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Some used the meeting to speak on behalf of their generation by reminding the Federal Chancellor of their interest in and stances on geopolitical questions and problems such as climate change, the effects of social media on election campaigns and calls for regulation, and the need to reform educational systems so more young people become politically interested. Others took the opportunity to make a statement, among them a Ukrainian participant who empha- sized the importance of Germany’s solidarity with Ukraine. Her words “I am happy to be here because it means to be alive,” were met with spontaneous applause. Friedrich Merz responded by highlighting the significance of such expressions of unity.
„ THE YOUTH4PEACE PARTICIPANTS FROM UKRAINE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DIRECTLY ADDRESS ONE OF THE KEY DECISION-MAKERS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION... The participants of Youth4Peace were able to meet with Germany’s Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz on May 8, 2025, just two days after he had been sworn into office. For most of the participants, the hour-long meeting with one of the country’s most prominent political representatives was the highlight of the project week. After a group photo, a warm welcome and the handover of the peace agenda, the participants were able to ask Friedrich Merz about issues of personal interest to them, among them pivotal topics such as migration, spending or the preservation of demo- cratic structures.
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