Europe Invites Young People to Fight for Democracy and Human Rights
Secretary General of the 46-nation Council of Europe (CoE), Marija Pejčinović Burić. Photo: CoE
Europe Invites Young People to Fight for Democracy and Human Rights
Special attention at the Forum will be paid to the application of the Reykjavík Principles of Democracy.
Young people have a role to play in making sure that our standards prevail in the long term, but it will only be possible if the Organisation opens its ears, mind and doors open to young people, stressed Council of Europe (CoE) Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić in her opening address at the youth event “Confidence in Tomorrow” that started in the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg today (May 14).
“From the beginning of my mandate, I have been clear about my determination to embed the youth perspective more deeply in the Council of Europe’s work,” the Secretary General said. She spoke about the Council of Europe tools and structures that help ensure this, such as the two European Youth Centres and the European Youth Foundation, established in 1972, and the unique system of co-management on youth issues, as well as the Youth sector strategy 2030.
Special attention at the Forum will be paid to the application of the Reykjavík Principles of Democracy. The Secretary General mentioned that these principles serve “to measure and address the health of European democracies”.
“Human rights, democracy and the rule of law don’t just happen, we must fight for them, and win them, over and over. Together, I have no doubt that we can win the tug-of-war with authoritarians and ensure a future where Europeans can live in freedom, security, and dignity. I have confidence in tomorrow because I have confidence in you”, the Secretary General concluded.
The youth event is taking place from 14 to 16 May 2024 and is organised within the framework of the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the Council of Europe under Liechtenstein Presidency of the Committee of Ministers.
The programme features plenary sessions, working groups on various themes (peace and war, climate crisis and environmental degradation, equality and non-discrimination, social and economic progress, democratic participation, digitalisation and artificial intelligence, access to quality education, young people’s health and mental well-being).
The Permanent Representative of Liechtenstein, Ambassador Domenik Wanger, Chair of the Ministers’ Deputies, as well as other high-level representatives of the Council of Europe and its youth structures, including Michael O’Flaherty, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights; María Rodríguez Alcázar, President of the European Youth Forum; Nina Grmuša, Chair of the Advisory Council on Youth; and Jorge Orlando Queirós, Chair of the European Steering Committee for Youth (CDEJ) are also taking part in the event.
Courtesy: Council of Europe
