From June 14 to 20, a delegation from the Liberal Democratic League of Ukraine participated in the five-day seminar "No Signal: You(th) in Isolation" in Strasbourg, organized by the International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY).
The organization was represented by Oksana Konovalova and Karina Cheremnova.
The event focused on the crisis of youth loneliness – a rapidly growing trend worldwide. This issue was examined not only as a challenge to individual mental health but also as a serious risk to democracy. The alienation of youth from society fuels political polarization and creates a fertile ground for the spread of authoritarian narratives.
The LDLU delegates placed a separate, critically important emphasis on Ukraine's experience. They highlighted that due to the full-scale Russian war, Ukrainian youth face an unprecedented level of isolation, stress, and loss of social connections – both among young veterans and civilians.
Overall, during the study session, participants analyzed:
- The complex root causes of isolation (political, economic, social, and personal factors).
- The threats this phenomenon poses to liberal democracy.
- Tools and strategies for engaging youth in political and social processes.
- Mechanisms to counteract the global trend of democratic backsliding.
As part of the program, a working visit to the Council of Europe also took place. The delegates learned about the specific activities of the institution in the youth sector and discussed tools for ensuring the well-being of youth on a pan-European scale.
