The Crown Princess focuses on the voices of the youth at the 2025 Europe Conference

At this year’s Europe Conference on democracy and human rights, parliamentarians, decision-makers, experts, and youth gathered to discuss the current state of democracy in Europe. It was a day filled with powerful impressions.

– Only a few years ago, not many people would have believed that we’d be discussing the future of democracy in Europe. And yet, it is now one of the most pressing issues we face, said Maria Stockhaus, Vice President of the Nordic Council, in her opening speech.

Focusing on the youth

The conference began with three international youth delegates from the Kristiansand European Youth Forum presenting a “Call to Action” they had worked on in the days leading up to the event.

– Inviting youth to this conference is a powerful democratic act in itself. We need their knowledge and their perspectives, said Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mette-Marit in her opening remarks.

HRH Crown Pricess Mette-Marit participated at this years conference. Photo: Kjell Inge Søreide.

During the 2024 European Youth Forum, topics such as democracy, human rights and freedom of expression were discussed. This year, the focus shifted to authoritarianism, disinformation, inequality, and the feeling of not being heard. One of the delegates, Kaja Mavric from Slovenia, had the honor of closing the conference with a speech in which she once again presented the voice of the youth and their Call to action.

– A democracy that fails to include its youth when shaping the future of democracy, is a democracy in danger, Kaja began.

She concluded with a message to the decision-makers at the conference and across Europe:

– Our lives are in your hands. You are not just decision makers, but our representatives. That means you have the responsibility to shape a future we can believe in. A future we can take part in, and a future we can survive in. The youth of Europe has spoken. Will you listen?

Kaja Mavric tells decision makers to include the voives of the youth when forming the future of democracy. Photo: Kjell Inge Søreide.

Drop the Illusions

The President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Theodoros Rousopoulos, urged today’s politicians to let go of illusions, abandon grand visions, and instead focus on truth, humility, and accountability if they wish to regain the trust of the people—especially the youth.

– Today’s youth often choose non-traditional forms of participation—climate protests, digital activism, grassroots movements—instead of voting. Democratic participation may look different, but it remains highly meaningful, said Rousopoulos.

"Drop the illusions," Theodoros Rousopoulos tells todays politicians. Photo: Kjell Inge Søriede

Democracy Week

The Europe Conference is the main event during Democracy Week, and between May 2–8, events on democracy and human rights have taken place across Kristiansand for people of all ages. Many of these events focused on amplifying the voices of young people through debates, film screenings, and lectures. Several organizers also created programs for entire school classes at both primary and secondary levels.

– Throughout this week, Kristiansand has hosted several local events during Democracy Week. Everything from school debates and youth forums to public talks, exhibitions, and civic forums. All these initiatives share the same goal: to strengthen local democracy and encourage participation from people of all ages and backgrounds, said Mayor Mathias Bernander.

There was a range of activies focusing on democracy and human rights during this years DEmocracy Week in Kristiansand. Photo: Kjell Inge Søreide.

Publisert: 19. mai 2025 15:50
Oppdatert: 20. mai 2025 12:48

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