Three Days of Dialogue, Learning and Democratic Commitment in Strasbourg
From 3 to 5 December, Europamente took part in the international conference “Democracy in Action – Youth Work Matters!” at the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg. Organised by IJAB – Fachstelle für Internationale Jugendarbeit in cooperation with Youth at the Council of Europe, the event brought together youth workers, researchers, young people and institutional representatives from across Europe and beyond for three days of dialogue and reflection on the state of democracy today.
In recent years, many countries have experienced a worrying acceleration of democratic backsliding. Shrinking civic spaces, threats to fundamental rights, weakened democratic institutions and rising polarisation have become common challenges. Young people often bear the brunt of these developments, yet they also represent a powerful force for safeguarding and renewing democratic culture. This sense of urgency and responsibility shaped the conversations throughout the conference.
Participants engaged in a rich programme of keynote presentations, workshops and group work. A particularly striking contribution came from Professor Staffan I. Lindberg of the V-Dem Institute, who presented global data showing how widespread autocratisation has become. His intervention, though alarming in its findings, offered an important reminder: democracy can be strengthened when societies choose to defend it actively and collectively. This idea resonated strongly with many youth workers in the room, who see daily how young people can drive positive change when given the right tools and spaces.
Several organisations from Türkiye, Denmark, Belarus, Morocco, Hungary, Germany, Tunisia and Portugal shared practical experiences from their local contexts, illustrating how youth work can continue to promote participation even under increasingly challenging conditions. These exchanges offered a valuable look at creative and resilient approaches being developed across different countries.
Europamente also had the opportunity to contribute by presenting the project Voices of Change, which we are proud to partner in. Our presentation focused on how the project promotes the active participation of young girls with a migrant background in democratic and community life. Their insights, aspirations and leadership are essential in building more inclusive and representative democratic spaces, and the conference provided an ideal moment to highlight their role.
Throughout the event, a recurring message emerged: defending democracy today requires alliances, shared values and a renewed commitment to human rights and the rule of law. As IJAB’s Director, Daniel Poli, expressed, adopting the New Democratic Pact for Europe and working together across sectors and countries will be crucial in the years ahead.
We returned from Strasbourg inspired by the thoughtful discussions, impressed by the commitment of youth workers across Europe, and motivated to continue strengthening democratic participation through our projects.
Our sincere thanks go to IJAB, the Council of Europe and all participants who contributed to these meaningful days. At a time when democracy faces profound challenges, gatherings like this remind us that young people are not only the future—they are active protagonists shaping democratic life now.
Registered office
