Turning Ideas into Action: Research Symposium on Young People’s Access to Social Rights

Improving living conditions across Europe, particularly for young people, is a longstanding priority for both the EU and the Council of Europe. The current main areas of concern for youth include housing, the rising cost of living, employment and access to essential services, all of which are addressed within the broader framework of their access to social rights. In today’s social, economic and political context, it is particularly important that social policies respond to the needs of young people, as access to social rights is closely linked to social justice, democratic stability and security. 

In this context, the Research Symposium aimed to bring together different perspectives on these issues. The three-day event gathered up to 80 participants, including academics, young researchers, policymakers and representatives of youth organisations, who shared their views and experiences to support effective policy development and youth work practice. 

Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation to the Council of Europe Alexandre Stutzmann was invited to participate in the closing plenary of the Symposium among Tobias Flessenkemper, Head of the Youth Department; Nina Portola, Member of the Advisory Council on Youth (CCJ) and Clotilde Talleu, Manager of the EU-Council of Europe Youth Partnership. In his speech, he welcomed the initiative and reaffirmed the EU's support for the Youth Partnership. He highlighted its importance, as it is one of the longest-standing cooperation programmes between the EU and the Council of Europe and reflects a shared vision between the two organisations.

Finally, EU Ambassador Stutzmann highlighted that investing in young people’s social rights is essential for democratic resilience in Europe. He also stressed that the EU looks forward to the continuation of this EU-Council of Europe initiative because young people’s voices and ideas should be turned into action.