The European Youth Forum’s Expert Group on Youth Rights met for the second time in 2017 on 20 and 21 October in Brussels. Bringing together six member organisations of the Youth Forum, the Group reviewed progress since its last meeting in June.

Notably, the National Youth Council of Moldova submitted a report to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR), while the German Federal Youth Council (DBJR) submitted a joint report with the Youth Forum ahead of Germany’s Universal Periodic Review in 2018.

Furthermore, a member of the Expert Group, the International LGBTQI Youth and Student Organisation provided an introductory training to participants on the norm critical approach. The Expert Group also discussed next steps regarding advocacy for recommendations on youth in the upcoming Universal Periodic Reviews of Romania as Germany, as well as Germany’s upcoming review by the CESCR. Finally, participants discussed priorities on youth rights for 2018, as the Expert Group will continue its mandate until the end of next year, supporting youth organisations to engage with international human rights instruments and mechanisms.

More information about the Universal Periodic Review, the Treaty Bodies, as well as other human rights instruments and mechanisms is available at www.youthforum.org/rights.