2008 Year of Intercultural Dialogue |
Photographic Competition “Cultures on my Street” |
9th May EU Day "What do we know about the member states of the European Union? Whereabouts is the statue with more clothes than one would find in any woman's wardrobe. Did they really use eggs to built a bridge in Prague? Could there still be an island where no female either human or animal is allowed? This and a lot more information on the 27 member countries of the European Union e.g. their size and population, famous citizens etc. is answered in our little booklet "Passport to the European Union". The booklet includes stickers of coins, flags, buildings and even a map. Children can find places for the stickers in the passport and on the map. In order to support Europe Day (9 May) activities for young people, the Representation of the European Commission in the United Kingdom is making 100,000 copies of the Passport to the European Union available to UK schools and similar organisations completely free of charge, orders may be submitted via http://www.europe.org.uk/passport/ or EU Passport |
|
Local to Global school video competition – Cape Farewell Arctic Voyage 2008 This competition has been organised and sponsored by the British Council and the European Commission Office in Northern Ireland. The competition seeks to stimulate discussion and debate in schools from Northern Ireland and Ireland about climate change and how we can get involved locally and impact globally. Two winning schools, one from Northern Ireland and one from Ireland, will be selected to take part in the 2008 international Cape Farewell programme. A final voyager from each school will then be chosen for an international expedition from Iceland to Greenland and Baffin Island in September 2008. The best entries will be showcased at the Opportunity Europe two day event for schools in October 2008. More.. |
|
New Enterprise Europe Network The network is a one stop shop for business and innovation support services. The network offers support and advice to businesses across Europe and helps them make the most of the opportunities in the European Union. Our services are specifically designed for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) but are also available to all businesses, research centres and Universities across Europe. Enterprise Europe Network builds on the strengths of the previous Euro Info Centre and the Innovation Relay Centre networks. These previously separate organisations have now been incorporated into one network to provide a co-ordinated approach to business support. More... |
|
Debate Europe Online Forum The re launch of the online forum "Debate Europe" will provide not only a better platform for citizens to discuss EU affairs but will also create a space where the Commission can interact with the public in order to get as many people as possible interested in a European public debate. "Debate Europe" will be accessible at from any computer with an internet connection, no special arrangements are needed. Connect... |
|
| New Food Labeling amid Obesity Concerns The European Commission is hoping to reduce the growing problem of obesity in Europe with simpler, larger, more harmonised food labeling rules across the Union. Consumer groups criticised the commission for not opting for a colour-coded system, which they argue is simplest for consumers to understand. More... |
|
Serbia Moves Towards EU Integration Serbia has taken a turn toward future EU integration after narrowly electing the moderate Boris Tadic over the radical Tomislav Nikolic in weekend presidential elections. Mr Tadic won 50.5 percent of the vote against Mr Nikolic on 47.9 percent, Serbian news agency Tanjug reported late on 3 January. The result means Belgrade is now more likely not to turn its back on the EU regardless of what happens with Kosovo's independence and to cooperate with The Hague's war crimes investigations as it strives to join the EU. More... |
|
'50 WAYS FORWARD – Europe's Best Successes' To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome – the birth of the EU – the European Commission has published a booklet and established a web-site that highlight the importance of the practical results the European Union has brought. '50 ways forward – Europe's best successes' contains 50 real examples, showing how people in Europe, and beyond, have benefited, and will continue to benefit, from the European Union. More... |
|
SLOVENIA IS FIRST OF THE NEW EU COUNTRIES TO HOLD PRESIDENCY OF EU COUNCIL Slovenia will hold the presidency of the Council of the European Union from 1 January to 30 June 2008. The priorities of the Slovenian Presidency were to a large extent determined in the 18-month Programme of the German, Portuguese and Slovenian Presidencies and include: 1 The future of the Union and timely entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty 2. Successful launching of the new Lisbon Strategy cycle 3. A step forward in addressing climate-energy issues 4. Strengthening of the European perspective of the Western Balkans 5. Promoting the dialogue between cultures, beliefs and traditions in the context of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue. More... |
|
|
THE YEAR OF INTERCULTURAL DIALOGUE 2008 The European Commission has designated 2008 as the year to raise the the importance of engaging in intercultural dialogue to become active European citizens. The key goal of the year is to strengthen respect for cultural diversity and the coexistence of different cultural identities and beliefs. In addition, the year aims to highlight the contribution of different cultures to the Member States' heritage and way of life and to recognise that culture and intercultural dialogue are essential for learning to live together in harmony. |
PRIMARY SCHOOL PHOTO COMPETITION Europe Direct NI and Europe Direct Derry & The North West in association with The European Commission Representation in Belfast and Dublin, are delighted to announce the winners of the photographic competition for primary school pupils in the Western Education and Library Board Area. Pupils were asked to take a picture with the title "Clean water - we need it for life, work and play" Winners were selected from P1-P4 and P5-P7. First prize winners received a digital camera sponsored by ASDA, Enniskillen. Second Prize winners received a £20 book token. Four photographs were highly commended in each section and received a £10 book voucher. |
|
|
European cities and towns will have the opportunity to participate in the most widespread event on sustainable mobility, the . A full week of events dedicated to sustainable mobility will be organised in more than 2000 cities and towns. Research indicates that citizens are concerned about air and noise pollution and overcrowding, yet the number of cars in increasing. The aim of the European Mobility Week ampaign is to increase public awarenss of the need to act against pollution. The campaign is centred around three types of measures designed to: |
COMMISSION TO HELP SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED COMPANIES BECOME GREENER The European Commission understands the pressures faced by small businesses and is taking action to help them. It has proposed an Environmental Compliance Assistance Programme to make it easier for SMEs to comply with their obligations and improve their environmental performances. The Commission is proposing an environmental compliance assistance programme to help small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) minimise the environmental impact of their activities and to implement European environmental legislation. More.. |
COMMISSION CONFIRMS UK-LIST OF MAJOR EVENTS TO BE TELEVISED FREE-TO-AIRToday the European Commission adopted a decision on the UK list of events of major importance for society to be broadcast free to air, either live or with a slight delay. The list covers not only international events like the Rugby World Cup Final, the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup Finals but also more specific national events like Cricket matches, the Grand National, the Derby, the Ryder Cup and the Commonwealth Games. More... |
| EUtube REACHED ONE MILLION HITS
EUtube, the European Commission's channel on YouTube, has received over one million hits on its homepage and almost 7 million video views since its launch less than 3 months ago. Discover what's on EU Tube: www.youtube.com/eutube |
| The 2007 EU roaming regulation introduces the "Eurotariff", which sets limits on the prices mobile operators can charge for mobile calls made or received while abroad in a European Union country. Eurotariff rates will gradually decrease from 2007 to 2009. |
 |
SOLVING IT FOR EU If you've got VAT problems doing business in Spain, or are a struggling UK wine-maker in France, who can help when you get strangled in red tape? The EU's SOLVIT network celebrates five years of successful problem-solving for European citizens who hit problems living, working, studying or doing business within the EU. The network provides fast and effective solutions to problems related to the incorrect application of EU rules by national, regional or local authorities. |
|
Publications produced by the European Commission Representation Offices in UK and N Ireland as well as links to other useful sites for latest EU News. |
|
For information on How the EU works, Institutions, Treaties, Enlargement and history, quizzes and games... |
EU Funding
encourage the use of alternative forms of transport and travel other than private cars, 
raise awareness and inform city-dwellers of what is at stake so far as concerns long-term mobility in towns and the risks connected with pollution, 
show the town in another light thanks in particular to reduced motorised traffic within restricted areas. 
