breaking the ice

This weekend I have been at the congress of the Federation of the Young European Greens (FYEG) in Vienna and at the congress of the European Liberal Youth (LYMEC); two activities that could have hardly been any more different. But Lets start with the similarities, both organisations are members of the European Youth Forum, both are youth led NGOs, both met in European capitals, and both events full of engaged volunteers willing to change the world; but that’s about it with the similarities.
In Vienna with the greens there was an all vegetarian congress, where the hosting organisation cooked themselves, the guest speakers got organic fair trade chocolate, they discussed internal structures and women empowerment, a social and green future for Europe and the hierarchic structures of the Youth Forum, they extensively discussed their relation to the European Green party and they held elections of their new spokespersons. Congratulations to Marina Barbalata (Romania) and Bartek Lech (Poland).
So Saturday night I have been at the party of the Greens and Sunday morning I joined quite some hang over suffering Liberals in Berlin. Quite a cultural shock; very different types of people, different dress code, very different discussions such as the positive sides of globalisations and how globalisation should also change Europe more, the negative effects of tax harmonisation, Darfur, Western Sahara, Migration obstacles – hindrance for economic development, building the internal coherence and democratization of the EU through a new short-term treaty (replacing the unsuccessful Constitutional treaty), to the need for greater investments in research and development and a more united and proactive role for Europe in the world. LYMEC had the luxury of not having elections, which meant that they had more time to deepen discussions.
Good luck to both organisations to achieve their aims till their next congress.