Civil society plays a central role in shaping Europe’s democratic future and is essential to the success of the New Democratic Pact for Europe, Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset said at the opening of an international conference in Strasbourg on 2 February 2026. Addressing participants, he emphasized that democracy depends not only on elections but on trust, rights, and active civic engagement, warning that Europe must not abandon the principles that make democratic life function.
The conference, organised by the Council of Europe, brings together representatives from civil society, European governments, and international organisations to exchange best practices and develop concrete proposals for monitoring, strengthening, and protecting civic space. Over two days, discussions aim to reinforce civic space as a cornerstone of democratic renewal and to ensure meaningful participation in democratic processes across Europe.
The event contributes directly to the ongoing development of the New Democratic Pact for Europe, a collective initiative launched to respond to increasing pressures on democratic systems. As the consultation phase of the pact reaches a critical stage, insights gathered during the conference are expected to inform the next phase, which will focus on translating dialogue into concrete policies and innovative democratic practices.
In his address, Alain Berset warned that Europe is once again at a turning point, noting that democratic resilience cannot be achieved if civic space continues to shrink from within. He highlighted concerns raised in his 2025 annual report, including the rise of laws related to so-called foreign influence or foreign agents, which place increasing constraints on independent civil society organisations and weaken democratic trust.
Berset also pointed to ongoing efforts to address broader democratic challenges, including work on a future Council of Europe convention on disinformation and foreign interference, as well as initiatives related to migration under the European Convention on Human Rights. These efforts, he said, form part of a wider response to the evolving threats facing Europe’s democratic institutions.
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty reinforced these messages in his keynote address, stressing that civil society remains indispensable for protecting democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. He called for coordinated action at both national and European levels to counter growing pressures on civic actors and to ensure that civic space remains open and protected.
The conference also featured welcoming remarks from Ambassador Daniela Cujbă, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Moldova and President of the Ministers’ Deputies, underscoring the shared responsibility of European institutions and member states in safeguarding democratic participation and supporting the vital role of civil society across the continent.
