From 3-7 May, the Alliance Of Her (AOH) Academy Spring Class of 2023, Europe’s leading programme dedicated to ensuring female political leadership is valued and support liberal women in politics to achieve their goals, came to an end. With a stellar line up of influential and expert speakers from across Europe, the final session had 22 women in politics from across Europe graduating after having completed the three sessions on political empowerment and leadership held throughout the first part of this year. 

The session began with the launch of the new AOH documentary film, She Will Be Heard: The Movie, on 3 May. During this event, participants heard from the stars of the film as well as AOH alumna Svenja Hahn MEP, before visiting Hahn at the European Parliament in Brussels the following day.   

During the rest of the session, the Spring Class of 2023 participated in several masterclasses with trainers and guest speakers, including inspiring sessions with Dutch Senator Petra Stienen. Each participant also gave a prepared speech to their peers as part of their graduation from the Academy, followed by a ceremony hosted by ALDE Party Vice-President Kira Rudik MP, leader of Golos party in Ukraine.  

Ahead of the final graduation dinner, the class heard a keynote address by Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, Foreign Trade and Federal Cultural Institutions Hadja Lahbib, who spoke on the need for more women to have a voice in politics to address today’s global challenges. She applauded the graduates and encouraged them to be as ambitious as possible in pursuing their political goals. 

The Alliance Of Her Academy is a highly respected initiative where women in politics can learn valuable insights and strategies and work with some of the best minds in politics. However, for those that join the Academy, it is also an invaluable community of talented, ambitious, and influential liberal women from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. These graduates now join a growing network dedicated to supporting each other and advancing female political leadership; like the nearly 200 women before them, the Spring Class of 2023 is now ready to lead and succeed in European politics. 

The Alliance Of Her Academy continues to benefit from the support of partners FNF and ELF. As such, all participants meet strict eligibility criteria, in addition to demonstrating clear leadership talent and ambition. Participants are also informed of the prohibition to run in an election campaign during the academy or up to 12 months after the termination of the program. If this condition is not respected, participants will be required to cover costs independently.