Across Europe, trust in democratic institutions is under increasing pressure. Disinformation, political polarisation and challenges to the rule of law are affecting both institutional functioning and public perception. Many citizens feel that political processes do not sufficiently reflect their concerns.
This gap is particularly visible among young people. While they are active in public debate, they remain underrepresented in formal decision-making processes. Their relationship to democracy is shaped not only through education, but also through the extent to which participation is perceived as meaningful and impactful.
The Council of Europe’s New Democratic Pact for Europe seeks to address these challenges by placing democratic participation and education at the centre of efforts to reinforce democratic systems. Strengthening trust requires both institutional responses and improved opportunities for citizens to understand and engage with democratic processes.
Parliaments have a key role to play in this regard. Beyond their legislative and oversight functions, they serve as a space for public debate and democratic engagement. Within the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the Special Committee on the New Democratic Pact provides a framework for cooperation between national parliaments on these issues.
Organised in cooperation with the host parliament, the conference will contribute to this work by examining how parliamentary action can better connect with democratic education and youth participation.
