The EU-LAC Policy Brief No. 13, which forms part of the EU-LAC Foundation's series of analyses, recommendations and strategic contributions to enrich the bi-regional dialogue and the IV CELAC-EU Summit, contains the strategic recommendations resulting from the IV EU-LAC Youth Days.
On 19 and 20 June 2025, the IV European Union (EU) - Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) Youth Days meeting was held in Rome, Italy, organised by the EU-LAC Foundation and the International Italo-Latin-American Organisation (IILA), in collaboration with the European Commission and complemented by the Team Europe Initiative (TEI) “Inclusive and Egalitarian Societies”.
This meeting provided a valuable space for dialogue, exchange, and reflection for around 40 young people, with a representative sample from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe. They actively took part in debates on four highly relevant and timely themes: (i) Digital technologies and inclusive education; (ii) Human rights and democracy in the information society; (iii) Environment and climate change; and (iv) Security crises affecting youth. On this basis, the participants had the opportunity to draw up proposals and recommendations that will serve as input for the forthcoming 4th CELAC–EU Summit, scheduled for 9 and 10 November 2025 in Santa Marta, Colombia.
In addition, during the month of June, young people from both regions were able to respond to an online questionnaire whose content followed the themes proposed and debated during the event. The questionnaire was answered by 124 young people from 32 countries, representing the European Union, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
Based on the reflections contributed by the youth participating in both the event and the survey, a set of strategic recommendations was identified, aimed at strengthening EU–CELAC cooperation and advancing towards a fairer, more inclusive, and more sustainable digital, environmental, and social governance. These proposals seek not only to address current challenges — such as digital inequalities, the protection of human rights in the digital environment, or the climate transition — but also to consolidate the leading role of young people as key actors in shaping public policies and regulatory frameworks.