#ShapingEuropesFutureTogether with Young European Ambassadors and EU Jeel Connectors

12.06.2023 Press and information team of the Delegation to the COUNCIL OF EUROPE in Strasbourg

On 8 June the EU Delegation to the Council of Europe, together with the European Commission and the Council of Europe, hosted an interactive one-day event with Young European Ambassadors from the Eastern Partnership and Western Balkans and EU Jeel Connectors from the Southern Neighbourhood. Through workshops, visit, a high-level panel and networking activities we strived to bring the cooperation between the EU and the Council of Europe closer to the youth and raise awareness of our joint efforts on human rights, democracy and the rule of law in their regions and beyond.

Promoting youth participation and empowerment is a key goal of both the EU and the Council of Europe. In the lead-up to the European Youth Event 2023 in Strasbourg, we welcomed fifty participants from the three regional youth networks in a full-day dynamic event, "Shaping Europe's Future together", to discover how the European Union and the Council of Europe work together to sustain the highest human rights standards across the continent and beyond.

The introductory visit of the Palais de l’Europe was followed by a high-level panel discussion and Q&A session with the Ambassador of the EU to the Council of Europe Vesna Batistic Kos, the Director of Political Affairs and External Relations at the Council of Europe Miroslav Papa, as well as the Directors of Human Rights and Democracy respectively, Christophe Poirel and Matjaž Gruden. The panel aimed to give an overview of the strategic value of the EU-Council of Europe partnership in addressing democratic backsliding, challenges to human rights principles and independent justice, emerging global threats, notably AI and climate change, as well as major security crises such as the ongoing Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.

The afternoon session featured three workshops on cross-cutting topics related to our regional joint programmes: countering discrimination and hate speech, combatting violence against women and strengthening media freedom. Participants engaged in presentations, kahoots, group exercises to analyse and propose solutions to real-life cases and open discussions. A collective feedback session then brought young members together to present the takeaways of the three activities in an aim to cross-fertilise debate and share good practices.

The programme concluded with a reception in the garden of our Delegation where the Young European Ambassadors and EU Jeel Connectors had the opportunity to exchange in an informal setting with EU and Council of Europe officials and diplomats from member States. The event highlighted how essential young people are in contributing ideas to ensure resilient democratic systems, open societies, vibrant public debate and respect for human rights and the rule of law.

As a follow-up to the event, we will produce a series of videos highlighting the Young Ambassadors’ attitudes and perceptions towards Europe and the place their see for their countries and regions in relation to European institutions. They will also suggest recommendations to stakeholders to address challenges and threats regarding human rights, democracy and the rule of law. We thus aim to reaffirm the importance of building bridges, empowering independent voices and enhancing connectivity with the regions through meaningful engagement with the youth.