INGO Conference Autumn 2025

Yellow and blue graphic with Strasbourg skyline and text “INGO Conference Autumn 2025”, used as header for the INGO Conference 2025 report. — *INGO Conference 2025 Autumn Session in Strasbourg at the Council of Europe.*

What is the INGO Conference?

The INGO Conference is the body that represents organised civil society within the Council of Europe. Through its committees and working structures, it enables NGOs to contribute to standard setting, monitoring and policy development in core areas such as human rights, democracy and the rule of law. CINGO, the Liaison Committee of the INGO Conference, coordinates this work by supporting the thematic committees, facilitating dialogue with the Council of Europe and the member states, and ensuring that the voice of civil society is heard at every stage of the decision-making process.

Over three days in Strasbourg—and an additional online session—Parents International took part in a rich programme of committee meetings, thematic debates and strategic exchanges with institutional partners and youth representatives.

The Three Days of the INGO Conference

On the first day, the committees met to review the progress of their ongoing work. We attended the meetings of the Committee for the European Social Charter and its monitoring mechanism; the committee on NGOs as advocates for gender equality and women’s rights—where we gave a presentation entitled “Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists?”—and the Civil Society Committee on the Rights of the Child in Europe, which we chair.

At the end of the day, all committees met jointly with the President and the Standing Committee to review their activities and to coordinate planned interventions for the General Assembly. This joint session offered an important opportunity to align priorities, identify synergies between different thematic areas and ensure that the concerns of civil society would be clearly reflected in the work of the Council of Europe.

On the second day, we welcomed two ambassadors—Caitriona Doyle of Ireland and Vebjorn Heines of Norway—representing the recently formed group Friends of Civil Society. They provided an update on their work, with particular focus on the New Pact for Democracy and its implications for civil society participation within the Council of Europe framework.

Following this, we received Ambassador Daniela Cujbă of Moldova, who will soon assume the Presidency of the Committee of Ministers, and who presented the key priorities of her upcoming mandate, including the defence of democratic standards, protection of human rights and support for an enabling environment for NGOs.

In the session dedicated specifically to civil society, Jeremy McBride, President of the Expert Council on NGO Law, presented an update on the Council’s recent work. The President of CINGO then reported on the increasingly difficult situation faced by civil society in several countries, including Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Slovakia and Turkey, sharing testimonies received from local organisations. He also provided a brief account of the recent CINGO mission to Serbia to assess the challenges facing civil society organisations there in their relationship with the government, and the risks these trends pose for democracy and the rule of law.

The Civil Society Committee on the Rights of the Child in Europe welcomed a delegation from the European Committee for Home-Based Priority Action for the Child and the Family (EUROCEF), composed of university students, professionals and teachers who came to learn about our work on children’s rights. Despite the limited time, the meeting was both stimulating and productive, paving the way for future collaboration on issues such as inclusive education, family support and child participation in decision-making.

In the afternoon, the President’s report was presented in plenary, followed by the introduction and discussion of four draft recommendations to be voted on the following day:
• State Accountability in the Provision of Housing for People on the Move, Refugees and Asylum Seekers – A Fundamental Matter of Respect for Human Rights
• For a Permanent Platform for Ongoing Interreligious and Interconvictional Dialogue within the Council of Europe
• Access to Sport for All as a Recognised Fundamental Right
• The Human Cost of War: A Call for Peace and Protection in Gaza

On the third day, the session began with a briefing from the Secretariat on the implementation of the Council of Europe Roadmap, followed by the presentation of the OING Service President’s Harry Rogge biannual report, highlighting recent achievements and ongoing challenges for the INGO Conference.

As the Civil Society Committee on the Rights of the Child in Europe, together with the Youth Sector of CINGO and the Pompidou Group, had organised a side event entitled “Healthier Youth – Addressing the Risks of Online Gambling and Video Gaming”, we left the plenary to co-chair the session with Jeanne Saliou from the Pompidou Group.

Ten young participants from various countries—including the United Kingdom, Poland, Greece, Kurdistan, Spain (2), Turkey, Slovakia and Italy (2)—took part. Listening to their voices is not only important; it is essential. They brought fresh perspectives, courage and honesty, helping us to imagine a fairer and more compassionate society for all. It was an inspiring exchange of ideas, rich in diverse viewpoints, and an invaluable learning experience for everyone involved. The only regret was that the time was too short, as much more remained to be discussed.

In the afternoon, we were only able to attend the beginning of the presentation on the CINGO Communication Charter before having to leave for Lisbon.

One Step Further: the BRIDGE Project

On the fourth day, online, we attended the presentation of the BRIDGE Project — Building Resilience and Independence for Democratic Governance and Engagement with the Council of Europe, a European initiative led by ALDA aimed at countering democratic backsliding by strengthening civil society participation. We also received important updates on the ongoing Reykjavik Process and its potential to reinforce the role of civil society and INGOs in the broader Council of Europe architecture.

Next year we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the INGO Conference. Several activities will be held throughout the year, culminating in a grand celebration at the Autumn meeting on the 26th. This anniversary will offer a key opportunity to highlight the indispensable contribution of civil society organisations to human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe—and to reaffirm our shared commitment to these values.

Herminio Corrêa