Previous meetings:

March 2023

October 2022

March 2022

October 2021

March 2021

October 2020

March 2020

October 2019

March 2019

October 2018

March 2018

October 2017

 Statutory bodies in March 2023

The youth statutory bodies met in Strasbourg from 13 to 15 March 2023 for the first of their biannual meetings of the year. Contrary to tradition, the meetings were not held in the European Youth Centre Budapest so as to be able to invite, for an exchange of views, the Permanent Representation of Iceland, which was president of the Committee of Ministers and would host the 4th Summit of Heads of State and Government in Reykjavik in May.  The presidency of Iceland had named children and youth, and also the environment, amongst its priorities.

During its meeting, the Joint Council on Youth:

  • called upon the member states to include a youth perspective in the work of the Council of Europe, as an outcome of the 4th Summit, in order to  create sustainable policies which will also meet the needs of future generations
  • agreed to retain the current five strategic priorities – revitalising pluralistic democracy; young people’s access to rights; living together in peaceful and inclusive societies; youth work; and developing and improving youth policy based on Council of Europe standards – for the new programming period 2024-27, consistent with the Youth sector strategy 2030 and the Secretary General's Strategic Framework for the Council of Europe;
  • agreed on the expected results for 2024-27, to be submitted to the Committee of Ministers for final approval;
  • discussed the youth sector's support to young people, youth workers and youth civil society organisations in Ukraine and welcomed the youth chapter in the new Council of Europe Action Plan on Ukraine: Recovery, Resilience and Reconstruction, to strengthen participatory youth policies and reinforce youth work in both the war and post-war contexts taking into account the specific needs of young people;
  • set up a Working Group to exchange views and co-ordinate activities on capacity-building for advocacy and democratic participation for youth representatives of Belarusian civil society, agreed by the Council of Europe Contact Group on co-operation with Representatives of Belarusian democratic forces and civil society.

Further information on the outcomes of the statutory meetings are available in the abridged reports.

Following a long career in the Council of Europe, mostly but not only in the Youth Department, the Joint Council on Youth thanked Antje Rothemund, Head of the Youth Department, for her long-standing commitment and service to the youth sector and to the Council of Europe as a whole and wished her well in her retirement.

Statutory bodies in October 2022

Democracy campaign, Roma youth participation, Ukrainian youth, climate change, rural youth, these are just some of the subjects discussed during the youth statutory meetings held in the European Youth Centre in Budapest from 10 to 12 October 2022.
Buoyed by the conclusions of the high-level reflection group of the Council of Europe, which wholeheartedly agreed that “building sustainable democracies requires the sustained involvement of youth”, the Joint Council on Youth worked through a full agenda and took important decisions for the future.

After only eight months’ work by the drafting group, the Joint Council was able to adopt the draft Committee of Ministers recommendation on Roma[1] youth participation.  The recommendation addresses the systematic discrimination faced by Roma young people in their access to social, economic, cultural, political, and civil rights, as well as the added forms of discrimination faced by Roma young women, LGBTI+, people with disabilities, migrants or Muslims.  This draft text will now be submitted to the Committee of Ministers for examination and adoption.

Following the successful Youth Action Week (27 June to 1July), the CMJ set up a co-managed group to co-ordinate the follow-up of the Democracy here | Democracy now youth campaign. A project will be drawn up for 2023 to enhance implementation of the campaign at national and local levels.
In order for work to be able to start in the next few months, co-managed drafting groups were set up to prepare Committee of Ministers recommendations on the role of young people in climate change and on the social, economic and political participation of young people from rural areas.  A co-managed group was also set up to draft CMJ guidelines on implementing Recommendation CM/Rec(2006)14 on citizenship and participation of young people in public life, and achieving meaningful participation at local and regional levels.

The conclusions of the spring Human Rights Forum (April 2022, Turin) and of the review of the Charter on Education Citizenship and Human Rights Education will be analysed during a consultative meeting to be held in early 2023.  The meeting will serve to prioritise further action in this field.
Finally, the Joint Council on Youth agreed to invite the Programming Committee on Youth to consider its request to grant 100 000 € from the voluntary contribution from Germany to a special European Youth Foundation call for activities for and with Ukrainian young people and organisations, both in that country and for those who have fled the war.

