EP41 - Talks with EU Commissioner Sikela on Europe’s Global Role: Building Bridges in a Changing World

We devote this episode to the mark celebratory UN@80 - UN Day - 24 October. During the High-Level Week of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, we had a talk with the EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela, who devoted some time to youth in his busy schedule. In his role, Commissioner Síkela is responsible for ensuring that the EU builds long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships that strengthen prosperity, resilience, and security. In this conversation, he reflects on his recent travels, shares insights into the Global Gateway initiative, building on the Team Europe approach and explains how Europe is working to deliver concrete projects that make a difference on the ground. Among all the important issues, Commissioner Sikela also ensures the EU support and promotion of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. EU Youth Delegate Veronika Novotna, discusses all this and also the resilience of the international system in uncertain times, the role of young people in global cooperation, and how the EU is addressing backsliding on human rights, gender equality, and the need for more inclusive partnerships with civil society, academia, and the private sector. Commissioner Síkela offered a personal message to the young people attending UNGA80 — and to youth everywhere – listen to the episode to hear his message!