Security, energy, and women leadership at the centre of the next ALDE Party Congress

With the war raging in Ukraine the time has come to make some changes to ensure Europe’s security and energy supply. Liberals are up to the challenge.

On 2-4 June, ALDE Party will hold it’s first in-person Congress since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Dublin and it is set to be a unique event.

For starters, it will feature three high level debates on security, energy and female leadership and its power to stand up to autocratic regimes.

The security of Europe has been shaken by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In response, the EU made the most of its unity and institutional instruments to support Ukraine in its fight for freedom. Tied however by unanimity in foreign and security affairs as well as lacking defence capabilities, the EU struggles internally to move forward. The liberal ideas of the establishment of a Defence Union and Qualified Voting Majority in foreign affairs return to the spotlight. Will the Europe Union seize the moment and deliver concrete achievements in these areas?

Energy sufficiency is also key to ensure peace and security. Energy independence and energy resilience will be at the forefront of this effort. We need a new European energy model that reduces dependency on third countries and diversifies supplies, accelerates the transition to renewables and improves energy efficiency. What is the best path to achieve this? How can we ensure no one is left behind especially in times of crisis?

We have some ideas, but we will start by making the Congress a carbon neutral event – we will offset the carbon emissions generated by the organisation of the event by planting trees. For every 100 participants attending the 3 days of Congress we’ll plant 24 Irish trees.

During the pandemic we have witnessed how some countries suffered setbacks on the rule of law, with some governments limiting the rights of citizens and their access to information. Nevertheless, women have risen to the challenge leading protests and opposition in Belarus, Poland, and Hungary, among others. Female leadership has proved key to resist autocratic regimes. How can we further empower liberal women to keep up the good fight?

Now more than ever, we need a united Europe with a strong voice on the global scene. Let us convene in Dublin to shape the liberal response to these challenges!

Find out more information about the Programme here.