Panel "The Cultural Turn and its Practice in the Humanities"

Climate and environment, both themes relevant to culture, are issues which were discussed by noteworthy representatives from science and politics on the panel "The Cultural Turn and its Practice in the Humanities" on March 29, in Karlsruhe (Germany). This was followed by a ZKM (Zentrum für Kunst und Medientechnologie) premiere show of Andrea Molino’s scenic opera "Three Mile Island". The opera thematises the reactor disaster in Pennsylvania in 1979, specifically showing how cultural perspectives can shed light on a drastic event. This event is linked to the work done by working group inter-secretariat of the Council of Europe on climate change. (more...) [02/04/2012]

MARS Programme: National Media Encounter "Ethics and Editorial Management"

The National Media Encounter on "Ethics and Editorial Management" of the MARS programme (Media Network for Diversity) was held in Vilnius (Lithuania) from 30 to 31 March 2012. During these two days, more than 40 journalists, mainly from sport media coverage, exchanged on their professional practices and tried to find ways to better include diversity and non discrimination in the ethical principles and rules of journalism. (more...) [02/04/2012]

Intercultural cities Mayors' round table at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe

Mayors of cities members of the Intercultural Cities Joint Programme with the European Union held a a round table on 21st March on "Intercultural City: Building an inclusive Identity". The mayors of six European cities reported on their experience in developing local policies in this area and discussed ways of shaping an optimum model for dealing with cultural diversity in local communities and managing relations between different ethnic and cultural groups. (more...) [28/03/2012]

Video of the debate

Capacity building programme for sustainable tourism development along cultural routes

The Council of Europe held a capacity building programme for sustainable tourism development along cultural routes in Chisinau (Moldova) on 22-25 March 2012, supported by a host of important international partners. Moldova has played an important role in the development of the Council of Europe’s training of trainers for Sustainable Tourism Programme. The growing importance in the quality and variety of Moldovan wines and wine tourism, as well as the beauty of the country, make it a natural host for this 4th international programme on sustainable tourism. (more...) [26/03/2012]

Making Integration Work in Europe's Cities

The Integrating Cities Conference 2012 "Making Integration Work in Europe's Cities" took place in Amsterdam on 8-9 of March 2012. It was organised by the city of Amsterdam in cooperation with and EUROCITIES and the European Commission. During this conference, leading key experts, policy and decision-makers as well as city networks (ECCAR, EuroFund (CLIP), Cities of Migration, etc.) met to discuss how cities and their administrations can best contribute to developing a better understanding of local concerns in Europe and facilitating knowledge exchange to create more inclusive and better integration policies. (more...) [12/03/2012]

European Convention on Cinematographic Co-Production

The Convention (entry into force 1994, 43 members) has reached its goal of strengthening European cinematographic co-production. Yet, the CDCULT agreed at its plenary session in May 2011 on the general interest of potential review of the European Convention on Cinematographic Co-Production in order to possibly update this legal instrument in view of recent developments in the sector. The Eurimages Secretariat has launched a tender, followed by commissioning a report in early 2012 to Mr Jonathan Olsberg (SPI, UK): "Evaluation and proposed revisions of the European Convention on Cinematographic Co-production" An experts meeting took place in Paris on 29 February 2012 to study the findings and make concrete suggestions for possible changes to the Convention. A subsequent meeting (Paris, 13 March 2012) has produced a document for the CDCPP Meeting on 14 May 2012, in view of taking a decision on a possible revision of the European Convention on Cinematographic Co-Production. [09/03/2012]

European Academic Network on Romani Studies : newly elected Scientific Committee

A new Scientific Committee of the European Academic Network on Romani Studies has been recently elected. More than 80% of the full members of the network expressed their preferences during the period 28 February – 5 March 2012. Following 11 candidates received the highest number of votes and became members of the new Scientific Committee : Thomas Acton, Henriette Asseo, Victor Friedman, Jean-Pierre Liegeois, Elena Marushiakova, Yaron Matras, Michael Stewart, Eva Sobotka, Elisabeth Tauber, Peter Vermeersch and Enikő Vincze. [09/03/2012]

Results

Bosnia and Herzegovina: new member State of the EUR-OPA Major Hazards Agreement

On the eve of the 25th anniversary of the EUR-OPA Major Hazards Agreement, the Executive Secretariat has pleasure in announcing that Bosnia and Herzegovina is an official member State of the Agreement as of 20 February 2012. Thanks to this accession, the Agreement now counts amongst its members all the countries from south-east Europe. Bosnia and Herzegovina consequently becomes the 27th member State of this platform for cooperation in the field of major hazards between the countries of Europe and the south of the Mediterranean set up in 1987. Its field of competence is linked to major natural and technological hazards – knowledge, prevention, crisis management, post-crisis evaluation and rehabilitation. [07/03/2012]

Open Call of Interest for Compendium Experts successful

In order to maintain or further enhance the quality and the scope of the Compendium, an Open Call of Interest for "Lead" and "Contributing" Experts had been launched last year. A large number of qualified applications were received. The Compendium editors are currently examining the results - decisions are to be expected until early March. [29/02/2012]

Meeting of the Group of Specialists on the European Diploma of Protected Areas

The Group of Experts on the European Diploma of Protected Areas met in Strasbourg on 9-10 February 2012 for their annual meeting. The Group examined two new applications for the Diploma, to be presented by the Armenian Government for the Khosrov Forest State Reserve and the Irish authorities for the Burren region. Based on the expert visit reports carried out, the Group also discussed the Draft Resolutions concerning the renewal of the Diploma, to be then forwarded to the Committee of Ministers for final adoption. (more...) [15/02/2012]

Council of Europe Cultural Events Label (CECEL) – call for 2012 candidates

The label is awarded annually to a small number of exceptional and innovative cultural projects organised in Europe which convey a strong message relevant to the Council of Europe’s work and critical issues of European societies. The deadline for entries is the 30 June 2012. (more...) [30/01/2012]

Application form

Tokyo Declaration on a Partnership between Intercultural Cities

A symposium on Intercultural City Encounters Europe-Asia was organised in Tokyo on 18-19 January by the Council of Europe and the Japan Foundation. The 200 participants included nine Mayors from European, Japanese and Korean Cities, European, Japanese and Korean experts and Directors of specialist integration departments of invited cities. The symposium and associated events explored the potential of leveraging cultural diversity for community building in European, Japanese and Korean contexts, and compared intercultural policies, good practices and challenges. [03/02/2012]

Tokyo Declaration

CultureWatchEurope: Reflections on the crisis and renewal in European art and culture

A number of high-ranking policy makers, leading thinkers and practitioners in the cultural sector gathered for 1 ½ days in November in Bled, Slovenia, for reflections on responsible cultural policy making and modern cultural governance. [25/01/2012]

Conference statement