The Freedom of Expression and CDMSI Division participated in the panel discussion “Countering Misinformation in Climate Action”, organised within the seminar “Equipping Youth with Skills for Climate Action: Youth Engagement and Effective Information Sharing”, held at the European Youth Centre Strasbourg from 11 to 13 November 2025.

Organised by the European Youth Information and Counselling Agency (ERYICA) in cooperation with the Council of Europe Youth Department, the seminar followed up on the recent adoption of the Recommendation on Young People and Climate Action by the Committee of Ministers. It brought together youth information professionals and multipliers, youth information workers, youth representatives, and other stakeholders to raise awareness of the Recommendation, explore the role of effective information sharing in empowering youth engagement, and examine how misinformation can threaten democratic participation, including in climate action. The event also offered participants opportunities to share good practices, discover youth information providers on this topic, and build networks across countries and sectors.

Elena Brodeala, Legal Advisor at the Freedom of Expression and CDMSI Division, presented the CDMSI’s work and stressed the importance of strengthening media and information literacy, protecting freedom of expression, and promoting quality journalism and free, pluralistic media as essential tools to counter climate-related mis- and disinformation. She was joined by Petr Banda member of the Advisory Council on Youth, who focused on youth participation and the role of youth organisations in countering climate misinformation, and Filipe Miguel Moreira Alves from the University of Lisbon, who discussed the contribution of academia and trust in science to informed public debate.

Overall, the panel highlighted how access to accurate information, media and information literacy, and freedom of expression empower young people to engage effectively in climate action. It also discussed possible approaches to counter mis- and disinformation and strengthen democratic participation, reaffirming the Council of Europe’s commitment to supporting informed, active, and responsible youth engagement in tackling climate challenges.