Newsroom of DG Democracy and Human Dignity
Rights of migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women and girls in focus at CSW side-event
In the margins of the 67th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York, the Council of Europe is organising a side-event on: “Responding to Regional and Global Challenges: Protecting the Rights of Migrant, Refugee and Asylum-seeking Women and Girls” . The event is co-organised with the...
Environment showcases the role of the Council of Europe for young generations
A consultative meeting “Climate crisis and young people” was held in the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg on 22-23 February 2023, in preparation for the work of the Joint Council on Youth to draft a new recommendation for the 46 member states of the Council of Europe focusing on climate...
Free to Create: Report on Artistic Freedom in Europe
A new report entitled Free to Create: Artistic Freedom in Europe examines the challenges European artists and cultural workers face in the practice of their right to freedom of artistic expression. These range from laws that curtail creative freedom, attacks from non-governmental groups and...
Twenty-five years of ensuring equality in law and in fact for national minorities
The violent break-up of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s consolidated the resolve in the Council of Europe to draft a dedicated legally binding treaty for the protection of national minorities. This is how, twenty-five years ago, the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities was...
Human rights of intersex people: work launched on new Council of Europe recommendation
Advancing the human rights of intersex people was the key theme of a conference held as part of Iceland’s Presidency of the Committee of Ministers. Conference topics included the right to physical integrity and bodily autonomy, comprehensive medical and social care, access to justice and...
Call for European Heritage Days Stories 2023 - Now open
The Call for European Heritage Days Stories is a chance to share your heritage treasures with other communities in Europe. Now in its fifth edition, the Call is a competitive grant award initiative organised through the European Heritage Days joint action of the Council of Europe and the European...
Centre of Expertise for Good Governance (CEGG)
CEGG Annual report 2022 - Promoting good democratic governance as a means of strengthening democratic culture in Europe
Ensuring democratic security and a strong culture of democracy are key to securing peace and prosperity in Europe. Although 2022 will be remembered for the terrible violence and seismic change caused by the Russian Federation’s aggression in Ukraine, the Centre of Expertise for Good Governance...
New manual on response to conflict-related sexual violence in Ukraine
How can the Istanbul Convention frame Ukrainian mental health and emergency response to conflict-related sexual violence? In the new publication: Working with victims of sexual violence during armed conflict: a manual for Ukrainian mental health and emergency response professionals, the Council...
International Migrants Day
Council of Europe publishes guidance on how to better protect children against sexual exploitation and abuse in crisis and emergency situations
Children’s lives are disrupted and seriously affected when forced to leave their homes, whilst on the move, internally displaced or once they have reached the host country. These circumstances make children particularly vulnerable to violence, sexual abuse and exploitation, including trafficking...
2022 Eurimages Co-production Development Awards
Saturday night, the €20,000 Eurimages Co-production Development Award went to the project SEALSKIN written and directed by Irene Moray, presented in the framework of ScriptLab 2022 at TorinoFilmLab. The jury composed of Maialen Beloki Berasategiu (San Sebastian International Film Festival), Erik...
Observatory on History Teaching in Europe
Annual Conference tackles the future of history teaching
The past year has shown how historical arguments can be used to nurture hate, but when taught in all its complexity, history can in fact help appease conflicts - as the 70 years’ experience of the Council of Europe in the field has shown. On December 1-2 the Council of Europe’s Observatory on...
New online course
New LEMON course on the Reference Framework of Competences for Democratic Culture
The new LEMON course on the Reference Framework of Competences for Democratic Culture (RFCDC) is now available on the Help E-Learning platefrom. Aimed at the general public as much as at education practitioners and policymakers, the course will allow learners to develop a richer understanding...
Regional Governance in Lithuania: Closing Conference
The Council of Europe - European Union Joint Project “Establishment of legal, institutional and financial framework at regional (county) level, capacity-building to enhance quality of regional public administration in Lithuania” will come to its end on 15 December 2022. To present the achieved...
11th plenary session of the Steering Committee for Culture, Heritage and Landscape (CDCPP)
The Steering Committee for Culture, Heritage and Landscape (CDCPP) will be holding its 11th plenary session in Strasbourg on 23-25 November 2022. This is the first face-to-face meeting of the Committee since 2019. Participants and observers to the CDCPP are looking forward to exchanging on the...
First gathering on the implementation of the Faro Convention in Spain
The Spanish Ministry of Culture and Sports organised the first gathering on the implementation of Faro Convention that took place on 22 November in Siguenza, Spain. Spain has ratified the Faro Convention in April and the gathering served as a first step towards the elaboration of an...
Barnahus model helps children who suffered sexual abuse from feeling like victims for a second time, say Council of Europe leaders
Ahead of the European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse marked on 18 November, Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić and Iceland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe,...
Impact of COVID 19 on women’s access to justice: what are the next steps?
What can states do to address persistent and emerging challenges and barriers women face when accessing justice? How can the Covid-19 pandemic incentivise legal professionals in the national justice systems to rethink and reshape national approaches to access to justice and gender equality? The...
World Forum for Democracy: “Democracy: A new hope?”
“Democracy: A new hope?” is the theme of this year’s World Forum for Democracy, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The event, taking place from 7 to 9 November at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, will bring together intellectuals, politicians, activists, experts and young people from...
The European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages celebrates its 30th anniversary - statement by the Bureau of the Committee of Experts
On 5 November 1992, eleven member states of the Council of Europe signed the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in Strasbourg, considering that the preservation and development of Europe's cultural traditions and wealth depended on the protection of its regional or minority...
