In his opening remarks at today’s European Parliament grilling, Malta’s nominee for European Commissioner, Glenn Micallef, made a strong impression by emphasising his commitment to European values and youth engagement. “It’s great to start back from where I began as an intern,” he said, highlighting his experience within EU institutions despite his young age. Micallef expressed unwavering support for Ukraine, stating, “If confirmed, we will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes,” dedicating part of his speech to affirm the EU’s solidarity with Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict.

Micallef shared his personal experience of living the “European dream” and stressed the importance of ensuring future generations can do the same. He highlighted that young people often feel underrepresented in democratic processes, which can lead to political disengagement and pose a risk to democracy. “Our democracy is under threat, and we can only protect it with young people on board,” he warned, urging that youth be given a meaningful role in decision-making processes.

A passionate advocate for youth inclusion, Micallef called for political action “with young people, not for young people,” and emphasised the need to provide youth with “a seat at the table.” He also underlined the importance of protecting children and addressing mental health challenges, especially online. “No child must be left behind,” he stated, pledging to prioritise youth mental health.

Micallef acknowledged the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence, noting AI’s transformative potential while cautioning against its risks. He committed to developing a comprehensive AI strategy to harness its benefits in arts, culture, and beyond.

As a former participant in grassroots sports, Micallef shared his understanding of the challenges faced by community sports and reiterated his belief that sports can promote mental health and combat issues like obesity. He encouraged Europeans to embrace physical activity, noting that nearly half do not engage in regular exercise.

On the subject of funding, Micallef highlighted the importance of initiatives like Erasmus+ and outlined his intention to maximise their impact. He closed with a call for a “youth perspective” in EU legislation, stating that, starting next year, all proposals will be assessed for their impact on young people.

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