Council of Europe

Mediterranean University on Youth and Global Citizenship, 1-8 July in Hammamet, Tunisia
The first edition of the Mediterranean University on Youth and Global Citizenship will take place in the International Cultural Centre in Hammamet, Tunisia. The University is organised by the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe in co-operation with the National Youth Observatory of Tunisia and in partnership with the Youth Department of the Council of Europe, the EU-CoE youth partnership, the League of Arab States, the Forum Nazionale dei Giovani and other youth organisations.
The University will be the framework for 6 different ativities and it will have a joint programme where all participants and guests from the different activities will have the opportunity to get to know each other, to work and learn together.
In the evenings participants will have the opportunity to enjoy more cultural and social events but as well to attend workshops promoted by the partners. The North-South Centre of the Council of Europe will organise on the 3rd July a workshop on “North-South Centre’s contribution to promoting the principles of the Istanbul Convention”.

NSC activities in the framework of the Mediterranean University: 
1. New media and youth participation, 2 July
A Round table will be organised by the North-South Centre in co-operation with the EU-CoE youth partnership. The overall objective of the round table and the workshop on youth participation and social media organised by the EU-CoE youth partnership hereafter is to contribute to youth empowerment and democratic citizenship through the use of social media in line with Council of Europe standards and best practices.
 . See the background document

2.  Civil society actors in democratic transformations: Sharing the experience of Central and Eastern European NGOs, 3 July
This event is organised by North-South Centre of the Council of Europe, in cooperation with the Italian National Youth Forum (FNG). The objective of the meeting is to contribute to strengthening of the civil society and in particular the youth organisations in the South and Eastern Mediterranean in light of Council of Europe standards and best practices.
During this workshop the representatives of four dimensions of governance or “quadrilogue” will discuss opportunities, challenges and risks encountered by the civil society both in Europe and in South and Eastern Mediterranean region.
 . See the background document

3. 4^th Training Course for Youth Leaders of the African Diaspora Living in Europe, 1-8 July 2013, Hammamet, Tunisia
The fourth Training Course for Youth leaders of the African Diaspora Living in Europe will be organised by the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe in co-operation with the African Diaspora Youth Network in Europe (ADYNE), under the framework of the Joint Management Agreement between European Commission-Europe-Aid Co-operation Office and the NSC. The course aims at strengthening the role of young people particularly youth leaders and youth workers from the African Diaspora active in youth organisations in the hosting societies or leading African Diaspora youth groups/movements; and empowering and promoting the capacity to organise, take action and foster their political participation in Africa-Europe Youth Co-operation and Global Youth Work.
. Call for participants

2^nd World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, 29 May-1 June in Baku
The Forum provided a platform for sharing good practices and launching new initiatives with 500 representatives from 102 countries from all continents, under the motto "United Through Common Values, Enriched by Cultural Diversity".
The Baku Forum was organised with the patronage of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, in co-operation with the Council of Europe, the North-South Centre, UNESCO, UN Alliance of Civilizations, UN World Tourism Organization and ISESCO.
. More information

UNESCO symposium on the topic "Women in the monotheistic religions", 27 May in Paris
The NSC Vice Chair Jean-Marie Heydt contributed to the event as well as Zeina el Tibi active member of the Euro-Med Women Network.
. More
. Programme

2012 North-South Prize award ceremony, 21 May 2013 at the Senate Room of the Portuguese National Assembly, Lisbon
Monika Hauser and Asma Jahangir are the distinguished international personalities who were awarded with the North-South Prize this year. The Prize was handed over by the President of the Portuguese Republic, Anibal Cavaco Silva, at the official ceremony, that took place in Lisbon, on 21 May at 3:30 pm at the Senate Room of the Portuguese National Assembly, in the presence of the Deputy Secretay General Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni.

Photos © 2006-2013 Presidência da República Portuguesa
Speeches:
. Maria Assunção Esteves, President of the Portuguese Assembly of the Republic - welcoming words
. Deborah Bergamini, Chair of the Executive Committee of the North South Centre
. João Mota Amaral, Head of the Portuguese Delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
. Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe
. Dr Monika Hauser
. Asma Jahangir
. President of the Portuguese Republic
. Video of the Ceremony
. Photos

Conference / Debate with Monika Hauser and Asma Jahangir on the theme: "Women’s rights and freedom of religion: incompatible elements?" May 20 at 6 pm in Lisbon
In the context of the XVIII Ceremony of the North-South Prize
This debate which counted with the participation of both Laureates of the North-South Prize, was moderated by Manuela Franco, Director of the Portuguese Diplomatic Institute and was held in the auditorium of the new building of the Portuguese Parliamentary Assembly on May 20 at 6 pm. Ambassador Francisco Seixas da Costa, Executive Director of the North-South Centre also intervened.
. More
. Concept Paper
. More (audio of the conference)
. Photos

Launch of the Africa-Europe Youth Cooperation Online Resource Centre (AEYCO)
The Africa-Europe Youth Cooperation Online Resource Centre (AEYCO) was developed under the Joint Management Agreement – between the European Commission (EuropeAid Cooperation Office) and the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe – to promote continuous update and monitoring, transparency, knowledge sharing, capacity-building and a community of practices for the Africa-Europe youth Cooperation process. AEYCO seeks to be interactive, youth-friendly and inclusive.
. See the webpage