Participation of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe in UNESCO's Mondiacult2022 Conference
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe participated in UNESCO's Mondiacult2022 Conference, which took place in Mexico from 28-30 September, 40 years after the first meeting. The Secretary General stressed the Council of Europe's commitment to contributing to the achievement of the United...
17th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Sport: focus on Sport for All and Rethinking Sport
Sport for All and Rethinking Sport were the two central themes of the 17th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Sport that was held on 26 October in Antalya, Türkiye. Organised by the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) in co-operation with the Ministry of Youth and...
European Anti-Trafficking Day: States must urgently tackle human trafficking for labour exploitation
Ahead of the European Anti-Trafficking Day (18 October) the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) has stressed the urgency of tackling the growing menace of trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation. Helga Gayer, President of GRETA,...
Faro Convention Regional Seminar in Tallinn
The Estonian Ministry of Culture, the Finnish Heritage Agency and the Council of Europe jointly organised the Faro Convention Regional Seminar that took place on 17 and 18 October in Tallinn, Estonia. The event gathered 70 participants both from governmental sector and civil society from Finland...
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty - Conference of INGOs organises two events
To mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty the Conference of INGOs is organising two events on the theme ‘’PUTTING AN END TO NON-TAKE-UP OF RIGHTS: For effective Access by Everyone to Rights and Services’’ on 17 October 2022 in a hybrid format in Strasbourg and online. The non-...
Youth statutory meetings
Democracy campaign, Roma youth participation, Ukrainian youth, climate change, rural youth…
These are just some of the subjects discussed during the youth statutory meetings held in the European Youth Centre in Budapest from 10 to 12 October 2022. Buoyed by the conclusions of the high-level reflection group of the Council of Europe, which wholeheartedly agreed that “building sustainable...
“Addressing disinformation and propaganda with a human rights framework”: informal exchange of views with civil society representatives
At an informal meeting on 6 October delegations from the Council of Europe’s 46 member states held an exchange of views with representatives of international civil society organisations active in the media field. They discussed the challenges of disinformation and propaganda which undermine...
Five steps to ensure women’s access to justice
Do you know how access to justice is linked to combating violence against women and sexism? Do you want to understand how the Covid-19 pandemic can offer an opportunity to radically rethink and reshape national approaches to access to justice and gender equality? Do you want to know how legal...
The chairs of the youth sector statutory bodies in dialogue with the Council of Europe’s decision-makers
Miriam Teuma, chair of the Joint Council on Youth (CMJ), and Spyros Papadatos, chair of the Advisory Council on Youth (CCJ), travelled to the Council of Europe headquarters in Strasbourg on 4 October to meet with the Organisation’s decision-making body and Secretary General. On the invitation...
Conference on promoting academic integrity
Creating a culture of integrity is the ultimate solution to combating academic misconduct which poses a threat not only to the higher education system but also erodes trust in public institutions and, ultimately, democracy itself. On October 5, the Council of Europe and Erasmus University...
Dublin conference discusses rights and the best interests of the child in parental separation and care proceedings
Considering the voice of children and young people in determining their best interests in family courts during parental separation and care proceedings is the focus of an international conference taking place in Dublin on 3 October under the Irish Presidency of the Council of Europe. The Minister...
European ministers adopt “Dublin Declaration” on preventing violence through equality
European Ministers of Justice, gathered in Dublin, on 29 and 30 September, at the invitation of the Minister of Justice of Ireland, in the context of the Irish Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. After two days of exchanges and discussions on prevention measures...
European Day of Languages 2022: “Let us value all languages in Europe” says Secretary General of the Council of Europe
26 September 2022 marks the 21st anniversary of the European Day of Languages. On the occasion of the Day, the Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić stated that "The European Day of Languages is a celebration of the rich tapestry of languages which make our continent so...
European Day of Languages
The Council of Europe and the European Commission celebrate the European Day of Languages on 26 September. This year it has been important to help refugees from Ukraine settle as much as possible into their host countries, both neighbouring and far away. A central part of this help is assisting...
Webinar "A new Council of Europe Recommendation on language education: defining plurilingual and intercultural education"
In June this year the ECML launched a series of webinars on Recommendation R(2022)1 on the importance of plurilingual and intercultural education for democratic culture, adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in February 2022. The first webinar, which can be viewed here,...
an event organised by Almasani Association, a member of the Faro Convention Network
International conference “Cultural Heritage: Participatory Approach”
The Almasani Association, a member of the Faro Convention Network, organised the International Conference “Cultural Heritage: Participatory Approach” on 21 September, in Novi Sad, Serbia. The Faro Convention Secretariat took part in the event, acknowledging the great work of the Almasani...
Two Strategy 21 dissemination events online
We are pleased to invite you to participate in two Strategy 21 dissemination events online, taking place from 20 to 21 September in Spain (San Millan de la Cogolla/ La Rioja).The events are co-organised by the Council of Europe and Fundación San Millán de la Cogolla (SPAIN). On 20 September we...
The new publication “The Faro Convention at work in Europe: selected examples”
The Council of Europe’s Culture and Cultural Heritage Division has, in the framework of its Joint project with the European Union: “The Faro Way: enhanced participation in cultural heritage”, produced a new publication entitled “The Faro Convention at work in Europe: selected examples”. This...
Education on democratic competencies discussed at a national congress in Tirana
A National Congress on "Challenges of quality and inclusive education towards European integration" took place in Tirana during 11-13 September and was attended by some 2000 educators from Albania and abroad. The Congress was addressed by Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama and the Minister of...
