Young People as Leaders

From March 3–7, 2025, the international conference “Youth in Leadership Today” took place in Budapest, organized by the World Student Christian Federation, a global ecumenical student organization. Participants came from many countries and denominations across Europe and beyond – including five Lutheran attendees from Poland.

The conference focused on the involvement of young people in churches and in broader social issues. Throughout the week-long program, participants had the opportunity to reflect on the most effective ways to work in groups and manage collective efforts, as well as to identify the most important traits of leadership. Time was also set aside to design plans for cooperation between student organizations from different countries.

In addition to the official program, numerous informal opportunities were created for participants to connect and enjoy time together. For example, during an intercultural evening, the Polish group sang “Hej, Sokoły” with the help of Ukrainian participants they had met at the conference, who sang a Ukrainian version of the song. Throughout the event, the organizers encouraged open conversations, allowing for genuine cultural and experiential exchanges among the attendees. The program also included a guided tour of Budapest, giving participants the chance to see the most important landmarks of this beautiful city on the Danube.

It was hard to say goodbye at the end of such a vibrant and enriching week. However, the experiences and connections made during the event will remain and are sure to have a lasting impact. Events like this always bring participants a great deal of joy and offer valuable opportunities to meet interesting people. The participants hope that in the coming years, there will be even more chances to take part in similar gatherings.

Text and photo by Olaf Woltman