From uni.lu to Luxembourg's youngest parliamentarian

What happens when life derails your perfect plans? For Djuna Bernard, Luxembourg's youngest parliamentarian elected at age 26, the answer lies in embracing the unexpected.

Djuna's political journey began with a teenage crush at an election party, where she met a boy in the Young Greens. While the relationship lasted only months, her political engagement endured, though she never imagined it would become her career. Growing up with a politically active single mother, social engagement was woven into her childhood, yet her dream was clear: become a history teacher.

Throughout university, Djuna balanced intensive community involvement with her studies, often leaving social gatherings early to attend meetings. Despite her busy schedule, she remained determined to follow her teaching path—until a transformative solo backpacking trip across four continents after completing her bachelor's degree. On Bali's beaches, with a beer in hand, she confronted a difficult truth: her carefully constructed plan no longer fit who she'd become.

This revelation led her to pursue nonprofit management instead of history education, and when the Syrian refugee crisis erupted in 2015, she founded "Refugees Welcome to Luxembourg." Her growing profile in youth advocacy culminated in an unexpected lunch with a Green Party minister who asked her to run for Parliament—giving her mere hours to decide. With little to lose, she took the plunge.

Entering Parliament as its youngest member brought challenges. Colleagues initially treated her as "the cute little young girl" rather than an equal, but she gradually earned respect through substantive work, including reforming school canteen systems to prioritize local, organic food options.

For students feeling uncertain about their futures, Djuna offers refreshingly practical advice: create space for honest self-reflection, be courageous in following your instincts rather than others' expectations, and remain open to new possibilities. As she puts it, "I want to be the one telling my grandchildren that I at least tried to change something."

Ready to find your own unexpected path? Listen now to discover how stepping out of your comfort zone might lead to extraordinary possibilities.

Interested in signing up for the Bachelor en Cultures Européennes?

Visit the website : bce.uni.lu

If you have any specific questions regarding this Bachelor, please contact: bce.office@uni.lu

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Transcript

Welcome to alumni stories

Masti 0:02

Hello and welcome to Alumni Stories, a podcast brought to you by the University of Luxembourg. I'm your host, Masti. Let me give you an idea of what Alumni Stories is all about. Whether you've studied here before, or you're curious and consider pursuing your studies at the University of Luxembourg, or just want to listen to interesting people, whatever it might be, you're at the right place. I know it sounds forward, but let me break it down for you. Every episode will star a former student who finished their degrees and has set a foot into the working world, or, as I like to call it, the grown-up life. We'll get a glimpse of each individual their personal ups and downs, their survival strategies, the recipe to balance uni and life, and much more. So if you're like me, someone who's been looking for the right study program but hasn't been able to find the right fit yet, call this your lucky day, because this podcast is made for you. So, without any further ado, let's dive into today's episode.

Masti 1:03

On today's episode of Alumni Stories, we get to talk to a special woman. In 2018, she became the youngest member of parliament and has been part of it ever since. Her strong sense of justice has always been keen to her, which is why she switched studies from history to non-profit management. "Try to leave the world better than you found it is her maxim and attitude towards life. Stay tuned if you want to find out more about her journey to parliament, why the BCE in history changed her mind on previous plans and how we can attribute to our environment. Please welcome Djuna Bernard.

Djuna 1:44

Hello!

Masti 1:45

Well, welcome. I'm so excited to have you here today.

Djuna 1:48

Well, thank you for being here. It's very nice to go back to your roots.

Masti 1:59

Yeah that's true. How does one end up in parliament? Please tell us about that.

Djuna 2:02

That's a good question. Well, I grew up with my mom who raised me on her own and she was always quite politically active and socially engaged. She joined the Green party when I was six. So, basically, when your mom raises you on your own, you just join her in meetings and it just becomes, I guess, part of me growing up; and also the values, the lifestyle transmitted by her. I guess I grew really into it, literally. When I was 16, I joined her on a kind of election party night, at the Atelier. I'm going to tell you because this is, I mean, this is student audience, hopefully. So I'm going to tell you the unofficial truth. The journalists always get another one.

Djuna 2:57

At this election party, I met someone. The official part is that he was a member of the Young Greens and we got to talk about Young Greens and, you know, being active as a young person in politics. But between us and the audience, I actually fell in love with him. Yeah yeah, yeah. So, whatever he told me, I was like totally caught by him. So, obviously I joined the Young Greens, where he was a member of the board. Well, the relationship only lasted a few months. Yeah, that's life too. But basically, I stayed in the Young Greens.

