"“There is nothing new under the sun.” But the youth have the fearlessness to turn that “nothing new” into fresh ideas or sources of inspiration. In my current host country, the Czech Republic, I am always stimulated by the Czech’s high regard for their history, especially the Velvet Revolution and the past events that shaped their country’s borders and awareness.

"Youth are the hope of humanity, driven by a strong commitment to excellence and a belief that education is key to creating positive change in our interconnected world. The European Higher Education Fair’s theme, “Pathways to Excellence,” resonates deeply with my own journey. My Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree in International Humanitarian Action and International Relations, studied across Germany, The Netherlands, Poland, and the USA, has been central to this pursuit.

"Today’s Filipino youth are growing up in the digital era. They are more globally connected, highly adaptive, and unafraid to challenge the norms. They can and will excel because they now have access not just to information, but to broader global perspectives and opportunities on a scale we have not witnessed before that allows them to think beyond traditional paths.

"The youth are for excellence because we are driven by curiosity, collaboration, and purpose. We no longer see excellence as perfection, but as progress; the constant desire to learn, to innovate, and to make an impact beyond ourselves.

"I believe youth are for excellence because we embrace challenges with courage and adaptability, transforming them into opportunities for growth and impact.

"We often say that youth are the hope of the future, but I believe youth are also for excellence—because we carry the courage to dream bigger and the determination to make those dreams real. We learn from history, yet we also shape it with our choices. Studying in the EU gave me the rare opportunity to see what true quality education looks like.

"In the Philippines, we often hear “ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan” (the youth are the hope of the nation). But for that hope to come alive, the youth need access to quality education and opportunities that would allow them to grow as thinkers and leaders. Studying in Europe gave me that opportunity.