It Begins With Us: Leadership Through Relationships

Last year, as part of the Salzburg Global Public Policy New Voices Europe Fellowship, I worked alongside my peers Farida, Pauline, Sophia, and Dylan to explore one of the defining questions facing Europe today: How do we rebuild trust and cohesion in democratic societies?

Coming from the United Kingdom, Sweden, Germany and Portugal, we brought different experiences, perspectives and assumptions to the conversation. We agreed, disagreed, challenged one another and, ultimately, developed and presented a shared public policy recommendation centered on community-led citizen assemblies and the simple but powerful act of sharing a meal.

Our work did not end when the Fellowship concluded. Together, we refined our thinking and published an article, contributing our ideas to a wider conversation on rebuilding trust in democratic societies. Knowing that our work could continue to inform discussions beyond Schloss Leopoldskron reminded me that good ideas have the greatest impact when they are shared, challenged, and built upon by others.

While the policy recommendation itself was important, the lasting impact of the Fellowship was something much bigger. It showed me the value of bringing together people from different countries, disciplines, and lived experiences to tackle complex challenges. It reinforced my belief that meaningful solutions rarely emerge from echo chambers. They are built when people are willing to listen with curiosity, disagree respectfully, and work toward something greater than themselves.
 

As a researcher, journalist, and disability advocate, that lesson continues to shape how I approach my work. The Fellowship changed the questions I ask as a journalist. I now pay closer attention to who is included in conversations, whose voices are missing, and how storytelling can move beyond describing problems to creating opportunities for dialogue and change.

Whether conducting research or producing news stories, I have become increasingly intentional about connecting lived experience with evidence so that both public conversations and policy debates become more inclusive. I believe this helps people better understand one another and create systems that work for everyone.

The Fellowship also connected me to a remarkable network of people who continue to shape my journey. Through the program, I built friendships with Fellows across Europe whose perspectives continue to challenge and inspire me. I was also fortunate to be mentored by Lisa Blonder, whose encouragement, wisdom, and belief in my potential continue to guide my personal and professional development. Lisa has consistently encouraged me to think beyond immediate opportunities and to invest in relationships, curiosity, and long-term public service. She has reminded me that careers are rarely defined by a single achievement, but by the communities we build and the people we help along the way. 

One of the clearest examples of the Fellowship's impact came after the program ended. I learned about the Spirit of Humanity Forum in Iceland, through another Salzburg Global Fellow, Farida. What began as conversations at Schloss Leopoldskron about our shared experiences as migrants navigating systems that were not always designed with us in mind led to an invitation to participate in the Forum's intergenerational dialogues and leadership hub. There, I joined public and private sector leaders, researchers, youth advocates, and changemakers from around the world as we explored governance, leadership, systems change, and what it truly means to build more humane societies. The conversations reminded me that the most meaningful progress often begins not with having all the answers, but with creating spaces where people ask better questions together.

This summer, that journey continues as I prepare to participate in the European Forum Alpbach as a scholarship holder. I see it as the next chapter in the journey that began in Salzburg: learning across disciplines, building relationships across borders, and contributing to conversations about the future of Europe and the wider world.

For me, this is the true value of joining global networks. Their impact is not measured solely by the days spent together in a conference room. It is measured by the ideas that are sparked, the collaborations that are formed, and the opportunities that continue to unfold long after the program itself has ended.

The relationships I built through Salzburg Global have expanded my horizons, strengthened my commitment to inclusive leadership, and connected me to people working, in different ways, to build more just, democratic, and humane societies.

As Europe and the wider world continue to navigate complex social, political, and economic challenges, it is easy to become disillusioned or to wonder whether one person can really make a difference. I remain hopeful. Not simply because I know remarkable changemakers across different countries who are working to reduce inequalities, but because I have seen firsthand what becomes possible when people from different backgrounds come together with humility, curiosity, and a shared commitment to improving the lives of others. 

If you are asking yourself, "What can I do?", here are five ideas: 

1. Step outside your comfort zone. Start conversations and build relationships with people whose backgrounds, professions, generations, or lived experiences are different from your own.  
2. Share your story and create space for others to share theirs. Listening is one of the simplest ways to build trust and understanding.
3. Volunteer your time and skills to a cause that matters in your local community. 
4. Share what you know and create opportunities for others to lead alongside you. Sustainable change is built collectively. 
5. Stay open minded. Some of life's most meaningful opportunities begin by saying yes to something unfamiliar.

Looking back, I realize the Fellowship gave me much more than knowledge. It gave me a community, lifelong friendships, and a trusted mentor who continues to walk alongside me as I navigate my own journey - helping underrepresented people and communities find their voice and a seat at the table.

That is why I hope more young people participate in these global civic spaces, especially those who might wonder whether places like Salzburg Global are meant for people like them. They are. Because the future we hope to build will not be shaped by government, institutions, or organizations alone. It will be shaped by everyday people who choose to listen, collaborate, and act.