Masti 3:39

Until this day?

Djuna 3:40

No, not anymore. Now I'm too old.

Masti 3:42

Oh no, that's not true.

Djuna 3:43

Yeah, yeah yeah. Oh no, that's not true. yeah, yeah, I mean it's funny because actually like when then, labeled like point, youngest politician and like representing youth, then it becomes so weird to realize that at some point you're not being young anymore.

Djuna 4:04

I'm aging yeah, and obviously it's a bit rough to realize that. I'm 33 now, and you can only be a member of the Young Greens until you're 30. But, as you said, when I got into parliament, I was still being a Young Green and being in parliament at the age of 26. That was nice. And there are many people who are basically a member of the young greens and it's really like a youth activist group. It's a long way from going from the young greens to ending up in parliament, so I was quite active. I'm still very active in scouting and I was also very much engaged in the National Youth Council. I became eventually president of the National Youth Council. During that time, being active in party politics was something that you know, like you couldn't do everything; so, I was really focusing my energy much more on scouting and on youth politics than being in the Greens. It was a bit of a time where I slowed down that engagement.

Masti 5:16

I'm wondering in terms of time, what time frame are we talking about?

Djuna 5:20

Well, we're talking about the age between 16 and 26.

Masti 5:24

Okay, so it's like 10 years.

Djuna 5:26

Yeah, that was really the years where I got more and more socially and politically engaged. Being a member of a party was a part it, but I think you can be perfectly engaged in civil society without being in a political party. So there was this time where I was also a bit questioning my belonging to this. If if I just did it because of my mom. You start doubting your own choices, like was it due to influence of others, or was it my proper -

Djuna 6:08

Yeah, it was a bit of a time of finding my path and my engagement. What was real for me was that I always wanted to be an engaged person. I could never be the person just being focused on me and I don't know, doing just sports and not being active for a cause. There are different causes and I think everyone, at some point, finds his or her cause. Why he wants to be engaged. It can be student activities, it can be your community, it can be a club, it can be politics, it can be a social cause or

Masti 6:42

Quite literally everything.

Djuna 6:44

Exactly.

Masti 6:45

What I think is interesting is, in those years that are so crucial - like those 10 years we mentioned - for me, it was like hanging out with friends and going to the cinema, and then you had school and then afterwards you would think of what should I do later on. But you were actually so active already at that time. How did you even combine that with your social, like normal friend, life?

Djuna 7:10

I can assure you, I also went to cinemas and went out and had my partying time. I didn't miss out on it. In Luxembourg, you have this tradition of free beers in the last year of high school. You have these evenings where you pay a fee of 10, 20 euros and you can drink as much free beers as you want. It's like these places where all the high school students of Luxembourg City would come together. It would really be a party thing. I went there obviously but at one o'clock, I started thinking maybe I should go home now because, in the day after, I have this meeting and I have to organize my scout meeting and then I have something else.

Masti 8:02

So many responsibilities.

From young greens to parliament

Djuna 8:05

It was hard to fully let go but, I guess I had to too. As you mentioned it, I did my Erasmus in Berlin when I did my bachelor's here at the University of Luxembourg. I was very much aware of the fact that I've always been this engaged young person and that I was never living just for me or for my youth and do all the stupid things that one's got to do. And in Berlin, I had this time. I really took these six months living in a complete different city, in a city where obviously different than Luxembourg. You can just behave whatever you want, you can dress however you want. You just live.

Masti 8:52

Berlin is like a world of its own.

Djuna 8:54

It's a total contrast to Luxembourg where it's still kind of conservative mindset. So that six months was really my time where I stopped all my engagement. I went to the gym five times a week, I went partying, and I had the full program. It was awesome but honestly, during that time, I also missed my engagement. I also realized that I was looking forward to come back and start again, because this engagement and these activities that I was involved in, I never felt it like work. My friends until today were people I met there. It's something -

Masti 9:38

Like a natural calling, you'd say?

Djuna 9:40

Yeah and it's a hobby with a purpose. And that feels so good. When you go to bed in the evening and you just realize it was maybe a boring or hard week or meeting or something, well, in the end -

Masti 9:56

It's all worth it.

Djuna 9:56

It was worth it, yeah. eah well, I didn't know, obviously, that I would end up in politics after.

