Rooted in values, bold in action
This year, JONGCD&V Belgium celebrates a major landmark: our 75th anniversary. Founded in 1951, we are the oldest Flemish political youth organization. We carry a proud legacy and the responsibility to bridge the wisdom of the past with the bold actions for the challenges of today.
Our history proves that we are a true breeding ground for leadership. We take inspiration from figures like Wilfried Martens, a household name in Belgium and Europe who served as our youth president before becoming Prime Minister and a visionary President of the EPP. Other giants like Herman Van Rompuy, former President of the European Council, and Marianne Thyssen, former European Commissioner, also started their journeys in our ranks. This tradition continues today; every one of our current federal ministers were once active JONGCD&V members. Annelies Verlinden, Minister of Justice, served on our National Board, and Vincent Van Peteghem, Deputy PM, was a local youth president. More recently, our current Party Chairman, Sammy Mahdi, also served as JONGCD&V President.
Personalism in action
Under our current leadership, President Bram Van Hecke and International Secretary Chelsea Nshuti, our National Board has put a lot into motion. We recently organized a National Congress that focused entirely on our shared ideology. We went back to the basics of Christian Democracy and translated Personalism, Solidarity, and Responsibility into modern terms.
We also showed our warmest side during the coldest month. In December, we organized a charity auction of items from famous CD&V politicians. The most famous item was the hat of the late Belgian Prime Minister Jean-Luc Dehaene, which alone raised nearly 3000 Euro. In total, we collected more than 4000 Euro for a good cause, proving that our core values always lead to concrete action in solidarity with others.
Working together in YEPP
At JONGCD&V, European engagement is in our DNA. Based in the heart of the EU, we know that showing up is only half the battle; the real work lies in the content. We ensure our voice carries weight by arriving at every YEPP Council meeting prepared to have the debates that are needed.
At the recent YEPP Council in Stockholm, Chelsea Nshuti presented the resolution “Defending our Airspace” which was unanimously adopted by the entire Council. This initiative calls for accelerated European action and the immediate right to implement counter-measures against drone threats. We advocated for a mandatory European registration system for drones and a defence spending target of 5% of GDP. By integrating real-world lessons from partners in Ukraine, we make sure our European security posture remains adaptive and strong.
Our challenge: Security
The challenge for our future begins today, and that challenge is security. This theme brings together everything we fight for as young people. For JONGCD&V, safety must be guaranteed on every level. We strive for social safety, so young people can go out safely and women feel secure on the streets. We focus on our justice system and prisons, on the safety of algorithms in a digital world, and on our common European defence within NATO.
Let it be known we are not just ‘the politicians of tomorrow’. We are already leading the way and making policy today. At all levels, JONGCD&V is here to stay. Hand in hand with YEPP.
By Chelsea Nshuti, International Secretary of JONGCD&V
