Ministers responsible for youth from the 46 Council of Europe member States gathered in Valletta for the 10th Conference of Ministers responsible for Youth, under the theme "Young People for Democracy: Youth Perspectives in Action."
This was the first Ministerial Conference on Youth to be held after an absence of 13 years, demonstrating Malta's genuine commitment to strengthening youth participation, dialogue, and empowerment across Europe.
The Ministerial Conference concluded with a strong commitment to enhance youth participation in democratic life and to strengthen European youth policy as a driver of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
Opening the conference, Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation Clifton Grima, and Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset, underlined the urgent need to rebuild young people's trust in democracy through genuine participation and dialogue.
At the close of the Conference, the Ministers adopted a Declaration recognising young people as key agents of change in Europe's digital, demographic, and environmental transitions. They reaffirmed that youth participation is essential to democratic renewal and pledged to turn these principles into concrete youth-focused policies and programmes, in line with the Reykjavík Declaration and the Principles for Democracy.
They emphasised that peace, justice, and international co-operation are vital to protecting youth rights, calling for renewed investment in citizenship education, intercultural dialogue, and peacebuilding to strengthen social cohesion. They also pledged stronger support to address youth unemployment, barriers to education and housing, underrepresentation in decision-making, and the urgent needs of young people affected by conflict, digital exclusion, and mental health challenges.
Acknowledging the urgency of the climate crisis, the Ministers reaffirmed young people's right to free expression, peaceful protest, and collective action in pursuit of environmental justice. They welcomed progress towards a European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life.
The Conference also adopted a Reference Framework on a Youth Perspective, aimed at systematically integrating youth perspectives across all areas of policy and decision-making at the Council of Europe and within its member States.
The event closed with thanks to the Government of Malta for its leadership and hospitality. As Chair of the Conference, Minister Clifton Grima warmly welcomed the announcement by Luxembourg to host the next Ministerial Conference in 2028.
The Valletta Conference marks a renewed drive to place young people at the heart of Europe's democratic future.