The International Day of Democracy, celebrated worldwide on 15 September, is a good opportunity to recall the challenges faced by democracies and the important role that young people can and must play in revitalising democratic processes.

The Youth Department supports young activists and civil society to advocate for the implementation and expansion of Council of Europe standards for democracy, human rights and youth participation at local, national and international level. A training course on youth advocacy is being organised in partnership with the European Youth Forum and the German Federal Youth Council. The course takes place in the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg between 18 and 23 September 2023.

The Reykjavik summit of Heads of State and Governments of the member states of the Council of Europe, held in May 2023, re-affirmed the commitment of the member states to the mission and the standards of the institution. The important role played by young people and civil society is also recognised in the Reykjavik Declaration – United around our values:

(…) youth participation in decision-making processes improves the effectiveness of public policies and strengthens democratic institutions through open dialogue.

To follow-up on this, the Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić inaugurated today a regular exchange of views with civil society, including youth civil society: “I have prepared a Roadmap of proposals addressing all aspects of our intergovernmental work – standard-setting, monitoring and co-operation activities – including outreach to youth organisations – and building on what has already been achieved.”

The youth sector of the Council of Europe, with it’s unique co-management system, provides an excellent example of participatory democratic decision-making. Furthermore, the Council of Europe youth strategy 2030 outlines as a key priority for the sector “Revitalising pluralistic democracy”, highlighting the importance of youth participation in all its forms in community life, and especially in decision making.

 The youth campaign Democracy Here | Democracy Now, run by the Youth Department in 2022,  at the initiative of the Joint Council on Youth, raised awareness among young people, youth civil society and as well as decision makers on the dangers posed by continued backsliding of democracy in Europe and an increasing mistrust between young people and democratic institutions. The key event of the campaign, the Youth Action Week (June 2022, Strasbourg) issued a Call for Action that outlines 50 proposals for short and mid-term action to be taken by young people, youth civil society and authorities to revitalise democracy. Participants also recalled:

…all processes to revitalize democracy must start with the respect and thorough implementation and monitoring of existing Council of Europe standards, and lead to their further development.

Youth Revitalising Democracy is a project that builds up on the Call for Action, and aims to restore mutual trust between young people and democratic institutions and processes. The project features activities at European and Youth activities for democracy and human rights will follow in the upcoming months with the support of young activists and youth civil society. To find out more about youth actions for democracy, visit www.democracyherenow.coe.int

 We invite you to also share what you are doing to revitalise democracy in your communities by taking on social media and using the #democracyherenow.