Strasbourg, France — Last week, Themis International Human Rights Association was represented at the Council of Europe’s European Youth Centre for the study session: “Young, Informed & Involved: Strengthening Democratic Literacy and Media Participation.”
Representing the association in his capacity as Vice President, Arayik Grigorian joined a cohort of young journalists, media makers, human rights activists and other specialists from over 20 countries. Organized by the European Youth Press and DYPALL Network in cooperation with the Youth Department of the Council of Europe, the program focused on the role of information in sustaining open and resilient societies.
Throughout the session, Arayik Grigorian engaged in high-level discussions on democratic literacy, freedom of expression, and the systemic challenges faced by modern democracies.
“While media was our central tool of analysis, the focus remained on its connection to democratic processes and the protection of fundamental rights1,” he noted.
The dialogue specifically addressed the growing impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on access to reliable information, as well as the risks posed by disinformation and algorithmic influence in the digital age. For an organization like Themis, these technical intersections are critical to the modern defense of human rights.
Beyond the theoretical discussions, the experience was marked by collaborative work and the development of concrete initiatives. These efforts aimed at strengthening democratic participation and supporting those engaged in the production and protection of information – reflections that are already taking shape within Themis International’s strategic framework beyond the session.
We are grateful for the exchanges, the perspectives shared, and the opportunity to represent Themis International in such an inspiring and demanding environment.
We extend our sincere appreciation to the European Youth Press, DYPALL Network, and the Council of Europe Youth Department, as well as to all participants for making this experience truly meaningful.
For further details on the session’s outcomes, visit the official Council of Europe event review.
