Newsroom of DG Democracy and Human Dignity
Sexuality education: Teaching about consent, boundaries and respect from an early age helps protect children from violence
Safe, healthy and respectful partnerships are the basis of a child’s well-being. Comprehensive sexuality education supports children’s understanding of consent, bodily integrity and personal autonomy, boundaries and power dynamics. It helps them express their own emotions constructively,...
Building Europe–Africa co-operation to protect children from sexual violence
On 13 October 2026, Maria José Castello-Branco, Chairperson of the Committee of the Parties to the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and...
Protection of national minorities in Slovakia: legal and institutional framework in place, but concerns remain
Council of Europe expert committee indicates concerns about several issues, notably over Roma school segregation
Intercultural learning at the heart of youth policy: Training course organised by the Council of Europe and the Directorate for Youth, Non-Formal Education and Voluntary Organisations
From 6 to 9 October 2026, the Council of Europe Youth Department and the Directorate for Youth, Non-Formal Education and Voluntary Organisations (DJEPVA), part of the French Ministry of Sport,...
Inclusive societies, stronger democracies: Council of Europe to launch 10 Principles in Madrid
How can Europe strengthen democracy in increasingly diverse and rapidly changing societies? How can inclusion, participation and a sense of belonging contribute to more resilient and cohesive...
World Mental Health Day 2026: listening to young people and supporting their well-being
World Mental Health Day takes place every year on 10 October. It was first celebrated in 1992 at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health. The theme for 2026 is “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change”. Listening to people with lived experience of mental health-related...
Return, reintegration and rehabilitation of Ukrainian children in focus during Special Envoy’s visit to Kyiv
Programme included ministerial meetings and visit to Kyiv City Rehabilitation Centre for children with disabilities
Manipulating history, undermining democracy
How quality history education can help prevent democratic backsliding in Europe
Public support to NGOs in Slovenia: Presidents of CINGO and its Expert Council concerned about recent developments
In a letter sent today to the Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the Council of Europe, the presidents of the Conference of INGOs and of its Expert Council on NGO Law express concerns...
Belgium: Anti-trafficking experts welcome progress but express concern over vulnerabilities to human trafficking
Growing number of suspected victims despite recent changes to law and practices
Taking child-friendly justice forward in Europe
Launch of Phase II of the Joint European Union -Council of Europe Project on Child-friendly Justice On 29 September 2026, the Children’s Rights Division of the Council of Europe and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers (DG JUST) launched Phase II of the joint...
Council of Europe to develop guidance on preventing sexual violence and harmful sexual behaviour by children
On 23 September 2026, the Committee of Experts on the prevention of violence held a special hearing on preventing sexual violence and harmful sexual behaviour by children. Harmful...
Publication: Factsheet on preventing and combating racism and intolerance in and through sports
The Secretariat of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) published a factsheet bringing together ECRI’s key recommendations on preventing and combating racism and...
Climate risks, violence against women, social rights on the agenda of the international NGOs conference
Ahead of its 50th anniversary, the Conference of international NGOs (CINGO) to hold its biannual session in Strasbourg
European Court of Human Rights amends its Rules allowing to request a special representative for a child
Starting from 25 March 2027, the European Court of Human Rights will be able to appoint, in certain special circumstances, an independent representative for a child applicant and, exceptionally, for a third party who is a child. The change follows amendments introduced to the Rules of Court...
First Council of Europe Strategy for equal rights of LGBTI people adopted, new report on anti-LGBTI hate speech released
The 2027-32 strategy sets a common direction for ensuring that LGBTI people fully enjoy their human rights
President of the Conference of INGOs condemns recent actions targeting LGBTI persons in Türkiye
The Conference of International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) of the Council of Europe is deeply concerned by reports of coordinated raids, detentions and restrictions targeting LGBTI...
Young people for peace and mutual understanding - International Day of Peace
When the European Youth Foundation was created in 1972, its mission was enshrined in its Statute as “to promote youth co-operation in Europe by providing financial support to such European youth activities as serve the promotion of peace, understanding and co-operation between the people of...
Elise Jalladeau takes over from Susan Newman Baudais
The Council of Europe has appointed Elise Jalladeau as Executive Director of Eurimages. She succeeds Susan Newman Baudais, who will step down upon her retirement. Elise Jalladeau joins Eurimages on 1 October 2026 from the Thessaloniki International Film Festival, where she served as Director...
Ukraine signs Council of Europe’s Convention on the co-production of audiovisual works in the form of series
Signature took place on the margins of the Carpathian Summit focusing on extending regional integration