Malta, 6 October 2025 – The Youth Event of the 10^th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Youth opened today in Malta with welcome remarks from Keith Azzopardi Tanti, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research and Innovation, Malta, Cherise Sultana, President, National Youth Council Malta, and Maurizio Cuttin, Vice-Chair, Advisory Council on Youth.

 The event brings together over 80 young leaders, national youth delegates, and representatives of youth organisations from across Europe.

Over the coming days, participants will exchange ideas, craft proposals, and build partnerships to strengthen young people’s role in democratic renewal.

Held under the title “Young People for Democracy: Youth Perspectives in Action,” the Youth Event sets the stage for the Ministerial Conference that will follow later in the week. Both gatherings are also linked closely to the New Democratic Pact for Europe, the Council of Europe’s initiative to revitalise democracy and reinforce its foundations through inclusive participation and innovation.

 Through plenary sessions and thematic working groups, participants will explore how young people can learn and practice democracy, protect democratic institutions and rights, and innovate participation in response to growing democratic challenges across the continent. Their ideas and proposals will be shared directly with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, and other high-level representatives during the week.

The Youth Event also aims to embed a youth perspective into the outcomes of the Ministerial Conference, helping to shape follow-up actions at both national and European levels. It builds on the Reykjavik Principles for Democracy and on the Council of Europe’s long-standing co-management system, where young people and government representatives jointly shape youth policy.

 By gathering a new generation of youth leaders, policymakers, and activists, the Malta Youth Event reaffirms the Council of Europe’s commitment to ensuring that democracy’s future in Europe is co-created with young people – not only as beneficiaries, but as essential partners in its renewal.

  For detailed information, consult the webpage of the Youth Event . 

 Follow the event on the Youth Department social media channels 

•  Instagram 
•   Facebook
•   LinkedIn