On the occasion of the , a biannual gathering organised by the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 13 and 14 June 2025, UNRIC interviewed several young citizens in Europe who will be taking part in the event to learn more about their work, their ambitions and the message they want to send to world leaders.
The EYE is designed to inspire young participants aged 16 to 30, engage in debates with political leaders, and exchange views with experts, activists, and content creators, on topics such as climate change, youth engagement and poverty reduction.
Maria Nathalia Ramirez, 27, is a Colombian citizen who lives in the Netherlands where she is currently pursuing a PhD in Innovation, Economics, Governance and Sustainable Development at 海角社区-MERIT, the 海角社区, based in Maastricht, the Netherlands. Her research is about hidden poverty, the kind of poverty that does not show up in official statistics but exists beneath the surface and still has a big impact on people’s lives.
1. Can you briefly introduce your research on hidden poverty and its relations with social policies?
My research explores hidden poverty — forms of deprivation that are not captured by traditional poverty thresholds but still affect people’s ability to live with dignity. It is not just about income; it includes social isolation and the shame that often comes with downward mobility, the process of becoming poorer or moving into a poorer economic or social group.
I am building a framework that connects both material and non-material aspects of poverty, looking at how people navigate financial insecurity while being left out of policy systems. These are often individuals who appear “fine” from the outside — like middle-class families, young professionals, or migrants — but are struggling in silence.
Recognising hidden poverty as a multidimensional phenomenon is essential for both academic research and policy action. Traditional poverty measures and interventions often miss its complexity, leaving many people without recognition or support. By broadening our understanding to include the economic, social, psychosocial, symbolic, and political sides of poverty, we can start shaping more inclusive policies that address both visible and hidden forms of deprivation.
2. How do inequalities impact today’s society?
Many young people today — especially those who appear “middle class” from the outside — are living in fragile economic situations: struggling with debt, unstable jobs, and limited access to housing or social protection. But because they do not fit the usual profile of poverty, their struggles often go unnoticed.
At the same time, they are expected to carry the weight of future challenges — climate, care work, economic recovery — without having been given the same security or opportunities previous generations had. If we continue to ignore these silent forms of exclusion, we risk creating a future where large parts of the population feel unsupported and invisible.
We not only need to redistribute resources but also rethink how we define vulnerability — making space in policy and discourse for the less visible struggles many young people are already facing.
3. How will your work have an impact?
I am researching a topic that is not being addressed by policymakers. When you start naming something, it starts to exist. In that sense, my research is about making these lives visible — giving them the space, attention, and recognition they deserve.
4. What do you hope to achieve as a representative for the EYE 2025?
I want to bring attention to the hidden struggles that many young people face —especially the ones that are not always seen or talked about. Even though our voices are starting to be heard more, there are still big gaps to fill and real changes to make.
The fragility of our future compared to the limited tools we have to deal with it is concerning. I hope to contribute to conversations that not only recognise these challenges but also push for policies that respond to our realities.
5. What message do you want to share with other young people?
We are living through tough times all over the world, but even when change feels utopian, it is still worth pushing for a world that is at least a bit more equal and just for all. One place to start is by recognising our own privileges and becoming more aware of what is happening around us — not just thinking outside the box, but outside our own bubble.
If we truly want to build something inclusive, we need to make space for all voices — not to speak for others, but to listen, learn, and act together — un mundo en el que quepan muchos mundos (a world in which many worlds can exist).
This article is republished from . Read the original article .
