What does the future of Europe look like through the eyes of the next generation? On March 31, 2026, the Catalan Government sought to answer that very question by hosting the “Joventut i democràcia europea: memòria i futur” conference at La Farinera del Clot. The event brought together 50 young people from across Catalonia to engage in structured, critical reflection on the political and social challenges facing the European Union.
The contributions of the Allianz Foundation’s report and our members
We are thrilled to share that Palumba.org was at the heart of these discussions, with our members and friends helping to shape the dialogue across three of the five thematic tables. The recent Next Generations study published by the Allianz Foundation took a central role in our interventions, with the data evidence from it largely guiding the conversation. Our presence was felt through a diverse group of experts and collaborators.
> Ferran Dalmau, an expert in social innovation and a key representative of Palumba.org in Barcelona, moderated the Technology and Digital Sovereignty table. The discussion focused on AI governance, data protection, and the strategic need for Europe to reduce its dependence on external tech giants.
> Harrison Parpillon, author of the Gen Z Study we recently published with COTEC, contributed his deep insights into youth engagement and socioeconomic trends.
> Júlia Codina, with her extensive background at Oxfam and the United Nations, brought a vital perspective on global equity and institutional reform.
Across the tables, the consensus was clear: young people identify housing, education, and digital sovereignty as the top priorities for a resilient European democracy.
A continued partnership with Jaume Duch
The event was headlined by Jaume Duch, the Minister of Union European and Foreign Action. For the Palumba.org team, this was a meaningful reunion. Before his current role in the Catalan Government, Minister Duch served as the Director-General for Communications at the European Parliament. In that capacity, he was a vocal supporter of the Palumba app, even joining us for our original app launch event in April 2024. During the conference, Minister Duch was aligned in the importance of fostering critical thinking in the age of AI.
The conference concluded with a call for more “active and committed citizenship”. At Palumba.org, we remain dedicated to bridging the gap between young people and the institutions that represent them.