Supporting civil society organisations in raising awareness on the Istanbul Convention
On 14 September, the Council of Europe in co-operation with Women Against Violence Europe Network (WAVE) and UN Women launched a new methodology and toolkit to support civil society organisations (CSOs) in raising awareness on the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence...
Save the date: 7-9 November 2022
World Forum for Democracy 2022 "Democracy: A New Hope ?"
Thirty years ago, many people believed that the spread of democracy was as inevitable as it was desirable. Those days are now far behind us. Instead, the public and policy-makers have watched as the spread of democracy has slowed and, by some measures, gone into reverse. Those who believe that...
European Heritage Days launched under the Irish Presidency of the Council of Europe
Ambassador Breifne O’Reilly, Permanent Representative of Ireland to the Council of Europe, has marked the start of the 2022 European Heritage Days season with a special video message from the beautiful surroundings of the historic Parc de l’Orangerie in Strasbourg. As one of Europe’s largest...
European Roma Holocaust Memorial Day
Today, we commemorate European Roma Holocaust Memorial Day and pay tribute to the thousands of victims. 78 years ago, on 2 August 1944, 3,000 Roma - mainly women and children - were brutally murdered in the dark of the night at Auschwitz-Birkenau. This terrible event is central to the story of...
"Sport is a great leveller that can bring people together in a way that nothing else can”, Bjørn Berge tells Commonwealth Sports Ministers
“Sport is a great leveller that can bring people together in a way that nothing else can”, highlighted the Deputy Secretary General while addressing the 10th Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting in Birmingham. Bjørn Berge underlined how the Council of Europe’s four-year strategic priorities for...
How to find a Council of Europe resource on gender equality and women's rights
The Gender Equality Division has developed a dedicated webpage on its website to showcase the wide range of resources (standards, publications, factsheets, brochures, audio-visual materials, etc.) offered by the Council of Europe to promote gender equality and women’s rights. With the help of...
The United Kingdom ratifies the Istanbul Convention
Today, in Strasbourg, in the presence of the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, H.E. Mr Sandy Moss, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the Council of Europe, deposited the instrument of ratification of the Council of...
Ukraine ratifies the Istanbul Convention
Today, in Strasbourg, in the presence of the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, H.E. Mr Borys Tarasyuk, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the Council of Europe, deposited the instrument of ratification of the Council of Europe...
Workshop on Artistic Freedom in Europe Today
Hosted by Bunker – the old Power Station in Ljubljana/Slovenia, the Council of Europe organised a workshop on Artistic Freedom in Europe Today – From the Personal to the Political on 5-6 July, involving some 20 artists from all disciplines and all over Europe. The event triggered an open exchange...
Progress in legal gender recognition in Europe is slow, further progress is needed on civil, and human rights aspects
New Report on Legal Gender Recognition in Europe
A new Council of Europe report reviews the progress achieved in European countries in guaranteeing full legal gender recognition (LGR) in all areas of life. The report acknowledges advances in legislation, practices and public attitudes, but progress is slow and additional steps are needed, inter...
APPLY NOW! Make your culture, nature or heritage initiative visible as a Strategy 21 Good practice!
You are invited to send us new inspirational best project examples/practices in the framework of our ST21 work. This year, special attention is being given to: projects, initiatives or practices that illustrate integrated approaches, showcasing one of the three main components of ST21; AI/digital...
The Council of Europe contributes to the work of the Transforming Education Pre-Summit
On the first day of the Transforming Education Pre-Summit, Matjaz Gruden, Director of Democratic Participation, attended a meeting of the High Level Steering Committee Leaders Group (HLSC). The HLSC approved today an urgent call to action to be addressed to Heads of State and Government at the...
Refugees share their experiences of using the European Qualifications Passport for Refugees
On the occasion of the World Refugee Day 2022, the Council of Europe launched a new video to present the European Qualifications Passport for Refugees (EQPR) and stories of refugees who obtained and used the EQPR. The EQPR enables refugees to have their qualifications assessed even in the...
2022 Global Forum on Higher Education Leadership for Democracy, Sustainability and Social Justice
The 2022 Global Forum "Higher Education Leadership for Democracy, Sustainability and Social Justice" organised by the Council of Europe in co-operation with the International Association of Universities, International Consortium for Higher Education, Civic Responsibility and Democracy,...
Domestic violence: Countries should improve child custody safety and victim protection
The Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) finds that many countries lack enough protection for children and domestic violence victims. GREVIO, which monitors implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and...
Ukraine: a Roadmap for the Recovery after the war
In April 2022, the President of Ukraine established a National Council for recovery of Ukraine after the war, with the aim of developing a comprehensive Roadmap for the reconstruction once the conflict is over. The Centre of Expertise for Good Governance of the Council of Europe is currently...
Webinar: Determining and Evaluating the Best Interests and Rights of Children in Parental Separation and Care Proceedings: exploring perspectives and best practices across Europe
The CINGO Civil Society Committee on the Rights of the Child organised a free Webinar on Determining and Evaluating the Best Interests and Rights of Children in Parental Separation and Care Proceedings: exploring perspectives and best practices across Europe in English with experts and thought...
Webinar: Determining and Evaluating the Best Interests and Rights of Children in Parental Separation and Care Proceedings: exploring perspectives and best practices across Europe
The CINGO Civil Society Committee on the Rights of the Child organised a free Webinar on Determining and Evaluating the Best Interests and Rights of Children in Parental Separation and Care Proceedings: exploring perspectives and best practices across Europe in English with experts and thought...
Adverse impact of Covid-19 on vulnerable groups, racism in policing, intimidation of LGBTI people: main trends in ECRI's annual report
The continuing Covid-19 pandemic that has further marginalised vulnerable groups, the ongoing problem of racism in police forces and the rise of anti-LGBTI public discourse were the main trends in 2021, said the Council of Europe’s Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) in its annual...
