News
Celebrate Europe and the Council of Europe Together in Venice
The Council of Europe Office in Venice is organizing three public activities this May to celebrate the creation of the Council of Europe (founded May 5, 1949) and the European Union (established May 9, 1950). These events are designed to encourage active and conscious citizenship among the...
The Council of Europe Reinforces Democratic Values at the 2026 Geopolitics Festival
On Friday 10 April, the M9 Museum in Mestre once again became a center for international dialogue during the International Festival of European Geopolitics. Mario Schwetz, Director of the Council of Europe Office in Venice, shared an analysis of the current "health" of international law and...
Empowering the future: Venice welcomes the Young European Ambassadors
From 18 to 20 March 2026, the Council of Europe Office in Venice hosted the cross-regional seminar “Closing resident capacity building for the no-hate Young European Ambassadors”, as part of the EU and Council of Europe joint initiative "Block the Hatred, Share the Love 2.0." This high-level...
Conferenza: “Serenissima Republic and Modern State: Conversations about Rights and Democracy”
On March 4th, the Sansovino Hall of the National Marciana Library in Venice hosted the conference "Serenissima Republic and Modern State: Conversations about Rights and Democracy." The event was organized by the Italian Office of the Council of Europe in Venice in collaboration with the Venice...
Holocaust Remembrance Day: Venice Office Unveils Series of Events to Keep Memory Alive
As part of the commemorations coordinated by the City of Venice for Holocaust Remembrance Day, the Council of Europe Office in Venice, in collaboration with CoopCulture, Europe Direct of the City of Venice, and the Italian Association "Figli della Shoah," is organizing a series of public events....
Closing of the exhibition on "Democracy through Law"
The exhibition on ‘Democracy through Law’, co-organised by the Council of Europe Office in Venice and the Venice Commission with MuVE and the State Archives of Venice, has come to an end. It opened at the Doge's Palace on 11 October 2025 ; the museum attracted around 280,000 visitors over the...
35 Years of Democracy: celebrating the European Commission for Democracy through Law of the Council of Europe
The European Commission for Democracy through Law, widely known as the Venice Commission, the Council of Europe's advisory body on constitutional matters, celebrated on 11 October its 35th anniversary with a major ceremony and exhibition in Venice. The high-profile event took place at Palazzo...
Venice Concert Highlights Italy's Commitment to European Human Rights and Rule of Law
The Council of Europe Office in Venice celebrated two major milestones on October 10: the 75th Anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights and the 35th Anniversary of the Venice Commission. The occasion was marked by an European concert held at the Scuola Grande di San Rocco in Venice....
Italy welcomes back European Heritage Days with a journey through art and architecture
Italy is once again opening the doors to its cultural treasures as the European Heritage Days return this September, inviting citizens and visitors alike to embark on a nationwide journey through art, architecture, and history. Organized under the joint initiative of the Council of Europe and the...
Celebrating European Values: Council of Europe and EU Days
During the month of May, the Council of Europe and the European Days returns to Venice with a series of events focused on citizens’ European values. The initiatives celebrate two important dates: the birth of the Council of Europe on 5 May 1949 with the Treaty of London and the European Union on...
The Council of Europe lands on the International Festival of European Geopolitics
On April 5, at the M9 Museum in Mestre, the Head of the Council of Europe Office in Venice gave a speech about the critical role played by the Council of Europe and the European Union as bastions of the rule of law and human rights in an increasingly fragmented world. The speech highlighted the...
Bridging Institutions: A Lesson on the Council of Europe and the European Union
On April 2nd, the Council of Europe Office in Venice became a hub of learning and dialogue as Mario Schwetz, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Venice hosted a session for high school students from the Minghetti Institute in Verona. The event aimed to deepen the students' understanding of...
"Venice Commission: Shaping Transnational Constitutional Standards for Democracy and Rule of Law"
On the occasion of its 35th anniversary, the Venice Commission, in co-operation with the International Association of Constitutional Law (IACL), and with the support of the Council of Europe Office in Venice and the Veneto Regional Council, organised the international conference “Lessons Learned...
Commemorating the International Holocaust Remembrance Day
On the occasion of Holocaust Memorial Day 2025, the City of Venice presents and coordinates a calendar of more than fifthy commemorative events. The Council of Europe Office in Venice gives its support participating to official events and organizing three initiatives aimed at keeping alive the...
Council of Europe Visibility Days at Club of Venice’s plenary session
Council of Europe Days were at the heart of the agenda of the Club of Venice’s plenary session (held in Palazzo Franchetti on 5-6 December 2024), and regarded as an interesting initiative in the framework for institutional communication. The initiative was emphasized during the roundtable...
Venice Office launches European Heritage Days (EHD) 2024
“Heritage of Routes, Networks, and Connections”, this is the 2024’s theme for the European Heritage Days which will take place in Italy on 28 and 29 September. Launched by the Council of Europe in 1985 in France, the European Heritage Days have been organised as a joint initiative of the Council...
