“The participation of young people is an essential element of democratic debates and decision-making, in particular in a context where most political decision-makers belong to the older generations, and where the future of the planet is at stake due to climate change and environmental pollution that will affect today’s young generations,” underlined Sören Schumacher (SOC/G/PD), Head of the German delegation to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, in Berlin on 14 November 2024.
Speaking at the Youth Space Berlin Conference organised by the German delegation of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, he presented the Congress’ role as a pioneer with its “Rejuvenating Politics” initiative allowing more than 400 young people from across Europe to participate in the Congress work since 2014.
He also outlined the current Congress priorities in engaging with young people, in particular the new revision of the European Charter on youth participation at local and regional level, reminding that youth participation was also a key principle in the European Urban Charter III recently adopted by the Congress. “Implementing European human rights and democracy standards cannot be done without the participation of young people who are indeed a ‘compass’ for democracy and human rights,” concluded Mr Schumacher. The conference also featured the participation of Afia Mansoor Ahmed, 2024 Congress youth delegate from Germany.
