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Strengthening democracies with young people: from participation to shared responsibility

Other author
Parliamentary Assembly
Session
2026 - First part-session

Summary

The Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly underscores the importance of engaging young people in democratic processes to ensure the renewal and resilience of democratic institutions across Europe. It advocates for moving beyond consultation to real influence, granting young people the rights and means to participate meaningfully in decision-making. Despite progress, youth participation remains inconsistent, with many young individuals feeling excluded and facing barriers such as social inequality and limited access to essential resources. The Assembly encourages member States to implement comprehensive frameworks for youth involvement, promote civic education, and adapt policies ensuring equality in access to rights such as education, employment, and healthcare. Additionally, supporting cultural and digital literacy, lowering the voting age to 16, fostering intergenerational dialogue, and collaborating with international organisations are emphasised as pivotal steps. The Resolution also calls for strengthening youth representation within the Council and co-operating with civil society organisations to foster democratic innovation, aiming to create inclusive, dynamic, and sustainable democracies for the future.

Voting results

98 in favor 14 against 4 abstentions