"European youth should play a greater role in addressing the key challenges confronting their generation. On everything from sustainable development and protecting the environment, to dealing with natural disasters, coping with public health crises and creating real and equal opportunities for all, the voice of youth should be heard, loud and clear", said the Thematic Spokesperson on Youth of the Congress, Véronique Bertholle, on this year's International Youth Day (12 August).
"But first and foremost, as they engage, young people must enjoy the fundamental human rights enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights, notably when acting as human rights defenders. The recent arrest and detention of Enes Hocaoğulları, Congress youth delegate in respect of Türkiye, following his intervention at the Congress plenary session in March, is a stark reminder of this need. I join the Congress President in his call for the protection of young people's freedom of expression as a fundamental democratic right, and for the immediate release of Enes.
"We will not be deterred from advocating for greater youth engagement in democratic processes. In October, the Congress is set to adopt a new European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life, as a modern standard for meaningful local and regional youth participation", Ms Bertholle confirmed.
"The new Charter will better enable young people to get involved in integrated planning, resource management and public policy in many policy areas of concern to them. They will be able do so through membership in youth councils, youth parliaments and other permanent fora. I am convinced that creativity, energy and perspectives of young people can help shape better, fairer and more sustainable communities for all. I therefore urge them and local and regional authorities to make that happen."
