A founding father of the European Union, Jean Monnet (1888-1979) dedicated his life to bringing Europeans together and establishing unity and peace in Europe and across the world. His vision for a united Europe, a vision that would change this continent for ever, was created here in his unassuming home on the outskirts of Paris. Over the years, dignitaries and leaders from across the world met with Monnet at Houjarray to discuss the future of Europe. After witnessing the horrors of the Second World War, it is here that Monnet worked to bring European countries together and create a strong, unified Europe. This led to France and Germany combining their steel and coal production under a common authority, ensuring war could never again break out between the two countries and paving the way for the European Union we recognise today. And it all began here - at Houjarray, the home for Europe

Exhibition on Jean Monnet House: creating a home for Europe

A lifelong progressive and a steadfast witness to many of the 20th century’s great upheavals, Louise Weiss (1893-1983) has left an indelible mark on the Europe we know today.

As both a determined intellectual and a tireless activist, she was a pioneer of the European ideal. She was born on 25 January 1893 into a liberal, upper middle-class family from Alsace. After obtaining a prestigious qualification (agrégation de lettres féminine) in 1914, she became a journalist, and from the 1920s was involved in efforts to build peace and unity throughout the continent.

A passionate campaigner for women’s rights, she organised suffragette demonstrations in the 1930s to demand the right to vote and equal civil and political rights for women. After the war she travelled the world making ethnographic documentaries and became a well-known conference speaker, writer and diarist, working alongside some of the greatest politicians and thinkers of her age.

In 1979, she was elected to the European Parliament at the first European elections held by direct universal suffrage. As the oldest Member of the European Parliament she chaired the constituent session of Parliament and delivered its first inaugural address. Louise Weiss died in 1983. In 1999, the building containing the Chamber of the European Parliament in Strasbourg was named in her honour.

Exhibition on Louise Weiss: a committed European

The Sakharov Prize, the European Parliament and human rights worldwide

2021 marks the 100th anniversary Andrej Sakharov. On this occasion, the Archives unit and the Directorate for the Library and Knowledge services jointly recall the history of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.

For many years the European Parliament has championed human rights and democracy, with Members of the European Parliament holding expressing their concerns on human rights abuses in the world regardless of borders or regime. And it isn’t just sentiment: inspired by Andrei Sakharov’s constant campaigning for freedom of thought the European Parliament put this commitment into practice, founding the annual Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 1988. Presented to the Sakharov Prize laureate if possible by the President of the European Parliament at a plenary session in Strasbourg, the Prize endeavours to embody Sakharov’s extraordinary work and carry his message forward to future generations.&nbsp;&nbsp;Event date: 21/05/2021

Exhibition on The Sakharov Prize, the European Parliament and human rights

2020 marks the 70th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration. On this occasion, the Archives unit, the directorate for the Library and Knowledge services and the Strasbourg liaison office jointly organise an exhibition to celebrate this significant event in the history of European integration.

On 9 May 1950, against the backdrop of the Cold War, Robert Schuman, French Minister for Foreign Affairs, issued a declaration which marked the beginning of the process of building the European Community. The aim was to establish a new supranational organisation with a view to creating a common coal and steel market between France and Germany which was also open to other European countries. It would be the European Coal and Steel Community, or ECSC. Robert Schuman was elected the first President of the European Parliamentary Assembly (EPA) on 19 March 1958; he held that post until March 1960.

Exhibition for the 70th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration

2020 marks the 20th anniversary of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. On this occasion, the Archives unit and the Directorate for the Library and Knowledge services jointly organise a digital exhibition to celebrate this unique event.

Solemnly proclaimed on 7 December 2000 at the Nice European Council, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union is now twenty years old. The European Parliament had been pushing for a document like this for a long time. In fact, MEPs felt it was important that every citizen should be able to find out about the fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed to them in the European Union and its Member States, and that a system of redress should be available to raise possible violations.

The Charter was designed to be a fundamental benchmark and is the result of an entirely novel drafting method. An ad hoc body (called the ‘Convention’) made of representatives of the Heads of State or Government of the 15 Member States, of representatives of the European Parliament and of representatives of the national parliaments was indeed created with the task of drawing up a draft list of fundamental rights as they should apply to the activities of the European Union. The Convention was also open to members of many NGOs. The result is a single compilation of all the civil, political, economic and social rights enjoyed by European citizens and everyone living in European Union territory.

The human rights set out in the Charter are pivotal and inalienable. Its mission is to enhance protection as society evolves, accompanying social progress and scientific and technological developments. The rights are grouped according to several essential principles: human dignity, fundamental freedoms, equality among people, solidarity, citizenship and justice. The Charter also aims to create an ever closer union among the peoples of Europe so they can share a future based on common values. Since 2009, fundamental rights have been elevated to treaty level, as the Treaty of Lisbon makes reference to the Charter of Fundamental Rights. It is annexed to the treaties and is now applied by the European Union courts.

Exhibition on The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union turns

2020 marks the 30th anniversary of German reunification. On this occasion, the Archives unit and the Directorate for the Library and Knowledge services jointly organise a digital exhibition to celebrate this unique event in European integration history.

German unification was achieved on 3 October 1990. The course of European integration was profoundly changed. In the face of these political events, and despite the speed of the process, the European Parliament played an important role and increased its involvement. For several months, it provided a forum for European leaders that were responsible for preparing German unification. Mindful of the political, economic and institutional consequences of this historic moment for the European Community, Members supported German reunification by taking a number of positions in favour of democratisation and respect for human rights in Central and Eastern Europe.