Masti 10:02

That was my question. Did you always knew you wanted to go into politics? I mean you grew into it, that's what you said, but was it like a initial thing you had in mind, even like as a kid maybe? Like "I want to be an influential person so I have influence on things that are happening around me?

Djuna 10:26

No, I was not growing up saying I want to be Prime Minister one day.

Masti 10:28

Yeah.

Djuna 10:29

Even though I would find it super cool when I would meet a child today that would tell me that. But that was not the case. So, as I said, I was in the youth politics and you know, it was always rather obvious for me that at some point, I would participate in elections. But you know, there are so many people who run in elections, either on local level or on national level, and they never end up being with a mandate. There's this big difference between being active in politics on a volunteering level and becoming a professional politician. And it's quite unlikely to have a mandate in the end.

Djuna 11:17

I mean, I saw myself maybe sitting in the local town council at the age of 35. That was something I could project myself into that direction. But honestly, if you would have asked me at the age of 25 if I was going to be in parliament one year later, which turned out that way, I would have started laughing. I wouldn't have believed it. That was really a crazy experience. That's a funny story because I met François Bausch, the former minister of transport, at the Festival des Migrations and he was like "Duna, we should have lunch soon. I'd really like to talk to you about something. I mean, he was a minister and, if the minister asked you to have lunch with him, you obviously don't say -

Masti 12:19

Whatever you have, it's like "okay,

Djuna 12:20

Yeah, of course. So we met a week later for lunch and I was like, what does he want from me? I mean I knew him by being in the same party but still, it's a difference. Well, he's a minister, so it's not nothing. And then he said, "listen, we're finalizing our lists for the lection" - that was the 2018 election - "actually, we're finalizing the list tonight", oh so and I was like, well, not good for you. Like why are you telling me this? And he said actually, "last week, when I saw you, I realized that I think you would be perfect.

Masti 13:04

How did you react?

Balancing studies and engagement

Djuna 13:07

I was speechless. I was the president of the National Youth Council so I was aware that I had a certain role in society. Even though that sounds fancier, I was somehow aware that I would be also kind of an attractive candidate for a party. There were other parties also already approaching me and like trying to see if they can get me. I mean, I was aware of that. But when someone, or a minister, asks you "do you consider running with us? This is huge, yeah. And then he told me, "could you say yes or no until six o'clock tonight. I was like, okay, wow. I really remember leaving the restaurant, I was sitting on my bike, like what the hell just happened? And I called my best friends and my mom and asked what do they think about this. And they said, "you're perfect in politics and this is a huge opportunity. You should take it and you have basically nothing to lose. What's the worst case? Th e worst case is that you don't get elected and then your life goes on", which was true. I have nothing to lose, I'm just going to go for the adventure. So it was really a very impulsive decision. I texted like at 5 to say I'm in. And then, the journey started. Then it was the moment where you start drafting your electoral program, and I had some ideas because I already started working. he I , some things that were important to me and, you know, I could actually introduce them into the electoral program and there was this great feeling well not only being a face on a campaign, campaign but also pushing ideas that were dear to my . and It it was really powerful and people were actually listening what I was .,

Masti 15:15

So it was a big difference when he asked you to be part of it it, and you actually became part of it it, and it was a difference to what you did before,. because Because you were now really getting things done.

Djuna 15:26

Yeah it was very concrete at some point.

Masti 15:29

And what are things that are dear to your heart and that you really achieved with this?

Djuna 15:37

For the 26-year-old Djuna, who was engaged in youth politics, it was very important at that time and until today that young people would have a place in society, and would have a seat on the table. So it was not that late after the referendum we had in 2015 on having a lowered voting right from the age of 16 onwards, which we don't have until today. But until today, I've been advocating for it and I'm continuing to do so because I am convinced that decisions that concern our future should be taken. Or at least, youth should have the opportunity to take part in this democratic exercise. t that was something.

Djuna 16:25

Other topics, as I was working in the social field already, were like having a better strategy of really fighting poverty and reforming also our laws of social care. We have the REVIS in Luxembourg, which is the money that you get if you don't have work. I think there are some changes to be done and also the whole context on how we have a holistic approach, on how we support and help people who have a lower income. There were accents that we have been taking, that I was advocating for. Maybe some very concrete example from my time in parliament was when I was, and I'm still, in the committee of education. There was this text reforming Restopolis, the canteens in almost every school. It's quite a big network and it was a very administrational law on how this canteen network would work. It was really not very interesting at first sight, but at second sight we as Greens decided that if we have such a big network of canteens, there would be the moment where we can fix criteria on having vegan and vegetarian alternative, of where is the food coming from, of introducing quotas of local produced food, of transfer of food, so organic food.

