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Moldova: students and the government take action on gender equality and violence against women
At the State University of Chisinau (USM) some 120 students learned about the role of the Council of Europe in promoting gender equality and preventing violence against women. During his visit to the Republic of Moldova, Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge engaged with the students, discussing...
Deputy Secretary General visits Portugal
During his visit to Portugal, Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge had meetings with the Portuguese Foreign Minister, Minister of Justice and the Speaker of the Parliament, and he addressed the North-South Prize Award Ceremony and the Executive Committee of the North-South Centre. In the margins...
Stronger political will needed to guarantee the future of freedom and equality for all, say European leaders at IDAHOT+ Forum
Addressing challenges to the human rights of LGBTI persons in Europe – including clampdowns on PRIDEs, efforts to undermine human rights defenders, and a rise in violent attacks on LGBTI people – is the focus of the 11th European IDAHOT+ Forum held by the Council of Europe and the Ministry of...
Human Rights, Camera, Action! - Council of Europe launches photo and video competition for young Europeans
To celebrate its 75th anniversary and to raise awareness of the role and impact of the Council of Europe, the Deputy Secretary General, Bjørn Berge, has launched a photo and video competition entitled “Human Rights, Camera, Action!” aimed at young people, inviting them to use their smartphones...
Berlin conference on how religious leaders can help to re-invigorate European democracies
As part of Liechtenstein’s Presidency of the Committee of Ministers, an international conference on “How can interreligious engagement help to re-invigorate the European democracies?” will take place on 14 May at the Federal Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development (BMZ) in Berlin,...
"Defending fundamental freedoms in times of war and crises” on the Kristiansand conference agenda
The future of European co-operation and justice for Ukraine featured heavily at the 5th European Conference on Democracy and Human Rights in Kristiansand, Norway on 6 May. Following a welcome address by the Mayor of Kristiansand, Matthias Bernander, the official opening speeches focused on the...
The Netherlands: “Council of Europe is your friend who helps you stick to the rules”
On the 3rd of April 2024, at the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security and at the Utrecht University, Ambassador Tanja Gonggrijp, Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the Council of Europe gave presentations on the Council of Europe’s central role in strengthening human rights, the...
Parliamentary Assembly Committee debates next steps to support the displaced people of Ukraine
On Tuesday 16 April, Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge participated with Mr Dmytro Lubinets (online), Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, and Dr Vilde Hernes, Senior Researcher at Norwegian Institute for Urban and Regional Research (NIBR; Oslo Metropolitan University) in an...
Be who you are: Luxembourg promotes living together concept
Luxembourg’s recent Orientation Days have placed a spotlight on the Council of Europe’s work to combat racism and promote inclusion: values that are fundamental to the event’s theme of “living together”. The Orientation Days, held at the European Convention Centre, take place twice a year and...
Deputy Secretary General visits Republic of Moldova
During his two-day visit to the Republic of Moldova, Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge has expressed his support for the authorities’ efforts to strengthen healthcare for prisoners, and promote gender equality and action to combat violence against women. He also held a series of meetings with...
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