On 3 November World Forum for Democracy was launched in Strasbourg. This year the cover topic is “From participation to influence: can youth revitalise democracy?”. AYLA Board Member Advocate Syuzanna Soghomonyan also takes part in this Forum.
She restated that the Strasbourg World Forum for Democracy is an annual gathering of leaders, opinion-makers, civil society activists, representatives of business, academia, media and professional groups to debate key challenges for democracies worldwide. The insights gathered during the World Forum meetings inform the work of the Council of Europe and its numerous partners in the field of democracy and democratic governance.
Today welcoming speech was given by Thorbjorn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe who welcomed partners Jocelyne Caballero, Ambassador Permanent Representative of France to the Council of Europe and Philippe Richert, President of the Alsace Regional Council. The opening ceremony was also attended by Roland Ries, Mayor of Strasbourg.
Syuzanna Soghomonyan informed that the opening ceremony was followed by round-table discussions moderated by Anne Brasseur, Chair of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. The topic of discussions was “Young People – Actors of Global Change?”.
In the framework of the Forum round table discussions are scheduled for 5 November on the theme “From Youth Initiatives to System Change”, and the Closing Ceremony will be held on the topic “The Voice of Democracy”. The World Forum for Democracy will last till 6 November.
