Peace requires courage: not only the courage to end wars, but the courage to confront division, defend human dignity, and build a different future. As we mark the International Day of Peace, wars and conflicts continue to affect communities across Europe, and all across the world. While some dominate international attention, others have become long-running, frozen or forgotten. Yet for the young people living within them, these conflicts have very substantial impacts and consequences.

Young people continue to grow up in the shadow of violence, displacement, insecurity and division. They face the consequences of conflicts they did not create, and should not be expected to carry the unresolved tensions, divisions and trauma of previous generations. A young person born into a conflict-affected or divided society should not have to accept division as inevitable, nor should another generation be asked to carry the consequences of inherited conflicts... Read the entire statement

The statements of the Advisory Council are published for the purpose of informing the public about the activities of the statutory bodies of the Council of Europe youth sector. The statements reflect the opinions and positions of the Advisory Council and its members. The views expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the views of the Council of Europe.