Speaking for the first time as thematic spokesperson on youth, Henrietta BERO (Hungary, EPP/CCE) presented the activities of the Congress in Budapest, Hungary, as the Council of Europe's youth department held its statutory meetings on 18 and 19 March 2019.
The spokesperson emphasised the Congress's commitment to promoting youth participation, notably through the "Rejuvenating politics" initiative launched in 2014, which enables young delegates from the 47 member States to take part in debates and discuss the issues on session agendas with Congress members.
Ms BERO also presented the report on "Social rights of young people: the role of local and regional authorities". The report, prepared at the request of the young delegates themselves, highlights the role of local and regional authorities, which have specific powers and responsibilities for guaranteeing young people's access to their fundamental rights. "The aim is to look at how implementing these rights, which are enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Social Charter, can become a reality", said the new spokesperson.
At the level of national authorities, Henrietta BERO also mentioned the national action plans for raising awareness of young people's rights, which are to be rolled out in coordination with local and regional authorities. In addition, the draft recommendation accompanying the report calls on the member States not yet having done so to ratify the European Social Charter and accept the collective complaints procedure.
The report will be examined with a view to its adoption at the 36th session of the Congress (2-4 April 2019) in Strasbourg, France.
