Discover the latest news from the Council of Europe on human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Browse news and updates by country, theme and institution.
School protests in France: ‘Place dialogue and mediation at the heart of policing demonstrations’
Saskia Kluit (Netherlands, SOC), Chairperson of the PACE Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development, made today the following statement: “The wave of protests and school blockages led by high school students in France who are demanding a better school education system has...
Prince Albert of Monaco and President Martins Seguro of Portugal to address Parliamentary Assembly
Václav Havel prize to be awarded; Secretary General Berset to hold Q&A.
“What brings Europe together is more than geography” - Alain Berset in Zurich
Secretary General reflects on the future of European unity on the 80th anniversary of Churchill’s seminal speech in Zurich
Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset to pay official visit to Latvia
Discussions to focus on Ukraine’s future, democratic security, and responses to new threats to democracy
International Youth Day: young people as equal partners in democracy
Sona Ghazaryan (Armenia, ALDE), Chairperson of the Sub-Committee on Youth and the Society of the Future, and Yevheniia Kravchuk (Ukraine, ALDE), Youth rapporteur of the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media, made the following statement today: “On the occasion of 2026 International...
“Dear democracy, our youth is yours”
Democracy is worth fighting for, say young people on the International Youth Day
Council of Europe Congress Spokesperson on Youth reaffirms commitment to supporting the aspirations of young people across Europe
Strasbourg, 11.08.2026 – “Young people across Europe come from different communities, cultures and backgrounds, yet they often share a common aspiration: to have a meaningful voice in...
Parliamentary Assembly Parliamentary Network to conduct study visit to Romania in support of Ukrainian children
A delegation of the PACE Parliamentary Network on the situation of the children of Ukraine will carry out a study visit to Maramureș County, Romania, from 12 to 14 August 2026. The central programme will take place on 13 August in Moisei, alongside the concluding evaluation of the international...
International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2026: Statement by the Council of Europe International Co-operation Group on Drugs and Addictions (Pompidou Group)
On the occasion of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the Council of Europe International Co-operation Group on Drugs and Addictions (Pompidou Group) reaffirms its commitment to addressing drug-related challenges and addictions through balanced, evidence-based and...
Youth Innovating Democracy: Congress leads a workshop on an eco-system for youth participation
“Deliberative democracy, involving citizens’ assemblies, is an innovative approach that goes beyond mere citizen consultations, and provides space where citizens’ voices – including those of...
Rejuvenating politics and delivering on promises of equality and participation: milestone event in Strasbourg
Young people are shaping the New Democratic Pact for Europe
Strengthening action against illegal drug trafficking via general aviation: International experts gather in Strasbourg for the 7th Expert Network Session
On 10 and 11 June 2026, Strasbourg became the focal point for over 70 international experts, law enforcement, and border officials committed to countering the misuse of private aircrafts, helicopters and other non-commercial aviation for illegal drug trafficking and related illicit financial...
Safe digital environments: Pompidou Group’s advancing action on the mental health and wellbeing of children and youth online
Policymakers, researchers and practitioners from the Pompidou Group member States and internationally gathered in Vienna and online on 2–3 June 2026 for a thematic seminar dedicated to the topic of online and digital addictions....
Europe strengthens co-operation on drug policy and addictions at Pompidou Group meeting in Vienna
How can Europe respond more effectively to organised crime linked to drug trafficking, protect human rights, and tackle emerging forms of addiction in an increasingly digital world? These questions were at the centre of the 98th meeting of the Pompidou Group of the Council of Europe, held in...
Pompidou Group adopts new Guidelines to strengthen member States' response to drug-related organised crime (OC-DT)
The Permanent Correspondents of the Pompidou Group have adopted new Guidelines designed to strengthen member States’ response to Organised Crime linked to Drug Trafficking, while ensuring full respect for human rights.
Conference addresses growing involvement of youth in terrorism and violent extremism
Digital spaces like gaming platforms can allow radicalisation to grow
Congress Highlights – New edition published
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities has issued its latest biannual publication Congress Highlights covering key activities from May to December 2025. The publication presents the...
Help us update "Solutions Exist!" board game on youth participation
"Solutions Exist!" was developed in Ukraine in 2023–2024 in response to requests from national and local partners of the Council of Europe project "Youth for Democracy in Ukraine: Phase III",...
First Meeting of the Joint Council on Youth in 2026!
On 24-25 March, the Joint Council on Youth came together for its first statutory meeting of the year with the new Advisory Council on Youth (CCJ) starting into its mandate of 2026-2027. The...
From Commitment to Implementation: Making Social Rights Real for Young People
Young people across Europe face significant barriers to accessing their social rights, including unpaid internships, low wages, and inadequate protection in certain jobs. These challenges are...
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