Masti 18:03

Really putting emphasis on the health.

Djuna 18:05

Exactly, the health and and also the environmental aspects. From this very boring law, we said we're only going to vote in favor for it, and they were needing our votes, if this and this criteria are inside. Well, it was quite a tough negotiation but in the end, these criteria were met in the law. Plus, in the high schools, there are the committees who support Restopolis. There's also young people inside, so that the students would be involved in this.

Masti 18:48

Okay, that's good.

Djuna 18:49

Because I think, when we talk about food, it's also about consuming.

Masti 18:53

Yeah, the consumers.

Djuna 18:55

And again, the young people are the majority of the people.

Masti 18:59

The ones that actually have to be in the canteens.

Djuna 19:05

Exactly.

Masti 19:05

And for the people that are listening, I was really um impressed by the canteens here at the uni. First, you have like three options, like different canteens you can go to; and you have a variety of things, like you mentioned, if it's vegan or vegetarian, you really have different options. I was just so impressed because I didn't know that before. So I think whatever you guys did, you did it right because I was very happy to actually go to the canteen and eat there.

Djuna 19:33

Nice, I'm happy to hear that. And, and it's also good for our farmers. There has been this local food program attached to now, Restopolis where the local farmers have a security in giving their local food to Restopolis, which gives an additional security. We have also the guarantee that a certain percentage of the food produced and used at Restopolis is really from farm to fork, and it's very great.

Masti 20:10

'm wondering, afetr school, was there like a period, before going to uni, where you just focus on the political part and engaging in environmental things? How did things go after high school for you?

Djuna 20:28

In high school, I was the student that always knew what exactly I wanted to become.

Masti 20:34

So there you knew what you wanted?

Djuna 20:36

From around age 10 onwards, I wanted to become a history teacher.

Masti 20:42

Oh, really?

Djuna 20:43

That was my life plan. It was crazy because it would be very normal in high school that people around me wouldn't know what they would study, what they would want to do one day. I was very sure of it. I said I want to become a history teacher.

Masti 20:57

Why a history teacher?

Crisis of career path

Djuna 20:58

I loved history from the beginning onwards, I really loved it. I was very passionate about it, I read these historical books so I was really into it. And well, I never saw me as a researcher. I saw me in a social job, so this whole pedagogical aspect of history. Not being sitting on your own, with some sources or doing your research, but really sharing it. It was very clear to me that would be my plan. I can assure you, everyone around me like said Djuna is one day going to end up as a teacher. So we all were wrong.

Masti 21:36

Y eah.

Djuna 21:37

And that's why I'm really smiling about it because my plan after high school was to study history.

Masti 21:43

Yeah, okay.

Djuna 21:45

I studied history in my bachelor's. I wanted to go to Freiburg, but I had to repeat an exam in mathematics. I am very bad with numbers, big weakness. So I repeated the exam and, surprisingly, I passed it. Until today I don't know how that happened, so thank you to all the teachers who corrected it. So basically, I passed my last year in high school, quite surprisingly, and I was too late to register for the Freiburg University. So, what's my plan B? Well, University of Luxembourg because the delays were a bit later. So honestly, I'm sitting in this wonderful University of Luxembourg, and I loved it there, but it really wasn't my first choice. And I said I'm going to do that for one year and then switch over.

Masti 22:43

Why wasn't it your first choice? Was it because you wanted to go out of the city?

Djuna 22:47

It was not because of the university, I just saw myself living abroad. I wanted, as many people in Luxembourg, to leave the country for some years have this full student experience, live in a student town somewhere. Not too far away, because I was still very engaged, but something in a distance of three hours maximum so I was quite close to the German language. This German university cities Heidelberg, Freiburg, Aachen... that was the thing I was looking for.

Djuna 23:21

So, I ended up at the University of Luxembourg, continued living at home. I could also continue my engagements. I couldn't have done it if I would have left for a university somewhere abroad, I guess my whole path would have changed. So it allowed me also to continue my things I was doing and, honestly, I loved the studies. I loved that here, here at the University of Luxembourg with the Bachelor in Cultures Européennes, it wasn't just a pure history studies, it was mixed with so many other things. It was mixed with languages, it was mixed with philosophy, geography and politics. I could really build around a curriculum that was a bit broader than the pure history studies. I really loved that and I quickly started working at the history department.