The youth sector’s agenda for the next few months has been consolidated following these important decisions from the Joint Council on Youth and the greatly appreciated voluntary contributions from Germany and France will be instrumental in the implementation of the youth sector’s programme of activities in the future.

[1] The term ‘Roma and Travellers’ is used at the Council of Europe to encompass the wide diversity of the groups covered by the work of the Council of Europe in this field: on the one hand, a) Roma, Sinti / Manush, Calé, Kaale, Romanichals, Boyash / Rudari; b) Balkan Egyptians (Egyptians and Ashkali); c) Eastern groups (Dom, Lom and Abdal); and, on the other hand, groups such as Travellers, Yenish, and the populations designated under the administrative term ‘“Gens du voyage’”, as well as persons who identify themselves as Gypsies. The present is an explanatory footnote, not a definition of Roma and/or Travellers.

The main decisions taken by the statutory bodies in March 2022

The meetings of the CDEJ, CCJ and CMJ were held for the first time hybrid format in the new four-year programming period from 21 to 23 March 2022. This was the first time the members had been able to meet in person since October 2019.

The European Steering Committee for Youth (CDEJ)

•    The CDEJ held an exchange of views on the measures taken by the CDEJ members to support the implementation of the Council of Europe’s campaign on revitalising democracy. It also took note of youth policy developments in member States.
•    The CDEJ took note of the implementation of the 2022 intergovernmental programme of activities and of the update provided by the secretariat.
•    The CDEJ took note of the update provided by the secretariat on the Council of Europe Quality Label for Youth Centres. It also decided to renew the Quality Label for the period 2021-2025 to the Marienthal Youth Centre, Luxembourg.
•    The CDEJ took stock of the progress achieved in the implementation, translations and dissemination of Council of Europe youth policy standards.
•    CDEJ took note of the oral updates provided on the current and upcoming Committee of Ministers’ presidencies.


The Advisory Council on Youth (CCJ)

•    The Advisory Council on Youth took note of the updates on main developments since October 2021.
•    The CCJ extended the mandate of the outgoing Bureau until 30 June 2022 or until the 2022 23 CCJ term of office has been designated by the CM, whichever is earliest;
•    The CCJ extended the current CPJ membership and substitutes until 30 June 2022 or until the 2022 23 CCJ term of office has been designated by the CM, whichever is earliest.

The Joint Council on Youth (CMJ)

•    The CMJ adopted a non-exhaustive list of measures and activities to be implemented in the Youth for Democracy programme, as well a statement condemning the aggression and expressing its unwavering support to Ukraine and its young people, citizens, residents and undocumented people.
•    The CMJ welcomed the updated roadmap in view of the increased relevance of the CM recommendation on supporting young refugees in transition to adulthood. Further translations are to be made, especially into the languages of countries neighbouring Ukraine.
•    Amongst the decisions on the thematic priorities, the CMJ agreed to start drafting a Committee of Ministers recommendation on the climate crisis, young people and democracy and nominated members to join the group working on a Committee of Ministers recommendation on the participation of Roma youth.
•    The CMJ applauded the news of the adoption by the Committee of Ministers of recommendation CM/Rec(2022)6 to member States on protecting youth civil society and young people, and supporting their participation in democratic processes.

The main decisions taken by the statutory bodies in October 2021

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the youth sector statutory plenary meetings were again held online. The meetings (CDEJ, CCJ and CMJ) were very well attended (more than 120 registered participants in all) and allowed for a number of important decisions to be taken:

