Fear, identity and the future: Young voices from Greece

Welcome to the second episode of our podcast series, "REACHing Citizens" part of the "Reshaping Engagement through Affirmative Citizen Consultations (REACH) project". Launched in 2024, this initiative is funded by the European Commission’s SAV 2023 program and brings together organizations from across Europe to explore pressing social and political issues. Interviewer: Ioanna (Host) & Nikos (Co-host) Citizens: Emilia, Actress based in Athens, and Omar, Student in France, both of Greek-French nationality and participants in the citizen consultation in Athens In this episode, we take you to Greece, where we hear from Emilia and Homere, two young participants in a recent citizen consultation. Coming from both French and Greek backgrounds, they share their insights on topics such as climate change, EU enlargement, and the rule of law, reflecting on generational and cultural perspectives. They discuss how environmental awareness differs between Greece and France, how young people engage with climate activism, and how freedom of expression in the arts is shaped by political and social realities. Emilia and Homere highlighted that climate change was the most engaging topic for them. They reflected on the differences in environmental education and awareness between Greece and France, noting that Greek youth often lack access to the same level of information and sustainable lifestyle opportunities as their French counterparts. They pointed out that while young people in Greece want to adopt eco-friendly habits, systemic barriers such as poor city infrastructure and social stigmas around sustainability make it difficult. Regarding EU enlargement, both participants were surprised by the fear-driven responses from other attendees. They shared their experiences of hearing concerns about security, economic instability, and the role of military power in the EU. As individuals with dual national identities, they also reflected on the power dynamics within the EU and how different member states perceive integration. On the topic of freedom of expression, Emilia and Homere discussed their experiences as young artists in France and Greece. They noted that while theoretically free speech is protected, they often self-censor due to social and political pressures. They also acknowledged the privilege of artistic expression, emphasizing that some voices are more easily heard than others in both countries. In conclusion, Emilia and Homere emphasized the need for open dialogue and education on these critical topics. They encouraged young people to engage in discussions and consultations, challenge dominant narratives, and advocate for meaningful change.