Young Changemakers’ Academy 2025

About the event

The Young Changemakers Academy is a programme aiming to prepare young people to take an active part in their respective communities by shaping their future in given policy areas. The first event of the Young Changemakers Academy 2025 is organised by the European Liberal Forum (ELF) with the support of LYMEC (European Liberal Youth) and the Paddy Ashdown Forum (PAF). Get ready for the first in-person event of your YCA journey on advocacy communication!

Program

Friday, 14th March
Accommodation: The Wellington by Blue Orchid Hotels, 71 Vincent Square, London SW1P 2PA, United Kingdom
11:55 Parliamentary Visit
Houses of Parliament, Palace of Westminster
Peers Entrance to the Houses of Parliament by 11:55am at the latest
16:05 Welcome by ELF!
Goran Neralic, Head of Projects, European Liberal Forum
Even Diot, Secretary General, LYMEC
Sean Bennett, Engagement & Events Officer, LYMEC
16:20 Objectives of the Academy & Agenda-setting
Sean Bennett, Engagement & Events Officer, LYMEC
16:30 Introduction & Presentation of the advocacy projects
Sean Bennett, Engagement & Events Officer, LYMEC
Sorcha Ní Chonghaile, YCA Alumna and Policy Officer, LYMEC
17:15 How to plan your project
Goran Neralic, Head of Projects, European Liberal Forum
18:10 Closing Remarks
Chiara Liguori, Project Manager, LYMEC
19:30 Dinner – Youth Involvement in European Politics and Civil Society
Location: National Liberal Club, 1 Whitehall Pl, London SW1A 2HE, United Kingdom
Cllr. Irina Von Wiese, former MEP & Honorary President, ECPS
Sir Graham Watson, former MEP & President of ALDE Party 2011-2015
Elsie Gisslegård, European Parliamentary Candidate 2024 & former CUF International Officer
Moderator: Sean Bennett, Engagement & Events Officer, LYMEC

Saturday, 15th March
09:15 Welcome
Sean Bennett, Engagement & Events Officer, LYMEC
09:20 Getting your message across: Communications best practice
Anna Wangen, Digital Communications Manager, ALDE Party
10:45 Coffee Break
11:00 Understanding how to approach stakeholders
Baroness Sal Brinton, Vice-President, ALDE Party
12:15 Lunch Break
13:45 Building a team and managing audiences
Cllr. David Chalmers, Chair, Liberal Democrat Federal International Relations Committee
15:15 Short Break
15:35 Creating change through projects
Cllr. Irina Von Wiese, former MEP & Honorary President, ECPS
16:30 Coffee Break
17:00 YCA Success Stories
Ruben Friewald, YCA Alumnus – online video-message
Julius Graack & Peter Banks, YCA Alumni
Moderator: Sorcha Ní Chonghaile, YCA Alumna and Policy Officer, LYMEC
17:45 Feedback and milestone building
Sean Bennett, Engagement & Events Officer, LYMEC
18:15 Closing Remarks and next steps
Sean Bennett, Engagement & Events Officer, LYMEC
Chiara Liguori, Project Manager, LYMEC

19:30 Networking Dinner with the YCA Alumni
Location: The Wellington by Blue Orchid

Sunday, 16th March
Departure day