On 5 May in Kristiansand, Norway, Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge attended the European Conference on Democracy and Human Rights, organised by the City of Kristiansand and the Council of Europe. Inaugurated by H.R.H. Crown Princess Mette-Marit, the conference brought together some 300 representatives from government, politics, academia, civil society and youth from across Europe, to discuss the future of democracy in an increasingly unpredictable world. The event also featured discussions with leading parliamentarians from the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and the Nordic Council.
Opening the conference, the Mayor of Kristiansand Municipality, Mathias Bernander, highlighted the importance of fostering dialogue that challenges, inspires, and connects across borders and beliefs. "As a mayor, I see every day how democratic values play out in schools, in city council chambers, and in the everyday acts of respect, participation, and engagement," he noted.
The Deputy Secretary General took part in a panel discussion on the future of democracy and stability in Europe together with Nils Muižnieks, the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on Belarus. The panel discussion focused on the evolving roles of the UN and the Council of Europe in this context.
The Deputy Secretary General noted that the world is facing deep uncertainty and turmoil. The way ahead feels less certain, more contested, and more fragile than known for many in a generation. The rules-based international order, built after the Second World War on the "never again" promise, can no longer be taken for granted. "This is why a multilateral system supported by international organisations like the Council of Europe, the UN and the European Union, must work together to find solutions to the challenges we face."
He also delivered a closing speech, looking at the way ahead for democracy in Europe, in which he pointed to recent grave challenges to the international legal order, notably Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. The idea - and the fundamental principle of international order - that countries should not conquer each other's territory is now called into question. It is accompanied by a growing sense of impunity in the disregard of international law. It creates the sense of a world of disorder.
However, the Deputy Secretary General warned against despair and considered it necessary to respond to these deeply troubling developments. "This moment in our history calls for renewed political vision. That is why the Council of Europe has launched its call for a "New Democratic Pact for Europe", with the aim of renewing trust, reinforcing foundations, and making democracy work better than today. It is about a democracy that helps ensure peace and stability in Europe. The Council of Europe is also responding to disorder by working towards the establishment of a Special Tribunal for Aggression against Ukraine. Such a tribunal would represent a political commitment to accountability, sending a clear message not only to Russia, but to the whole world, that justice will prevail.
Discussions also included insights from the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Theodoros Rousopoulos and Maria Stockhaus, Vice President of the Nordic Council who provided perspectives on the current state of democracy in Europe.
Other key speakers include the mayor of Mykolaiv city, Oleksandr Syenkevyc, former Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gabrielius Landsbergis and Deputy Minister for Digital Development, Digital Transformations and Digitalisation of Ukraine, Anastasia Bondar, who explored measures for Ukraine's support and recovery.
A highlight of the conference was the presentation of a Call for Action paper aimed at European decision-makers, delivered by participants of the KRS European Youth Forum. The paper addressed democratic challenges young people face and outlined measures they believe should be prioritised. It also emphasised how European decision-makers and young people can collaborate to strengthen democracy.
