CESI Youth Congress in Vilnius elected its new leadership!

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the newly elected CESI Board on the beginning of their 5-year mandate!

Antonello Pietrangeli, representing ANIEF trade union of teachers in Italy, is the new elected CESI Youth Representative, with CESI Youth Vice-Representative Isabel Garcia, from the ANPE trade union of teachers in Spain, at his side.

The CESI Youth Congress also elected the 7 members of the Board:

1. Ester Amores Lizcano, SATSE, Spain (ES)
2. Alessandro Albergoni, ANIEF, Italy (IT)
3. Tania Basso, Confsal FISMIC (IT)
4. Stevie Kosch, CGFP, Luxembourg (LU)
5. Sandra Paartalu, CGB, Germany (DE)
6. Mantas Stanzys, TIKRA, Lithuania (LT)
7. Moesha Naomi Van der Smissen, NCF, Netherlands (NL)

Their leadership comes at a crucial time marked by major megatrends — from technological advancements and environmental shifts to geopolitical developments and demographic transformations — fundamentally reshaping labour markets and challenging the social inclusion of young people in Europe.

The main challenges which will have to be addressed by the new leadership are:

• Fair and quality transitions from education to work for youth inclusion
• Mental health at work for young people
• Youth and digitalisation, including the right to disconnect
• Democracy and rule of law
• Access to affordable and secure housing

As the CESI Youth Board members embark on their new journey, their mandate carries the weight and promise of our shared motto: “Youth Inclusion in Action: Shaping Today’s Working Conditions for Tomorrow!” — a call to empower young workers, rethink employment models, and ensure that tomorrow’s workforce inherits not only opportunity but dignity and fairness.

The next five years will be pivotal in shaping inclusive, resilient labour policies that respond to the realities young people face today. Matthäus Fandrejewski (dbb Jugend, Germany), who has been successfully steering CESI Youth for impressive 12 years, and whose mandate will come to terms at the end of 2025, will guide and assist the new leadership the interim phase. “Young people are the leaders of today and tomorrow’s work places. Trade unions are well-placed to bridge the gap between education/training systems and labour market demands. We should ensure that as young people we shape policy initiatives by sitting at the table with public authorities and employers. Youth voices are essential to ensure that these policies reflect our real aspirations and future-oriented skills. It was a privilege to serve CESI Youth in this mission and I am sure the next generations of young trade unionists will continue to serve it with energy, inspiration and dignity!” Matthäus concluded in his closing remarks to the Congress.