The European Steering Committee for Youth (CDEJ)
  • held a roundtable discussion on the latest youth policy developments in Europe, including post-Covid-19 recovery plans in favour of young people by national authorities;
  • took note of the implementation of the 2021 intergovernmental programme of activities in the context of the continuing Covid-19 pandemic;
  • adopted its intergovernmental programme of activities for 2022 subject to the Covid-19 situation;
  • elected its Chair and Vice-Chair for 2022, its Bureau for 2022-2023 and its representatives on the Programming Committee on Youth (CPJ).
The Advisory Council on Youth (CCJ)
  • approved the final report of its Work Plan 2020-21;
  • agreed to set up an informal task force to work on preparation of the campaign, to be reviewed in March 2022.
The Joint Council on Youth (CMJ), in a spirit of co-management
  • Agreed to start a youth campaign entitled “Youth for Democracy – Democracy for Youth” in 2022, which should focus in particular on revitalising democracy, meaningful youth participation and digitalisation;
  • Approved a draft recommendation on protecting youth civil society and young people, and supporting their participation in democratic processes, as well as its draft explanatory memorandum, which will soon be examined by the Committee of Ministers;
  • Examined the conclusions of the review of the Committee of Ministers Recommendation on access to rights, and agreed to transmit them to the Committee of Ministers;
  • Acknowledged the progress with the “Human Rights Education Youth Programme” and with the implementation of a European Youth Work Agenda;
  • Agreed to the drafting of a CM recommendation on rural youth in the next programming period;
  • Took note of the ongoing work on artificial intelligence and young people, as well as of the Task Force on greening the youth sector.

The main decisions taken by the statutory bodies in March 2021

The European Steering Committee for Youth (CDEJ)
  • held a roundtable discussion on the latest youth policy developments in Europe, including any possible post-Covid-19 recovery plans in favour of young people by national authorities.
  • took note of the implementation so far of the 2021 intergovernmental programme of activities in the context of the continuing Covid-19 pandemic.
The Advisory Council on Youth (CCJ)
  • discussed its proposal to organise a CMJ thematic debate on Youth, peace and security today – successes and challenges.
  • noted the continued relevance of its Work Plan 2020-21.
  • amended its internal code of conduct to include a paragraph on combating sexual harassment.
  • elected its third substitute to the Programming Committee on Youth.
The Joint Council on Youth (CMJ), in a spirit of co-management
  • exchanged views with the Director of Democratic Participation on a possible future youth campaign.
  • agreed that a number of key parameters and conditions should be met, concerning financial and political support, before a campaign could be launched.
  • reiterated the need to guarantee the protection of young people’s fundamental and human rights during and after the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • took stock of the implementation of the 2020-2021 programme thus far (including the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic).
  • commended the composition of the Task Force on Roma youth participation as an example of co-management and cross-sectoral co-operation that should inspire future work on supporting Roma youth participation and combating antigypsyism.
  • agreed that its next Terms of Reference (subject to their approval by the Committee of Ministers) should include the drafting of a CM recommendation on promoting Roma youth participation.
  • agreed on “Youth, peace and security today - successes and challenges” as the theme of its online debate on 8 June 2021.
  • agreed to strengthen the co-operation between the Council of Europe and the European Commission in the implementation of the European Youth Work Agenda (EYWA).
Communication and transversality
  • The youth sector statutory bodies held fruitful exchanges of views with the Director of Democratic Participation, the Head of the Youth Department and the ADI-ROM's youth rapporteur.
  • The CMJ Roma rapporteur, Gender Equality Rapporteur, Rapporteur on mainstreaming disability issues,
    Co-ordinator on anti-racism and Co-ordinator on communications, outreach and visibility provided detailed updates.

The main decisions taken by the statutory bodies in October 2020

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the youth sector statutory committee plenary meetings took place via videoconference. These first ever fully online co-managed youth statutory meetings (CDEJ, CCJ and CMJ) were very well attended (more than 120 registered participants all in all) and successful.

Despite the constraints related to the use of an online platform, they fulfilled their main objectives in a spirit of co-management and a number of crucial decisions were taken by all three committees.

The European Steering Committee for Youth (CDEJ)

  • The CDEJ elected its new chair and vice-chair for 2021, as well as 3 representatives to the Programming Committee on Youth (CPJ).
  • The CDEJ also held a roundtable discussion on the latest youth policy developments in Europe, including the youth public authorities' response to the Covid-19 pandemic and related challenges.
  • The CDEJ welcomed the flexible implementation of the programme of assistance measures to member States for 2020 in order to adapt to the pandemic, and approved the draft intergovernmental programme for 2021.

The Advisory Council on Youth (CCJ)

  • The CCJ notably exchanged views on the state of play of the Advisory Council on Youth's Work Plan 2020-21 thus far.
  • It also welcomed the increased visibility of its work thanks to its newly adopted outreach, communications and visibility strategy.
  • The CCJ also proposed to appoint a co-ordinator on anti-racism, and this proposal was endorsed by the CMJ.

