What is the workshop about?

The last two years, the International Federation of Liberal Youth and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation – Europe have developed together two important workshop in Brussels, one of the hearts of the European Union. These two events have brought together young leaders, young activists and young politicians from around the world to discuss topics such as privacy in the digital sphere, tackling misinformation, and digital government, among others, but also, how to tackle fake news during war times and the threatens to democracy and the rule of law as the world knows it. 

For this year, and given the previous expertise, IFLRY wants to address the problem of erosion of public trust in institutions and explore how youth can contribute to rebuilding faith in governance. In a world where public trust in institutions is rapidly declining, this workshop seeks to empower young leaders to understand the root causes of this erosion and develop strategies to rebuild transparency and accountability. 

This four-day program will bring together youth from diverse regions to delve into the concept of public trust, explore digital tools for enhancing transparency, and equip participants with practical skills to implement initiatives in their own member organizations.

Our main objective here would be to create a platform for youth leaders to engage in discussions on transparency, accountability, and public trust. Among the topics expected to discuss are: Strategies for rebuilding public trust in governance and media. Is that possible or is there a completely different way to interact with it. The role of youth in advocating for transparent digital governance and practical skills in creating and maintaining accountability structures in both formal and grassroots organizations.

The deadline to apply is June 8th 2025 (23:59 CEST).

What to expect from the seminar?

What are the objectives?

• Foster understanding of the impact of political pressures on mental well-being.
• Equip participants with actionable tools for resilience and growth as young leaders.
• Facilitate open discussions on mental health challenges and opportunities in politics.
• Collaborate on recommendations and best practices for leadership in the 21st century.
• Develop strategies to build sustainable support networks for young politicians.
• Most importantly, make participants take a pause, breathe, and remember that all leaders are human beings first.

Is this seminar for me?

Are you a motivated young politician, student, or activist with a keen interest in freedom of expression and privacy, digital freedom, civic engagement, and security. The seminar is international, however, we are aiming for a higher number of participants from countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.  

Applicants committed to driving change and creating bridges in the online community will be highly valued. Fluency in English is required due to the seminar being conducted in English.