Deputy Secretary General Zsuzsanna Király participated as an official CEI observer in the 78th meeting of the European Steering Committee for Youth (CDEJ) and the 55th session of the Joint Council on Youth (CMJ), held in Strasbourg on 19–21 October 2026.
The meetings brought together government representatives and youth organisations to discuss key priorities for European youth cooperation, with particular emphasis on democratic participation, inclusion and emerging challenges affecting young people.
Discussions focused on preparations for the 2028 Ministerial Conference, youth participation in democratic processes, including developments concerning the voting age, and future policy recommendations on artificial intelligence.
Participants also addressed funding priorities for 2027, including emergency support for Ukrainian youth, plans for a new youth centre in the Black Sea region, and measures to strengthen the inclusion of young refugees, rural and Roma youth, while combating religious intolerance.
DSG Király's participation provided an opportunity to further strengthen institutional cooperation between the CEI and the Council of Europe's Youth Department, reaffirming the CEI's commitment to youth empowerment, inclusive societies and democratic participation as key elements of regional cooperation and European integration.