Combating Hate Speech in Sport project - Launch Conference
Sport brings people together. It contributes to health and well-being, breaking down barriers and building trust and community spirit. However, it can also exacerbate tensions or rivalries and foster discrimination against certain categories of the population, contrary to international standards,...
New recommendation on culture, cultural heritage and landscape
During its annual session held in Turin, the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers adopted a Recommendation on the role of culture, cultural heritage and landscape in helping to address global challenges (Turin, 20.05.2022). The Recommendation affirms culture’s transformative role in...
Protecting rights of migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women and girls: Council of Europe recommendation adopted
The Committee of Ministers, meeting in Turin, has adopted a new recommendation to protect the rights of migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women and girls provides measures to better respond to needs and challenges that they face. Drawing on Council of Europe treaties including the Istanbul...
Discussing good practices of child and youth participation in Europe
The European Union/Council of Europe Joint Project “CP4Europe - Strengthening National Child Participation Frameworks and Action in Europe” will hold a mid-term Conference "Child and Youth Participation for Europe" under the Irish Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers and its theme: ’Hear...
Council of Europe proposes a comprehensive legal and policy framework to combat hate speech
The Council of Europe has issued a set of guidelines to its 46 member states aimed at preventing and combating hate speech, both online and offline. In a Recommendation adopted during its annual session held in Turin, the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers calls on governments to develop...
Young Roma and Traveller women of today are the leaders and influencers of tomorrow
Making progress towards greater inclusion of Roma and Traveller women and girls is not only a human rights imperative, it is a key component of how countries can respond to the challenges they face. Mainstream society and states need to see young Roma and Traveller women and girls not as a threat...
Belgium ratifies the Faro Convention
Belgium has transmitted to the Council of Europe the instrument of ratification of the Council of Europe Framework Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society on 13 May 2022. This latest ratification brings the total number of ratifications to 23, in addition to the 5 member States...
Civil society and the Council of Europe – strengthening our ties
As part of the Secretary General’s proposals to follow-up to the Helsinki decisions on civil society, a resource for civil society that gives easy access to the Civil Society Handbook has been published online. This site available in both English and French provides everything that civil...
Advancing gender equality and fighting stereotypes
A meeting of the Council of Europe’s main body for supporting gender equality has examined a wide range of issues affecting women. The plenary meeting of the Gender Equality Commission, held from 11-13 May in Strasbourg, discussed progress in advancing gender equality in Europe. The participants...
The defence of Roma children’s rights discussed in the Council of Europe 13th Dialogue Meeting with Roma and Traveller civil society
On 10-11 May 2022, the Council of Europe held its 13th Dialogue Meeting with Roma and Traveller civil society in Strasbourg in hybrid format, focusing on the topic of defending the rights of the Roma and Traveller children. The meeting brought together 55 representatives of different Roma and...
First Barnahus for child victims of sexual abuse launched in Slovenia
The first Barnahus (Children’s House) of Slovenia for child victims of sexual abuse has been launched in Ljubljana with the active support of the EU Reform – Council of Europe joint project “Support the implementation of Barnahus in Slovenia - phase II” and the Norway Grants. Barnahus is a...
Presentation of "Free to Create, Create to be Free“ to the 3rd European Conference on Democracy and Human Rights
The digital #exhibition of the Council of Europe, "Free to Create, Create to be Free“ will be presented at the 3rd European Conference on Democracy and Human Rights on 5 May 2022, in Kristiansand (Norway) where the Council of Europe is one of the co-organisers. The focus of this year’s conference...
GRETA issues Guidance Note on addressing the risks of trafficking in human beings related to the war in Ukraine and the ensuing humanitarian crisis
With the unprecedented movement of people forced to flee Ukraine since the start of the war, 90% of whom are women and children, NGOs and media have sounded the alarm over suspected cases of human trafficking. Presumed victims have been detected, and investigations are reportedly ongoing. A new...
HISTOLAB new joint project of the EU and Council of Europe to support cooperation in history education
It was during OHTE’s 1st Annual Conference that the EU Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas first announced European Commission support for the work of the Observatory and the allocation of €1 000 000 for a new joint project that would support cooperation in the field of history...
Finland launches the Action Plan to implement the Lanzarote Convention
On 25 of April 2022, the Finnish National Implementation Plan for the Lanzarote Convention (2022-2025) was launched in Helsinki. Finland signed the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (Lanzarote Convention) in 2007 and ratified...
New ECML website offering dedicated support for the (linguistic) integration of refugees from Ukraine
Photo: Mirek Pruchnicki CC BY-SA 2.0 Are you a decision-maker, headteacher or teacher looking for guidance and resources to welcome young Ukrainian refugees who have recently joined your educational institution? Are you an employer or recruitment agency supporting Ukrainian refugees to access...
25th anniversary of the Lisbon Recognition Convention
12 April 2022 marked the 25th anniversary of the Lisbon Recognition Convention. This date coincided with the 80th Bologna Follow Up Group meeting, which took place at the Council of Europe headquarters. At the reception organised to mark the occasion, Villano Qiriazi, the Head of the Education...
Highlights of the 15th CDDG: Deliberative democracy and democratic governance
The 15th meeting of the European Committee on Democracy and Governance (CDDG) took place on 21-22 April 2022 in Strasbourg, in a hybrid format. In the current context of instability, hostility, and democratic backsliding in Europe, the current specific tasks of the CDDG to develop a...
