EYL40 European Young Leaders

📢 NEXT WEEK | As Europe confronts the unsettling results of last June’s elections, with rising extremist influence and divisive identity politics, the need for a new, inclusive path forward has never been more pressing. On 8 November, our EYL40 European Young Leaders will address the continent’s most pressing divides: from gender and security to climate and socio-economic instability. Together, we will explore ways to transcend polarising narratives and foster a culture of unity, dialogue and resilience. Fuelled by the fresh ideas and bold visions championed by our #EYL40 community of young leaders, we aim to promote a Europe that embraces inclusivity over division, guiding us toward a hopeful, united future. ➡️ Find out more about the event: https://bit.ly/EYL4024 #EYL40 #FutureOfEurope #IdentityPolitics #Polarisation Ahmed Abdirahman Francesca Cavallo Jasminko Halilovic Valeriya Ionan Vladimira Marcinková Alfredo Munoz Marko Pavic Péter Pető Oana Țoiu Kirsten van den Hul Vlad Voiculescu Mary Fitzgerald jason arday Michał Szczerba Adam Nyman

Did you know that 2024 was the ultimate election year, with more people than ever before able to cast their vote accross the globe? Last week, I had the honour of moderating a panel discussion at Friends of Europe's State of Europe in partnership with TheMerode Brussels. Topic was 'The role and promise of Europe in a post-election order'. Speakers included fellow EYL40 European Young Leaders Klen Jäärats, Executive Director of Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV), Ahmed Abdirahman, Founder & CEO of Järvaveckan and Karien van Gennip, Former Dutch Minister for Social Affairs and Employment. We discussed the impact of this global year of elections on the future of Europe, and what is needed to move ahead. Thanks to everyone who participated! 📷 ©TheMerode —by Martin Pilette.

❝I’m starting to be increasingly – of course as many of us – frustrated about COPs. I believe we need a bit of a COP revolution. We really need to change the way decisions are being made and I totally agree that we need more diversity, we need to hear all the voices and especially we need to hear the youth.❞ 🔊As COP29 gets started and we launch our #COPerspectives week, check out this new episode of Policy Voices with EYL40 European Young Leaders Lubomila Jordanova, Founder and CEO of Greentech company Plan A, and Dr. Heïdi Sevestre, Glaciologist and Deputy Secretary of the AMAP - The Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme ⤵️ Listen to the full episode on: Spotify http://bit.ly/3UJzMnP Apple Podcasts https://bit.ly/48IHELY Soundcloud https://bit.ly/4hCw3Cd #PolicyVoices #COP29 #ClimateChange #EnvironmentalGovernance #EYL40

💡 Under the theme of ‘the challenge of identities’, EYL40 European Young Leaders gathered this morning to discuss the timely issues of identity and polarisation. Coming from a wide array of backgrounds, #EYL40 alumni shared their experiences of polarisation, expressing growing concern over its impact on democracy. The complex notions of identity and identity politics were explored, with the shared feeling that identity politics will be a driving force in the near future. At a time of global uncertainty and pivotal change, questions remain: What can be done to transcend identity politics? How do we achieve de-polarisation? Echoing this morning’s debate, citizens taking part in Debating Europe’s 2024 Voices study also saw a more polarised society, in part driven by a biased media and the proliferation of fake news. To counter these trends, they notably called for programmes aimed to increase media literacy among the general population and for more inclusivity towards marginalised groups. 🌟 Thank you to the #EYL40 alumni who joined this highly relevant and humane conversation! 📷 See photos from the meeting: https://lnkd.in/ecGyRyVF ➡️ Find out more: https://lnkd.in/ezYcKAaS #Democracy #Polarisation #RenewedSocialContract

Now, more than ever, it’s essential to reinforce our democracy and uphold the rule of law. This can only be achieved when every citizen is given a voice and included. Our diversity is not only fundamental to democracy but also one of our greatest strengths. We share far more than what sets us apart. I look forward to continuing this journey with fellow European Young Leaders and Friends of Europe, especially at Järvaveckan, June 11-14, 2025. 🙏🏾🙌🏾

💡 7 November | Joining our #StateOfEU high-level roundtable this week, we are delighted to welcome Dutch Public Prosecutor and EYL40 European Young Leaders Disa Jironet for an inspiring Idea Sharing on 'Building human institutions'. This powerful address will explore how empathy, courage and self-awareness in public service can help forge a #RenewedSocialContract for Europe. By prioritising true human connection, institutions can become more resilient and responsive, reflecting the needs and emotions of those they serve. ➡️ Stay tuned and find out more here: https://bit.ly/StateOfEU24 #Justice #FutureOfEurope #Voices4Choices #EYL40

Excited to head to Brussels next week! Looking forward to insightful discussions on the recent EU elections and the US elections with fellow European Young Leaders. A big thank you to Friends of Europe for the invitation and the opportunity to connect and collaborate! 🙌🏾Järvaveckan

⏳ 7 November | Join our #StateOfEU festival of politics and ideas as we bring together Europe’s thought leaders, policy shapers and changemakers to reimagine Europe’s future. 🌟 We’re especially thrilled to welcome EYL40 European Young Leaders alumni, whose innovative approaches will bring invaluable perspectives to the conversation as we tackle our 10 Policy Choices for a #RenewedSocialContract for Europe, from boosting EU competitiveness and industrial growth to strengthening climate leadership and digital innovation. At a time of geopolitical transformations and opportunities, this year’s roundtable will challenge the status quo and advance bold proposals for a Renewed Social Contract for Europe, which ensures fair and inclusive transitions that promote social prosperity, sustainability and security across the EU. ➡️ Stay tuned and find out more: https://bit.ly/StateOfEU24 #EYL40 #FutureOfEurope #Voices4Choices #EUDemocracy #Citizens Ahmed Abdirahman Nicolas Brien Francesca Cavallo Jasminko Halilovic Valeriya Ionan Klen Jäärats Disa Jironet Helena C. Linder-Jeß Vladimira Marcinková Oleksandra Matviichuk Péter Pető Shahin Vallée Kirsten van den Hul Vlad Voiculescu Mary Fitzgerald

🌟 Last week, we had the privilege of joining the Festival del Pensare Contemporaneo in Piacenza. Congratulations to Alessandro Fusacchia for curating this unique event, and to the cohort of EYL40 European Young Leaders who took part in insightful conversations! The Festival offered a wide range of innovative and thought-provoking encounters, delving into the depths of human emotion and intellect through engaging discussions and artistic contributions. It also strongly resonated with our work to promote democratic participation through our citizens engagement unit Debating Europe, and provided a great opportunity for us and our #EYL40 community to engage in conversations centred on citizens and democracy. ⤵️ Check out the recap video and relive some of the festival's best moments below. #FestivalPensareContemporaneo #FPC24 #RenewedSocialContract #Voices4Choices Oleksandra Matviichuk Dr. Heïdi Sevestre Francesca Cavallo Luka Mesec Katharina Unger Mary Fitzgerald Wietse Van Der Werf

❝The EU member states’ governments should consider setting their own national targets to reduce food losses and food waste.❞ The fight against food waste doesn’t end when media attention fades. Despite declining coverage, the problem remains critical. With new EU targets for reducing food waste and policies under review, the push to halve waste by 2030 is still on. ❓ But are national governments ready to set their own targets? ⤵️ Learn more in this new #CriticalThinking article by Selina Juul, Founder of the Stop Wasting Food movement (Stop Spild Af Mad), Member of the EU Platform on Food Losses and Food Waste and EYL40 European Young Leaders. #FoodWaste #FoodLoss #FLWDay #IDAFLW #EYL40