Banquet of Horizon: when young people talk about Europe’s future
What happens when you bring around 20 engaged young people from across Luxembourg together with representatives from the European Commission and the National Youth Service, and provide them with sofas, tables and a barbecue at the Luxembourg City Youth Hostel? That’s exactly what the ‘Banquet of Horizons’ was all about: an evening in June dedicated to young people and climate action.
A relaxed setting for serious topics
Instead of the usual conference chairs, there were sofas and a barbecue, creating an environment conducive to open conversation. Peter Hengel, Director of the Luxembourg Youth Hostel Association, welcomed the participants, as the event had been organised in collaboration with the hostel association and its European Youth Card. This determined the format and target audience of young participants. Natascha Lepage, who has been involved in Youth Climate Action for many years, moderated the evening alongside Anne Calteux from the EU Commission. Also in attendance was Andreas Vuori from the Service National de Jeunesse, who introduced programmes such as EuroDesk that help young people access volunteering opportunities and international organisations.
What was discussed?
The evening covered a wide range of topics:
- Youth participation: How can young people be involved in political decision-making more consistently and meaningfully — not just at major events like COP?
- Misinformation: Many young people get their news from social media, which is a breeding ground for misinformation about sustainability.
- Social fairness in climate action: How can the EU ensure that no one is left behind, from social funds to fair, inclusive climate policies?
- Energy supply: Renewable energy, investments such as Global Gateway, and the challenges surrounding raw material autonomy in nuclear energy.
- Housing and construction: New EU standards and funding programmes, and how renters can benefit from climate measures too.
- Public transport: Why free public transport alone isn’t enough to reduce car dependency in Luxembourg.
- Food and local production: From school gardens to the “Farm to Fork” strategy — making sustainable food more accessible.
The takeaway?
Above all, the evening demonstrated one key point: young people in Luxembourg are forward-thinking, ask critical questions, and want to play an active role in shaping the future, whether that’s in relation to energy policy, housing, or mobility. Formats like the Banquet of Horizons provide exactly the kind of informal, honest space needed for this kind of discussion.