The Joint Council on Youth (CMJ)

  • The official opening of the CMJ meeting by the Director General on Democracy was followed by an exchange of views on the situation of the youth sector in the current context and on a future youth campaign.
  • Further to this exchange, the CMJ notably decided to launch a future flagship youth campaign focusing on "revitalising democracy" in 2022, on the occasion of the youth sector's 50th anniversary.
  • The CMJ also exchanged views on the results and recommendations of the CMJ Working Group on responses to Covid-19.
  • The committee decided on the follow-up to be given to the CMJ thematic debate on the "climate crisis and global governance".
  • The CMJ then took stock of the implementation of the 2020-2021 programme thus far (including the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic).
  • The CMJ discussed the youth dimension of the current and upcoming Committee of Ministers’ chairmanships (notably Greece and Germany), and the Council of Europe involvement in the 3rd European Youth Work Convention (December 2020) and in the implementation of a common European Youth Work Agenda between the EU and the Council of Europe.
  • The CMJ examined the youth sector's work on Artificial Intelligence and its impact of young people.
  • Finally, the CMJ approved the Council of Europe youth sector's draft priorities for 2022-23 (subject to the Committee of Ministers’ final approval, as well as its decision on a possible transition to a quadrennial programme and budget from 2022-2025).

The youth sector statutory bodies work on in spite of COVID-19!

The main decisions taken by the statutory bodies in March 2020

Although the youth sector statutory committee plenary meetings had to be cancelled, the European Steering Committee for Youth (CDEJ), the Advisory Council on Youth (CCJ) and the Joint Council on Youth (CMJ) continued to work online this week in order to ensure their essential functions in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thanks to written procedures, a number of important decisions were taken by all three committees.

Being the first meetings of the new 2020-21 biennium, the CDEJ and the CCJ elected their representatives to the Programming Committee on Youth (CPJ) for a two-year mandate. The CCJ elected its entire Bureau, and the CDEJ elected two new members to its Bureau.

The Joint Council on Youth

The CMJ appointed a new Gender Equality Rapporteur and a new Rapporteur on Roma and Traveller Issues for 2020-2021, and for the first time, appointed a co-ordinator on strategic communications, visibility and outreach.

A number of decisions that are important for the Youth for Democracy for programme were taken, including:

  • endorsement of the conclusions and recommendations of the review of the implementation of the Enter! Recommendation on access to social rights;
  • a green light for the group drafting a Committee of Ministers’ recommendation on protecting youth civil society to continue its work;
  • a request to ensure the impact of the Roma Youth Action Plan (RYAP) 2016-2019 is reflected in the Council of Europe Strategic Action Plan on Roma and Travellers;

At the conclusion of the “Youth.Together” project on social inclusion of refugees through youth work, the CMJ thanked the Flemish authorities for their financial support to the project, and the partners and participants for their commitment.

Looking to the future, the CMJ invited the Advisory Council on Youth to think about topics and methodologies for a new possible youth campaign in time for a discussion during the next plenary meeting, following the conclusions of the "lessons learned" working group.

The Advisory Council on Youth

The CCJ organised its contribution to the youth sector's activities by agreeing which member would follow which portfolio. It also decided to set up a COVID-19 support group to explore how best to adapt the Council of Europe youth sector’s work in light of the unprecedented circumstances in order to pursue its mission for the benefit of young people in Europe.

Celebrating the youth sector's achievements in 2018-19!

Some of the highlights of the October 2019 statutory meetings

Once again, large numbers of governmental and non-governmental representatives gathered together for the statutory meetings which were held in the European Youth Centre Strasbourg on 14-16 October 2019, proof again of the commitment the States Parties to the European Cultural Convention and of the representatives of young Europeans to the Council of Europe’s youth sector and its Youth for Democracy Programme.

On 15 and 16 October 2019, the Joint Council on Youth (CMJ) took stock of its numerous achievements during its current two-year mandate.

Of the youth sector’s flagship event of the year 2019 – the Enter! Youth Week – the Joint Council acknowledged its success and encouraged the Organisation, but also member states, to ensure it is given the full attention and follow-up it deserves, including through such processes as the Council of Europe Quality Label for Youth Centres and the Congress' Local Democracy Week.

