From 19 to 21 October, the Joint Council on Youth (CMJ) held its 55th meeting at the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg. The CMJ brings together the European Steering Committee for Youth (CDEJ), representing governments, and the Advisory Council on Youth (CCJ), representing youth organisations. 
 

 Marija Ruotanen, Director General of Democracy and Human Dignity, welcomed participants and updated them on recent developments at the Council of Europe. 
 At the meeting, members discussed and took decisions on several initiatives, including:

• Young people’s democratic participation:The CMJ discussed a study on the experience of countries that have lowered the voting age. Members also discussed progress on a feasibility study examining the need for, and possible scope of, a new Council of Europe instrument in the youth field.
• Youth perspectives and artificial intelligence. The Committee endorsed next steps for a feasibility study on a possible Committee of Ministers recommendation on AI and young people. 
• Young people’s rights and inclusion: Members considered follow-up to the second review of the Enter! Recommendation on access to social rights for young people from disadvantaged neighbourhoods, as well as work to support young refugees and migrants, peace education, and the participation of Roma and rural youth. 
• A common framework to guide future reviews of Committee of Ministers recommendations in the youth field to support more flexible and focused reviews, with the scope, priority questions and methodology for each review to be agreed by the Committee.
• The European Youth Foundation’s 2027 ad hoc calls for proposals which will prioritise support for young people from Ukraine and young people’s right to participate.

 The CMJ also exchanged views with Irene Kitsou-Milonas, the Council of Europe’s Special Representative of the Secretary General for Antisemitism, Islamophobia and all forms of religious intolerance.

 The meeting further addressed the integration of a youth perspective across the Council of Europe, follow-up to the 4th European Youth Work Convention, and preparations for the 11th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Youth, to be held in 2028 and hosted by Luxembourg. Members also welcomed the Manifesto developed by participants at the June 2026 Youth Event of the New Democratic Pact for Europe and considered possible follow-up.

 The next plenary meeting of the Joint Council on Youth is scheduled for 12–14 April 2027 in Budapest.