A New Era Begins: Highlights from the EDS Summer University 2026 in Warsaw
From July 30 to August 2, the European Democrat Students (EDS) gathered in Warsaw, Poland, for the highly anticipated Summer University 2026. Co-organized in close cooperation with Nowa Generacja, the event brought together over 80 delegates from 28 countries for an extraordinary weekend of high-level political debates, democratic elections, and crucial statutory reforms.
High-Level Political Dialogues & Global Perspectives
The political agenda featured an outstanding roster of leaders, starting with insightful discussions on European unity with the former President of Poland, Bronisław Komorowski. Delegates also heard a powerful address on sovereignty from the leader of the Belarusian Democratic Opposition, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, and engaged with Radosław Sikorski, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, focusing on Europe's Eastern frontier and regional defense.
Additional Key Panelists: Paweł Kowal (Chair of Foreign Affairs Committee - Ukraine panel), Michał Szczerba MEP (Former Chair of NATO PA - Defence panel), as well as Paweł Bliźniuk (AI Panel).
We also had the distinct honor of hosting Max Primorac, Senior Research Fellow and Director at The Heritage Foundation, who traveled directly from Washington D.C. to share invaluable perspectives on transatlantic relations, global security, and freedom.
Council Decisions & Modernized Statutes
The Annual Council Meeting at the iconic Palace of Culture and Science marked a historic milestone for EDS. The Council officially adopted modernized Statutes and accompanying internal and financial regulations, ensuring full compliance with Belgian legal standards and EPP guidelines. These statutes will be published in the Belgian Official Gazette this August and will subsequently be available on edsnet.eu.
During the session, the Council approved the financial report for the first half of 2026 and appointed Emanuele Cangini (GDC, San Marino) and Oskar Lewczuk (SMD, Poland) as Internal Auditors.
Solidarity with Ukraine & Expanding Our Network:
In a strong show of solidarity, the Council unanimously voted to waive the annual membership fee for Solidarna Molod (Ukraine) for another year due to the ongoing war, while fully preserving their active status and voting rights.
We also proudly granted full membership support to The Youth of Europe Now (Montenegro) and Jong Sociaal Contract (Netherlands). Furthermore, we were delighted to welcome international guests Max Špachta from YEPP and Isam Lamini from Morocco.
Meet the New Bureau & Organizational Continuity
A central focus of the Warsaw meeting was the election of the new executive team for the upcoming mandate. We proudly congratulate the newly elected Bureau:
- Chairman: Francesco Sismondini (StudiCentro, Italy) – re-elected
- Secretary General: Filip Gajić (HAZ, Croatia)
- Deputy Secretary General: Halit Karakuş (SMD, Poland)
- Vice-Chairpersons: Marios Konstanteas (DAP-NDFK, Greece), Krista Pisani (SDM, Malta), Stefan Arsov (MGERB, Bulgaria), Mateusz Gieryga (Nowa Generacja, Poland), Rakel Friberg (KSF, Sweden), and Alex Zamborský (ODM, Slovakia).
The remaining vacant seats in the Executive Bureau will be filled at the upcoming autumn Council Meeting.
The Council also unanimously supported the continued engagement of outgoing Secretary General Vladimir Kljajic. To guarantee a seamless transition, he will step into the role of Project Coordination & Outreach Officer.
A Taste of Polish Hospitality
Beyond politics and policy, delegates thoroughly enjoyed the rich culture of Warsaw, highlighted by warm Polish hospitality and, of course, delicious traditional pierogi! We extend our deepest gratitude to all the incredible volunteers from Nowa Generacja, with a special mention to Sofiya Kubrakova for her exceptional dedication and support in making this event a resounding success.
Thank you to all delegates, speakers, and partners who made Warsaw 2026 unforgettable. The future of Europe is in your hands, we look forward to seeing you at the next EDS event!
This event has received partial funding from the European Parliament. The views and opinions expressed during this event do not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Parliament. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content or any use that may be made of the information presented during this event.
