The Council of Europe has launched an ambitious journey towards a New Democratic Pact for Europe - a pact that values and amplifies young people’s contribution to achieve a more resilient democracy. This vision is about more than participation: it’s about ensuring that young citizens are heard, empowered, and protected, while their ideas actively shape the future of democracy.
For decades, the Council of Europe’s pioneering work in the field of youth has inspired policies and standards across key areas such as gender equality, migration, environmental protection, health, anti-discrimination, and even artificial intelligence. More recently, youth perspectives have also begun to influence the work of the Parliamentary Assembly and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities.
Now, it’s time to take this commitment further. We have started by reviewing the experience so far, sharing lessons learned, assessing needs and identifying opportunities. Together with young people, staff across the whole Council of Europe will aim at progressively transform attitudes, gain new skills, experience meaningful participation and create the best possible conditions for the integration of the youth perspective in their work. We expect the many benefits of this approach to show both at the Council of Europe and in member States. The goal is clear: a Europe where democracy is not only protected but constantly reimagined through the vision, energy, and leadership of its youth.
