IED Winter Academy with the Young Democrats for Europe
March 7-9, 2025, Krakow, Poland
07.03.2025
“Understanding the Other: The First Step Towards a Stronger Europe"... Three Days at the Young Democrats for Europe's Winter Academy in Krakow
On March 7-9, 2025, young European Democrats gathered in Krakow, Poland, to engage in discussions on the continent's most pressing issues and envision the future of Europe in the face of contemporary crises.
Three days. Three days in Krakow to exchange perspectives, challenge ideas, draw from history, and question the present. Organized by the Institute of European Democrats (IED) with the support of the Young Democrats for Europe (YDE), this Winter Academy brought together young Europeans from diverse backgrounds to debate defense, strategy, memory, and identity. It was an intense weekend, where every conversation felt deeply relevant to the challenges of today.
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Photos: Piotr Opoka Photography / IED
History as a Lens to Understand the Present
From Saturday morning, the stage was set: understanding Poland meant deciphering some of the tensions shaping Europe today. Jędrzej Chodziński, a former employee of Poland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, traced the country's turbulent history—from its struggles for independence to its current role within the European Union.
"Poland, with its past marked by invasions and resistance, reminds us how fragile peace is and how Europe itself is a response to that fragility," noted Alice Bernard-Montini, president of the YDE. But how do you convey this reality to those for whom war is nothing more than an image on a screen?
"Europe Can No Longer Ignore Its Own Defense"
For Cosimo Lamichhane, an active member of Italia Viva—the party founded by former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi—Poland's historical backdrop resonated strongly with today's geopolitical debates. "These three intense days allowed us to discuss common defense but also Poland’s role in this defining moment," he reflected.
The afternoon shifted the focus to the present, diving into Europe’s defense challenges. Philippe Michel-Kleisbauer, former French MP and ex-president of France’s parliamentary delegation to NATO, emphasized how military issues—long pushed to the sidelines—are now a top priority. "For too long, we thought Europe could exist without military power, but the war in Ukraine has forced us to face reality," he stated.
The War in Ukraine: At the Heart of the Discussions
As the discussions unfolded, attention naturally turned eastward. Suzanne Petit, a Franco-Polish leadership coach, and Marcin Kurek, a lawyer and volunteer in Ukraine, offered the audience a deeply human perspective. Through images, voices, and firsthand accounts, they brought the realities of war closer to those who, despite their awareness, remain physically distant.
"What we lack in Europe is not just seeing war but being able to imagine it as if we were there," explained Alice Bernard-Montini. For a brief moment, conversation became a bridge across that distance.
To close the day, participants took part in a diplomatic negotiation simulation led by Romain Le Quiniou, managing director of Euro Créative, a think tank focused on Central and Eastern Europe. In this intricate game of alliances and pressure tactics, attendees not only defended the interests of fictional countries but also faced the often frustrating constraints of real-world diplomacy.
"Understanding the Other: The First Step Towards a Stronger Europe"
Sunday morning ended the weekend on a more contemplative note. While some explored Krakow’s Renaissance castle and its many cathedrals, others visited the Auschwitz concentration camp.
"As Montaigne said, we must 'rub and polish our brains against those of others,'" Alice Bernard-Montini reflected. "Unexpected friendships formed throughout the weekend, but above all, a realization emerged: understanding the other is already the first step towards a stronger Europe."
Alexis Vallon, vice-president of France’s Jeunes Démocrates, left with a deep sense of the gravity of the moment. "This weekend was shaped by powerful themes: European defense, the war in Ukraine, and the memory of the Holocaust." He believes it was an opportunity for young Europeans to grasp the weight of today’s challenges in order to shape the future.
Cosimo Lamichhane echoed this sentiment, describing the weekend as profoundly moving. "All our discussions contribute to the Europe of today and help build a future founded on fairness and prosperity."
While Alice Bernard-Montini assured that the next edition is already in the works, each participant departed with sharpened convictions and, undoubtedly, a clearer vision of Europe and the world around it.