“CIVICA is where global citizenship meets local impact” — an Executive Master in International Development student’s experience at the 2024 European Student Assembly

The European Student Assembly, a pivotal initiative under the CIVICA alliance, recently gathered in Strasbourg to engage students from various European universities  in the legislative process, highlighting the importance of youth involvement in shaping the EU’s future. This assembly provided a platform for 275 student representatives to deliberate on critical issues facing Europe, such as democratic engagement, sustainability, and the future of higher education.

Here, Duke Tam, who is studying the Executive Master in International Development, delivered by IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs in partnership with the United Nations System Staff College, shares his experience and the significant impact of this event.

"Having the privilege to have lived across many countries, such as Singapore, the UAE, and most notably the Principality of Liechtenstein, I’d like to consider myself a global citizen and a cultural bridge builder," stated Duke.

"When IE University announced they were looking for representatives for the annual European Student Assembly (ESA), I applied and got accepted. What attracted me most was the chance to work on proposals that could have a real impact, as they are presented to the European Commission and Members of Parliament."
Duke Tam, Executive Master in International Development student

He summarized the itinerary and goals of the Strasbourg trip:

The European Student Assembly kicked off in January 2024 with a Zoom meeting where participants learned about the program’s stages. We were divided into 11 panels, focusing on different topics. I joined Panel 10, which explored the future of Europe and EU enlargement. For four months, we met weekly to craft policy proposals targeting EU candidate countries. Additionally, we participated in workshops led by Members of Parliament (MEPs), which included drafting policies and gaining insights into MEPs’ daily tasks. In April, the youth delegates from all 11 panels met in person in Strasbourg, which was intriguing since we had previously only met online. Over the first two days, we reviewed and refined each other’s proposals. On the third day, we conducted a vote on the 80 policy proposals, similar to a parliamentary voting process, with most receiving positive votes.

I have realized that democratic processes take a lot of time and a lot of patience; it was not easy to hold three days of political debates in a group of 59 nationalities after almost four months of online preparation," he said. "We argued passionately about political issues that can have an impact on people’s lives. My highlight was seeing how important a commitment to democratic values is in politics. Throughout the process, everyone adhered to fair and unspoken rules, even in heated debates.

"Participating in the CIVICA alliance is, in my opinion, an incredible opportunity for IE University and vice versa," he concluded. "Not only does it promote academic exchange between leading social science universities in Europe, but it also offers students a new perspective and a diverse European view on global affairs."