European Day of Languages 2024 promotes Europe’s linguistic and cultural diversity
The Europan Day of Languages (EDL) aims to highlight the importance of learning languages as an integral part of a person’s growth, and on the relevance of linguistic and cultural diversity. The Venice edition of the European Day of Languages 2024 was co-organized by the Italian Office of the...
Which role for journalists in Sport and Economics?
On 24 September Mario Schwetz, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Venice, spoke at the Veneto journalist lifelong vocational training course “Sport and Economics: the role of journalism”. Experts from different fields analysed the theme from their perspectives with Carlo Mazzanti, Director...
Gender equality and inclusiveness take center stage at this year's Venice Biennale Cinema
On Tuesday 3 September, from 14:00 to 16:30, the Spazio Incontri at the Hotel Excelsior hosted the annual Seminar on Gender Equality and Inclusivity and Film Industry. The event was organized by La Biennale di Venezia in collaboration with Eurimages, The Council of Europe Office in Venice, The...
Venice Regata Storica 2024: A Timeless Tradition on the Grand Canal
The iconic Venice Regata Storica returned on 1st September to the Grand Canal, captivating both locals and visitors with its vibrant display of Venetian rowing tradition. This year’s event featured a historical procession and competitive regattas. The Regata Storica remains a cherished...
Council of Europe and European Days are back in Venice
During the month of May, the Council of Eruope and the European Days returns to Venice with a series of events focused on right to vote. The initiatives, organised by the City of Venice in collaboration with the Italian office of the Council of Europe and the Italian representations of the...
The Venice Office honours the Day of Remembrance of the Holocaust
On the occasion of Holocaust Memorial Day 2024, the City of Venice presents and coordinates a calendar of more than sixty commemorative events. Among these, the Council of Europe Office in Venice organizes three initiatives aimed at keeping alive the memory of the Holocaust and commemorating the...
Council of Europe Days presented at Club of Venice’s communication professionals
Council of Europe Days have been high on the agenda at Palazzo Franchetti during Club of Venice’s plenary session (30 November – 1 December), as a best practice for institutional communication. The initiative has been highlighted during the round table on “The Future of public communication”:...
European Language Day 2023
Ambassador Luisella Pavan-Woolfe represented the Council of Europe at the 2023 events on the theme "languages for cultural heritage". The main inititiatives took place at Ca' Foscari University in Ca' Dolfin. The complete programme of the days can be seen at the following link: https://edl.ecml.at/
The Piccolo teather opens doors of its archives in Milan
A heritage walk organised by the Ministry of Culture Lombardy Office on the occasion of European Heritage Days, took participants to the State Archives and the Milan Piccolo teather. Superintendent Annalisa Rossi and Luisella Pavan-Woolfe, author of the book "Let us difend togheter cultural...
European Heritage Days 2023 shine a light on “Living Heritage”: cultural traditions and skills
Organised jointly by the Council of Europe and the European Commission since 1999, the European Heritage Days celebrate the wealth and diversity of European cultural heritage, while promoting dialogue, inclusion, and co-operation across borders. Living Heritage is the pan-European theme for the...
The first lazaret celebrates 600 years
The Italian Office of the Council of Europe adheres to the Committee for the celebrations of 600 years since the creation of the first lazaret, in 1423 in Venice. The programme of all the events can be seen below:
Six centuries of public health measures to fight pandemics
The exhibition "Venice from the first Lazaretto to pandemic control 1423-2023" curated by Professor Nelli Elena Vanzan-Marchini, opened on 5 September 2023 at Palazzo Ferro Fini in Venice. Roberto Ciambetti, President of the Regional Veneto Council; Simone Venturini, Venice Municipality...
Europe Days 2023 end with a final concert
“A concert for Europe” is the closing event of Europe Days 2023 edition. It took place on 25 May at Benedetto Marcello Conservatory of Venice. Luisella Pavan-Woolfe, Director of the Council of Europe Office in Venice, together with Francesca Vianello, representative of Europe Direct office in...
Clearing the fog: ensuring real information by journalists for citizens
Around 80 regional journalists from the Venice region have attended an innovative training course focused on intelligence and information. The course was designed to show how applying Council of Europe tools and standards can help them overcome the challenges of maintaining accurate information...
The last 2023 “Caffè Europa” focuses on cultural heritage
On 22 May 2023, the last “Caffè Europa” took place at the historical Caffè Florian, the oldest coffee house in Europe. The debate, framed by the stunning view on Saint Mark’s square, dealt with cultural heritage and the importance of its safeguard. Speakers, moderated by Giovanni De Luca,...
Freshly published book on the Faro Convention presented in Venice
On 19 May 2023 the newly published book “Defending together the cultural heritage of Europe. The Faro Convention” was presented at the headquarters of the Council of Europe Office in Venice. Annalisa Rossi, Archives and Libraries Superintendent of the Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino-South Tyrol...
Antonio Silvio Calò speaks of civic engagement
On 18 May 2023 Professor Antonio Silvio Calò presented his new volume “Without looking away. A story of civic commitment” at the regional headquarters of RAI Veneto. The book describes his personal experience which has become a model to be followed at European level. The author welcomed in his...
