What do you want to achieve with this project?

We are excited to announce the launch of CEPS newest initiative, CEPS Young Thinkers, aimed at bringing more diverse and younger voices into the European debate. The project will give young people a platform to express their ideas and bring fresh and innovative perspectives to the European policy scene.

We are looking for a group of 30 young thinkers from various academic fields who will form our Young Thinkers network and take part in a series of activities throughout 2021. Whether you’re studying political science, international relations, philosophy, chemistry or architecture, if you’re passionate about the future of Europe, we want to hear from you!

CEPS Young Thinkers forms part of a wider initiative, the CEPS Sustainable Diversity Goals (SDGs), an Open Society Foundation funded project, which aims to promote diversity in the field of research and make our policy events more diverse and gender-balanced.

To help us launch the call, CEPS has teamed up with the International Youth Think Tank (IYTT) to host a virtual event on 25 March: “Back to the Future: empowering the next generation of European leaders“. The event will bring together young people with high-level speakers, including Heather Grabbe, Director of Open Society European Policy Institute , Cecilia Malmström, Co-Founder of the IYTT and former Commissioner to the EU, and MEP Daniel Freund.

Do you need help to put your idea into practice?

What’s in it for you?

• Take part in one of Europe’s leading policy conferences, with high-profile speakers and engaging sessions.
• Actively participate in a stimulating debate through foresight sessions run by the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research.
• Be among the first to test an innovative mobile app which helps communities to envisage the future of Europe.
• Participate in a high-level roundtable where you will present your ideas and proposals to influential European politicians and policy makers.
• Attend a mentoring session from leading academics.
• Meet and network with other young bright minds.
• Become part of a pan-European, forward-thinking network beyond the Conference.

What are the details of the project?

The primary activity of the CEPS Young Thinkers Initiative will take place online at the 2021 edition of Ideas Lab, from 31 May to 4 June 2021. The group will participate in a parallel programme with the goal of stimulating debate, connecting young bright minds with today’s leaders and envisioning the future of Europe.

Gamification, foresight and experiments in co-design

The Young Thinkers will take part in guided foresight sessions, be amongst the first to test a new gamification tool and have the opportunity to present their ideas to policymakers in a high-level roundtable. The theme of the activities will focus on the Future of Europe and citizen engagement

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