Strasbourg (France), 30 September–1 October 2026
Josyane Zingg represented OIDEL in Strasbourg, attending the General Assembly of the Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe and activities linked to the autumn session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).
The first day offered an exchange on political trends across Europe, alongside individual conversations with representatives of European NGOs working in different ways to advance parental rights and the right to education. These discussions provided an opportunity to exchange perspectives and build connections.
The second day focused on the work of the Conference of INGOs’ committees. Much of the substantive work of the CINGO appears to take place within these committees, which provide an important space for developing initiatives and advancing discussions between General Assembly meetings, held twice a year. OIDEL will continue to follow these developments closely, particularly the planned Education Committee, expected to be launched in spring 2027 and co-led by Arja Krauchenberg.
The gathering also marked the 50th anniversary of the Conference of INGOs, celebrated with a special dinner in the Mozart Hall.
On 1 October, PACE held a debate entitled “Towards a Family-Friendly Europe: Policy Recommendations for Demographic Renewal” and adopted Resolution 2682 (2026). The resolution calls for better family support, including accessible childcare and improved parental leave, in response to Europe’s demographic challenges. It also stresses the importance of involving parents’ and family associations in shaping and implementing family policies, an important point for organisations working to ensure that families’ perspectives are heard in public decision-making. You can find the report and the resolution here.
