The 25th University on Youth and Development (UYD) opened this morning at the Euro-Latin American Youth Centre (CEULAJ) in Mollina, Spain. Bringing together around 100 young people from more than 40 countries, as well as youth workers, policymakers, experts and institutional representatives from Europe, Africa and the Middle East, the event focuses on “AI, Youth and Peace: Preventing Cybercrime and Digital Harm through Responsible AI Governance.”

Beside the presentation of the activities implemented by the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe and the partners Divergimentes, DYPALL Network, OBESSU, and Youth for Exchange and Understanding, institutional representatives called on participants to help shape technologies that serve people, peace and democracy.

Opening the ceremony, Ambassador Andreu Jordi, President of the Executive Committee of the Council of Europe’s North-South Centre, highlighted the “vibrant diversity of young people from different regions of the world with a shared motivation” to engage with the theme. He referred to the Council of Europe’s work on digital technologies, including the Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law, the Convention on Cybercrime and the recent Committee of Ministers to member States on artificial intelligence literacy. These instruments aim to help young people “detect manipulation, address digital risks, and advocate for responsible and rights-based governance.”

Annica Floren, Acting Head of Unit at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships, joined the session through a recorded presentation. She outlined the EU Youth Action Plan. Although the plan is rooted in European policies, she underlined its global relevance, noting that a peaceful, sustainable future is a common aspiration. 

Representing the Council of Europe’s Advisory Council on Youth, Tobias Drilling highlighted AI’s double-edged nature as both a risk and a potential tool for peacebuilding: “AI is increasingly used as a weapon. How do we deal with a technology that creates both challenges and opportunities for peacebuilding?”
Referring to the recent Recommendation on Peace Education, he reminded participants that peace “is not a given” but must be built continuously.

The opening also featured contributions from Sebastián Pérez, Director of CEULAJ, who highlighted the relevance of the Spanish National Agency’s Digital Strategy for Erasmus+ Youth and Sport and the European Solidarity Corps, which will be presented by INJUVE during tomorrow’s joint session. Eugenio Sevillano, Mayor of Mollina, welcomed participants and encouraged them to engage with the local community during their stay.

Organised as part of iLEGEND III (Intercultural Learning Exchange through Global Education, Networking and Dialogue), the third cycle of a joint project of the European Union and the Council of Europe: co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe, the UYD is implemented by the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe, with support from the Spanish Institute of Youth (INJUVE) and the Euro-Latin American Youth Centre (CEULAJ).