking part wasn’t just the event itself, but the continuity it fostered:
“Not even two months have passed, and with some members of our panel working on ‘Unity in Diversity’ we are already pursuing a project to bring our policies forward,” she said.
“ESA works in this exact direction: fostering the meeting of the new generation of change-makers.”
Panel discussions spanned from digital democracy to social justice and sustainable innovation.
Elisa Ducoli (University of Brescia), part of the “Innovation for All” group, recalled:
“We developed eight policy proposals on how the EU can balance innovation and competitiveness for sustainable growth. The experience was both inspiring and transformative.”
Equally committed to imagining a better Europe, Chiara D’Agostino (University of Turin) joined the “Unveiling Inequalities” panel:
“It was inspiring to engage with other students on such current and complex topics,” she said, referring to issues like the gender pay gap and minority representation.
“This experience helped me better understand the role we, as young people, can play in driving change.”
Angela Rinaldi (University of Turin) participated in the “Artificial Intelligence and Civic Engagement” panel. For her, the discussions were not only intellectually stimulating but profoundly meaningful:
“We reflected together on the challenges and opportunities AI presents in democratic and social contexts,” she said. Presenting their work inside the European Parliament “was a true privilege and a source of great pride.”
Bilel El Badaoui (Technical University of Cluj-Napoca) was also part of the same panel. For him,
seeing the recommendations finally being adopted was both a relief and a recognition of all the work and research carried out:
“Working on these issues and debating them in Strasbourg allowed me to truly feel European, to be a European citizen who is taking part in initiatives that have a meaning.”
ESA is not just an event, it’s a launchpad. As Europe navigates unprecedented challenges, the ideas and energy of youths are more than ever vital. And for the students of the UNITA Alliance, ESA was a space to speak, connect, and act.
With the fifth edition of the European Student Assembly already on the horizon, the journey continues, and the next generation of changemakers is ready to step up.
Find out more: read the article “European Student Assembly 2025: Three Days of Ideas, Democracy and Collective Vision in Strasbourg”: https://www.eucvoices.eu/it/content/european-student-assembly-2025-three-days-ideas-democracy-and-collective-vision-strasbourg
Article written by the students participating in ESA 2025