EU Activism Seminar 2026

This year's EU Activism Seminar, from the 15th to the 19th of March, brought together 26 young Jewish students and activists from 14 countries for five days of political education, practical advocacy, and exchange in Brussels and Strasbourg. Guided by EUJS President Hanna Veiler and Policy Officer Austin Gordon, participants explored the workings of European institutions and engaged directly with policymakers on antisemitism, democratic participation, political extremism, online hate, and Russia’s war against Ukraine.

In Brussels, the programme included visits to the Council of the European Union, the European Commission, and the European Parliament. Participants met European Parliament Vice-President Pina Picierno, MEPs Alice Teodorescu Måwe and Terry Reintke, and European Commission Coordinator on Combating Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life Katharina von Schnurbein. Exchanges with Ukrainian diplomat Oksana Diakun, representatives of Kaja Kallas’s cabinet, and experts on the Digital Services Act connected institutional learning with current political challenges.

In Strasbourg, visits to the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights introduced participants to mechanisms for protecting fundamental rights and opportunities for youth participation. Meetings with Jewish organisations, EUJS alumni, and UEJF representatives complemented the institutional programme with perspectives on communal leadership and student activism. Participant feedback highlighted greater confidence in advocacy, a clearer understanding of European policymaking, and strong connections with peers, reinforcing their motivation to represent and support their communities.