Mayo youth delegate attends EU democracy conference in Brussels
Charlotte Emma Langan was among four young people representing Ireland’s National Youth Assembly
A 19-year-old from Mayo represented Ireland’s National Youth Assembly at a major European conference on democracy and civic participation in Brussels this week.
Charlotte Emma Langan was one of four young delegates invited to attend the Irish Presidency conference, Strengthening Inclusive Democratic Participation and Civic Engagement within the EU, held this week.
Organised by the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union in partnership with the Council’s General Secretariat, the conference brought together policymakers, civil society representatives, academics and democracy experts from across Europe.
Discussions focused on strengthening public participation, building trust in institutions and ensuring that all voices are heard in decision-making.
The four young people (Ódhran Séan Maxwell, 19 from Carlow, Tara Denise McCarthy, 20 from Cork, Richard Michael McKeever, 19 from Dublin and Charlotte Emma Langan, 19 from Mayo) were invited as special guests in recognition of Ireland’s commitment to involving citizens in shaping policies that affect their lives.
The delegates are active members of the National Youth Assembly of Ireland and have contributed to democratic discussions and youth participation structures at national level.
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley said young people had an important contribution to make as leaders in society.
“Young people have an important and invaluable contribution to make as leaders in society [..] whose participation reflects our commitment to ensuring that young people have a meaningful voice in shaping the future of our local, national and European democracies,” she said.
The conference also featured contributions from European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, Rule of Law and Consumer Protection Michael McGrath and Chief Executive of An Coimisiún Toghcháin Art O’Leary, alongside other experts from across Europe.