Youth Pole
Youth Pole
The OIEC has sought to place young people at the heart of its deliberations. To this end, its aim is to listen to young people:
By supporting teaching staff with the Global Education Pact, whilst listening to young people.
By sending young people on missions.
By establishing a World Youth Council (WYC)to support the OIEC in its educational mission.
Listen to young people. Draw connections between their experiences. Take their suggestions forward.
The World Youth Council (WYC) gives young people from different countries a voice in the OIEC’s deliberations and projects. Within this international, apolitical and non-partisan body, they share the realities they experience in their own countries, exchange views and propose initiatives to promote education, peace and solidarity.
The new Council for 2026–2028
Meeting for the first time on 9 September 2026, the members of the new Council began a two-year term of office.
Their languages, cultures and backgrounds may differ; what unites them is their determination to give young people a voice and to work together.
Five young coaches from the previous Council are supporting them, alongside the coordination team.
Their mission: to listen, connect, make suggestions and take action
- To listen to the young people around them and give voice to their concerns, expectations and initiatives.
- To draw on experiences from different countries to better understand shared educational challenges and the specific circumstances of each region.
- To propose ideas for discussion, resources and collectively developed projects to the OIEC.
- To take action in their schools and communities, and then share the results of their initiatives.
Members can explore topics such as access to education, peace, inclusion, mental health, integral ecology, artificial intelligence and intercultural dialogue in greater depth. Their work remains open to issues that young people consider essential.
In Rome, young people’s voices heard before the OIEC Council
Their contributions brought to the Council’s discussions the experiences and proposals developed by young people from several countries.
This moment demonstrates what the CMJ can bring to the OIEC: a collectively prepared statement, informed by realities on the ground and addressed directly to those who shape the organisation’s work.
The Mediterranean Relay: five countries, a call for peace
In 2025, young people from Morocco, France, Lebanon, Spain and Syria took part in the Mediterranean Relay for Peace. Each team produced a video to present their country, their culture and their commitment. Throughout the meetings, the young people listened to the experiences of those on the other shores of the Mediterranean and explored what they could build together.
From this work emerged the Mediterranean Manifesto for Peace. Written collectively, it brings together their convictions and commitments: to choose dialogue, to defend the dignity of every individual, to care for the Earth and to build bridges between peoples.
In Rome, during the OIEC Council meeting in October 2025, Christopher and Raphaël read this manifesto before the organisation’s representatives. Their voices gave voice to a text written by young people from the five countries. The videos of this reading allow us to see and hear the meaning behind their initiative.
Video: The entire project and Christopher and Raphaël reading the manifesto before the OIEC Council in Rome.
In Geneva, young people come together to build peace
From 6 to 9 April 2026, the ‘Ambassadors of Peace’ Youth Congress brought together participants from the CMJ, the Relais Méditerranéen and Planet Fraternity in Geneva. Coming from different countries, they shared their projects, learnt about the work of international organisations and reflected together on how to prevent violence and foster dialogue.
Workshops with Pax Christi, meetings with international stakeholders and a visit to the Palais des Nations gave this training programme a practical dimension.
At the end of the gathering, the young ambassadors were awarded a certificate and a mission statement to continue their commitment in their schools, communities and countries.