The standard-setting work had continued in 2019 and the CMJ was in no doubt that the highlight of the year had been the adoption by the Committee of Ministers of its recommendation on supporting young refugees in transition to adulthood. This text, which was the fruit of close co-operation with the Council of Europe Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees, reaffirms the human rights of a particularly vulnerable group of young people.

The Council of Europe youth sector strategy 2030 was adopted to rapturous applause.  Wide-ranging consultations and in-depth discussions had been held over three years to ensure that this new strategy would frame the aims and objectives of the youth sector to be set in the programmes of the next five biennia while remaining flexible enough to adapt to any new challenges that may arise. 

Thanks to this Strategy and subject to its final adoption by the Committee of Ministers, the Council of Europe youth sector will continue to show its added value, its relevance, and its key role in associating young people with the Organisation’s values. Importantly, the Strategy will reaffirm the specific contribution of the Council of Europe youth sector to the objectives of the Organisation and its capacity to develop appropriate responses to new situations and challenges, for instance in the fields of climate crisis, Artificial Intelligence and internet governance.

The statutory meetings coincided with the announcement, by the World Future Council, that the Bronze World Future Policy Award 2019 had been conferred on the Council of Europe's co-management system! This prestigious Award recognised the Council of Europe’s cutting-edge youth co-management system as one of the world’s best policies to empower young people. Snežana Samardžić-Marković, Director General of Democracy who opened the CMJ meeting, warmly congratulated the Joint Council on Youth and hoped the Award would be an encouragement for all member states and stakeholders to continue supporting the excellent work the Council of Europe was doing to promote its youth policy standards for the benefit of all young people in Europe.

Finally, the Joint Council on Youth decided to hold its next thematic debate (March 2020) on “Climate crisis and global governance” (including the matter of youth participation in global decision-making processes).

European Steering Committee for Youth elects its new Bureau

The CDEJ elected its new Bureau as follows:

For a term of office from 1 January to 31 December 2020:

Ivan Hromada (Slovak Republic) as its Chair;
Miriam Teuma (Malta) as its Vice-Chair;

For the 2020-2021 term of office, Bureau members:

Zdenka Maskova (Czech Republic);
Menelaos A. Menelaou (Cyprus);
Kristine Kapanadze (Georgia);
Ion Donea (Moldova);
Jorge Orlando Quieros (Portugal);
Riccardo Venturini (San Marino).

Advisory Council on Youth

The Advisory Council forged stronger links with partners from other sectors of the Organisation, in particular with the Spokesperson on Youth and the youth delegates of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, and the Rapporteur on Youth of the Ad hoc committee of experts on Roma and Traveller issues (CAHROM).  It also extended the mandate of its current Bureau to March 2020 as its membership will be renewed in January.

Budgetary and political situation - Youth sector strategy 2030 - inclusion of young people with disabilities

 

Some of the highlights of the March 2019 statutory meetings

 

The commitment of the States Parties to the European Cultural Convention and of the representatives of young Europeans to the Council of Europe’s youth sector and its Youth for Democracy Programme was again evident in the large numbers of governmental and non-governmental representatives who took part in these statutory meetings in the European Youth Centre Budapest.

A spirit of shared purpose and commitment reigned in the meeting of the Joint Council on Youth (CMJ) proving once again the value of the co-managed decision-making bodies.

The governmental and non-governmental members voiced their shared hopes for the future of the Council of Europe in view of the current political crisis.  For the CMJ, two things are certain: the intrinsic link between the intergovernmental work and the role of the European Court of Human Rights, given that intergovernmental standards tackling emerging threats and challenges to society inform the Court’s rulings; and the fact that the Organisation’s education, youth and culture activities “contribute to repairing the broken links between citizens and decision makers”, as stated by the Council of Europe’s Secretary General.

In an open and inclusive spirit, the CMJ called on all member states to enable the Organisation to continue shaping generations of democracy and human rights-spirited young Europeans, as it has been doing successfully since 1972.

Further building blocks were added to the foundations of the youth sector strategy 2030. Confirming the thematic priorities of “revitalising pluralistic democracy”, “access to rights”, “living together in peaceful and inclusive societies” and “youth work”, the Joint Council gave feedback on the desired impact and expected outcomes for each one. Further drafting work will continue in the coming months.

