The "Rejuvenating Politics" initiative

The "Rejuvenating Politics" initiative was launched by the Congress in 2014 as part of its commitement to promoting the participation of young people in public life and in the decision-making process at local and regional level.

The "Youth Delegates" project is a part of this initiative. It gives young people, from the 46 Council of Europe member states, a unique opportunity to sit (without voting rights) in a European assembly alongside local and regional elected representatives. They can make their voices heard, be part of a diverse group of young activists, build a network and have an impact by stimulating debate from a youth perspective.

Becoming a youth delegate

Each of the 46 member state delegations welcomes one youth delegate for a mandate of one calendar year. They are young people, between the ages of 18 and 30, from a variety of different backgrounds: youth activists, youth workers, students, young politicians, and more. They are selected via an online application process and represent a balanced group with regard to gender, cultural background, age and experience. In addition to the youth delegate a substitute is always chosen from each member State.

Acting as youth delegate

  • Participating as a youth delegate in the sessions (in-person or remote)

The Congress invites young people from different backgrounds to take part in its sessions in March and in October. They have the opportunity to give their opinions during the debates and to exchange views with the Congress members on the issues on the agenda.

  • Developing and implementing projects between the sessions

As a part of their participation, youth delegates have been required to develop their own projects at local and regional level. For this, they will have the support of the trainers in the form of mentoring sessions to develop and assess their ideas.

Participation of Youth delegates in Congress sessions
News

Back John WARMISHAM: "The integration of young Roma involves their political participation"

John WARMISHAM:

Addressing the participants of the “5th Dialogue with the Roma and Traveller Civil Society”, in Strasbourg, on 20 June 2018, Congress Spokesperson on Roma and Traveller Issues, John WARMISHAM (United Kingdom, SOC), presented an overview of the situation of Roma in Europe and, in particular, of Roma youth who “carry the heavy burden of constant discrimination”.

‘’Young people are not only our future, they are our present. They are capable of bringing change now and we need to build our activities on this potential’’ he stated during the Plenary session on “Securing political presence and representation for Roma and Travellers in politics, public life and decision making mechanisms”.

‘’We as the Congress call on local and regional authorities to develop, facilitate and fund networks, centres and training courses that allow Roma youth to step out of the shadows and become a relevant part in decision making bodies and civil society’’ he added underlining that education and employment are still areas where anti-Gypsyism creates barriers to integration.

Mr. WARMISHAM mentioned the positive results of the European Alliance of Cities and Regions for Roma Inclusion, set up by the Congress in 2013 and which is contributing to the creation of national Roma Networks. The first networks were created in Ukraine (2017) and Greece (2018), and the Congress is considering setting up similar networks in other Council of Europe member States.

“It is up to us, local politicians, to put in place structures in which young Roma can participate for better integration into political life. I encourage you all to make your voices heard in your municipalities and to ask for appropriate structures where they do not yet exist," he concluded.

 

Strasbourg, France 20 June 2018
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Youth delegates present via video messages the projects they have carried out in their communities.

Contacts

Table Office
[email protected] 

Institutional Communication Unit
Dmitri Marchenkov