European politics International Youth Policy

Youth Space Conference 2024: Young people from 21 countries discuss the future of Europe in the Bundestag

DBT/Stella von Saldern

From 13 to 15 November, the German Federal Youth Council (DBJR), the German Bundestag and the German delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) jointly invited young people to the Youth Space Conference 2024 in the Bundestag for the third time. “The European youth stands up for democracy, human rights and the rule of law! We need the energy of Europe's youth to give our democracies fresh strength and stability!” emphasized the president of the German Bundestag Bärbel Bas in her speech to the more than 50 young participants of the conference from 21 European countries.

This year's Youth Space Conference was held under the motto „Celebrating 75 Years of the Council of Europe – Challenges and Opportunities in Shaping Europe’s Future“. Özge Erdoğan, board member of the German Federal Youth Council, welcomed the international guests and opened the conference together with Aydan Özoğuz, vice president of the German Bundestag, Dr. Despina Chatzivassiliou-Tsovilis, secretary general of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and Derya Türk-Nachbaur, member of the German delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

In a subsequent workshop phase, the participants worked intensively with stakeholders from the network of the Council of Europe on topics that significantly affect the future of Europe and young people. The results were then presented in a panel discussion. In the final declaration, which will be handed over to the parliamentarians of the 46 member states of the Council of Europe, the young participants focused on political demands on the topics of Democratic Backsliding, Inclusive Governance and Youthful Institutions in Europe.

As head of the German delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Frank Schwabe thanked the young participants and added: “The future of the Council of Europe is young. Young people live the values of the Council of Europe. We want to make that visible.”

Moritz Tapp, board member of the German Federal Youth Council, emphasized at the end of the conference: “Many thanks to all participants for this inspiring conference and the recommendations of the final declaration.” Özge Erdoğan added: “Let's keep in contact, keep engaging and work together to ensure that young voices in Europe are heard and can actively shape their present and future.”
 

Further quotes from the stakeholders

President of the German Bundestag, Bärbel Bas: “I am delighted that the Youth Space 2024 is taking place in the German Bundestag for the third time. The message of this youth conference is clear: young people in Europe stand up for democracy, human rights and the rule of law!”

Tobias Flessenkemper, Head of the Youth Department at the Council of Europe: “Parliaments and national youth councils are crucial for the revitalization of democracy by young people. Around 20 national youth councils from Europe and members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe from Ukraine, Malta, Luxembourg and Armenia are working together to stop the democratic backslide. The Y-Space Conference organized by the Bundestag and DBJR is a testament to Germany's commitment to international cooperation.”

 

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Themen: European politics International Youth Policy