As delivered by Bjørn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe

 Minister of Education for Latvia,

Ministers,

State Secretaries,

Excellencies,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

We often think about young people as being more optimistic, free-spirited and open-minded than those of us who are – slightly – older –

And many therefore assume that these up-and-coming generations are more supportive of democracy.

But opinion polls suggest that this is not necessarily the case.

The most recent –

Published earlier this month –

Found that across 30 countries – including several Council of Europe member states –

71% of those aged over 56 felt that democracy was indeed preferable to any other form of government.

Among 18-35 year olds, only 57% agreed with that.

Support for military rule stood at 20% among the older respondents.

Among the younger people, it was more than twice as many – at 42%.

For those of us who believe in democracy – I expect everyone here today – I am sure that this is deeply concerning.

Yes, it was the foolish man who built his house upon sand.

If democracy is to thrive so that people prosper, its foundations must be built on the solid rock of democratic values instilled in every generation – every women, man and child.

There is, however, a debate to be had on why this generational gap has appeared.

Is it widening wealth gaps and other inequalities –

Or, on the other hand, complacency and a focus by younger generations only on their own well-being?

Is it owing to a lack of progress by democratic governments on issues of deep concern, such as climate change –

Or is it because of fading historic memory – and lack of proper education?

Or is it due to continuous exposure to a range of distortions and false narratives by extreme populists, nationalists and others –

Or perhaps is it a combination of all of these, as well as other reasons?

I also have seen that polemics often thrive on the social media that is used by young people in particular.

In any case, it is important to have these debates about why faith in democracies is decreasing.

I believe we have a duty to do so.

And of course this grim picture is part of an even wider concern about the democratic backsliding that we are witnessing, to varying degrees, in all parts of our continent today and in all our member states.

Again – here too – there is no room for the spectator, as we need urgent and concrete action.

Maybe we need to communicate the benefits of living in a democratic society better.

You may ask, where should we start?

I believe a good starting point is education –

What we teach in our schools, colleges, and universities really does matter.

We must do more to ensure that young people are better equipped with both an understanding of democracy, what it means to live in such a democracy, and what is means to be a citizen in a modern democracy.

At our Summit in Reykjavík in May, European leaders agreed that we a facing a fundamental challenge.

That’s why they also agreed on a set of
10 fundamental principles for Democracy –

By which the health of Europe’s democracies can be measured.

The 8th of these Principles was a commitment, and I quote, to “invest in a democratic future" –

By ensuring that everyone is able to take part and to play a role, as they should, in a vibrant democracy.

And perhaps we should start by focusing on how we can support the participation of young persons in democratic life and decision-making –

Where they can experience pluralism,
inclusion, non-discrimination, transparency and accountability.

By doing this, in facing this challenge ‒ we invest in the present and future of Europe.

Here, at this Conference, you, Europe’s Education Ministers, will have a unique opportunity to shape how we will do that –

Bearing in mind the range of new and evolving challenges that face the education sector – and Europe’s students – today.

Drawing also upon the lessons learned about the impact of COVID-19 on young people’s learning and the need for inclusion –

And certainly also on the digital transformation of education and the impact of Artificial Intelligence –

Which has the potential to transform aspects of learning for the better, but requires regulation to ensure that it upholds and respects fundamental rights and democratic values.

Related to this there is a Resolution on the launch of the European Year of Digital Citizenship Education –

And another on the renewal of the civic mission of education.

Importantly, this invites all our governments to begin work on the principles of a new framework convention for a European citizenship education.

Among other things, this would broaden the existing use of the Council of Europe’s Reference Framework of Competences for Democratic Culture –

So that it could feature in all areas of the curriculum, and all levels of education, including vocational education and training.

That will send a strong message on the clear links between democratic competences, and sustainable development and quality and inclusive education for all –

Especially the most vulnerable and marginalised.

And, as important, it would commit member states to encourage education institutions to adopt a comprehensive approach, embedding democratic culture more deeply and to the benefit of learners –

In addition, it encourages institutions to engage in co-operation and partnerships, so that they learn from one another.

I see that the last of the Resolutions which you will examine for adoption brings all of these themes together.

I therefore invite you to endorse the Council of Europe’s new Education Strategy for 2024-2030, which rests on three pillars.

First, renewing the democratic and civic mission of education.

Second, enhancing the social responsibility and responsiveness of education.

And, third, advancing education through a human rights-based digital transformation –

Whether at the local, national or international levels.

Dear friends,

What we need today, I believe, is engaged critical thinkers that recognise the complexity and uncertainty of the world and promote democratic approaches to challenges – such as discrimination, human rights violations, and migration.

And people who are open to diversity, communicate effectively with others from different backgrounds, and remain open-minded, adaptable and willing to learn from various perspectives and experiences.

Lastly, the new Strategy will hopefully help people become “digital learners” who participate effectively and positively in a digital environment –

And who can protect their rights – and the rights of others – when these are threatened online.

These Resolutions add up to a far-reaching package –

Where young people, students, learners of all ages will benefit from skills that equip them to thrive, and benefit from their European and democratic heritage. By this there could also be an added dividend for society as a whole.

Since the Council of Europe was established almost 75 years ago, Europe has come a long way.

Europeans have never before enjoyed the standard of rights and freedoms with which a majority of us live today –

But sometimes, regrettably, we take these rights for granted.

These are achievements and rights we must fight for – every day, every month, every year.

We must not let all of this progress wither away.

By investing in our young people, by showing them that democracy is something we all need to protect and nurture, we can hope for a better future –

But we must close up and heal the generational gap that appears to have emerged when it comes to the faith in our democratic model –

And by doing this we can hopefully also create the conditions for a secure and peaceful future.

Thank you for your attention.