Masti 24:21

Like a student job?

Djuna 24:23

student job, Hiwi, we call it.

Masti 24:24

Yeah, Hiwi, exactly.

Djuna 24:26

Yeah, and I love that too. It was a middle-aged department and I could help check sources. I was really getting involved here, much more than I anticipated, because you know my original plan was to leave university a year later. So I decided to stay and I fully embraced it. I really loved the whole curriculum and I was so looking forward to have the opportunity to do the Erasmus. It's still mandatory, right?

Masti 24:57

It's still mandatory, yes.

Djuna 24:58

I really love that, we were all a bit pushed out of our comfort zones.

Masti 25:03

I also think that's very important to be like a little pushed outside of your comfort zone.

Djuna 25:08

Yeah, And so that . And, and I purpose, I on purpose chose a location not too think, either Prague or Berlin were my two choices. It ended up being in Berlin and it was a great time of . And well. Well, I came back, finished my bachelor degrees still, and still my plan was to do my history studies.

Masti 25:35

wondering was wondering, that kind of hard to balance with being a student at the same time, or was it more or less easy for you?

Djuna 25:48

Now, looking back, it was easy. Compared to how much stress I have today, it was quite a relaxed life. Back then, when the other students went out for a beer, I was the one leaving for another meeting. So I think what suffered a bit under it was definitely building up new friend circles. I had my friends in scouting, in youth politics and, you know, I had good relationships with the other students around me in class but I didn't do much social activities with them.

Masti 26:24

I understand.

Djuna 26:25

And you know that was also the beginning. It was a time where, from the university, there was less offer of social activities though. It was still in Walferdange. Many of us were living at home, had their Luxembourgish networks. It was not very international. There were a few German-speaking students but it wasn't like the big international vibe and after class, we all left again to our hometowns and to our hobbies and bubbles. So I really hope that has changed.

Masti 27:02

I think so. They have very different offerings of social events, even this campus on its own has so many possibilities for you to meet up with friends. I think the international touch that was missing. I think it's existing now at least.

Djuna 27:21

That's how I perceive it from an outside perspective. I did my studies from 2011 until 2014 so it's quite a long time ago. So basically, I did my studies and did my social engagements but in Berlin I took one important decision. And that's a bit answering your question of "did you have a time in life where you didn't know what you want? I had that time after my bachelor.

Masti 27:50

Yeah.

Djuna 27:51

Because I took a year off between my bachelor and my master. I was planning on finally going to Freiburg or to Heidelberg, which was my initial plan. But I said I will do it one year later and take one year off. I started working in Luxembourg for six months to earn money and then I was planning a world trip. I was traveling the world during five months with my backpack, on my own.

Masti 28:16

Oh, you actually did it?

Travelling to change perspectives

Djuna 28:18

I did it. I was 22, and I traveled the world. I started in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, then went to Australia, then to Southeast Asia, to India and then back. It was really a lifetime's adventure. Also, during this world travel, I realized that this all-time plan on becoming a history teacher was maybe something that I was - you know, I was stuck with the idea of doing that, without any more being convinced of doing that. I just said it because it gave me security and it was just this clear path, but I started questioning that.

Masti 29:04

Yeah, you see things when you're in a world tour I guess.

Djuna 29:07

Exactly yeah, and you're out of your bubble. You have different reflections and inspiration coming up, so I was a bit questioning this long path that I've always saw very clearly in front of me. And suddenly, it wasn't clear anymore and that was super scary.

Masti 29:29

Yeah, I can imagine. Especially when you're done with your bachelor. You already had everything in terms of what you want to do and suddenly it's like "actually I cannot see myself in those shoes anymore, and was it the travel you did that really changed your perspective on your career choices?

Djuna 29:44

No, I think I felt it already in the month and maybe the year before. But the traveling part allowed me to escape from this societal pressure that you feel somehow, even very underlying.

Masti 30:05

I understand. I was even kind of impressed by you saying that you just took a one year break and decided to do things for yourself and went to travel. Because many people feel that kind of pressure you mentioned, and they just have to go to the next thing. Once they have something, like they achieved something big, then they jump to the next thing and so on, instead of maybe taking time to breathe and look at things from a different perspective.

