The Young Leaders' Meeting 2025 was a great success!
Last weekend in Luxembourg, the Young Leaders’ Meeting 2025 gave some of Europe’s future liberal leaders an opportunity to contribute to the ongoing discourse on EU Strategic Autonomy. The inspired group of leaders spent the weekend cooperating, debating and sharing best practices. We spent our time together analysing the EU’s capacity to act independently in the fields of defence, security, technology and economic resilience.
Given the amount of complex challenges Europe faces today, we asked the question of broader implications for the EU globally and its place among the key players, including the U.S. and China. We had debates on what direction Europe is going in, how to develop the best youth-led policy solutions, and how Europe is going to break free of weaponised dependencies.
Day One
We started day one with an online video message from Jeannette Baljeu, Member of the European Parliament and European Liberal Forum Board Member, who welcomed participants to the event and encouraged them to keep fighting for youth-related policy matters.
We then heard an opening address from Eric Thill, Minister for Culture, Minister Delegate for Tourism, and General Secretary of the Democratic Party, who spoke about the current state of European affairs and the challenges ahead. This was followed by Lou Linster, President of Jonk Demokraten, who highlighted ways young people can shape and influence policymaking, especially in Luxembourg.
Day one included an interactive presentation by LYMEC Vice-President, Alexandre Servais, on strategic autonomy and why it is critical for the future of the EU and its leadership in an increasingly fragmented world.
Day Two
Day two was more practical in its set-up; leaders took part in a communication training session, which asked how European policies are applied to everyday life and worked on a common statement for the European Liberal Youth.
Christos Floros, President of the Democratic Party International, led a discussion on the EU’s digital sovereignty. Given the importance of AI, new technologies, and digital independence, this topic was certainly a vital one for the young leaders to listen to.
The leaders then visited the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a meeting with Xavier Bettel, Deputy Prime Minister of Luxembourg and Minister for Foreign Affairs - a particular highlight of the trip. The discussion covered a wide range of diplomatic affairs, including the upcoming UNGA and the role of Luxembourg on the international scene.
Xavier Bettel shared insights into his career in diplomacy, reflecting on his experiences with political leaders and career advice. Tracing his own journey from his early involvement in LYMEC to his current role, Xavier Bettel provided an inspiring perspective on the path of political leadership through the liberal family.
The event concluded with LYMEC President Ines Holzegger, who encouraged the leaders to keep fighting for liberal youth values in relation to strategic autonomy. She emphasised the importance of European independence in the areas of security, digital, climate and economy.
The Young Leaders’ Meeting empowered young European voices and encouraged them to take part in meaningful dialogue. The important range of topics discussed in Luxembourg last weekend was proof that youth are leading the way: from security, to foreign affairs, digitalisation and energy-related matters.
The Young Leaders’ Meeting is organised by the European Liberal Forum (ELF) with the support of LYMEC (European Liberal Youth).
Young Leaders' Meeting 2025