The Youth Event “Young People for Democracy: Youth Perspectives in Action” was the key preparatory session of the 10^th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Youth. The youth delegates developed proposals on learning, protecting, and innovating democracy, where they also had the opportunity to discuss their suggestions with the Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset. Their proposals - developed over the first day of the Youth Event - will directly inform the process of the New Democratic Pact for Europe, further underscoring the Council of Europe's commitment to co-creating Europe’s democratic future with its young people.

On the second day of the Youth Event, following opening remarks from Advisory Council on Youth and Maltese representatives, participants began drafting proposals on how young people can learn and practice democracy, protect democratic institutions and rights, and innovate democratic participation in the face of rising continental challenges.

In the morning, the delegates were joined by Theodoros Rousopoulos, President of the PACE, as well as Despina Chatzivassiliou, Secretary General of PACE, to discuss ways forward in strengthening the youth perspective in the work of Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

Ms Chatzivassiliou underlined PACE’s steadfast commitment to the youth perspective by reaffirming that, “meaningful and impactful youth policies are not only about promoting participation in electoral and decision-making processes, but also about creating democratic space for youth organisations, providing young people with opportunities for intergenerational dialogue and supporting their social engagement.”

The urgency of this work was also amplified during an exchange with Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset, who emphasised young people’s vital role in the New Democratic Pact for Europe. The Pact's essence, he told audiences, is to renew democracy, rebuild trust, and "show that democracy delivers, especially for your generation".

“Some say young people are turning away from democracy”, Mr Berset said, “[…] but what I see is that many young people feel democracy has turned away from them.”

With the rising costs of living and housing out of reach, education and welfare systems cut back, freedoms once again jeopardised, fear and mistrust used as weapons built on disinformation, AI being a source of division rather than a force of good – all these everyday problems bring many young people to think it is no longer important to live in a democracy.

“That is the challenge before all of us – to bring democracy back into people’s lives,” the Secretary General stated, adding that the process starts with youth – young people who want democracy as a lived experience.

In the afternoon, youth delegates also had the opportunity to have a meaningful exchange with Naomi Cachia, PACE Youth Rapporteur and Veronique Bertholle, thematic Spokesperson on Youth at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe.

The Youth Event was then concluded by Tobias Flessenkemper, Head of Youth Department at the Council of Europe, alongside Nina Grmusa, Chair of the Advisory Council on Youth and Rares Voicu, President of the European Youth Forum.

Between 6-8 October, the Youth Event brought together over 80 young leaders, national youth delegates, and representatives of youth organisations from across Europe. Over two days, participants have exchanged ideas, crafted proposals, and built partnerships to strengthen young people’s role in democratic renewal. The event sets the stage for the 10^th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for youth and contributes to the to the consultation process under the New Democratic Pact for Europe.