Djuna 30:30

Yeah absolutely, and it takes courage to be honest with yourself and acknowledge things. Because I was always this very proud girl on having my plan in life and having everything under control. And the fact of accepting that I lost control is hard, but i t was a great moment also for myself to re-evaluate. Like, what do I want in life? I was aware, or what I decided for me, that I wouldn't want to study like from the beginning. I had my bachelor degrees and I wanted to go into a master degree, so that's something that I decided that I wouldn't want to restart from scratch.

Djuna 31:21

Then I thought, what are my strengths? Wha t am I actually good in? And what do I love doing? And it all came back to my social engagements, politics, but it was also like work and community work. These kinds of things were something that I want to do, also professionally. And then, I spent hours at the beaches of Bali, googling for

Masti 31:54

Who doesn't?

Djuna 31:56

Yeah, I mean there's worse. Having your bintang beer and checking on life choices. But I saw that the University of Heidelberg had the Center for Social Innovation and that really spoke to me. They have these studies non-profit management and governance, and you could only enter it when you had either professional experience so you were actually working in the field already or volunteer experience.

Masti 32:31

Which is what you did?

Djuna 32:32

I could definitely show in my CV on which boards I've been sitting and what experiences I've gained already for that age. They accepted me. So, I sent all my files from Bali to the University of Heidelberg, and they accepted me. And basically it was designed as a drop study.

Djuna 33:01

Most of us would be working, and then we would come to Heidelberg for one very intense week and then, from there we would leave again. And I said I want to study, like have the student life experience. So maybe I'm doing some internship while living in Heidelberg. So again, I had a new plan. It was before starting the studies and being back from the world travel. Then, the refugee crisis in Syria hit, that was in 2015. And so, there was this wave of refugees coming to Luxembourg and I realized Luxembourg is so not prepared. And there's this big discourse in society being hostile towards refugees.

Djuna 33:52

And you know the old, very engaged Djuna came out and I said I'm going to start an initiative "Refugees, Welcome to Luxembourg. And it became a big thing and many people really felt strongly about it. So basically I started doing that, while knowing that I have to leave for university a few weeks later. And then Red Cross, with whom I had contact, they said "it's important that you continue this vibe. Do you want to start working here?". And I said no, I have to leave for university. And then I said okay, well they understood correctly that the studies was designed to continue working. So basically my plan of having the student life in Heidelberg did not work out. So, I started working at the Red Cross and I left one week.

Masti 34:52

Actually what they meant to do with the study program.

Djuna 34:54

E xactly. So one week a month I was in Heidelberg, having not a very big student life again because when you have courses from eight until six, I mean

Masti 35:03

You were consumed already.

Djuna 35:05

And then, I drove back to Luxembourg where I continued working. Yeah, now looking back, I was quite busy. I was busy and obviously all these decisions led me to where I am today. I'm very thankful and I wouldn't decide otherwise. But yes, I definitely missed out on having two more years of real student life that I could have had in Heidelberg.

Masti 35:36

But at least you had a beer in Bali.

Djuna 35:38

Absolutely.

Masti 35:39

Sometimes it's like those things, you have something in mind, you have to throw it completely away, and even if you have another plan, it might just be the same case again. So you never really know what to prepare for. You just can't be prepared mentally, but whatever is happening is going to happen in a way. And you just have to be maybe open towards those opportunities.

Djuna 35:59

Totally, I really love the quote, "ife happens while you're busy making other plans yeah and that's so true, and I think real strength is also not missing out on opportunities that come up and not being stuck on some plans that are constructed by your environment. Be ready to throw yourself into cold water. And even though it's scary and I mean politics, it's scary all the time. And I can tell you that the first months in parliament, I was scared.

Masti 36:33

Yeah, tell us, how was that?

Entering parliament as youngest member

Djuna 36:35

I was super scared. Well, I entered parliament on the 6th of December 2018. It was Kleeserchersdag in Luxembourg, St. Nicholas Day. In the first weeks, everyone is very nice to you because you're the youngest, like a little girl and they are like, "oh, I could be your grandfather, that's what people? Told me. I mean there's words in being welcomed that way but you also realize at some point, we are work colleagues now, and we are not here so that everyone thinks that you're a nice little girl. You're an elected politician, you have certain duties, you have some political arguments to fight around, you have discussions and you want to be taken seriously. And definitely in the first weeks, I felt like I'm the cute little young girl that by coincidence ended up in parliament. That's how I think many people perceived me and I also wanted to emancipate myself from that role, and it took some time. It took some bruises because obviously, if you want to be taken seriously in politics, you have to discuss and argue and also, to be taken seriously, you can't agree with everyone. That's not your job. You're here also to defend your values of the party. There were some discussions where there was rough debates and obviously, in the first month you are like "oh, I'm going to survive this. Like standing there, in front of 59 much older politicians, mostly male, that are judging you from the beginning thinking you have no clue of what you're saying. And that's hard. It took a lot of energy. It's very hard because I'm not a lawyer, so you have to adapt yourself also to

Masti 38:36

How to really speak in front of those people.

