At its 42nd Session, the Congress adopted a report outlining the role of local and regional authorities in building a better future for rural youth, presented by co-rapporteurs Aida Jalilzade (Azerbaijan, ECR) and James Moloney (Ireland, ILDG).

“All young people are facing challenges right now, especially in this post-pandemic reality, but rural young people have a few extra battles to fight,” said Mr Moloney. Limited access to education, employment and affordable housing, but also to digital connectivity and public services result in young people moving away from rural areas. Rural youth also have less opportunities than their urban peers to participate in public and political life.

“Rural youth contribute to shaping our societies. They should be able to voice their opinion and be active members of our societies. It is our responsibility to give them the opportunity to do so,” Ms Jalilzade stressed, encouraging rural authorities to promote youth participation via structures such as youth councils, in order to ensure the vitality and future of local democracy.

In its resolution, the Congress calls on local and regional authorities to develop policies addressing the challenges faced by rural youth, to provide support, financial and other, to rural youth organisations, and to acknowledge the contribution of rural youth in safeguarding cultural heritage and rural traditions.

See also :

 Video of the debate

 Speech of Aida Jalilzade

 Speech of James Moloney

 Report CG(2022)42-15

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42nd Session 

Agenda – Web page – Multimedia (Live broadcast, interviews, videos and photos)