After over a year and a half of virtual adaptations due to restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic, the first Leadership Council meeting held in-person took place on July 14 and 15 in Bratislava, Slovakia. As the Leadership Council was together with the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) for the opening on the European Democracy Youth Network (EDYN) Headquarters [link to the other article], the meeting was a great opportunity for the Leadership Council to reflect on and celebrate the success of EDYN over the past three years. The participants also acknowledged the challenges the network had overcome and address key issues that are necessary for the further growth and development of the network.
During the meeting, Leadership Council members brainstormed different initiatives – both small and large – that EDYN can implement in the future to help better serve its members and grow the network. The Leadership Council also discussed ways that EDYN can help its members with professional development and mentorship, how Country Chapters can better work with each other and ensure accountability, and how the Leadership Council and Ambassadors can better serve the network and its members.
The first in-person meeting occurring during the celebration of the EDYN Headquarters opening reflected the success of the network’s growth in recent years, and the members’ continued commitment to EDYN’s values, mission, and further development.