If you want to understand the state of democracy in a country, look at the state of its young people. Youth has - in an idealised way - been regarded in our societies as a symbol of energy, wellbeing, and drive for change. That said, for many young people across Europe the current situation is often far from aspirational. Growing challenges in accessing social rights, structural cutbacks to support youth organisations and increased threats and violence towards youth and their engagement for issues they believe in, show that being young today is far from easy.

And in a political environment where young people are accused of not caring about anything, many of their peers have paid a price for their activism and political engagement, even with lengthy courtroom processes and prison sentences. Such instances are engraved in our collective memory and continue to remind us that, even today, being a young person taking an active role in the future of our democracies can carry significant personal risk. Yet these attacks also stress the vital role played by young people in the strengthening of our democratic systems. Read the full statement Anglais uniquement

The statements of the Advisory Council are published for the purpose of informing the public about the activities of the statutory bodies of the Council of Europe youth sector. The statements reflect the opinions and positions of the Advisory Council and its members. The views expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the views of the Council of Europe.