From 20 to 22 April 2026, the 5th European Student Assembly took place at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Around 250 students from 196 universities, 34 countries, 54 nationalities, and 54 university alliances came together to develop recommendations on pressing European challenges.
The AURORA Alliance was also represented: Lilli Fee Schulz from the University of Innsbruck had already worked over the four months leading up to the Assembly with an international working group on measures to promote intergenerational solidarity. During the event in Strasbourg, the developed proposals were intensively discussed, further refined, and concretised before being presented and adopted in plenary.
In addition, the Assembly provided a valuable framework for exchange and networking. Students from across Europe engaged in dialogue, shared their perspectives, and got to know other university alliances during the “Village of Alliances.” The final recommendations will now be submitted to the European Commission.
For Lilli Fee Schulz, participation was a particularly enriching experience:
“The past months were intensive, but above all incredibly educational. I not only learned a lot about how political measures are developed and formulated, but also how international collaboration can succeed across digital formats. It was especially exciting to engage deeply with topics that are currently shaping Europe. ESA and AURORA gave me the opportunity to actively contribute and be part of a process that can initiate change. I am very grateful for this experience.”
The European Student Assembly 2026 impressively demonstrated how important the involvement of young people is in shaping Europe. Students were able to contribute their perspectives, collaboratively develop ideas, and experience how much can be achieved through European cooperation.
(Sabrina Pöll)