Strasbourg, 10 November – Ten local leaders from Ukraine (local councillors and young activists) attended the 2017 World Forum for Democracy “Is populism a problem?”, held in Strasbourg from 8 to 10 November. They reflected on the role of political parties and media in the context of rising populism, identifying civic education and youth engagement as important means to tackle the issue of populism in their communities.

This study visit is organised in the framework of the project “Promoting local democracy in Ukraine”, part of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine 2015-2017. The project aims to improve the implementation of democratic principles in Ukraine, by enhancing the institutional and leadership capacities of local elected representatives, and disseminating nation-wide good practices of local democracy.

Ukraine joined the Council of Europe on 9 November 1995, ratified the European Charter of Local Self-Government on 11 September 1997 and its Additional Protocol on the right to participate in the affairs of a local authority on 2 September 2014. Countries which have ratified the Charter are bound by its provisions. The Charter entails compliance with a minimum number of rights and principles, which are the European bedrock of local selfgovernment.The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe ensures respect for these principles.

Contact:

Marité Moras, Head of Unit, Co-operation and External Relations Department, Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Tel: +33 3 88 41 22 33

Svitlana Gryshchenko, Project Manager, Council of Europe Office in Kyiv, Tel: +380 96 340 13 83