🏛️ The Cyprus Youth Council attended the Democracy and Open Dialogue Conference entitled “Good Governance: Rights and Accountability in a Modern Democracy”, held on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, at the Presidential Palace, upon the initiative of the Office of the Commissioner for Citizens’ Rights.

👩‍💼 The Council was represented by its President, Maria Dıplaru, reaffirming its continued commitment to strengthening democratic participation, transparency and accountability in public administration.

💬 Through presentations and open discussion, key issues directly affecting the relationship between the state and citizens were highlighted, including the importance of legality, objectivity and transparency in decision-making, the interdependence of rights and accountability, and the need to transition from bureaucracy to a more human-centred and participatory form of governance.

🎤 As part of the Conference, presentations were delivered by the Commissioner for Citizens’ Rights, Mr. Panagiotis Palates, on participation in democratic processes; the Commissioner for Administration and the Protection of Human Rights, Ms. Maria Stylianou-Lottidi, on state–citizen interaction within the Cypriot context; as well as a representative of the Independent Authority Against Corruption on the role of good governance and accountability in strengthening trust between the state and society.

🌍 The active and meaningful participation of young people in public dialogue constitutes a fundamental pillar of a modern, open and resilient democracy. The Cyprus Youth Council continues to support initiatives that promote transparency, institutional accountability and the strengthening of public trust in democratic institutions.