Manual on the Revised European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life
Youth participation is not an end in itself, but a means to achieve positive changes in the lives of young people and to build better democratic societies.
Participation is a fundamental human right, recognised, among others, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Participation is also a core principle of human rights and is a precondition for effective democratic citizenship for all people.
The manual “Have Your Say!” (2015*) was developed to support local and regional authorities, youth organisations and young people who want to give young people a real say for a meaningful democratic youth participation.
Youth participation is encouraged in all sectors of the Council of Europe. The revised European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Municipal and Regional Life, adopted in May 2003 by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, is a tool setting standards for youth participation. It supports young people, youth workers, youth organisations and local authorities in promoting and strengthening full youth participation at local and regional level throughout Europe.
According to the Charter, participation is about having the right, the means, the space and the opportunities and, where necessary, the support to participate in and influence decisions and engaging in actions and activities so as to contribute to building a better society. The manual “Have Your Say!” is educational and practical tool to help all those involved in turning this right into reality for more young people in the Member States of the Council of Europe.
* The new edition of “Have Your Say!” dates from 2015.
** The manual is available with free online access in 10 languages: English, French, Albanian, Azerbaijani, German, Italian, Macedonian, Russian, Turkish and Ukrainian.
Sources:
• Council of Europe. Manuals and Handbooks. Council of Europe – official website: https://www.coe.int/en/web/youth/manuals-and-handbooks
• Council of Europe – Youth Directorate. 2015. Have Your Say! Manual on the revised European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life. (New edition): https://rm.coe.int/16807023e0
• The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. July 2015. Revised European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life: https://rm.coe.int/168071b503