This year's Liberal Communicators' Network was a huge success, with a packed programme filled with workshops, seminars and group discussions.

Participants took part in two days of training with high quality trainers, speakers and guests. The idea of this programme is to strengthen liberal organisations in the future, with participants gaining professional skills, exchanging best practices and creating a network for future cooperation and peer support. Our aim is to make liberalism more understandable and accessible, with strategies aimed at communicating liberal ideas in the context of media freedom. This event was organised by the European Liberal Forum (ELF) with the support of LYMEC (European Liberal Youth), FNF ESEE and FNF NWS.

" Disinformation is a strategic narrative used to undermine the liberal order. "

Johanna Koch

The first day of LCN took place in the State Parliament of North Rhine-Westphalia. The discussion focused on the need for liberals to rebuild trust with the public due to the disruptive nature of disinformation and fake news being spread by extremist groups. The debate centred on how to combat the far-right's person-to-person approach and emotional, informal messaging technique.

The workshops continued, focusing on a blend of digital media and traditional media, giving the participants the skills and tools to work in a variety of communications settings. The group discussed the importance of building the liberal narrative and framing an idea in a resonating way - with this creating an emotional connection with the public. Opening the liberal approach up and engaging in conversations with other points of view is key to liberal communication strategy. Acknowledging people's fears and offering solutions is key, as the far-right do not offer solutions - but focus on negatives to stir up resentments.

The key message was: liberals need to work within the online algorithmic system to go beyond the bubble we are in. Participants were handed the tools needed to pierce through the liberal bubble and create a broader appeal. Our LCN participants participated in a press seminar which provided them with the tools needed to collaborate with the press in traditional media forms. Participants engaged in a seminar on how to make liberal content interesting, action-related and marketable. The workshop emphasised the reality of media today, whereby print is only a facet of the wider market filled with influencers, podcasts and media organisations. 

The second day of LCN took place in Friedrich Naumann Foundation offices in Düsseldorf. A highlight for some participants was the fascinating workshop on disinformation, conspiracy theory and political extremism. Participants took part in role plays, learning how to communicate effectively with someone who has been influenced by conspiratorial thinking. Participants' toolbox was filled with interpersonal strategies to communicate with those who have fallen victim to extremist rhetoric and disinformation.

Another workshop LCN participants took part in was based on digital tools and video content. Participants were taught how to influence people to listen to liberal appeals. The presentation emphasised that in order to win the people, liberal communicators must win the system itself: which distributes content and promotes it based on the algorithm. The workshop focused on the importance of reels, videos and digital identity. Participants learned about post frequency, organisational branding and strategy.

Overall, this weekend taught participants skills that will be crucial going forward for liberal politics. Engaging with the public, making people feel empowered and rebuilding the trust that disinformation and fake news has damaged. Liberals must reclaim the online sphere, which has been flooded by extremist content. Radical extremists from both the far-left and the far-right promote emotionally raw, simplified content that appeals with the masses, liberals must find a way to compete without compromising our integrity. 

A huge thank you to all of the participants for their engagement, discussions and debates throughout such a brilliant weekend. We cannot wait to see what lies ahead in the future as participants now join the wider LCN alumni group. We are also hugely appreciative of all of the speakers, trainers and guests responsible for the engaging workshops and seminars. We made this weekend a truly special and impactful one - with lessons learned that will resonate for years to come.