Members of the Committee on Social Inclusion and Human Dignity of the Council of Europe Congress, at their meeting in Strasbourg on 30 June 2025, approved the new European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life. This new revision of the Charter, initially adopted in 1992 and revised for the first time in 2003, is the result of the work by Congress rapporteurs Aida Karimli (Sweden, ILDG) and Roberto Pella (Italy, EPP/CCE), in partnership with the Council of Europe’s Joint Council on Youth (CMJ) and many young Europeans. The text is expected to be adopted at the Congress Session in October 2025.
“By implementing the Charter, local and regional authorities will ensure a stronger youth perspective in their work, harnessing the creativity and energy of young people in decision-making processes. This in turn should lead to more inclusive, vibrant and resilient communities. Youth participation is not a tool, it’s a core principle of democracy,” stated Aida Karimli.
The Committee further approved a report on social housing Innovations, by rapporteurs Doris Kampus (Austria, SOC/G/PD) and Jimmy Moloney (Ireland, ILDG). The report tackles key and emerging problems regarding housing and will also be debated at the October session. In addition, the Committee held exchanges of view on three reports in progress - the rural exodus in Europe, strengthening local and regional capacities for the use of artificial intelligence, and freedom of expression and assembly of LGBTI persons. There was also an exchange of views on the protection of human rights at local and regional levels with a focus on the right to health, with Congress Deputy Standing Rapporteur on Human Rights Mélanie Lepoultier (France, ILDG). A range of European experts from various academic and civil society backgrounds participated in the discussions.
The Committee also elected Rachel Bailey (United Kingdom, ECR) as its 5th Vice-Chair.
