TU Dublin student selected to join Youth policy dialogue on the future of finance in Brussels
TU Dublin School of Accounting, Economics and Finance student Fernandes Brancalliao Kawana is one of 15 young Europeans selected to join the Youth Policy Dialogue on the Future of Finance. The Economics & Finance (TU905) student will travel to Brussels, Belgium to participate in the event, which takes place on Tuesday, 04 March 2025.
In timing with the new European Commission, which took office on 01 December 2024, Maria Luís Albuquerque, Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union, will engage the youth delegation in a two hour discussion on the future of finance.
As part of the application, which was submitted in January of this year, Kawana made a short video expressing her interest in the event and articulating her own vision of the future of finance.
Speaking of the opportunity Kawana said:
Taking part in the Youth Policy Dialogue on the Future of Finance is an incredible opportunity, and I am absolutely delighted to represent TU Dublin at this event. Engaging with other young Europeans and contributing to discussions with Commissioner Maria Luís Albuquerque on shaping the future of finance is both an honour and privilege, and I am happy I heard about this opportunity through my lecturer, Dr Ruth Casey. I look forward to sharing my ideas and learning from such a diverse group of perspectives!
Youth Policy Dialogues were first held during the European Year of Youth 2022, and are an integral part of policy development across Europe. The platform creates a formal and structured space for young people to express their views on EU policy initiatives, as well as helping EU Commissioners to integrate youth opinion in the EU’s political agenda.
A key objective of the University's Strategic Intent is to foster "new generation of TU Dublin graduates that will be leading the sustainability agenda with passion and purpose". TU Dublin encourages students to engage in opportunities for local and international environmental, economic and social development, and to play a role in influencing policies that affect their future. Students can gain valuable experience by participating in such events, learning through participation in democratic discussion, developing an understanding of shared values and of how EU policy is formed, and of the difference these policies can make for future generations.
TU Dublin Communications and European Union Studies Lecturer, Dr Ruth Casey, highlighted the value of this prestigious opportunity saying:
I am so proud of Kawana, who is studying my module on the European Union as part of her degree in Economics and Finance. The experience that she will gain from this initiative of the European Commission is invaluable, and can be brought back to the lecture hall and shared with the other students on the EU module. This is an example of how young people from across Europe can shape policy at EU level.
The event is available to watch via live stream and a link will be made available on this page ahead of the event.
Students can keep up-to-date on opportunities to engage with sustainability focused national and international programmes here.