The youth in Belarus has never experienced democracy and is living in a constant fear of persecution. Many involved in any form of independent civic activity - whether formal or informal, local or international - has either been incarcerated or forced to flee. Youth participation in democratic decision-making processes is essential to enable positive change and hope in Belarus. Despite the multifaceted challenges young people in and from Belarus are constantly finding new ways to associate, meet, exchange, and disrupt with their creativity, and leadership across the spectrum of Belarusian democratic forces and civil society in exile.
These were key messages from the strategic workshop “A youth agenda for democracy and human rights in Belarus” which brought together youth leaders and activists for democracy, along with political decision-makers from the Council of Europe, including Belarusian democratic forces.
Apart from strengthening skills to participate in democratic processes effectively and meaningfully, participants engaged in discussions with members and secretariat of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, and Belarusian democratic forces, with view of influencing the European policy agenda by providing direct input to the decision-makers.
The strategic workshop was organised by the Council of Europe Youth Department, in co-operation with the Belarusian National Youth Council “RADA” as a part of the Luxembourg Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. The activity is implemented under the project “Democratic participation with Belarusian Youth Civil Society (2024-2025)” in the context of the work of the Contact Group On co-operation with Representatives of Belarusian democratic forces and civil society.
The workshop also complemented the ongoing dialogue between the Council of Europe and Belarusian democratic forces, particularly on the level of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and Congress.
