Powerful youth policies at the local level are key to ensuring the sustainability of democracies in the future. Therefore, it is necessary to invest in youth activities and create spaces where all young people can develop their potential. This opinion was announced today at the Statutory Forum of the Council of Europe’s Congress of Local and Regional Authorities by the Mayor of Kazan, President of the UN Advisory Committee for Local Authorities (UNACLA) and Vice-Chairperson of the Committee on Topical Issues of the Congress Ilsur Metshin. Together with Thomas Andersson (Sweden) at the KUDO platform, he presented a report on working with young people at the local and regional level.

Young people can contribute to the development of cities and regions

Ilsur Metshin reminded that the revised European Charter on Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life was adopted in 2015.

“First of all, why youth activities? For a long time, the Congress has been working to empower young people. To do this, you need to work with them in a high-quality way. It helps build more democratic and inclusive communities, promotes the integration of refugees and migrants, increases environmental awareness, and promotes positive social change. Thanks to this, young people gain knowledge and skills that will help them become full and active members of society”, - he said.

“To recover from this crisis, we need young people”

“The COVID-19 epidemic crisis has led to a discussion about what is important and what is irrelevant. I strongly believe that working with young people is part of what is important. This may be a relatively small sector, but it can help our European youth gain invaluable experience and knowledge that will change their lives. To recover from this crisis, we need young people who have the skills and desire to participate in issues of local and regional importance”, - the Mayor of Kazan outlined.

“Today, we must jointly respond to the challenges we face”

Special attention should be paid to socially vulnerable groups of young people. In dialogue with all stakeholders, local and regional authorities can provide a sustainable and inclusive infrastructure for all young people.

“Today, more than ever, we must jointly respond to the challenges we face. As representatives of local and regional authorities, we have a responsibility to solve these issues. We must invest in youth activities and create spaces where all young people can develop their potential, gain new knowledge and experience, put their ideas into practice, becoming a driving force for bright changes”, - the Mayor of Kazan concluded.

Thomas Andersson, in turn, announced amendments, a resolution and recommendations that contain specific strategic proposals on how local and regional authorities can promote youth engagement.

Representatives of Austria, Georgia, Finland, Belgium, France, Hungary and other countries took part at the Statutory Forum of the Council of Europe’s Congress of Local and Regional Authorities in various sections.

Source: Official portal of local authorities of Kazan