Young people's views and ideas for democratic togetherness in Europe also need to get more attention at European level. To this end, the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs organised the EU Youth Conference, whose results also fed into the EU Youth Ministers' Council. The aim was to promote communication between young people so that they become actively committed to Europe.

In addition, the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs strengthens young people growing up, provides European impetus for further developing youth work in Europe and promotes the European perspective in child and youth services.

The Federal Ministry for Family Affairs exchanges information on good practices in democracy work with its European partners, e.g. on "Live democracy!", which is one of the largest democracy support programmes in Europe.

The EU Youth Conference is a central tool for participation in the context of the EU Youth Dialogue on the topic of "Europe for YOUth - YOUth for Europe: Space for Democracy and Participation" The conference took place virtually from 2 to 5 October.

The return event in the European Solidarity Corps (ESC): From 23 to 25 October, returned volunteers exchanged experiences, took part in workshops and were introduced to other forms of civic engagement.

"Youth and Democracy" was one of the topics discussed at the Informal Videoconference of EU Youth Ministers, held on 30 November under the leadership of Federal Minister for Youth, Franziska Giffey. The event's main focus was a policy debate among the ministers on youth mobility under the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The European Youth Work Convention was held virtually at the beginning of December. Based on political decisions, in particular the European Youth Work Agenda developed under the German Presidency of the Council of the EU, participants from the areas of youth work practice, youth policy and youth research developed ideas and recommendations on how these political resolutions can be put into practice. At the end of the four-day digital specialist convention, which included workshops and speeches, the participants adopted a joint final declaration.

During the Presidency of the Council of the EU, the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs focused on promoting high standards throughout Europe for the protection of women against violence. As a result, a majority of gender equality ministers of EU member states and other countries agreed on 20 November to establish a Europe-wide single helpline for women affected by violence. In future, helplines for women are to be reached across Europe by phone on 116 016. The aim is to improve access to protection and counselling for everyone.

During the Presidency of the Council of the EU, there was also an exchange of experiences in the fight against violence, in particular of experiences and rapid responses during the COVID-19 crisis.

The Federal Ministry for Family Affairs has been active in combating violence against women for many years. A prime example in this regard is the "Stronger than Violence" initiative, which, since its launch in late 2019, has encouraged women to seek support and has made the available support services better known. Many partner organisations have already joined the initiative.

On 1 December, the Council of the European Union (EU) adopted Council conclusions on tackling the gender pay gap. They include specific political guidance on how the individual EU member states can implement a more equal distribution of paid work and unpaid care work between women and men.

The Federal Ministry for Family Affairs promotes gender equality in working life. The aim is to reduce the gender pay gap in Europe. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the fact that unpaid (care) work is mainly carried out by women. They are therefore not able to engage in paid work to the same extent as men.

On 6 July, Federal Minister for Women, Franziska Giffey, signed the joint Trio Presidency Declaration on Gender Equality together with her Portuguese counterpart, Mariana Vieira da Silva, and her Slovenian counterpart, Janez Cigler Kralj. In the declaration, the three EU member states committed themselves to working closely together in the field of gender equality.

"Planet 50:50 - Europas Beitrag zu den SDGs" - this was the title of a virtual conference to promote gender equality at global level, which took place on 15 October. Achieving gender equality globally is one of 17 Social Development Goals of the United Nations' Agenda 2030.

On 13 October, Federal Labour Minister Hubertus Heil and Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, Franziska Giffey, chaired a meeting of the EU’s employment and social policy ministers. The discussion focused on gender equality in the labour market in the EU. The key outcomes are summarised in the Report of the Council of the EU.

"Gender Equality in Working Life" and "Violence against Women" were the key topics discussed at a videoconference on 3 July with Franziska Giffey. The Federal Minister for Equality informed the European Parliament's Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality about Germany’s gender equality priorities during its Presidency of the Council of the EU. A recording of the conference is available on the European Parliament's website.

What are the biggest challenges for families during the pandemic? How can families be strengthened? These questions were the focus of an international online conference on 24 November. Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Franziska Giffey, presented the measures taken by Germany to provide practical assistance to families.

Families and children who are at risk of poverty and social exclusion and who are particularly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic are to be strengthened. This is what 24 member states of the European Union call for in a Joint Declaration. In addition, the 24 states welcome the announcement made by the European Commission to present a Recommendation for a European "Child Guarantee".

How significant is the new Strategy by the European Commission for LGBTIQ equality? This was the focus of discussion at the international conference entitled "Intersectionality and LGBTI Policies in Europe: Lived Realities of Lesbian* Women and the Recognition of Rainbow Families". More than 400 participants from across Europe joined the event on 18 and 19 November. Among them were also the EU Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli, and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pej?inovi? Buri?.

An online conference took place at the end of September on strengthening the rights of older people in times of digitalisation. More information on the two-day event under the hashtag #AgeingEU2020 is available in the programme and the booklet. Various video recordings of the online conference are available on YouTube. In addition, a documentation of the conference was published and the European Agency for Fundamental Rights presented a background paper on age and digitalisation.

In mid-October 2020, the Council of the European Union adopted conclusions on "human rights, participation and well-being of older persons in the era of digitalisation". More information can be found in a press release by the Council.

Germany, Portugal and Slovenia successively hold the Presidency of the Council of the EU and form a presidency trio at EU level with a joint programme. In this context, Federal Minister for Senior Citizens, Franziska Giffey, her Portuguese counterpart Ana Mendes Godinho und her Slovenian colleague Janez Cigler Kralj signed the Trio Presidency Declaration on Ageing.