The North-South Centre celebrated its 20^th Anniversary in 2010 and a new statutory resolution has been adopted on 5 May 2011

  Useful documents
 

  North-South Centre Publications
 

One World, Our World - Up dated version 2012
On the occasion of its 20^th Anniversary, the North-South Centre launched a Historical Retrospective publication which looks back on the Centre’s work and helps us understand how it fits into the international and regional context in the last 20 years. It also highlights the pertinence of its actions, its groundbreaking nature and its flexibility as a channel for what have been, are and will always be its priorities. Happy reading!
. Publication - PDF

The Round Table - North South Centre 2010
On the occasion of its 20th Anniversary, the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe asked the North-South Prize winners for a written reflection on the theme: “The 21st Century, a century of global interdependence and solidarity”. Following this initiative, a Round Table on the same theme took place on 18 May 2010, in Lisbon, with the participation of not only several North-South Prize laureates but also distinct personalities, including representatives of governments, parliaments, local and regional authorities and civil society, reflecting the “quadrilogue” nature of the functioning the North-South Centre.
This publication integrates the written contributions of former prize winners as well as the speeches of all the participants of the Round Table on “Global Interdependence and Solidarity in the 21st Century”. PDF

 Others publications
 

Focus

The Principality of Andorra accedes the North-South Centre
The Government of the Principality of Andorra decided during its Government Session of 20 March of 2013 to accede the North-South Centre.
Andorra is currently holding the Council of Europe Chairmanship, prioritising activities on youth, education for democratic citizenship and human rights, focusing in the CoE concept of living in harmony in sustainable democratic and culturally diverse societies.  One of the highlight has been the campaign Nurturing Human Rights launched to raise awareness on the Convention on Human Rights.
The partnership with the European Union for the Neighbourhood policy in the southern shores of the Mediterranean is another priority for Andorran Chairmanship.

 Council of Europe News

NGO participation in political decision making processes, 11 June in Strasbourg
NGO participation in political decision making processes is the focus of discussion at the June session of the Conference of INGOs. The meetings taking place on Wednesday and Thursday morning will take stock of the current situation of NGO participation at local and national levels and look at possibilities for more youth participation and the impact of the Code of Good Practice for civil participation in the decision-making process. The meetings are open to all INGOs. Please come along and share your experience and point of view.
. Calendar of meetings

1173^rd meeting of the Ministers' Deputies, 11-12 June in Strasbourg
On 11-12 June 2013, at their 1173^rd meeting, the Ministers' Deputies held a thematic debate on “The role of human rights defenders and the Council of Europe's interaction with civil society”. During this meeting, they also adopted a Declaration on risks to fundamental rights stemming from digital tracking and other surveillance technologies. These decisions as well as all decisions adopted by the Committee of Ministers during their 1173^rd meeting are available in the meeting file.
. Meeting file

Chair of the PACE Sub-Committee on Media concerned about the closure of the public broadcasting service in Greece, 13 June in Strasbourg
“I was extremely surprised by the closure late on Tuesday of Greece’s three public radio and TV services, ERT,” said Deborah Bergamini (Italy, EPP/CD), Chair of the PACE Sub-Committee on Media and Information Society and Chair of the Executive Committee of the North Suth Centre.
. More

Council of Europe steps up cooperation with Morocco
The Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers has accepted Morocco’s request for observer status at the organisation’s European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ).
. More

News Journal
The Directorate of Communication has launched a new initiative that aims to improve understanding of the Council of Europe's work and policies among our partners and stakeholders, including the media, in our member States and beyond.
Each Friday, a weekly review of news and views from the Council of Europe "JOURNAL" is posted in the Council of Europe's Web TV. Here is a link to this week's edition.

 European Union

Journalist seminar - Euro-Mediterranean relations, Arab Spring: two years on
The EP press service is organising a seminar for journalists on the current situation in the Arab Spring countries. The topics of debate include: EU action in response to developments in the region; freedom of expression and the media situation in the countries concerned; as well as the role played by women in the last two years. The seminar will be held in Brussels on 04-06.06.13.
• Seminar programme and background information
• Webstreaming 05.06.3013 (09.15 - 12.45)

 Partners of the North-South Centre

EuroMeSCo General Assembly and Annual Conference 2013
The Secretariat of EuroMeSCo is pleased to announce that the next EuroMeSCo General Assembly and Annual Conference will take place in Paris on 3rd and 4th of October 2013. The event will be organised in partnership with the European Union Institute for Security Studies (EUISS).
. Webpage

Euroclio - History Education beyond borers - How can we share our cultural heritage?
Registration for the 21^st EUROCLIO Annual Conference Professional Development and Training Course is OPEN now. GRANTS are available.
EUROCLIO is happy to launch registrations for its Spring Annual Conference which takes place between 31 March and 6 April in the Macedonian city of Ohrid in the heart of the Balkans. Grants are available for educators from eligible countries. These grants will cover your costs to travel and to stay during the conference. All you need to do is contact your national agency and apply before 17/09/2013.
. Webpage