Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Luxembourg were welcomed by Matjaž Gruden, Director of the Council of Europe’s Directorate for Democracy. The Head of the Youth Department, Tobias Flessenkemper has given a tour of the European Youth Centre to Their Royal Highnesses and presented the Centre’s main areas of activity and its role as a living standard in promoting youth participation across Europe.

Matjaž Gruden said on this occasion: “In the European Youth Centre young people work directly with the Council of Europe to anchor democratic values in our societies of today and tomorrow.  We have confidence in young people’s commitment, resilience and creativity which are key for democratic innovation. The European Youth Centre is a unique hub for revitalising democracy across Europe, showing how diversity and inclusion build strong democracies.”

The visit also included an exchange on the Council of Europe’s youth priorities, particularly its work on human rights education. It touched upon the upcoming conference on Quality Label centres, scheduled for May 2025, which will take place under the Luxembourg Presidency of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers. As it was underlined, the European Youth Centre and the Quality Label centres like Marienthal in Luxembourg are indispensable anchors for democratic values among young people and communities at large.

Additionally, the forthcoming 10th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth was a key topic of conversation.

The visit concluded with an emphasis on the crucial role young people play in shaping the future of Europe. Their Royal Highnesses' visit to the European Youth Centre reflects Luxembourg’s commitment to supporting youth empowerment and fostering mutual respect and understanding in our diverse societies, which is among Luxembourg’s Presidency’s priorities.