H.R.H. Crown Princess Mette-Marit to Open the European Conference 2025 in Kristiansand on May 5th

The conference will spotlight the development of democracy and human rights in Europe. Leading parliamentarians from the Nordic Council and the Council of Europe will gather for the first time in an extraordinary joint meeting to discuss the status of democracy in Europe. A diverse youth delegation, including youth from Ukraine, will challenge the parliamentarians during the conference.

H.R.H. Crown Princess will open the conference.

Representatives from the Kristiansand European Youth Forum will present a prepared segment during the opening of the conference.

In a time marked by uncertainty and weakened trust in democratic institutions, the conference will bring together leading Nordic and European parliamentarians in Kristiansand to discuss how best to secure the future of democracy.

– Knowledge and dialogue about democracy and human rights will better equip us to continue building both local democracy and trust among us. During the European Conference, the perspectives of youth from across Europe will be highlighted. We are therefore very pleased that the Crown Princess will join us in this important conversation, says Mathias Bernander, Mayor of Kristiansand Municipality.

H.R.H. Crown Princess. Photo: Liv Anette Luane, Det kongelige hoff

European Conference as a Crucial Discussion Arena

The parliamentarians from Europe and the Nordic countries will discuss the war in Ukraine, the status of democracy in Europe, youth, artificial intelligence, Belarus, and other current topics. The extraordinary parliamentary meeting will take place following the main program of the European Conference. Bjørn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, believes the European Conference in Kristiansand is more important than ever:

– The turmoil in the world means we must fight hard to maintain democracy, human rights, and a rules-based world order. When we see international stability being challenged, Europe must take greater responsibility for its own future. The Nordic countries have always stood for strong democratic traditions, and we must now stand together and use our position to promote cooperation and build trust, says Berge.

– We see democracies worldwide facing increasingly erosion of fundamental rights and democratic standards. Signs of this include weakened judicial independence, undermining of the rule of law, limited press freedom, and restrictions on civil rights. This concerns us greatly, says Berge, who looks forward to the meeting with the Nordic Council.

Mathias Bernander, Mayor of Kristiansand and Bjørn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe. Photo: Kjell Inge Søreide

– The Nordic countries may be stronger than ever, and in the face of authoritarian trends and weakened trust in democracy, multilateral cooperation is more important than ever. Together with our European neighbours, we can help defend values such as human rights, the rule of law, and freedom – the very foundation of a democratic Europe, says Maria Stockhaus, Vice President of the Nordic Council.

The meeting in Kristiansand will gather leading parliamentarians from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and the Nordic Council to discuss the war in Ukraine, the state of democracy in Europe, and other current topics – with a focus on cooperation to strengthen shared values such as democracy and human rights.

Maria Stockhaus, Vice President of the Nordic Council. Photo: Axel Adolfsson

European Conference on Democracy and Human Rights 2025

The conference will take place at Kilden Theatre and Concert Hall on May 5th, bringing together politicians, experts, and youth from across Europe. Among the participants are the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Belarus, Nils Muižnieks, and the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Theodoros Rousopoulos. Jette Christensen will be the moderator for the European Conference 2025.

Foto: Kjell Inge Søreide

Publisert: 25. april 2025 11:18
Oppdatert: 25. april 2025 12:22

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