Djuna 38:39

Yeah, speak in front of the people, how to read law texts, dive yourself into new topics. I was coming from this social world, like education I felt quite okay in, but I also had some topics where I was not very familiarized with. So you're learning from scratch and I felt like this sponge on soaking up. Like new information all the time and it's a lot. Politics is a lot about meeting people, listening to them. A lot of listening, that's definitely an important message. I think many politicians like to talk, and we have to talk a lot. I guess I'm also quite talented in that [laughs] but listening to others is, I would say, the most important virtue, especially as a young person. You don't know everything, so you rely on other people's perspective, other people's information, other people's reality, in order to defend their cause and to build yourself up in an opinion. That's what you got to do a lot when you're discovering these new fields.

Masti 39:55

Would you say that both degrees, bachelor or master, even prepared you in some ways for what was coming? Or was it like, you really had to learn from scratch?

Djuna 40:08

No, definitely I learned a lot from my studies as well. From history, I learned a lot of how to handle sources, like making a proper research, not believing everything at first sight and you know, this whole scientific method of how to deal with information that you're getting, you're reading. Like analyzing things. And I think that definitely helped me and it gives you a broad understanding of how our societies have developed. It also makes you aware on how some political tendencies have evolved and what can lead to what, so I think definitely it helped. In the nonprofit management field, I got to understand this sociological thinking of how our societies are built up and which power plays are in place. There is business and the state, the government, but also civil societies, and how they interact with each other. I think that understanding is also very important as a politician, because you're like one actor in like a Game of Thrones Luxembourg version.

Masti 41:31

Wow.

Djuna 41:33

And understanding interactions and power plays, I think it's very important to navigate also in this field and not being lost in it, and trying to find your role. And also understanding who you want to be as a politician. I think that's important.

Masti 41:52

You said it before in a way that you have like a different persona, like the young Djuna and you now. Maybe even for you, drifting away from that image that was created and becoming the youngest member of parliament, I think that might have been hard to recreate yourself.

Djuna 42:16

Absolutely, and, and also how. How do I want people to . me?

Finding your cause and getting involved

Djuna 42:26

Which perceptions of others do I have? And how do I see myself? And is there a difference? And there can be a difference and that's totally okay, because obviously, as a public person, you also play a certain role. And there's absolutely, until today, like private Djuna that is not showing everything or feeling maybe strongly about certain things, and you're making yourself vulnerable the more you show your true self. On the other side, I think that people also want to have politicians that are true to themselves and authentic. So this balance between vulnerability and authenticity, that's hard to find for yourself.

Masti 43:20

I think, now that you say that, even to really differentiate professional life and private life as a politician, I think that's quite hard to do.

Djuna 43:29

Yeah, yeah.

Masti 43:31

I'm wondering is there anything that you would advise to people that are interested in politics, maybe also as young females? Especially because you mentioned there are so many males in those political roles. How should they engage? Or, even just generally, how could I or anyone else engage in a way that might help in our environment?

Djuna 43:54

I think the most important thing is for each and everyone to find out what topic are you really involved in. And I would ask myself the question, if I could be a politician one day, what would be the thing that I would want to change? Like, where do I feel an injustice or that things need to change? And I think that's a question everyone can answer for themselves. From there, you have different paths. Either you say you don't see yourself in party politics but want to be engaged for that cause, let's say environment. Then there's civil society organizations where you could easily become a member. You can be in working groups, you can organize a demonstration or an event or whatever. So that's the one path. It's a totally important one, because we need civil society organizations. Also as politicians, we need them to put pressure on us.

Djuna 44:57

And if your decision would be to really be part of the democratic and and get involved into the different layers and institutions there. Then, one could reflect, in which party do I see myself? And I guess there's no one who identifies 100% and that's totally okay too; but where do I see the most overlaps, like which values are being transmitted in which party? And then, every party is open for members and every party has different spaces or events where you like dive into and get to know the structures. Because obviously, it can be very overwhelming in the beginning.

