Applications are open for the Council of Europe World Forum for Democracy 2019 – Youth Delegation. The World Forum for Democracy is a unique platform for political decision-makers and activists to debate solutions to key challenges for democracies worldwide

By identifying and analyzing experimental initiatives and practices, the Forum highlights and encourages democracy innovations at the grassroots and their transfer on a systemic level in order to strengthen the foundations of democratic societies. The Forum thus contributes to the evolution of democracy towards more participatory and inclusive structures and institutions.

Program details

“Democracy and information” is the theme of the World Forum for Democracy in 2019 with two main threads:

• Democracy dies in darkness: are we getting the information we need?
• Information and the Future: lost in space or masters of our own fate?

Moreover, Information is changing. The volume, the content, the platforms: each of these has evolved beyond recognition in a short period of time. This evolution continues. Further, Twenty-five years ago, most of our information came from printed publications, television, and radio.

In addition, The questions we must address in 2019 are to what extent the information is reliable, whether this helps or hinders citizens in taking part in democratic processes, also,  what lessons we should learn for ensuring the free flow of information in the future. Further, The core content of the Forum will consist of discussions about successful initiatives and actions, which have real-life initiatives as a starting point.

In this context, the Youth Department of the Council of Europe will invite 50-60 young people to participate and engage with decision makers and opinion-formers in a reflection on the question of Democracy and Information.

Benefit

• Travel expenses and visa costs will be reimbursed upon presentation of the relevant receipts. Further,  according to the rules of the Council of Europe. Only the participants who attend the entire event (pre-Forum meeting and World Forum) can be reimbursed. The payment will be by bank transfer after the World Forum. Prepaid tickets for travel can only be in exceptional and justified cases.
• They will also provide board and also, lodging is from the Council of Europe (arrival on Sunday 3rd November and departure on Saturday 9th November). Participants will be accommodated at the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg (EYCS). You might be requested to share a room. The EYCS is fully accessible to young people with disabilities and ready to adapt to young peoples special needs in order to ensure full inclusion and quality working conditions. Wi-fi is provided in the rooms.

Eligibility

• Be of age 18-30
•  able to communicate and work in English;
• motivated to contribute to developing new ideas on youth and also,  democracy;
• Be ready to share own challenges faced in relation to media, fake news, information and its effects on democracy;
• Further,  ready to adopt a solution-oriented approach by bringing in new ideas and visions on the question of media, fake news, information, and democracy;
• Be available to participate fully in the World Forum for Democracy and the preparation process beforehand;
• The youth representatives will be on the basis of these criteria and a video. Further, The Council of Europe welcomes applications from all candidates who fulfill the above-mentioned profile, irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, racial, ethnic or social origin, color, religion, belief or sexual orientation.
• A few limited places will allow participants from the previous editions of the World Forum to participate.