Bridges in Action: Young Europe Between the Baltics and Germany
- it-supportdbjw
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
Foreword: Dear Reader, my name is Agnė, a Brand Ambassador for the German-Baltic Future Foundation. Originally from a small Lithuanian town, I am currently studying International Relations and European Politics in Brno and am on a study exchange in Tokyo.
I have been actively involved in the German-Baltic community as a Youth Ambassador and Young Reporter, as well as in various other international projects, over the last five years. I’m passionate about politics, German-Baltic relations, and meaningful youth engagement, and I focus on connecting these interests with global projects in international relations.
This is part 1 of a 4-part-blog series which explores how young people from Germany and Baltic states engage, network, experience Europe, and the world at large through study, friendship, cultural exchange, and participation in political life.
Living Between Different Cultures: What Being European Feels Like?
EU citizenship, cultural exchanges through Erasmus+ study programs and transnational projects, borderless travel via the Schengen zone, common currency, shared history, and heritage are all things which Europeans currently enjoy. The creation of the European Union and the promotion of shared values, such as peace, democracy, and freedom, have halted centuries of continuous wars in Europe and shed light on a common European identity. The EU has enabled Europeans to connect beyond their shared history and heritage, thereby strengthening the continent. But how do these initiatives, which are part of everyday lives, reflect on young people and their identities? Do people from different parts of Europe share common identities? Let’s find out!
Historical aspects
Dating back a thousand years, it seems like Europe was never not at war. The continent was fragmented and was always subject to territorial or religious conflicts. The Peace of Westphalia in 1648 marked a significant turning point for Europe, as it concluded the devastating Thirty Years’ War, established the modern system of sovereign states, and reduced the role of religion in conflicts (Source). However, interstate wars persisted, and the continent continued to experience more violent outbreaks. The most notable were the Napoleonic Wars, which were brought to an end in 1815 with the formation of the Concert of Europe system. Through the system, the major powers navigated the rule of Europe with almost a century of peace, after which the catastrophic WWI and WWII took place, causing immense destruction, millions of deaths and reshaping of the whole European continent.
The fear of future conflicts and the need for peace and economic prosperity led to the founding of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in 1951. The founding treaty was signed among Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands to manage coal and steel production under one supranational authority. Initially proposed by French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman, the plan was a great way to boost Western European economies, lay the foundation for further European integration, and a key to preventing future wars by controlling the primary resources for warfare, such as steel and coal. Seven years later, Europe experienced further integration through the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM), both of which officially merged under the name European Union in 1993, introducing additional members and expanding across the entire continent (Source).
The EU now
Political and economic integration allowed Europe to achieve peace. As Franco-German power struggle relations have been eliminated and the common market makes war irrational, the EU has not faced war among its member states. However, there are more achievements besides zero violent conflict. The EU is a one of its kind regional organisation with such high levels of integration among its member states, which no other continent has managed to do. It boasts one of the highest social welfare standards globally (see figure below) and the world's largest single common market, which facilitates the free movement of goods, capital, services, and people. It also stabilized post-Cold War Europe, helping Central and Eastern European countries transform into democracies by incorporating the rule of law into the accession criteria. Lastly, the EU is known on the international stage as a major supporter of peacekeeping, humanitarian aid, and the Paris Climate agreement.
The EU also provides substantial funding for cultural exchange programs, which promote a shared identity. According to the European Commission, for the period of 2021-2027, the EU allocates a budget of € 26.2 billion for study, training, and volunteer opportunities for young people abroad. These experiences shape how young Europeans act, think, understand themselves and the world, making them feel part of the bigger European picture, thus shaping their identities.
European identity
So, how do these EU initiatives and financing statistics translate into a tangible impact on the lives of young Europeans and the development of a shared European identity? I believe they are life-changing. Personally, I come from a small town in Lithuania. As most youth-connecting events take place in big cities, I used to feel far from these opportunities. However, all changed when I discovered short-term Erasmus+ youth exchanges. I started feeling more confident, formed friendships in various European countries, discovered some of the most beautiful cities in Poland, Slovenia, Turkey, Italy, and savored authentic local cuisine. This experience provided me with extensive cultural knowledge, which made me think about the world differently. My life switched from having no experiences outside my hometown to travelling alone abroad and getting into the most interesting, funny, and challenging situations.
Through my increased participation in Erasmus+ projects, I developed an interest in journalism and other international projects, and the German-Baltic Future Foundation in particular caught my attention. I first participated in their German-Baltic conference in 2023, in Tartu. I attended the conference as a young reporter and thoroughly enjoyed it.
It was fun to meet so many interesting and intelligent people, all while experiencing Estonian culture. This event inspired me and came back the next year, as it took place in my beloved city of Vilnius, however, this time I participated as a youth ambassador and was part of a team working on a policy paper. In the teamwork I was also involved in international law talks, so my knowledge from the event was not only cultural and networking-based, but also academic. In both events, I met a lot of inspiring people who pushed me to choose to study International Relations, and with whom I am now good friends.
These interests and the international environment were the place where I found myself, and they directly shaped who I am today. International experiences have influenced my decision about which degree to pursue, where to study, and to undertake a study exchange on a different continent. All because I have come to realise how much one can grow abroad, how the world is smaller than we usually think it is, and how important it is to constantly challenge yourself while gaining cultural knowledge to navigate the world effectively. Now I see myself as both a Lithuanian and a European.
To me, being European means being who I am today: a part of a diverse, interconnected community, an endless place to grow culturally, academically, and personally, and possessing the responsibility and ability to shape the world
Now let’s hear from one of our German-Baltic Future Foundation Brand Ambassadors, Indira Sophie Pabst (21, from Germany), and what being a European means to her:
Since I was a child, my parents have emphasized the importance of exposing me to various intercultural experiences in Europe. This included a three-month student exchange in France and extensive travel, which led me to the binational study program “Public Governance across Borders” in Germany and the Netherlands. Currently, I am also expanding my international experience through an Erasmus semester in Riga, Latvia.
For me, being European means growing up not just in one nation but in a broader community of people whose lives, histories, and futures are connected. I believe this comes with a sense of responsibility that goes beyond national borders. Being European means understanding that my actions contribute to a larger whole.
My international experiences have greatly influenced my identity and made me increasingly aware of the privilege of growing up in Europe with open borders, freedom, and shared values. Living and studying in different countries has taught me to appreciate cultural diversity, be open-minded, switch easily between languages, and feel at home all over Europe. Considering war and rising tensions in Europe, these experiences have strengthened my belief that we must preserve openness and cooperation within Europe.
