Georgia which took over the presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on 27 November 2019, is committed to strengthening youth engagement.

The Georgian Presidency will support measures that contribute to building democratic and inclusive societies through the development of a culture of democracy, notably by promoting education for democratic citizenship, human rights education and youth participation as well as by engaging with young people in civil society. For Georgia, young people are fundamental partners in the consolidation of democracy, human rights and the rule of law and thus have a vital role to play in fostering the Council of Europe’s values. This priority is fully consistent with those of the “Youth for Democracy” Programme, which was adopted by the Committee of Ministers last month in the framework of the Programme and Budget for 2020-2021.

This commitment is manifest in the Georgian Presidency’s decision to organise an informal exchange of views on “strengthening democracy through youth engagement in the Council of Europe and its member states” between the Ministers’ Deputies and key representatives of young people on 23 January 2020.

The exchange of views will be opened by:

•  Ambassador Irakli Giviashvili, President of the Ministers’ Deputies
•  Ms Marija Pejčinović Burić, Secretary General of the Council of Europe

Presentations will be made by:

• Anja Olin Pape, Chair of the Joint Council on Youth (CMJ) and Chair of the Advisory Council on Youth (CCJ)
  “The Council of Europe’s co-management system as a living example of participatory democracy”
• Revaz Charkviani, Head of the Georgian Youth Agency and Advisor to the Prime Minister on Youth Affairs
  “The Georgian Youth Agency and its role in promoting meaningful youth participation at national level”
• Ville Majamaa, Vice President of the European Youth Forum (YFJ)
  “The European Youth Forum: “the voice of young people in Europe” empowering young people to participate actively in society”
• Niels de Fraguier, Founder of SAY (Sustainability & Advocacy by Youth) and former youth delegate of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe
  “The perspective of a youth activist on the importance of youth participation and empowerment”

 For further information on the priorities of the Georgian presidency

 For further information on the priorities of the Youth for Democracy Programme for 2020-2021