Forum des Jeunes (FJ)

National Youth Council - Full members

www.forumdesjeunes.be

forum.jeunes@cfwb.be

The Youth Council of the French-Speaking Community is the official advisory body and voice of the French-speaking young people in Belgium. Its role is to have young people (16-30 years old) participating in the democratic process, especially by collecting their opinion about a variety of themes, that directly or indirectly affect them, to then relieve it to the politics. The Youth Council defends young people’s interests and represents them at national and international level. The main tool the Youth Council has to make young people’s voice heard is the issuing of official notices. Then, we make sure the suggestions made by young people are followed by concrete measures helping improving their life. The Youth Council has certainly no decisional power but it has a real lobbying role to the decision makers in our country. The Youth Council is the young itching powder to the parliament members and ministers. The Youth Council has already obtained various “political victories” to ensure young people’s emancipation in society: the withdrawal of security measures targeting young people (mosquito, curfew, bootcamp, etc.); the limitation of discriminatory measures against young people regarding employment and unemployment; the introduction of lessons about affective and sexual life in school programmes; the integration of programmes of education to the media on the waves of RTBF (Belgian television and radio); etc. The Youth Council works thus on listening to young people’s concerns and on having young people participating in civic life but we also want to build a collective speech to be able to support the voice of young people.

Related news and publications

On guaranteeing youth safety and rights in the digital world: a call for a balanced approach

Motion - 08/11/2025

European institutions, governments, and online platforms have worked to make social media safer, but some proposals risk undermining youth rights. Measures driven by fear may backfire, causing circumvention and harm. Young people could ultimately be worse off as a result.

Inclusion and diversity

Combating menstrual poverty across Europe - an unseen hindrance to equal opportunities

Motion - 08/11/2025

Around 10% of people who menstruate in the EU face period poverty, especially those with low income, refugees, youth, and people with disabilities. The European Youth Forum urges action to end period poverty as a key step toward gender equality and the right to menstrual health.

The Cyprus Problem: Its International Dimension and the Role of Young People

08/11/2025

In 2025, 51 years after the Turkish invasion, the Cyprus Youth Council continues advocating for youth rights, peace, and reconciliation, including Turkish Cypriot youth. It envisions a free, reunited Cyprus as a model of coexistence, while the European Youth Forum upholds its principles in addressing the Cyprus Problem.

Safeguarding civic space

Safeguarding Independent National Youth Councils and Guaranteeing the Stability of Youth Policy in Europe

Motion - 08/11/2025

The independence of National Youth Councils across Europe is under threat, requiring urgent political action. This motion supports the European Youth Forum’s Strategic Plan 2024–2028 to strengthen democracy, protect civic space, and defend youth organisations from political interference.

Youth rights

UNited Europe: Strengthening the partnership between UN Youth Delegates and the European Youth Forum

Motion - 08/11/2025

United Nations Youth Delegates (UNYDs) and the European Youth Forum advocate for meaningful youth engagement in all policy areas. This motion supports enhancing coordination between UNYDs, YFJ, and European countries to amplify youth voices and ensure strong, unified impact in UN policymaking.

Climate

Strengthening European Train Travel to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Increase Young People's Mobility

Motion - 08/11/2025

Transport makes up about a quarter of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions and harms the environment. This motion advances the European Youth Forum’s goals on sustainability, inclusion, and participation by calling for greener, fairer, and more accessible transport policies.

Democracy

Appeal to the European Union: Stand Against Repression and Violation of Fundamental Rights in Serbia

Motion - 14/05/2025

Repression in Serbia has intensified since the Novi Sad tragedy in Nov 2024. Over 1600 protests have erupted, with 325,000 marching on Mar 15, 2025. Young people demand accountability, the rule of law, and the protection of human rights. Read the motion to find out what we're calling for.

Sustainable development

It's time to... Walk the COP! | COP29

04/11/2024

Walk the COP 🌍🌟 It's time to really implement the policies to fight the climate crisis. Which ones? We have a few ideas... Here’s how we can Walk the COP: finance the Global South, phase out fossil fuels, protect human rights, and support vulnerable communities... 🌿🌟