Upper Secondary School Examination in times of COVID-19
The ENIC and NARIC networks published the 2022 edition of Upper Secondary School Examinations - High School Diplomas in times of COVID-19": https://www.enic-naric.net/upper-secondary-school-examinations-high-school-diplomas-in-times-of-covid-19.aspx The document includes information from 37...
New recommendation on passing on remembrance of the Holocaust and preventing crimes against humanity
After long debate, at the end of March 2022, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopted a Recommendation on passing on remembrance of the Holocaust and preventing crimes against humanity. It offers a framework for our Member States regarding the transmission of the history and...
Council of Europe assesses measures taken by states to protect children on the move from sexual abuse and exploitation
With Europe facing the second major refugee crisis in less than a decade, the Council of Europe’s Lanzarote Committee has published ten compliance reports evaluating legislation, services and other measures in place for the protection of children affected by the refugee crisis from sexual...
Work-life balance crucial for gender equality and empowering women
Gender and labour ministers from all regions of Europe took part at a high-level conference in Rome on 12 April to explore how to face the challenge of creating a better work-life balance for women, ensure that family responsibilities can be better shared, improve gender equality and prevent...
European Label of Governance Excellence launched in Venice
A launch conference for the European Label of Governance Excellence (ELoGE) was held under the Italian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in Venice on 11 April. Good Democratic Governance is encapsulated in the 12 Principles which can be measured by applying the...
Learning Equality, Dignity, Democracy: forum on citizenship and human rights education in Europe
A Forum on the present and future of citizenship and human rights education in Europe has opened in Turin, Italy. It aims to strengthen the quality, recognition and outreach of young people’s education in the fields of democratic citizenship and human rights. The event, from 11 to 13 April has...
Education in time of crisis
As a result of the Russian Federation’s armed attack on Ukraine, millions of people fleeing Ukraine. In anticipation of the immediate and short-term impact of such inflow of refugees and, in particular, young adults and children, the Education Department of the Council of Europe, in close...
Child self-generated sexual images and videos: new report provides guidance to governments
Addressing challenges raised by the significant increase and exploitation of child self-generated sexual images and videos is the focus of the new monitoring report presented today by the Council of Europe’s Lanzarote Committee in Rome. The report covers 43 European states Parties (*) to the...
“Local governments unite for welfare and peace”: online marathon exchanges between Ukrainian local leaders and international counterparts
Through its Centre of Expertise for Good Governance the Council of Europe has held a series of online conferences “Local governments unite for welfare and peace” from 18 March to 7 April 2022. Amid the ongoing aggression from the Russian Federation, local authorities in Ukraine continue to...
Children’s rights in crisis and emergency situations: a new Council of Europe priority for 2022-2027
With climate change, the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russian Federation’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, securing and protecting children’s rights in crisis and emergency situations has been designated a new priority in the Council of Europe’s Strategy for the Rights of the Child for 2022-2027...
The Committee of Ministers adopts a landmark legal standard on multilevel policies and governance for intercultural integration
The Council of Europe Committee of Ministers adopted by consensus Recommendation CM/Rec(2022)10 on multilevel policies and governance for intercultural integration. This is the second international standard in this field following the adoption back in 2015 of CM/Rec(2015)1 on intercultural...
Portugal joins the European Qualifications Passport for Refugees (EQPR)
On 5 April, Portugal joined the European Qualifications Passport for Refugees, becoming the 14th partner country to promote the European Qualifications Passport for Refugees as a practical tool for better and faster integration of refugees in their new societies. EQPR is a tool that was developed...
Children’s rights: a new strategy to be launched in Rome
The new Strategy to guide the 46 member States of the Council of Europe in protecting and promoting the rights of the child in 2022-2027 will be officially launched on 7-8 April at a high-level conference in Rome. Benedetto Della Vedova, Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and...
“Creating our future: creativity and cultural heritage as strategic resources for a diverse and democratic Europe”
The Steering Committee for Culture, Heritage and Landscape (CDCPP) and the Italian Ministry of Culture are organising a Conference of Ministers of Culture in the framework of the Italian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. The event will take place in hybrid format...
1st meeting of the Bureau of the Bern Convention in 2022
The Bureau to the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention held its first meeting of 2022 on 6-7 April by video-conference. The Bureau assessed progress in the implementation of the Convention’s Programme of Activities for 2022/2023 and the state of preparation of the thematic expert group...
Resources supporting Ukrainian children’s right to education
The Office of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights has prepared an information guide for parents, children and teachers on current web resources and portals that provide Ukrainian children with the opportunity to continue the educational process even if they have been displaced...
Call from the Lanzarote Committee
Urgent need to protect Ukrainian children in migration from the risk of exposure to sexual abuse
During its 36th plenary meeting, the Lanzarote Committee solemnly reaffirmed in a Statement on protecting children from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse resulting from the military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, that the 48 Parties to the Council of Europe Convention on...
Steering Committee for Education (CDEDU): Statement on the educational consequences of the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine
In its Statement on the educational consequences of the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine, the Steering Committee for Education (CDEDU) called on Council of Europe member and observer States to provide support to the Ukrainian people and all displaced and refugee persons by this...
Ensuring non-discrimination in responding to violence against women: new publication on Article 4, paragraph 3 of the Istanbul Convention
Today, a new publication is being released, explaining ways to ensure the non-discriminatory implementation of measures addressing violence against women and domestic violence on the basis of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence...
CSW online side event: STEM education as a stepping-stone towards gender transformative climate change policies
The Council of Europe organised an online side event with Italy on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education as a stepping-stone towards gender transformative climate change policies. The event was co-sponsored by Austria, the United Kingdom and the United Nations...
