Liberal youth set the tone for this weekend’s ALDE Party Council, as ALDE Party and LYMEC co-hosted the Future is Liberal reception on Thursday, 12 November.
As ALDE Party brings its 50th anniversary celebrations to a close in Dublin, we gathered young politicians, activists, communicators and political figures to celebrate the talent and ambition shaping the next generation of the liberal movement.
ALDE Party President Svenja Hahn MEP delivered a strong speech focused firmly on the future, saying:
“If we want the next fifty years to be as successful as the first fifty, we need to give the next generation the tools to succeed. We need to listen to their ideas and give them a genuine role in shaping our movement. Because young liberals should not have to wait for their turn to shape Europe’s future. They should be part of shaping it right now.”
LYMEC President Marten Porte continued on the importance of youth engagement, political renewal and the role of young liberals in shaping Europe's future. Ógra Fianna Fáil President John Crowley then touched on the importance of celebrating European liberalism's 50th year, with the Irish youth wing having celebrated their own half century last year.
The young liberals to watch:
At the heart of the evening was the 50 Young Liberals to Watch award ceremony, recognising 50 outstanding young liberals from across Europe who are already making a difference in their communities, political parties and beyond.
A keynote address from Nevenka Lastrić Đurić, State Secretary at Croatia's Ministry of the Interior and one of the 50 Young Liberals to Watch, was particularly fitting. She spoke about the imporance of bravery in politics today, claiming that “fear has no place in liberal’s hearts and minds.”
Attendees also got an exclusive showing of our anniversary-special Young Leaders video, which premiered at the event and will be screened at this weekend's Council.
Offering a closer look at the people and perspectives behind the next generation of European liberalism, the video platforms the voices that will define European liberalism’s next chapter and what issues are most important to the liberal youth.
Connecting the liberals of tomorrow:
Beyond the formal programme, the Future is Liberal reception was designed to bring together a diverse network of young talent and established political leaders. Liberals are looking onwards towards the future by cultivating a talented network of youthful politicians, leaders, activists and communicators.
The reception sent a clear message to the liberal family, that in order to fight for a democratic future and an ambitious tomorrow, we must invest in the people who will carry it forward.
With the financial support of FNF Europe