There are experiences that even being short in time end up marking you for a lifetime. And “the Emerging Leaders Conference” is one of them.
Just the title “the Emerging Leaders Conference” perfectly captures what was the essence of the project. A project that made us want to speak up and lead the next movements in our countries, Europe or even the world.
Over three days, we analyzed the functioning of the European Parliament and its institutions. We immersed ourselves in the world of the Members of the European Parliament, who did not hesitate to motivate us to be an important part of young Europe. We examine the leaders and leadership models that exist. We did parliamentary simulation. We discussed Human Dignity and Human Rights. In essence, every minute of these days was an important piece of the total learning.
Choosing a single moment is almost impossible. All the talks, presentations and ponence are part of a whole, they complemented each other perfectly with the idea of inspiring us to be future leaders of our community. But if I had the obligation to choose one, perhaps the one that most caught my attention was the presentation on leaders. How would we be if in the future we were someone influential? Throughout history there have been many leaders. Some, fortunately, leaders with laudable ends and others, unfortunately, not so much. Leaders who will undoubtedly continue to emerge because leadership is good and necessary when the ends it pursues are equally good. Thanks to leaders like Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, Angela Merkel, Pope Juan Pablo or Greta Thunberg and many other unknown people but equally leaders, we have a better world that can be improved by future leaders.
I can only thank WYA Germany and WYA Europe for this incredible opportunity, for helping us to train, for being a source of inspiration for us to be part of the change in our society.
Finally, to say that this project has been inspiring, functional and a direct call to young people to be part of the change. “Everything that can be dreamed of can be done.” And personally, participating in “the Emerging Leaders Conference” has helped me to see myself in the future: “Mom, I’m going to Brussels !!!”.
Published: December 16, 2021
Written by Lola Reyes, Participant of the 2021 Emerging Leaders Conference .
