From 22 to 24 March 2024, LYMEC held its Electoral Spring Congress in Brussels, Belgium, and what a Congress that was! Let's delve into the highlights:

Over the weekend, as we bid farewell to the LYMEC Bureau that served during the 2022-2024 mandate, we embarked on a new chapter by electing a fresh team that will guide the organisation until 2026. Notably, our former Vice President, Ines Holzegger (JUNOS), has been elected as President - Ines's dedication, passion, and proven leadership make her the perfect person to lead LYMEC, and we are confident that under her guidance, we will achieve great things despite the challenges ahead! We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the outgoing Bureau for their outstanding work over the past years, and eagerly welcome the innovative ideas of the newly-elected board.

In addition to the 2024-2026 LYMEC Bureau, the Congress also elected two new Internal Auditors, Petrine Johannessen (VU) and Alex Nilsson (LUF), reinforcing our commitment to transparency and accountability. Ioana Abaseaca (USR Tineret) has been elected as the new IFLRY Representative, strengthening the ties between our organisations. Furthermore, a Committee of Discipline and Arbitrage, comprising five individuals with a history of involvement in LYMEC, has been appointed (Marina Sedlo, Doris Lisett Rudnevs, Rasmus Festerling Sørensen, Keith Henry and Peter Banks). Join us in warmly congratulating them on their well-deserved positions! 

Our Congress was opened by the insights of some high-level speakers, whose perspectives enriched our discussions. This line-up included Renew Europe Group President Valerie Hayer, MEP Hilde Vautmans, Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hadja Lahbib, Secretary General of the Renew Europe Group in the Committee of the Regions Sean O'Curneen Cañas, ALDE Party Co-President Ilhan Kyuchyuk, MR President Georges-Louis Bouchez, ELF Executive Director Alva Finn, and many more.

Among other things, the LYMEC Spring Congress Delegates voted on three resolutions, two of which were adopted (Can’t Pray the Gay Away: Put an End to Conversion Therapy & A fight against the far-right is a fight for liberalism and democracy). Some delegates also participated in two fringe workshops ahead of Congress, hosted by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom - European Dialogue (Disinformation as a tool for illiberal agendas, how to address this threat?) and the European Liberal Forum (Young, Liberal and Inspired: a Changemakers' journey). From combating disinformation to nurturing our Young Changemakers' Academy Community, these workshops empowered young liberals with knowledge and strategies to effect positive change in their communities. 

Last but not least, we extended a warm welcome to two new Full Member Organisations Gibanje Svoboda Mladi (Slovenia) & NEODEPA (Cyprus) and one Associate Member, 3H Movement (Turkey). We can't wait to cooperate and grow together.

Hat's off to the entire team and everyone who contributed to the success of our Congress, especially to our dedicated Chairs Nima, Joy, Laurenz and Antoaneta and the amazing team at Jong VLD (Belgium) for their invaluable support! Together, we stand stronger and united in our shared commitment to upholding liberal values!