Satellite Events of the World Forum for Democracy
the Institute for International Relations, has proposed a one-day seminar in Comillas to bring young people directly into one of Europe’s most important ongoing democratic conversations. Under the title Towards a New Democratic Pact for Europe — the 2026 Report of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe — the event will channel youth voices from Cantabria to Strasbourg, joining a growing wave of debate and reflection on the future of democracy across the continent.
Through four structured debate panels — two in the morning and two in the afternoon — participants will analyse the key challenges facing democracy today and formulate concrete proposals to be submitted to the Council of Europe’s Directorate of Democracy as a contribution to the World Forum for Democracy (WFD) 2026.
The seminar is open to university students from Cantabria, Asturias and the Basque Country, as well as students from other regions of Spain and Europe, and non-university young people with an active interest in democracy and current affairs. Each panel will be led by a Moderator and a Rapporteur. At the close of the day, the four rapporteurs will jointly produce a conclusions document for formal submission to the Council of Europe.
when: 27/10/2026
if you would like to be part of the event , please send us an email to: instituteopendebates@dinstitute.eu
Youth Democracy Debate: From Comillas (Spain) to Strasbourg
