A study session, organised in co-operation with the European Students’ Union (ESU), opened today at the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg, bringing together 20 students from across Europe.

 In his opening speech, Tobias Flessenkemper, Head of the Youth Department of the Council of Europe, welcomed participants to the European Youth Centre and provided an overview of the Council of Europe’s work in youth participation and human rights. Arno Schrooyen, Vice President of the European Students’ Union (ESU), thanked the Council of Europe for its continued co-operation.

 The session, taking place from 3 to 7 March, is organised within the framework of the Youth for Democracy programme. It aims to enhance participants' knowledge and capacity to develop their own Student Rights Charters, equipping them to advocate for their rights at national and institutional (Higher Education Institutions) levels.

 Throughout the study session, participants will engage in discussions on the importance of youth participation across different countries, fostering a constructive dialogue and an environment of connection and exchange on common challenges faced by students. They will also be informed about and consulted on the ongoing revision of the European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life.

 Additionally, participants will learn from existing examples, including the ESU Student Rights Charter and the work of the National Unions of Students Rights Charter (Romania). They will reflect on their practical application, debating their significance and potential impact in both national and international contexts. By the end of the study session, participants will design their own national campaigns for a Student Rights Charter and learn how to collaborate with local, regional, and national stakeholders in drafting and negotiating the SRC.

 More information on the study session can be found on the dedicated webpage.