The Congress Current Affairs Committee met on 10 June 2022 in Strasbourg, France and remotely.

On the agenda was a thematic debate on "Local and regional media in decline: their role in grassroot democracy". This exchange took place in the light of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers' recommendation on principles of media and communication governance, adopted on 6 April 2022, which stresses the need to promote media pluralism and ensure a diverse media landscape.

Members also held a debate on "Inclusion of diasporas - responsibilities of local and regional authorities" in order to explore the local and regional dimension of diaspora policies and to determine the future work of the Committee in this field. In addition, the Committee held a debate on new models for innovative, democratic and sustainable rural societies, as well as a debate on the reception of women and children refugees in Europe's cities and regions.

On the occasion of this meeting, the members elected the 5th vice-president of the Committee.

The Current Affairs Committee is responsible for exploring the role of local and regional authorities with regard to the major challenges of our society and preparing work on thematic issues such as social cohesion, education, intercultural and interreligious dialogue, youth participation, integration of migrants, protection of children, and gender equality from the point of view of the Council of Europe’s core values.

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