On July 2, nine members of our YOURAH network of young diabetes advocates had the incredible opportunity to join a Youth Policy Dialogue at the European Commission with Commissioners Glenn Micallef (Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport) and Olivér Várhelyi (Health and Animal Welfare), in presence of MEP Peter Agius, member of the MEPs Mobilising for Diabetes Interest Group (MMD).
During the roundtable discussion, our YOURAH representatives highlighted the unique challenges faced by the diabetes community. By sharing their perspectives and key priorities, they engaged in a meaningful dialogue with the Commissioners and MEP, who spoke about the EU’s role in advancing policies and strategies to address their needs.
Key themes addressed by the young advocates included:
- Ensuring meaningful engagement of people with lived experience in policy-making & research.
- Reducing inequalities in access to diabetes care, both between and within EU countries.
- Improving access to the right care at the right time, including regular screening for complications.
- Ensuring access to psychological support for people living with diabetes.
- Raising awareness of diabetes among the general public, including in schools.
- Removing barriers that prevent people living with diabetes from participating in sports and physical activity.
- Strengthening healthcare systems and enhancing healthcare professional training to deliver high-quality, person-centred, holistic & integrated diabetes care.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Commissioners Micallef and Várhelyi, and MEP Agius for engaging in such important conversations and for their commitment to ensuring that the voice of the youth is heard and meaningfully integrated into EU policymaking.
We are incredibly grateful to our group of young diabetes advocates. It was truly inspiring to see each of them contribute thoughtfully to the discussion – raising key points and stepping forward to represent their peers. Their passion, commitment and leadership are essential to amplifying the voice of our community and driving meaningful change.
Looking ahead, we are excited to welcome a new cohort of young diabetes advocates next week at our annual Youth Leadership Lab. Since 2011, this flagship programme has been empowering young people living with diabetes to become strong advocates at national, European and international levels.
Youth Policy Dialogue participants: Coralie Alabert (France), Joana Amorim (Portugal), Rebecca Barlow-Noone (UK-Belgium), Konstantina Boumaki (Greece), Thomas Führer (Austria), Cameron Keighron (Ireland), Martina Mallia (Malta), Anamarija Runtić (Croatia) and Júlia Szedenik (Hungary).
