What would Europe look like if young people most affected by racism were not only heard, but given the space to shape its future?
This question was at the heart of the European Action Day Against Islamophobia (EADAI) Conference 2026, bringing together young Muslim leaders, civil society organisations and policymakers from across Europe to imagine what a genuinely diverse, cohesive and anti-racist Europe could look like.
Rather than focusing only on what Europe must move away from, EADAI 2026 asked a more ambitious question: what are we building towards?
The day opened with keynote contributions from Rudi Kennes, Member of the European Parliament; Nicolas Levrat, UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, who joined by video message; and Ambassador Evren Dağdelen Akgü, OSCE Chair-in-Office on Combating Intolerance and Discrimination against Muslims. Their contributions set the tone for a day centred on participation, inclusion, and collective action.
Reimagining Security
The first panel, “Reimagining ‘Security’ in an Anti-Racist Europe: Who Is Made Secure, and Who Is Made Suspect?”, brought together journalist James Kanter as moderator, Chloé Berthélémy of European Digital Rights (EDRi), Berber Biala Hettinga of Amnesty International, and Nicole Romain of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), joining online.
The discussion explored how security can be reimagined in a way that protects both people and their rights. Chloé Berthélémy highlighted the need to consider how artificial intelligence can reproduce discriminatory patterns within security systems, while Berber Biala Hettinga emphasised the importance of keeping rights at the heart of security. Nicole Romain also highlighted the importance of ensuring that people can access meaningful remedies when their rights are affected. Together, the discussion pointed towards a vision of security where rights and safety reinforce one another.
Reimagining Economic Inclusion
The second panel, “Reimagining Economic Inclusion in Europe: Shared Struggle, Unequal Grounds,” brought together Joana Azeiteiro of the European Students’ Union (ESU), Sahar Mulji, FEMYSO Islamophobia Unit Lead, MEP Benedetta Scuderi, joining online and Aliya Saleem of Redwood Founders also online. The discussion was moderated by journalist Mark Dempsey. The panel looked beyond employment alone, exploring education, networks and who gets access to opportunities.
As Aliya Saleem put it, “Networks are crucial” – especially for young entrepreneurs and changemakers building pathways into professional, economic and political spaces, something reflected in the work she and her team at Redwood Founders do. Building meaningful pathways into professional, economic and political spaces requires recognising that not everyone starts from the same place. Joana Azeiteiro similarly reminded participants that “Students should not simply be seen as assets for the labour market.” Education should create space for young people to participate and shape society, not simply prepare them for employment. For Sahar Mulji, this also means “pluralising the universal”, placing the experiences of communities most affected by poverty and exclusion at the center of policy design. MEP Benedetta Scuderi reinforced the importance of intersectionality, stressing that “young people cannot be treated as a monolithic group.”
From ideas to action
The afternoon turned these conversations towards action through the Youth Anti-Racism Strategy working session. Participants began developing the foundations of a grassroots, youth-led alternative to the EU Anti-Racism Strategy 2026–2030, bringing lived experience and youth perspectives directly into the process. This reflects one of EADAI 2026’s central messages – youth should not only be consulted about the future of Europe, they should have a role in building it.
Across the day, discussions on security, education, economic opportunity and participation came back to the same ambition: a Europe where everyone can live with dignity, equality, safety and freedom. Young Muslims are already shaping Europe’s future as students, organisers, professionals, activists and citizens. EADAI 2026 created a safe space for these voices to come together, imagine what is possible and begin turning that vision into action.
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