The volume “Ventotene 80” celebrates the Manifesto’s anniversary
On 17 May 2023 the book “Ventotene 80”, edited by Michele Fiorillo, was presented at the Venice Office of the Council of Europe. Altiero Spinelli, during his confinement in the small island of Ventotene, gathers the funding principles of what was to become the European integration project. The...
Monica Amari presents her book: “Praise to cultural rights and obligations”
On 16 May 2023 the author Monica Amari presented her newly published book “Praise to cultural rights and obligations” at the Council of Europe Office in Venice. Director Luisella Pavan-Woolfe moderated the meeting and recalled the importance of safeguarding our cultural heritage. Secretary...
Gender Equality in Europe at the second Caffè Europa
On 15 May the second Caffè Europa saw animated discussions on “Europe and Women”. The event was held at the historic Caffè Lavena, at the heart of Saint Mark’s square. Responsible for Institutional Relations of the European Parliament Office in Rome, Fabrizio Spada, moderated it. The Head of...
Europe and children: the first Caffè Europa 2023 takes off
On 8 May the first Caffè Europa 2023 edition took place in Mestre on the theme “Europe and children” was held at the M9 Museum in Mestre. The event was moderated by the Head of the Council of Europe Office in Venice, Luisella Pavan-Woolfe, who recalled the importance of acknowledging and...
The “Europa Adriatica Project” takes off in Venice
On 8 May 2023 the Europa Adriatica Project was presented at the Council of Europe office in Venice during the National Festival of Sustainable Development 2023. The cross-border program starts in Venice and encompasses the cities of Rovinj, Pula, Mali Lošinj, Zadar, Rijeka, all the way to Nova...
Hot off the press: “Defending together the cultural heritage of Europe. The Faro Convention”
On 5 May 2023 the new volume on the Faro Convention, edited by Luisella Pavan-Woolfe, was presented at the headquarters of the National Research Council (CNR) in Rome. The book provides fresh perspectives and views, on how the Faro’s original and innovative approach is being implemented in...
The Faro Italia Network holds its sixth meeting in Rome
On 5 May 2023 the sixth meeting of the Faro Italia Network took place at the Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale in Rome. The network includes heritage communities, cultural institutions and associations which operate in line with the principles of the Faro Convention and implement it at the national...
Citizens and communities on the foreground to manage cultural heritage
On 4 May 2023 the “Scuola dei Beni e delle Attività Culturali” Foundation held a round table on citizens’ and communities’ participation in the management of cultural heritage at the Central National Library in Rome. The meeting organized by the Foundation involved experts, professionals,...
Focus on Gender Equality in Public Administration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
On 3 May 2023 a conference on Gender Equality in Public Administration took place at the Italian Foreign Affairs Ministry. The event was organized by the Italian Association of Diplomatic Women and the Trade Union of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs civil servants to discuss equal...
The 11th edition of the European Days is back in Venice
During the month of May, the 11th edition of the European Days returns to Venice with a series of events focused on human rights and fundamental freedoms. The initiatives, organised by the City of Venice in collaboration with the Italian office of the Council of Europe and the Italian...
CertiLingua Certificates of Excellence Award Ceremony in Venice
On 22 April 2023 in Venice at the headquarters of the Regional Secretariat of the Ministry of Culture for Veneto, 24 students of the region were awarded the CertiLingua certificates of excellence following the validation and recognition of the path of excellence carried out during the final three...
In Venice the Conference: “Human rights: of all and for all?”
On 16 April 2023, Gioventù Federalista Europea Venezia and the Rotaract Club Venezia organized the conference on the theme "Human rights: of all and for all? Comparison and reflections among European federalism, Western neo-imperialism and humanity" at Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista....
Celebration Committee for the first Lazaret’s 600 years presented at Ateneo Veneto
On 13 April professor Nelli Elena Vanzan Marchini and Doctor Gaetano Thiene held the last lesson of the 2023 course in Public Health. They spoke respectively of the invention of the first lazaret in history (28 August 1423) and the famous British physician William Harvey. The lesson was also an...
What vision for our library?
On 30-31 March 2023 the Conference “Future vision: next generation library” took place in Milan. The theme of this edition was inspired by the European project NextGenerationEU, which is not only a recovery plan, but above all a unique opportunity to emerge from the covid pandemic stronger and...
“Rosalba Carriera a life dedicated to painting” goes on stage to celebrate International Women’s Day
On 29 March 2023 Arte-Mide Teatro staged the play "Rosalba Carriera a life dedicated to painting" as part of Venice celebrations for International Women’s Day. The event was attended by the President of Venice City Council, Ermelinda Damiano, and Director of the Council of Europe Representation...
The Council of Europe at Cà Foscari University
On 27 March 2023, the director of the Italian Office of the Council of Europe, Luisella Pavan-Woolfe, delivered a lecture on the role of the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights in the framework of the International Law master degree course.
Council of Europe anti-torture Committee publishes report on Italy
On 24 March 2023 in Strasbourg, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) published the report on its periodic visit to Italy conducted between March and April 2022, together with the response by the Italian authorities...