Djuna 45:54

And I can only say that in my party, we have working groups, we have like debate evenings where you can just come along and join. And then from there, you build up your experience. And then, there is obviously the most democratic moment in a politician's life, it is election times, so we have local elections. So, either you are involved in your town, which can also be very concrete, because it's basically where you live. I guess everyone sees things in his or her hometown where they would change this and that, would love to have a playground there, or would love to have a cycling way there, so things like that. National elections are a bit bigger but still, in Luxembourg it's... I mean, that's the nice thing about Luxembourg

Masti 46:35

It's not so big.

Djuna 46:36

It's national politics, but it's not like in Germany where you have this huge distance in between yourself and national parliament. And then, there is the European dimension, and that's also a very interesting one, especially when you're coming from an international context. I mean we all know what we have via the European Union and without it, we couldn't be studying in countries abroad, and I think it gives us many benefits. And also this dimension is definitely one -

Masti 47:06

Could you see yourself in that dimension?

Djuna 47:09

I was actually running, I was participating in the last European election. So obviously when you're running for elections, as I had the experience, you have to project yourself. What if I get elected? Like, do I see myself working in Brussels or in Strasbourg? So obviously the answer is yes because if not, I wouldn't have run for the elections. But I'm also honest with you that if I have to make a choice between being engaged in national parliament or European parliament, it would always be the national parliament. Even though I love traveling and was always attracted towards other university cities, being based in Luxembourg and living here, I love it! I love the international spirit of Luxembourg and I truly appreciate what we have here. It's not a perfect country and we're a long way to go, and that's why I'm active.

Masti 48:09

I mean, that's for every country.

Djuna 48:10

Exactly but honestly, on a long-term basis, I couldn't see myself living in another country.

Masti 48:16

It's beautiful, hometown love.

Djuna 48:19

Yeah, a bit of patriotism here.

Masti 48:26

So I've met people here that wanted to leave because they didn't see the charm that the country has and I think it's nice to hear the opposite, though you wanted to go out too. At the end, you kind of maybe realize for yourself, this is actually a place you would like to live and make a change, in some ways. Which I think is a nice reminder when people kind of forget about .

Djuna 48:55

Yeah and I think it's important, and that's also a question of attitude . I think very human human to to at the negative things and complain a lot,. and And I also have definitely my days where it's hard to see positive things, especially in these times. But me, for myself, I took the decision that if there are things that are not okay in this world, and there are many, then I don't want to be the person telling to my grandchildren that I didn't do anything or I was just focusing on myself. But I want to be the one telling my grandchildren that I at least try to change something, and I think that's also a motivation definitely. It's also what I think, we owe it to all those who have already realized societal change because look how far we've come! Also, that evolution is something that we have to be aware of. The other thing is, if we want to have our children and grandchildren have a good world and also benefit from the nature that we have here, then I want to contribute.

Masti 50:14

Yeah, I think that's a very nice last sentence actually. But I do want to ask you for, I guess, some advice in a way that it's not only based on politics. What would you advise maybe young students that don't know what to do with their lives? What is your approach to that? What would you tell them?

Djuna 50:36

Get out of your comfort zones. Try to find a time or a space where you can be honest with yourself, get yourself a space or place. It can be a long walk in the woods or a weekend abroad, just on your own. But take yourself out of your usual pathways and environment, because I think that's the best moment where you can reflect on what you want. Then, be courageous and listen to your belly and your guts. But be courageous and don't get stuck into other people's expectations. I think the world is changing so fast and there are so many new opportunities coming up each and every week or month and day that, even though you take a decision now, well, who knows what's happening in five years? And I think that if you study something now and the world is changing so broadly, you learn so much and you evolve as a person in it. Don't get stuck with security issues that I think we can't have anymore these days, but be ready to learn during your life, during your job, during your adventures. And be an open person with an open heart and open to new opportunities. That would definitely be something that I would want to share.

Masti 52:23

I hope you enjoyed this episode of alumni stories. If you want to get in touch with our guests, are interested in applying or need more details about the bachelor of European culture study program here at the university of luxembourg, check out the description of today's episode, where I've added all the information you'll need. That's all for now, but we'll be back soon, and I hope you will be too. Maybe even soon on campus.