The Conference of International NGOs (CINGO) held its Spring 2026 session on 15-17 April 2026. Highlights of the session included:
- presentation of CINGO’s annual activity report for 2025 and preparation of activities in 2026, especially in relation to the Conference’s 50th Anniversary. It was agreed in particular to hold a high-level event at the Conference’s Autumn session;
- two special thematic debates, one on Hate Speech and Hate Crime and Discrimination (with a focus on Anti-Semitism and hatred against LGBTQI communities), and one on youth employment, participation, and the role of civil society in enabling inclusive pathways to work;
- final activity reports from CINGO thematic committees (for their possible prolongation for one year) and the Expert Council on NGO Law, as well as feedback by CINGO representatives from their participation Council of Europe bodies;
- consideration and endorsement of final reports from the recent country visits to Serbia and to Greece;
- adoption of a Recommendation on “Ensuring climate justice, the protection of vulnerable populations and social cohesion in the face of energy instability and international climate disengagement” and a Resolution carrying a Declaration on the Rights of the Child in Europe in connection with CINGO’s 50th Anniversary.
The Conference further agreed to resume consideration, at the Autumn session, of draft texts on a Council of Europe platform for inter-religious dialogue, and on fighting antisemitism and other forms of hatred.
CINGO also held a debate on Israel’s law on death penalty passed by the Knesset on 30 March 2026 and agreed that the President addresses a letter to the authorities of the country conveying CINGO’s concerns. The matter would remain under review until Isreal’s Supreme Court renders its decision on the constitutionality of the law.
The documents adopted and the abridged report of the session are all published on the webpage of the Spring session.
