Year 13 student, Sabreen, stepped onto the European stage in January 2025 as part of the five-person team representing the UK at the European Youth Parliament (EYP) National Session in Finland.
The event welcomed young people from across Europe to develop and express their own opinions on political and social issues facing the world today. EYP sessions are described as being ‘organised by young people, for young people’. As well as participating in debate, EYP also allows young people to take on a variety of different roles at the event, such as moderators, organisers and members of a media team.
Sabreen began her EYP journey when she was in Year 12 at Loughborough High School and has since continued to actively participate in the programme, discovering her passion for it at a National Session held in Liverpool in 2024.
“Being on a team of ten individuals that I had never met before may have seemed daunting to some, but I think I found that to be my favourite part of EYP. Meeting people and getting to know each other’s different perspectives and journeys really gives you an insight into what comes after LHS. I am still in contact with many friends from Liverpool. So that was a four-day national event, and this was where I found myself really step out of my comfort zone.”
Not long after this, Sabreen was positively overwhelmed to find out that she had been selected to represent the UK at EYP Finland’s National Session in Espoo. Filled with engaging discussions, opportunities for collaboration and social activities, Sabreen notes that her favourite thing about the session was “meeting people from several different countries and exploring each other’s stories and our cultures”.
Sabreen’s contribution to discussions about important issues facing young people across Europe today is outstanding; it has broadened her horizons as she starts to think about her next steps.
“The EYP process has allowed me to meet so many amazing people and develop academically, socially, and personally. I will never forget this experience and luckily it isn’t over as I’ve been asked if I would like to attend the EYP Barcelona Nationals in Summer 2025”.
Everyone at Loughborough High School is extremely proud of Sabreen’s EYP achievements and looks forward to seeing where this journey takes her next.
