Guimarães hosted the National Meeting of European Parliament Ambassador Schools (EPAS), organized by the Junior Ambassadors of Colégio do Ave, bringing together students from across the country to reflect on the future of Europe and the role of new generations in building a more just digital society, on March 20 and 21.

Under the theme “Digital Transition in Europe: Responsibility and Knowledge,” the event featured MEP Paulo Cunha, MP Irene Costa, and politician Luís Marques Mendes, who discussed with the young people the technological challenges and the importance of digital literacy for active and critical citizens.

The closing session featured a presentation by Isabel Baltazar, national coordinator of the EPAS project, professor at ISEC Lisbon, and coordinator of the UNESCO Chair “The City that Educates and Transforms,” who encouraged young people to bring European realities into their daily lives and to make their voices heard through active citizenship. Isabel Baltazar highlighted the importance of schools as spaces for education and transformation, reinforcing the institutions’ commitment to preparing conscious and engaged citizens.

The event was also attended by the Mayor of Guimarães, Ricardo Araújo, who praised the initiative as a unique opportunity to bring young people closer to European issues. For the director of Colégio do Ave, Rui Miguel Costa, “young people are not just the future; they are already protagonists of the present,” underscoring the decisive role of students in building active citizenship.

Participants had the opportunity to visit UNU-EGOV, the United Nations center of excellence in Portugal, where they took the official photo of the meeting, and explored innovative urban sustainability solutions in Guimarães, the 2026 European Green Capital, such as solar-powered park benches.

The participation of Isabel Baltazar and the UNESCO Chair “The City that Educates and Transforms” reaffirms ISEC Lisbon’s commitment to education and the promotion of the digital transition in Europe, strengthening the link between academic knowledge, citizenship, and innovation. The EPAS National Meeting established itself as a premier forum for sharing, debate, and learning, reinforcing the importance of education, citizenship, and digital literacy in building a more just, sustainable, and participatory Europe.