Young people
As such, they play a key role in fostering intercultural inclusion at the local level. In order to be genuinely inclusive, cities need to make sure that the diverse voices of young people are heard and taken into account. Pursuing an approach to inclusion which brings in the whole of society - including young people in all their diversity - is vital to create genuinely inclusive and resilient local communities.
The Council of Europe mainstreams issues relevant to youth throughout its activities, as well as considering youth perspectives and promoting the human rights of young people. In the context of the Intercultural Cities (ICC) Programme ensuring that youth perspectives are integrated into intercultural strategies and projects led by cities means:
- Empowering young people to actively participate in the formulation of intercultural inclusion policies and at the same time equipping city officials with the tools they need to effectively incorporate a youth perspective in intercultural inclusion policy;
- Fostering intercultural dialogue and understanding among youth from diverse backgrounds;
- Providing opportunities for skill development and leadership training in an intercultural context;
- Enabling cities to cater for the welcome and reception of young refugees.
Young people also face discrimination on the basis of age, often intersecting with other factors, tend to be less engaged with politics and do not effectively participate in societies, especially at the local level. This disengagement can lead to a disconnect between youth needs and policy decisions, highlighting the importance of creating inclusive platforms for youth voices.
More about the different programmes led by the Council of Europe Youth Department >>
Below, you will find some examples of work done by the ICC Programme, national networks and cities, to promote intercultural inclusion with young people.
