Alison Zerafa Civelli, Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government of Malta, addressed the 49th Congress session on 29 October, speaking on behalf of the Maltese Presidency of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers.
Presenting the Presidency’s priorities, the Parliamentary Secretary underlined the great importance of youth participation in local and regional democracy. “Democracy is strongest when it includes the voice of all generations,” she stressed. “It is vital that this engagement expands across every level of government, and that young people are the dedicated drivers of positive change and in shaping the future of European democracy.”
Her intervention came as the Congress prepared to vote on the Revised European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life, a key instrument that was warmly welcomed at the 10th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Youth in Valletta, Malta, earlier this month.
Ms Zerafa Civelli also highlighted Malta’s ongoing cooperation with local municipalities and the Congress to implement the 12 Principles of Good Democratic Governance, as well as the contributions to the Council of Europe’s New Democratic Pact for Europe. “I am confident that the Congress and its youth delegates will continue to positively contribute to the Pact”, she said, expressing her gratitude to the Congress in continuously seeking collaborative dialogue and concrete solutions.
Looking ahead to the end of the Presidency, the Parliamentary Secretary reflected on its past achievements and close co-operation with the Council of Europe and the Congress: “Together, these moments and many others reflect our purpose – to transform values into action across our continent and beyond”.
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