Two thought-provoking presentations were made by representatives of the European Network on Independent Living (ENIL) and of Inclusion Europe during the thematic debate on the inclusion of young people with disabilities. The CMJ got an insight into accessibility and how small changes can make big differences, as well as into identity and what it means to be disabled. The results of the discussions will inform the work of the CMJ’s Rapporteur on mainstreaming disability issues.

Finally, the Joint Council members celebrated “Our Rights. Our Freedoms. Our Europe” to mark the Council of Europe’s 70th anniversary.                             

Priorities 2020-21 – Mainstreaming disability issues – Strategy 2030

Some of the highlights of the October 2018 statutory meetings

More than 110 governmental and non-governmental representatives took part in these statutory meetings, perhaps proof of the growing commitment of the states parties to the European Cultural Convention and the representatives of European young people to the Council of Europe’s youth sector and its Youth for Democracy Programme.

Consensus was found on a number of what could be called landmark decisions, proving once again the value of the co-managed decision-making bodies.

The CMJ:

  • adopted the draft priorities for the Youth for Democracy Programme 2020-21. These proposals were drawn up following the Advisory Council on Youth’s consultation of youth organisations and networks on young people’s needs from last summer. The proposed priorities will be integrated in due course into the Council of Europe’s draft Programme and Budget for the next biennium to be examined by the Committee of Ministers in 2019.
  • accepted the Advisory Council on Youth’s proposal to appoint a Rapporteur on Mainstreaming Disability Issues in order to monitor and promote disability issues in the Council of Europe Youth Department. The proposal was made in order to ensure the Council of Europe Disability Strategy 2017-23 is taken into consideration in the youth sector’s activities and programmes. This new Rapporteur will work closely with the Rapporteurs on Roma Issues and Gender Equality on considerations of intersectionality, focusing on protecting these young people from abuse.
  • paid tribute to the achievements of the No Hate Speech Movement Campaign and adopted a draft Committee of Ministers’ Declaration on its legacy. The report of the evaluation conference of the NHSM “Is this it?...” is now available online.
  • adopted guidelines on how to implement the Recommendation on young people’s access to rights. Council of Europe member states are encouraged to take these guidelines into consideration in their work with young people and their organisations to improve their access to rights. Youth organisations are encouraged to ensure use is made of them.
  • approved the next steps in the development of a strategy for the period 2020-30. With a view to shaping the youth sector’s future programmes, the Joint Council on Youth set up a drafting group to provide policy guidance and draw up a broad political roadmap, or mission statement, for the future.

The CDEJ:

  • exchanged views on the latest youth policy developments in Europe;
  • expressed its appreciation of the successful implementation of the programme of youth policy assistance measures to member states in 2018;
  • approved the draft programme of assistance measures to member states for 2019.

The CCJ:

  • elected two new substitutes to the Programming Committee on Youth (CPJ);
  • assessed progress in the implementation of the 2018-19 priorities;
  • decided to present its proposals for mainstreaming disability issues into the youth sector’s work to the Joint Council on Youth and to propose “inclusion of young people with disabilities” as the subject of the next CMJ thematic debate to be held during the March 2019 meeting.
Some of the highlights of the March 2018 statutory meetings:

The CDEJ and the CCJ held elections: Miriam Teuma (Malta) is the new CDEJ Chair; Anja Olin Pape the new CCJ chair.

Alice Barbieri was appointed CMJ Gender Equality Rapporteur; Matic Germovsek-Znidarsic as CMJ Rapporteur on Roma Issues.

The CMJ:

  • debated the perceived shrinking space for civil society and youth organisations, the challenges it poses and discussed possible solutions;
  • discussed the upcoming review process of CM/Rec(2015)3 (Enter! Recommendation);
  • agreed to review implementation of CM/Rec(2016)7 on young people’s access to rights, focusing on discriminatory practices faced by young people and on obstacles to the right to freedom of assembly, including forming and joining associations and trade unions;
  • endorsed the high-level task force on youth work’s proposal for a common European youth work agenda, to be drafted by 2020;
  • revised the roadmap for the development of a Council of Europe “Youth Agenda 2030”.

Priorities - pilot activities 2018 - thematic debate

Some of the highlights of the October 2017 meeting

The CMJ: