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DG Democracy
Directorate of Democratic Citizenship and Participation
Youth Department
Think Youth | December 2017/January 2018
Joint meeting of the CDEJ and Advisory Council bureaux
On 22-23 January 2018, the bureaux of the CDEJ and of the outgoing Advisory Council held their meetings at the EYCS, to take 
stock of the situation and to prepare for the next plenary meeting of the Joint Council on Youth (Budapest, 27-28 March 2018). The joint bureaux exchanged views with both the Director of Democratic Citizenship and Participation and the Head of the Youth Department on the latest developments within the Organisation. The agenda of the next plenary meeting was approved, and the bureaux agreed that it would notably feature a discussion on a "consolidated strategy on the future of the youth sector in the current budgetary situation".
Training Course for the new members of the Advisory Council
From 24 to 26 January 2018, the members of the newly appointed Advisory Council on Youth (2018-2019) attanded an induction course at the EYCS.  This course considered the structures, priorities, processes and working methods under which the new members will operate. Several important issues were discussed including, the overall role of the Advisory Council in the CoE, past experiences of co-management, the thematic priorities of the Youth for Democracy programme 2018-2019, and the current budgetary situation.
Meeting with the PACE Sub-Committee on Education, Youth and Sport
On 25 January 2018, Marko Grdošic (outgoing chair of the Joint Council on Youth and of the Advisory Council on Youth) and Anna Widegren (Secretary General of the European Youth Forum) participated in a meeting of the Sub-Committee on Education, Youth and Sport of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. In this context, they met Georgios Mavrotas (Chairperson of the Sub-Committee) and Judith Pallarés (Vice-Chairperson), in order to explore possibilities for future co-operation between the youth statutory bodies and the Parliamentary Assembly.
A statement of the Advisory Council on Youth on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Across Europe young people with disabilities have faced serious barriers to living independently. Relating to this, on the occasion of celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 3 December, the Advisory Council on Youth adopted a statement. The main message carried through the text is that the Advisory Council on Youth remains committed to supporting the full participation and inclusion of young people with disabilities regardless of their age, nationality, ethnicity, background, gender, and sexual orientation in member states and beyond.
The EU-CoE Youth Partnership Management Board meeting
The two partner institutions convened on 11 December in Brussels to discuss the 2018 work plan. The fruitful meeting yielded a final endorsement for the launch of the 2018 grant agreement. An Infomation session following the meeting provided a useful environment to inform 40 representatives of organisations in the youth field about achievements and plans. The Partnership Consultative Meeting took place the following day and was primarily discussed the activities proposed for 2018.
An impact of the budgetary situation on the EYF
The consecutive decisions taken by the Russian Federation and the Turkish authorities have imposed serious financial pressure on limiting the CoE's activities. This has recently affected  the EYF's activities: The Programming Committee on Youth held on 14-15 December 2017 decided to reduce the maximum grant for pilot activities from €10 000 to €8 500 for a trial period of one year. Despite that, the Committee also took a decision to approve grants totalling €730 000 for 19 grant applications and six international activities totalling €91000 to be carried out in 2018.
EYCB Human Rights Forum 2017: Learning to Live Together - The present and future of citizenship and human rights education in Hungary
The forum was held at the EYCB on 8-9 December on the basis of  the CoE Report on the State of Citizenship and Human Rights Education in Europe to strengthen and promote citizenship and human rights education in Hungary.  The event provided an important platform to bring together a broad spectrum of activists, trainers, teachers, and other practitioners and stakeholders. The event opened with keynote speech by Antje Rothemund, Head of the Youth Department of the CoE, and was followed by a series of activities:
- a  presentation on the findings of the “Learning to Live Together” report;
- a World Café session where participants met representatives of various funding organisations, diplomatic missions and other key institutional players in the field;
-  several innovative workshops as well as the founding meeting of newly established “EJHA” human rights network for education.
Workshop on the role of youth work in the inclusion and participation of young refugees
The EU-CoE youth partnership activity took place in Thessaloniki from 4-6 December. The workshop created a space for learning about approaches that youth work and youth policy use for supporting the inclusion of young refugees in every realm of societal life. The group of participants found an opportunity to Identify challenges and support measures needed for using youth work with young refugees. They also analysed local practices of youth work and/or youth policies supporting the inclusion of young refugees.  A publication on youth work with young refugees will reflect the participants' experience gained at the workshop.
A report on housing solutions to youth homelessness
The report of the study session led by FEANTSA Youth  in cooperation with the CoE Youth Department that took place in June 2017 at the EYCB is now available online. FEANTSA Youth is a network of over 100 people from more than 30 organisations from 20 European countries. Its aim is to tackle youth homelessness by advocating housing rights. The report highlights the importance of bringing a stronger focus on social and human rights in the problem area to deal with youth homelessness.
Upcoming activities
  • 1st Meeting of the Ad-hoc high-level task force on youth work (EYCS, 07-08 February)
  • Management Committee meeting of the framework agreement with Ukraine (Kiev, 15-16 February)
  • Study session on a change of perspective: queer feminist principles as the fabric of modern, peaceful and socially just European society (EYCB, 19-23 February)
  • Award ceremony of the Council of Europe Quality Label to the Youth Centre Marienthal/Luxembourg, 26 February)
  • 3rd training course for staff of youth centres holding the Quality Label (Marienthal, 26 February- 01 March)
Useful links
The CoE Directorate General Democracy
The CoE Youth Portal
European Youth Centre Budapest
European Youth Centre Strasbourg
European Youth Foundation
Intergovernmental Cooperation
The EU-CoE Youth Parthership
Facebook pages
Advisory Council on Youth
Council of Europe - Youth
European Youth Centre Budapest
EU-CoE youth partnership
European Youth Foundation
No Hate Speech Movement


For comments and suggestions, please contact Tolga.DUYGUN@coe.int
Council of Europe, Avenue de l'Europe F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex
Tel. +33 (0)3 88 41 20 00
www.coe.int/youth
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