Preventing violence against women through education – new publication on Article 14 of the Istanbul Convention
Just days after International Women's Day, a new publication has been made available on the role of formal and informal education in preventing violence against women and domestic violence. This publication belongs to a series of in-depth analyses of articles of the Convention on preventing and...
"Advancing Human rights, democracy and the rule of law in and through sport": discover the Council of Europe’s priorities for Sport for 2022-2025
The Council of Europe has set its priorities in the field of sport for the next four years (2022-2025), in accordance with the strategic framework of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe and the decisions taken at the Hamburg Ministerial Session (May 2021). In the light of the evolving...
Discover “Your Faro Way” - the new Faro Convention role-playing game
The Faro Convention role-playing game “Your Faro Way” was developed as one of the outcomes in the framework of the Council of Europe-European Union Joint project “The Faro Way: enhanced participation in cultural heritage”. It seeks to promote the Faro Convention on the value of cultural heritage...
Focus on women in sport on 8 March
On the occasion of International Women's Day celebrated on 8 March each year, the Sport Division is organising an online breakfast roundtable with a focus on women in sport. This will open with presentations from international keynote speakers who have carried out innovative work in the area of...
Russia’s aggression against Ukraine: ECRI's Chair praises the exceptional efforts of other countries to welcome people fleeing from the conflict and warns all sides against the use of any ultra-nationalistic or racist hate speech
Maria Daniella Marouda, Chair of ECRI, made the following comments in relation to the ongoing war in Ukraine: "On behalf of ECRI’s Bureau, I would like to express our deepest sympathy and solidarity with the Ukrainian people and all other persons and families affected by the aggression of the...
Council of Europe’s anti-racism commission published conclusions on Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Romania and Slovenia
The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) published today its conclusions on the implementation of its priority recommendations addressed to Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Romania and Slovenia in 2019. As regards Finland, ECRI concluded that the authorities had not...
Sustainable Heritage will be explored during this year's European Heritage Days events
In 2022 European Heritage Days will be celebrating Sustainable Heritage. The shared theme in the context of environmental change, Europe’s diverse cultural heritage and the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, will be looking at both people and places; continuity and learnings from...
The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) issues a new General Policy Recommendation to Council of Europe member states
The Council of Europe’s expert body on racism and intolerance (ECRI) has published today a revised General Policy Recommendation on preventing and combating anti-Muslim racism and discrimination to help prevent and counter increasing public manifestations of anti-Muslim racism and discrimination...
Developing Principles of Good Democratic Governance
How governments, at all levels, conduct their affairs has an impact on the trust the public puts into public institutions as well as on the functioning of the public sector. Currently, member States face challenges to public trust and delivery of services, as evidenced by democratic backsliding...
The new Strategy for the Rights of the Child (2022-2027) adopted by the Committee of Ministers
On 23 February 2022, the Committee of Ministers adopted the new Strategy for the Rights of the Child (2022-2027) “Children’s Rights in Action: from continuous implementation to joint innovation” which will guide the work of the Council of Europe over the next six years. The new Strategy is the...
Yet another Golden Bear for Eurimages !
Last night, the jury of the 72nd edition of the Berlinale awarded the Golden Bear to the co-production ALCARRÀS (ES, IT) by Carla Simón, supported by Eurimages and winner of the Eurimages Co-production Development Award at the Berlinale Co-Production Market in 2019. Eurimages is proud of this 4th...
Information and Communication Technologies in Elections: Council of Europe Adopts New Guidelines
Free and fair elections and referendums are one of the cornerstones of democracy. The integrity of the electoral process is fundamental to maintaining public trust in the legitimacy of democratic institutions. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) play an increasing role in all...
Publication of the Annual report of the Intercultural Cities programme
The 2021 Annual report of the Intercultural Cities programme (ICC) is now online. The report presents the activities organised during the year, as well as the tools and methodologies developed to assist local and regional authorities worldwide in the design, implementation and review of...
Putting language education on the political agenda
New Council of Europe Recommendation on the importance of plurilingual and intercultural education for democratic culture
At a meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies on 2 February 2022, the new Recommendation to member states on the importance of plurilingual and intercultural education for democratic culture was adopted. This recommendation addresses two developments of concern to the Council of Europe: a tendency on...
AND THE AUDENTIA AWARD WINNER IS…
Eurimages and the Trieste Film Festival reveal the winners of the prestigious Audentia Award for Best Female Director: Mina Mileva and Vesela Kazakova for their second feature film Women Do Cry
New publication
“The Faro Convention’s role in a changing society: building on a decade of advancement”
The year 2021 marked the 10th anniversary of the entry into force of the Framework Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society, also known as the Faro Convention. The present publication shows that what emerged back in 2005 as a truly innovative approach is still relevant today and...
Finland joins the Convention on safety, security and service in sport
On 4 January 2022, the Secretary General received the instrument of acceptance by Finland of the Council of Europe Convention on an Integrated Safety, Security and Service Approach at Football Matches and Other Sports Events (CETS Nº 218), also known as the Saint-Denis Convention. Finland is the...
Bern Convention adopts a Vision for the next decade
At the recent annual Standing Committee meeting of the Bern Convention, a landmark moment occurred when for the first time ever the Committee agreed to adopt a Vision for the Bern Convention for the period to 2030. The Vision, led by the slogan “Healthy nature for healthy people”, states that “By...
Play the Escape Roomours !
Identifying and dismantling prejudice and stereotypes is a key factor of preventing and combating discrimination. Promoting a more positive understanding of the richness brought by diversity also requires countering the myths that contribute spreading populist and hate narratives about it....
