International Youth Day this year comes at a time when two major challenges are facing young people – the climate crisis and a pandemic which is causing major changes in work, mobility, education, social interaction and our sense of safety. For many of us, it has also led to the tragic loss of loved ones. The pandemic even accelerated technological progress which was already having a huge impact on all aspects of life. In these times of uncertainty and legitimate concern for our future, we also see increasing challenges for the values at the core of our societies – human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.

The theme of International Youth Day this year, Youth Engagement for Global Action, serves to remind us that the solutions to tackle the global challenges impacting young people most profoundly need to be designed and implemented by, for and with young people, at all levels of governance – from local to global. Indeed, as the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers notes in its Resolution on the Council of Europe youth sector strategy 2030, “(…) the sustainability of any democratic society relies on the creativity, dynamism, social commitment and competences of its young people”.

During the pandemic, young people have been mobilising to provide solutions to challenges faced by medical staff, the elderly and other people most at risk, companies and NGOs. Through all of this, young people have been bringing relief and a sense of hope to their communities. Inspired by this positive involvement in this and many other contexts, we are resolved to support youth, within the framework of the Council of Europe youth sector’s programme of activities, to be active agents in (re‑)building our communities in an inclusive and cohesive manner and to have an active role in shaping policies through democratic, political and civic involvement at local, national and international levels.  These policies should include responses to global issues as they affect young people, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, the climate crisis, technological advancements, including internet governance and artificial intelligence policies, and many more. In all of these endeavours, we call upon young people to act in full respect of the Council of Europe’s values of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, values which they have many times upheld in recent years throughout Europe, including through social movements.

The Council of Europe co-management system in the field of youth brings together young people and government representatives to decide on the Organisation’s youth programme in a spirit of consensus. We reiterate our commitment to this form of co-decision-making and our belief in its value and invite public authorities and other stakeholders at all levels to create similar frameworks for youth participation.

Will young people face these challenges with a renewed sense of community, or, rather, in an individualistic manner? Will they value political and social dialogue, building consensus to allow societies to advance in full respect of everyone’s human rights? Or will they become advocates of conflict and suppression? Will they strive to build inclusive societies ensuring quality of life for all, or will they disregard the needs and challenges of the most vulnerable?

Let this International Youth Day serve as a moment for reflection for all of us, young people, policymakers and other stakeholders, on the impact of our action – or inaction – on the questions above. And let us all act, to the best of our abilities, to empower young people to respond in a positive manner and be at the core of progress, through Youth Engagement for Global Action!

The opinions expressed in this statement are those of its authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the

Council of Europe or its member states.