The Council of Europe and “RADA” held a strategic seminar in Strasbourg
The Youth Department of the Council of Europe, in cooperation with the Belarusian National Youth Council “RADA”, organized the strategic seminar “A Youth Agenda for Democracy and Human Rights in Belarus.” The meeting took place at the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg, France.
During the seminar, participants discussed the youth agenda for democracy and human rights in Belarus as well as current trends within the youth environment. Some conclusions: in addition to long-standing trends, new ones are emerging — such as
- the use of artificial intelligence-based services,
- discrimination against the Belarusian language and culture,
- increasing Russian influence through grants and student scholarships,
- growing interest in South Korean culture.
Together, we analyzed challenges and opportunities for youth participation in social and political processes.
An important goal of the event was to understand how the structures of the Council of Europe function, and how Belarusian youth and youth organizations can cooperate with them.
Participants had the opportunity to engage in discussions with representatives of various structures of the Council of Europe and ask questions directly.
Panel 1: The Democratic Future of Belarus – a Youth Perspective. An exchange of views with representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) — Paul Galles and Tatiana Termacic.
Panel 2: Belarus and the Congress – Youth Participation in Local and Regional Life. An exchange of views with Mathieu Mori, Secretary General of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, and his colleagues.
Panel 3: A Youth Agenda for Democracy and Human Rights – Bringing It Home. An exchange of views with democratic forces of Belarus.
In the photo, from left to right: Zmicer Herylovich (Policy Secretary of “RADA”), Lizavieta Dauhulievich (Chairwoman of “RADA”) and the representatives of the delegation of Belarusian democratic forces to the PACE: Paval Tserashkovich, Valery Matskevich, Alexandra Mamayeva, and Marharyta Vorykhava
Panel 4: Belarusian Action Plan for Resilience and Solidarity – Challenges and Opportunities of (International) Youth Cooperation were discussed with Clara Foeller from Young European Federalists Germany, and Anca-Ruxandra Pandea from the Youth Department.
During the evening reception, speeches were delivered by Ambassador Patrick Engelberg, Permanent Representative of Luxembourg to the Council of Europe, Matjaž Gruden, Director for Democratic Participation at the Council of Europe, Lizavieta Dauhulievich, Chairwoman of “RADA”. Thanks also go to all the guests from the Permanent Representations of European countries to the Council of Europe.
What’s next?
- In the near future, the list of current trends in the youth sector will be updated. It will be available on the “RADA” website.
- “RADA” is also proposing a plan for the creation of a body for Belarusian youth and democratic forces, which would implement a co-management approach and bring Belarusian youth and democratic forces closer together.
