new youth team elected

Preveza, Greece – At the annual Douzelage General Meeting held in Greek partner town Preveza, a new leadership team was elected to oversee the organisation’s youth affairs.

Two new co-presidents Stefan Pielmeier (Bad Kötzting, DE) and Jiří Beníšek (Sušice, CZ) were selected by a gathering of their peers to lead the youth delegation for the three year term 2025-2028. The team succeeds former Youth President Zino Vreysen (Altea, ES) and his vice presidents Hannah Mc Nulty (Bundoran, IE) and Corinna Hacker (Bad Kötzting, DE).

One of the new Youth Co-Presidents Stefan Pielmeier (Bad Kötzting, DE) (pic George Efstathiou)

Speaking on the election of the two co-presidents, Douzelage President Shane Smyth (Bundoran, IE) said “I’m delighted to congratulate Stefan and Jiří on their election as co-presidents of DouzYouth. They are two very capable young men who I have no doubt will fulfil their roles with ease and dedication and I’m confident that  DouzYouth is in safe hands for the next term.

I’d like to pay tribute to the outgoing team of Zino, Hannah and Corinna as well as their board for the immense contribution they have made to Douzelage since their election in 2022. The momentum they have created with the youth who attend the annual meeting is very encouraging. They have served the organisation with distinction and I wish them well in all of their future endeavours inside and outside of Douzelage.”

Jiří Beníšek (Sušice, CZ) was elected co-president of Douzelage Youth (pic George Efstathiou)

Speaking at the General Meeting Stefan said “Having been around Douzelage for so long, I’m happy to be elected co-president of the youth board along with Jiri – we look forward to an exciting and productive term.”

Jiří added “Thank you for your participation and for your dedication this year. We’re very happy and glad to have you, and we’re also very happy and honoured to to serve as a new co presidents for the upcoming three years. So thank you for for your trust in us”

The new board that will support the youth co-presidents was also announced during the meeting and is made up of Dominique Pelican (Sherborne, UK), Ingars Jēkabsons (Sigulda, LV), Isabel Dura (Altea, ES) and Renee Charlier (Meerssen, NL)

Stefan Pielmeier, Zino Vreysen (outgoing youth president) and Jiří Beníšek address the General Meeting (pic Alexandros Katsenosr)

L-R Isabel Dura, Ingars Jēkabsons, Jiří Beníšek, Stefan Pielmeier, Dominique Pelican and Rene Charlier

The new team will meet regularly online, in person periodically and will host the youth element of the annual Douzelage General Meeting which in 2026 will take place in Marsaskala, Malta.