Grant for cultural heritage communities
New Call for European Heritage Days Stories
The Call for European Heritage Days Stories is a chance to share your heritage treasures with other communities in Europe. All you have to do is fill in our online application form. Your story will be published on our website, and eligible organisations will also have the opportunity to apply...
The Fair: A game to explore human rights
On Human Rights Day we are pleased to share with you an interactive game to learn and explore universal human rights. The Fair is based on activities from Compass, the manual on human rights education with young people. Try it, share it, and provide us your feedback. Happy Human Rights Day!
CEFR WEBINAR SERIES 2021 | NUMBER 8
Action-oriented inclusive plurilingual sign language education: Mediation
The eighth webinar of CEFR Webinar Series 2021 entitled "Action-oriented Inclusive Plurilingual Sign Language Education: Mediation” took place on 10 December 2021. It was organised in co-operation with Humboldt University Berlin. The webinar was designed for sign language professionals (teachers,...
37 co-productions supported at the 164th Eurimages Board of Management meeting
At its 164th meeting held online, the Board of Management of the Council of Europe's Eurimages Fund agreed to support 37 feature film projects, including 5 documentaries and 5 animation films, for a total amount of €9 141 000. The share of eligible projects with female directors examined at this...
2020 North-South Prize Award Ceremony: focus on right to life and climate change
The 2020 North-South Prize of the Council of Europe (Assembly of the Portuguese Republic, Lisbon, 9 December, 12 pm) will be awarded to the International Commission against the Death Penalty (ICDP), represented by its President, Judge Navanethem Pillay, in recognition of its contribution to the...
Part II of the 10th CDCPP Plenary meeting
The Steering Committee for Culture, Heritage and Landscape (CDCPP) will be holding Part II of its 10th Plenary meeting in an online format from 8 to 9 December 2021. Participants from among the fifty States signatory to the European Cultural Convention, and observers to the CDCPP, will exchange...
Award ceremony for best practices in promoting academic integrity
On the eve of International Anti-Corruption Day, the Council of Europe Education Department held an award ceremony for best practices awarded under its new Best Practice Programme in Promoting Academic Integrity. The ceremony was held as a hybrid event online and in Strasbourg with participants...
EPAS and the Italian Department for Sport organise a Conference on Integrity in Sport
The Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) of the Council of Europe and the Italian Department for Sport are organising a Conference on Integrity in Sport within the framework of the Italian Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. The event will take place in...
the closing event of the Council of Europe - European Union Joint Project “The Faro Way: enhanced participation in cultural heritage”
“The Faro Convention: a democratic approach to cultural heritage”
The Council of Europe and the Portuguese Directorate-General for Cultural Heritage jointly organised a high-level conference “The Faro Convention: a democratic approach to cultural heritage”, that took place on 3 and 4 December 2021, in Lisbon, Portugal, in a hybrid format (with both physical and...
Eurimages Co-production Development Awards in 2021
The last Eurimages Co-production Development Award of the year 2021 was presented for the first time at TFL (TorinoFilmLab). The award went to the project THE WOLF WILL TEAR YOUR IMMACULATE HANDS to be directed by Nathalie Alvarez Mesen and produced by the company Hobab in Stockholm (SE). The...
41st Standing Committee meeting
The Bern Convention held its 41st Standing Committee meeting from 29th November to 3rd December 2021, once again online due to the ongoing pandemic and travel-related restrictions. Contracting Parties, experts, NGO representatives, international observers and others discussed the outcomes of...
Registration is now open
OHTE’s First Annual Conference: How can History Education help us protect Democracy?
The Observatory on History Teaching in Europe’s first public event is set to take place on 2-3 December 2021. Expect lively debates on issues that go straight to the heart of the Council of Europe’s work on history education as we learn more on how history teaching can empower and embolden future...
Accountability, Use of ICT in Elections and Governance Reforms: 14th CDDG Plenary Highlights
At its 14th meeting on 29-30 November 2021, the European Committee on Democracy and Governance (CDDG) gave final consideration to and adopted a draft Recommendation for the Committee of Ministers on democratic accountability of elected officials and elected bodies at local and regional level, as...
International Roma women’s conference: “Protecting the human rights and dignity of Roma and Traveller women in times of crises”
Over 100 Roma and Traveller women are taking part in a hybrid conference organised by the Council of Europe’s Roma and Travellers Team in partnership with Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of North Macedonia from 24-26 November. Opened by Jagoda Shahpaska, Minister of Labour and Social Policy...
GREVIO publishes its General Recommendation No.1 on the digital dimension of violence against women
Today, the Council of Europe Expert Group on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) published its General Recommendation No.1 on the digital dimension of violence against women. In monitoring the implementation of the Istanbul Convention, GREVIO has identified that...
Best Practice Programme in Promoting Academic Integrity – Results of the Call and Award Ceremony
Photo: Steering Committee members endorsing the selected practices. The first cycle of the Best Practice Programme in Promoting Academic Integrity during COVID-19 is now at its end. We are delighted to announce that the Dilemma Game App, developed by the Erasmus University Rotterdam, has been...
A unique Network of National Platforms
On Monday 22 November 2021, the Group of Copenhagen met for the first time as Advisory Group to the Follow-up Committee of the Macolin Convention on the manipulation of sports competitions. This meeting was attended by representatives from more than 30 countries from all regions of the world. The...
A new leaflet on the occasion of the World Children's Day
World Children's Day is celebrated on 20 November each year to promote international togetherness and well-being amongst children worldwide. It also marks the date when the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention and Declaration on children's rights. To celebrate the occasion, the Council of...
