Council of Europe

4^th Training Course for Youth Leaders of the African Diaspora Living in Europe, 1-8 July 2013, Hammamet, Tunisia
This course takes place in the framework of the 1st Mediterranean University on Youth and Global Citizenship. It is organised by the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe in the framework of the Joint Management Agreement between the European Commission – EuropeAid Co-operation Office and the North-South Centre.

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.
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. 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.
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. 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

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).
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Internet, a social space for youth: what education to respect others? in Strasbourg on 30 May
In the framework of the 2nd Festival on Young People and Human Rights and with the participation of the Council of Europe and the Conference of INGOs, the association "Regards d'enfants" invites you to a seminar on the theme "Internet, a social space for youth: what education to respect others", on Sunday 9 June, from 11h to 12h30 at the "Palais de la Musique et des Congres" in Strasbourg
Programme of the seminar[fr]
Programme of the 2nd festival [fr]

"Stop violence against women by implementing international standards", 30 May, Geneva (Switzerland)
"Stop violence against women by implementing international standards": a side event at the 23rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council, co-organised by the Council of Europe and the Permanent Mission of Turkey to the United Nations Office at Geneva. The event seeks to promote ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention) as a global tool to end gender based violence.
More information

1171^st meeting of the Ministers' Deputies, on 29 May in Strasbourg
On the occasion of the Ministers' Deputies' 1171st meeting, the Deputies agreed to the request by the Kingdom of Morocco for observer status with the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ).
- Meeting file

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 News: Workshop in Egypt: Democracies in the Making. Egypt at the centre of Arab Transitions, 3-4 June in Cairo
The objective of this workshop to be held in Cairo, Egypt on 3-4 June 2013, is to analyse the current phase of the democratic transitions in the region dominated by a high level of polarisation. It will be organised by EuroMeSCo, IEMed and the Al Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies (ACPSS), with the support of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID).
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MEDSPRING PROJECT OPEN CONSULTATION - EUROMEDITERRANEAN RESEARCH POLICIES ON WATER, FOOD AND ENERGY, DEADLINE: JUNE 3^rd 2013
MEDSPRING project has launched a first on-line open consultation addressed to Mediterranean countries civil society on three main challenges: resource efficiency (main focus: water), high quality affordable food and renewable energy.
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. Press release

UNAoC News: See the webpage
. UNAOC-Education First Summer School: Call for Applications
. Google, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and the World Bank Institute jointly organized a unique digital journalism training for Arab media professionals
. Digital Tools Training in Amman: Program
. “Living Together Peacefully in a Diverse World” Prize
. Statement by H.E. Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, The UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations At The Opening Ceremony of The 2nd World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue

Mediterranean Dialogues, 28 May 2013
EUROCLIO Advising Partner and Active Contributor at the KAICIID Conference on "The Image of the Other".
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