24h Europe: The Next Generation

4 pm Central European Time. In Namur, Belgium, the solemn ordination ceremony to priesthood is underway for Nicolas, a former soldier. Ordained along with him is Noé, born to a family of 8 children in Rwanda. Over half a million Catholics live in the Namur region. But many only rarely visit a church. Only on high holidays like Christmas, the church is full. And today, for this ordination. In Poland, feminists Natalia and Marta are on their way to women's congress. Music student Jana is about to break into a male domain. She is going to become a conductor. During the day, Jana hones her own musical skills. Now, in the late afternoon, she teaches herself. 17-year-old Valeri in the Bulgarian village of Berende sets off by bicycle to the nearest town, Godetsch. He has to ride for about one and a half hours to buy a prepaid card for the internet. Valeri is the only young person in a village of senior citizens. Since he dropped out of school, he almost never sees other kids of his age. He earns some money by supporting the elderly villagers with all kinds of services. Some of the help is illegal, for example when he poaches firewood for them wherever he sees fit. Ann-Katharina belongs to the Sami people in northern Norway. She is studying business administration and wants to learn about reindeer husbandry and other traditions of her people. But the reindeer's migration routes are threatened by a copper mine. In Magnitogorsk it is already early evening. Steelworker Andrei is on his way home to his wife and young son. Two cats and a piranha are also waiting for him. The family is doing very well. Both Andrei and his wife Shenja work in the steel mill. Their flat was paid off after 5 years, and financing the car is no problem either.