The 14th World Forum for Democracy is taking place this week in Strasbourg!

Running from 2 to 3 November 2026, the World Forum for Democracy brings together political decision-makers, civil society representatives, academics, experts and young people. Under the theme “Rupture or Renewal? Democratic Security for Our Future”, it explores how democracies can anticipate change, strengthen their resilience and renew themselves for future generations.

 This year’s edition marks a key milestone in the consultation process for the New Democratic Pact for Europe, a Council of Europe initiative aimed at strengthening democratic foundations and making democracy more inclusive, participatory and responsive to people’s needs. Focusing on democratic foresight, the World Forum encourages participants to look beyond immediate threats and consider the choices that can help secure democracy in the long term.

 Young people are essential partners in this reflection. The Council of Europe’s Youth Department has brought together a delegation of around 50 young people from across the world to contribute their perspectives, experiences and proposals to the World Forum and the wider consultation on the New Democratic Pact for Europe.

To support their meaningful participation, the delegation gathered at the European Youth Centre Strasbourg on 31 October and 1 November for a dedicated preparatory weekend. This provided a space for participants to get to know one another, exchange experiences from their communities and deepen their understanding of the Forum’s themes.

 Through non-formal education, group work and collective reflection, the young delegates prepared to engage actively in discussions with political decision-makers and other stakeholders. They explored how young people experience democratic challenges in different contexts, identified shared concerns and considered how youth perspectives can contribute to concrete solutions. The preparation also helped strengthen their capacity to represent the diversity of young people's voices and bring the outcomes of the World Forum back to their organisations and communities.

Over the next two days, the delegation will take part in the World Forum’s discussions and contribute a youth perspective to the debate on democratic security, resilience and renewal.

  The delegation's participation builds on the momentum generated by Youth Innovating Democracy, an event held at the European Youth Centre Strasbourg in June 2026, and its Manifesto: Youth Visions for a European Democracy in 2049. The youth delegation's contribution to the World Forum continues this reflection on how young people can help shape more inclusive, participatory and resilient democracies.

 The Youth Department's programme will continue on 4 November with a dedicated Youth Day at the European Youth Centre, under the theme “Think globally, act locally!”. Organised as an extension of the World Forum for Democracy, with the support of the French authorities, around 130 young participants will reflect on global democratic challenges and explore how young people can take action in their own communities to bring democracy closer to people's everyday lives.