The Young European Collective
Amy is a sociologist and peace researcher with both American and Finnish citizenships. She is interested in implementing ideas, tackling global issues, and initiating transformative change. She believes that Europe as an idea is in flux, and not only includes those native to it, but those who are taking part in its modern narrative.
Stylia’s ability to handle various political interests and commitments is also reflected in her unique choice of clothes and her handling of long party weekends in Berlin. For her, purpose in life means to accept challenges and to test one’s comfort zone: This may lead to failure at times, but who cares – your life is the best teacher.
Zlatin is an enthusiastic manager with innovative thinking. He likes to work with motivated people, so he does everything in his power to influence people in a positive way. He is also an ex-professional volleyball player with a great passion for achievements. An international environment is what he thrives on.
Zara is a dreamer, and a grafter (Scottish for someone who works hard). Coming from a working-class background of miners, she is passionate about social and environmental justice, equality and democracy. She does what she can, and where she can, to bring about change for the many and help create a world that works for us all.
Thomas is an active citizen from France, always fighting for his first love: Europe. Driven by his passion for honesty and equality always and everywhere, he takes inspiration from the diverse communities he hangs out in. He never says no to a cool-sounding project and strives every day to be a better activist, co-worker and friend.
Katharina is a believer in empathy from Vienna, Austria. She is convinced that curiosity and understanding are the basis for a functioning cooperation between our countries in Europe. On her path to follow this vision, she has jumped in at the deep end and now aims to become one of those trendy entrepreneurs in an inspiring co-working space. Her first project is a quirky card game that shows you where in Europe people make music with vegetables or where men stuff ferrets down their pants to prove their manhood.
Vincent is a full-time idealist from Berlin. He is convinced that good ideas have a transformative effect on people and can truly change lives – we just need to find the courage to see them through. He wants to dedicate his life to showing that everyone has an important message to share. His motto: “Use your voice. If you don’t, nobody else will do it for you.”
Liza is a critical thinker from Belgium who can get lost in a library for hours. She reads fiction and non-fiction, always trying to find a deeper meaning or societal trend. She is more interested in the sociology of the European integration than in taking a political stance. Liza is always up for a laugh and loves meeting new people. Her motto: “You don’t search for friends, you recognize them.”
Kris is a pragmatic dreamer from Poland currently living in Berlin. He is a great believer in civic education and the positive effects more equality has on everyone’s well-being. Some part of him still wants to be change the history of rock music or become a writer but he hasn’t had the time for that lately.
Antje is an enthusiastic idealist who likes to ask questions and think of solutions. She is passionate about learning, debating and sharing knowledge, as she believes that critical thinking can get us closer to a more just society. When she’s not reflecting on the state of Europe and its young generation, she spends her time in London’s museums or entertains herself with German literature.
Martin is an observer and questioner from Berlin. He believes in the power of good questions and unconventional answers. He loves to connect people and build strong networks. Besides his passion for tomato juice, he is an economist and a full-time European who wants to dedicate his life to the future of the continent.
Nini is a passionate change-maker, who grew up in Hungary and Germany. However, Nini’s heart beats for her home country of Georgia and she doesn’t shy away from any opportunity to support her people and family there. She is also an extrovert in the truest meaning of the word and finds relaxation on stage or in front of a large crowd.
Giulia has studied diplomacy only to understand that diplomacy must change. She believes the most ambitious European projects can succeed if people don’t hide behind walls of formalities, but treat each other as persons, rather than parts of institutions. Giulia lives in Berlin and dreams to become a writer. In the meantime, she engages in what inspires her.
Kevin is a Project Manager at the B20 Germany Secretariat who has also worked in development and the German Parliament. A vagabond by training and passionate lover of the old continent. He believes that the European idea needs active young citizens to keep it alive.
Katarina is a political scientist and EU researcher from Montenegro. It is her wish to give her own contribution towards improving the perception of the Western Balkans in (Western) Europe. She is passionate about asking questions and overthinking things, as well as learning something from every person she encounters. Katarina grew up in Montenegro, but has been living in Berlin for a while.
Daniel’s from Hungary but considers himself first and foremost a European citizen and believes in first-hand experiences which is one of the reasons for his extensive travels in Europe and beyond.vDaniel’s life could easily be an EU propaganda-piece with a Polish wife whom he met on Erasmus in South-Italy and with whom he lives in Budapest. Daniel’s goal is to actively participate in Europe’s peaceful future of further cooperation and integration.
Aileen is an stubbornly optimistic writer, English tutor, feminist, Masters student, and activist from Scotland. In an ideal world she would reform the education system in the UK to produce generations of considerate critical thinkers. Her two dearest ambitions are to contribute to building a better, more inclusive Europe… and to own a dog.
Annika loves to dream big for an empathic intercultural understanding between nations because she believes in people and their good intentions. She is keen to find and work actively on solutions. Therefore she is working as a coach and trainer in Berlin to empower young visionaries and change-makers to find their passion, get active and live the life they want to live. For themselves and for the European society. Besides, she loves to dance to Elektro Swing music for a whole night and drink fizzy lemonade.
We all met in 2014, when Martin and Vincent traveled across Europe to talk to young people. They came through 14 European countries, meeting over 200 women and men, thus laying the foundation for this group. Some of us met the two in formal settings, talking about politics and society or touring cities and villages, in other instances, our crossing of paths can only be described as either coincidence or fate – whatever you prefer to think.
Some months after that, Martin and Vincent invited this group to Berlin for a first writing workshop. Even though most of us didn’t know each other, our group clicked from the start. We can’t help but feel that this was meant to happen.
Today, we like to think about us as a group of travelers who met on a train towards a common goal. Our backgrounds and our stories are different. If we were passing by each other on the street, chances are we would not stop to talk, but here, on a train, we are sharing a journey. Although we are different, we got to know each other through our mutual interest in Europe and in our generation. What connects us is the belief that we all have the power to bring about change and take part in shaping our future, actively and positively.