This event was co-organised by the University of Vienna, the European Parliament Information Office in Austria and the European Law Institute (ELI) and was moderated by ORF presenter, Claudia Unterweger.

Students were welcomed by the Rector of the University of Vienna, Heinz W Engl, President of the University Council, Eva Nowotny, and EP President Antonio Tajani. President Tajani particularly welcomed the opportunity to engage with students directly. He called reducing the distance between EU citizens and their representatives in the EP one of his main objectives of his Presidency.

The discussion was divided into three thematic sessions. In its first part, the discussion revolved around social injustice and youth unemployment, issues that were seen as a great threat by all panellists. While some emphasised the role of the industry and strengthening companies in general, others called for an overall approach and the implementation of better minimum wage measures.

The second session was on migration, strengthening of European borders and free movement of persons. Tajani emphasised the importance of secure external borders and called for more solidarity with southern European countries, while Josef Weidenholzer, Vice-President of the S&D (Group of the Progressive Alliance of Social Democrats), strongly criticised EU institutions for not acting fast enough. Ska Keller, Co-President of the Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance, spoke in favour of legal and secure routes for refugees, fair distribution and legal paths of migration. Peter Lundgren, Vice-Chair of the EFDD (Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy Group), saw external borders as a cornerstone for the freedom of persons.

Lastly, the discussion centred on Austria’s imminent Presidency of the Council of the EU, data protection, climate change and human rights. EP President Tajani closed the event by thanking the students for their lively participation and emphasised, once more, the importance of the protection of human rights for the EP.