The Conference of European Churches (CEC) Governing Board convened on 21 November in Brussels, focusing on more deeply engaging with young people and on how churches can build stronger intergenerational networks.
Sergej Koperdak, Adviser for Strategy and Technology in the Directorate for Policy Strategy, Directorate-general for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, and member of the Intergenerational Fairness Task Force in the European Commission, spoke to the Governing Board, thanking CEC for its recent contribution to the European Commission Strategy on Intergenerational Fairness.
Koperdak expressed particular appreciation for the role of churches in principles that should underpin a future EU strategy.
Representatives from youth organisations presented to the Governing Board their future plans, and what churches can do to better collaborate with young people.
Steven Edwards, General Secretary of the Ecumenical Youth Council in Europe, offered an overview of the council, and suggested specific actions churches can take to better engage young people.
“Offer space for young people, engage with them and empower them,” he said—and this means sharing power as well as financial support. “Amplify youth voices, communicate about youth, collaborate with youth organisations,” he further suggested. “Talk about us and keep us in your minds; your networks are helpful for us.”
Serena Tiburtini. Regional Secretary for Europe & Global Program Coordinator for Youth Security and Peace, World Student Christian Federation in Europe, shared the federation’s recent work, as well as plans for 2026.
In 2025, she shared, the World Student Christian Federation in Europe, among many initiatives, has focused on youth-inclusive peace-building, providing study sessions and training that included a special focus on Ukraine, to which CEC contributes through its Pathways to Peace initiative.
During 2025, the federation also focused on mission diversity and building inclusive churches.
In 2026, Tiburtini shared, the World Student Christian Federation in Europe will focus on global solidarity and ecumenical engagement, and on discovering and defending democracy.
Also on the CEC Governing Board’s agenda were updates on major initiatives, including Charta Oecumenica and Pathways to Peace, as well as activity reports from the staff members.
Fr Manuel Barrios Prieto, General Secretary from Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), gave an introduction to the work of COMECE and discussed how to deepen cooperation.
Concluding its meeting, the Governing Board offered a special appreciative farewell to outgoing CEC Legal Advisor Andreas Aarflot, and welcomed incoming Legal Advisor Huibert Logmans.