The third plenary meeting of the Steering Committee on Democracy (CDDEM) saw experts from member states, Council of Europe representatives and invited experts discuss ongoing work in the areas of democracy and civil society, explore the Committee’s role in Europe’s evolving democracy support landscape, and exchange on potential synergies with other organisations.
During the two-day meeting, the Committee reviewed the progress of its two working groups on Parameters for the application and implementation of the “Reykjavík Principles for Democracy”, and on the updating of Recommendation CM/Rec(2007)14 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on the legal status of non-governmental organisations in Europe. It defined the steps to develop a study on advantages and risks of the use of artificial intelligence in public debate relating to democratic processes and on AI literacy for democratic life, and to advance towards guidelines for enhancing participation in elections of women, girls and young persons, and vulnerable groups.
The committee exchanged with Ms Mojca Ramšak Pešec, State Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration of Slovenia, and Ms Gillian Dorner, Deputy Director, Public Governance Directorate, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), on multi-level governance; with Ms Marie-Hélène Boulanger, Deputy Director and Head of Unit in charge of Democracy, Citizenship and Free Movement, European Commission (DG JUST), who updated Committee members on the “European Democracy Shield”; and with Ms Claudia Luciani, Director of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, on the work of the Congress related to democracy and good governance.
CDDEM participants expressed strong support for the Secretary General’s initiative for a “New Democratic Pact for Europe” and highlighted their readiness to substantially contribute to its implementation, including at national level.
The members of the Committee also exchanged on relevant developments in member states in the areas of democracy and good governance, considered applications for observer-status to the Committee of four civil society organisations, and elected a new member to its bureau.
The next plenary session of the CDDEM will take place on 27-28 November 2025.