The new Faro Convention role-playing game: “Your Faro Way”
With the aim of fostering a better understanding of the use of the Faro Convention and an increased role of civil society in cultural heritage management, it offers users an opportunity to take on the roles of different heritage stakeholders and develop heritage projects featured in the game,...
COVID-19 and Children’s Rights:
Children’s mental health and intrafamily violence during COVID-19 pandemic
The Steering Committee for the Rights of the Child (CDENF) is organising the 2nd and 3rd editions of the webinar series on the challenges related to children’s rights in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The second webinar titled “Children’s mental health” will be held on 22 November...
EPAS welcomes the IOC’s Framework on Fairness, Inclusion and Non-Discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sex variations
Following a two-year consultation process with more than 250 athletes and concerned stakeholders, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) released its new “Framework on Fairness, Inclusion and Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity and Sex Variations” on 16 November 2021. EPAS...
To prevent sexual abuse, children’s circle of trust must be made safer
Ahead of the European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse marked on 18 November, Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has called on the states to step up their efforts to ensure that children’s “circle of trust” (those around them...
The Bern Convention participates in the World Forum for Democracy to answer the question: can democracy save the environment?
The World Forum for Democracy is a unique platform organised by the Council of Europe in the city of Strasbourg, where political decision-makers and activists debate solutions to key challenges for democracies. The Bern Convention has developed its #VoicesOfNature Campaign during this year,...
A new leaflet for parents and teachers
Act for eliminating exclusion and bullying online and offline
Approximately 1 child in 3 is cyberbullied at some point during their childhood and adolescence, and almost 40% of victims consider that speaking to a parent or teacher about the issue will only make it worse. Being involved in bullying, whether as a victim or propagator, can have a permanent...
European Youth Card as a tool to build resilient communities
Youth Conference ReStart ReNew ReIntegrate
On 29 October 2021, a seminar of the Partial Agreement on Youth Mobility through the Youth Card took place in Budapest in the framework of the Youth Conference ''ReStart ReNew ReIntegrate-Opportunities for young people after coronavirus'' held under the Hungarian Chairmanship of the Council of...
2022: a youth campaign for revitalising democracy!
At its meeting on 12 and 13 October 2021, the Joint Council on Youth (CMJ) approved a proposal to launch, in 2022, a youth campaign for revitalising democracy. Youth for democracy, democracy for youth (working title) will be the rallying cry for this new youth campaign which is being organised at...
Dudgeon v. the United Kingdom, 22 October 1981
The 40th anniversary of a key European Court of Human Rights case that led to the decriminalisation of homosexuality - a turning point for LGBTI persons
The fight for LGBTI persons to enjoy their human rights has not been an easy one. 40 years ago today, Jeffrey Dudgeon found justice at the European Court of Human Rights, after facing police raids, intrusive interrogation about his sexual activities and the confiscation of his personal letters...
High-level conference: Progress towards meaningful child participation in decision making
On 21 October 2021, the Council of Europe Children’s Rights Division is hosting an online high-level conference on “Progress towards meaningful child participation in decision making – a multi-stakeholder dialogue”, organised in the framework of the European Union and Council of Europe joint...
Online trainings for ICC member cities
The Intercultural Cities Programme has developed a series of online trainings for member cities to facilitate online capacity-building. The training courses can be carried out independently by participants at their own pace. The following courses are available at this time: An online antirumours...
e-learning cultural heritage management platform
Welcome to the NEW ST21 MooC!
The European Heritage Strategy for the 21st century (ST21) aims to promote a unifying approach to cultural heritage as a resource for democracy. The new ST21 MooC (Massive Open Online Course) helps to address some of the challenges related to social cohesion, economic and territorial development,...
GRETA publishes its third report on the United Kingdom
The Council of Europe’s expert group on human trafficking has urged the United Kingdom to take further steps to improve the identification of trafficking victims, to make sure victims receive legal and psychological assistance and to ensure that more traffickers are convicted. These are among the...
Launch of 3rd Edition of Compasito: A manual for Human Rights Education with Children
We kindly invite you to attend the Launch event of the 3rd edition of Compasito: A manual for Human Rights Education with Children organised by the Youth Department of the Council of Europe in the context of the Hungarian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers. Compasito is the Council of...
European Anti-Trafficking Day: Put victims’ rights first when tackling online and technology-facilitated trafficking
On European Anti-Trafficking Day (18 October), the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) calls on governments to counter technology-assisted human trafficking and to consider the best interests of victims when designing and using technological...
Fourth Regional Seminar “Faro Convention: from words to action”
The Council of Europe, the National Institute of Heritage of Romania and the Romanian Ministry of Culture are jointly organising a high-level meeting “Faro Convention: from words to action”, to take place on 14 and 15 October 2021 in Bucharest, Romania. The event will take place in a hybrid...
Three sports organisations join EPAS as newest Consultative Committee members
Following a decision by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on 13 October 2021, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the Alice Milliat Foundation and Panathlon International have become the 27th, 28th and 29th members of the Consultative Committee (CC) of the Enlarged...
Launch of a new project on women’s access to justice in Turkey
On 1 October 2021, the Council of Europe Gender Equality Division in co-operation with the Council of Europe Office in Ankara began implementing the new action “Fostering women’s access to justice in Turkey” under the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for...
#JustSayYesEODD
Join us online to celebrate the European Day for Organ Donation and Transplantation on 9 October 2021!
Organ, tissue and cell transplantation is one of the great medical success stories of modern times. In many cases, it is the only life-saving treatment for patients with end-stage organ failure, devastating burn injuries or blood cancers, and in many others it can significantly improve the...