The Reykjavik Declaration and Principles for Democracy identifies the importance of young people and youth policy and calls to support the participation of young people in democratic life. The Russian Federation's full-scale aggression against Ukraine, its genocidal intent, and calculated acts of terror are affecting young people in Ukraine in all aspects of their lives.
To mark the anniversary of the Council of Europe in Ukraine is not only important but necessary step in defending young people’s right to a democratic future in Ukraine and all over Europe. The reconstruction of Ukraine will be a generational task, to be mastered, to large extent by the young people. It is essential to ensure that young people’s vital contribution to safeguarding democracy, the rule of law, and human rights does result in real participation in decision-making processes. Anchoring a youth dimension in the Ukraine Recovery Conference would be a step in the right direction.
These were some of the key messages conveyed during the round table Youth, Ukraine, Europe: Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction. The round table organised by the Council of Europe, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, was one of the first events to mark the 75th anniversary of the Council of Europe, in one of its members states.
Iryna Borovets, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, thanked for the unwavering support that the Council of Europe, member states and the Secretary General are providing to Ukraine in these difficult times. She expressed gratitude for the exclusion of Russia, the establishment of the Register of Damages, support for President Zelenskyi's Peace Formula, and the protection of Ukrainian children. I. Borovets stressed that Ukrainian youth has always been the driving force of democratic processes in the country: “The Revolution of Dignity once again demonstrated the readiness of our youth to defend the pro-European choice. Today, Ukrainian youth are fighting in the frontlines, continue studying under shelling, and organize rallies across the Globe. Our joint efforts will help us overcome the brutal aggression against our country”. She added that young people are actively forming a strong civil society in the country, which is well known beyond the borders of Ukraine for its effectiveness.
Erlend Falch, Deputy Head of the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine, underlined that the title of the roundtable mirrored the title of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine, “Resilience, Recovery, and Reconstruction," which signals both the important role that youth have in the reconstruction and recovery process, and also the need for comprehensive youth policies founded on human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.
For Andrii Chesnokov, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, young activists engaged in the Council of Europe projects were not only drivers of change but also the support of the Ministry in strengthening the economic capacity of youth, involving all young people in reconstruction, and creating prerequisites for their return to their native communities from other regions of Ukraine or from abroad.
"By marking 75 years of the Council of Europe here in Kyiv today, we defend young people's right to a democratic future in Ukraine and all over Europe," said Tobias Flessenkemper, Head of the Council of Europe's Youth Department. He went on to say that confidence in tomorrow is built together with youth organisations and civil society by fostering youth perspectives for resilience, recovery and reconstruction, and by ensuring youth participation in decision-making.
The event brought together members of the Verkhovna Rada, competent ministries, youth representatives, and youth organisations, as well as the Council of Europe member states and international partners. The round table served as platform to mainstream youth perspectives in the context of Ukraine’s recovery efforts and to support Ukrainian authorities in developing comprehensive policies for young people in Ukraine today and after the end of the war.
Following the discussion, the Council of Europe Youth Department and the Ukrainian Youth Foundation signed a Letter of Intent aimed to support the Foundation's efforts to become a fully viable local mechanism for supporting youth projects and organisations as hubs for civic engagement and democratic participation.
The principal conclusions from the Kyiv commemorative event will be conveyed to Strasbourg to inform over 120 youth leaders from 46 member states of the youth event "Confidence in Tomorrow" in the run up to the Committee of Ministers meetings marking the Council of Europe anniversary.