Exhibition for the 30th anniversary of the German Reunification

Opening of Art exhibition opening  ' VOICES ' as part of the Belgian Presidency Exhibition

Official visit of Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Poland (Warsaw) - Tour of the Permanent Exhibition Centre

Opening of the exhibition 'Rescuer city'

Exhibition of War-damaged Ukrainian ambulance from the Kharkiv region”, at Station Europe.

Inauguration of painting exhibition 'European Unity'

Art in Democracy exhibition - The fight for democratic values through the eyes of contemporary European Artists

Opening speech at the exhibition 'Dear of PrEUdance' by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Opening of EU Spanish Presidency contemporary art exhibition

Opening of the exhibition ' À un cheveu près '

Opening ceremony of the exhibition 'Saving Ukrainians in War Times – Evacuation and Emergency Supplies by the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine, with the support of the European Commission' with Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Opening of a contemporary art exhibition on the occasion of the Council of the European Union Swedish Presidency

Opening speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President at the “Prominent and Promising Women in the EU” exhibition, at the Netherlands Permanent Representation to the EU

House of European History - opening of the exhibition: Throwaway – The history of a modern crisis.

Participation of Roberta METSOLA, EP President in the photo exhibition ‘We are together for one homeland, for a common future’

Opening of the ‘Basta Ya!’ Sakharov exhibition by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Opening of the exhibition ‘Drumul European al Republic Moldova’

Inauguration of the Info Hub and visit of the Iconic exhibition

Opening of the Temporary exhibition Art Herstory - Female Perspectives in the EP's Contemporary Art Collection

Closing event of the ICONIC exhibition - An afternoon with World Press Photo winner Amber Bracken

Opening event of the ICONIC exhibition - How does an iconic photo help defend democracy?

Opening of the Russian War Crimes exhibition, Ukrainian Civil Society Hub at Station Europe

On the occasion of her official visit to Poland, EP President Roberta METSOLA meets with Aleksandra DULKIEWICZ, Mayor of Gdansk and with young people as part of the "Gdansk Civic Lesson". She also visits of the permanent exhibition of the European Solidarity Centre devoted to the history of Solidarność and to changes that it triggered in Central and Eastern Europe.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Gdansk (Poland): extracts from the meeting with Aleksandra DULKIEWICZ, Mayor of Gdansk, young people and visit of the permanent exhibition of the European Solidarity Centre

An ambulance from Kharkiv region, damaged by bullets and shrapnel, has gone on display in front of the Station Europe of the European Parliament in Brussels. Roberta METSOLA, EP President, participates in the opening of the exhibition with Iryna YEFREMOVA, Deputy Head of the Mission and other members of the Ukrainian civil society. This footage shows the extracts of the opening of the exhibition.

Exhibition of "War-damaged Ukrainian ambulance from the Kharkiv region”, at Station Europe: extracts from the opening with Roberta METSOLA, EP President

HANNAH COLLINS (* United Kingdom) presented at the art in democracy exhibition her art work 'POWER IS WORK, WORK IS POWER' (diptych), 1990 Gelatin Silver Print; 120 x 190 cm each. For more information and to download the pedagogical kit for teachers: https://art-collection.europarl.europa.eu/en/

Art in democracy exhibition

Ruth BIANCO (Malta) presents at exhibition Art in democracy her artwork Lines of Migration, 2020 -21 Collage diptych montage on handmade paper For more information and for the download of the pedagogical kit for teachers: https://art-collection.europarl.europa.eu/en/

COSTAS MANTZALOS & CONSTANTINOS KOUNNIS, TWO/FOUR/TWO art group, (Cyprus) presented in the Art in democracy exhibition the artwork BELIEVE IN ME , 2005 Photo , perspex , metal, light; 62 x 60 cm. You can find more information and a pedagogical kit for teachers on: https://art-collection.europarl.europa.eu/en/

JOEP VAN LIESHOUT (*The Netherlands) presented in the exhibition Art in democracy his work MEDICIJNKASTJE , 1992. Find more information and a pedagogical kit for teachers on our website: https://art-collection.europarl.europa.eu/en/

FRANCOISE SCHEIN (*Belgium) presented in the exhibition Art in democracy her work IDEOGLYPHE EUROPEEN , 1988. Find more information and a pedagogical kit for teachers on our website: https://art-collection.europarl.europa.eu/en/

Energy poverty is a significant problem in many parts of Europe, as households struggle to pay rising energy costs. The women’s rights and gender equality committee meet with members of national parliaments from EU countries ahead of International Women’s Day (on 8 March) and discuss the gender aspects of energy poverty. Extracts from the meeting, statement by Robert BIEDROŃ (S&D, PL), FEMM Chair and extracts from the exhibition on "Generation Equality - Picture it".

Gender aspects of energy poverty - Inter-parliamentary meeting on International Women’s Day 2023: extracts from the meeting, statement by Robert BIEDROŃ (S&D, PL), FEMM Chair, and extracts from the exhibition on "Generation Equality - Picture it"

The House of European History in Brussels opens a new Exhibition on the history of waste in Europe. Starting with the industrial revolution, ‘’Throwaway’’ brings us on a journey through wartime scarcity, the surge in post-war consumerism, and finishes with today’s insurmountable waste crisis. The House of European History (HEH) inuagurated in 2017 aims to encourage citizens to reflect upon and debate about the history of Europe and of European integration.

Exhibition on ”Throwaway – The history of a modern crisis”: illustrative shots of the exhibition and statement by Michal ŠIMEČKA (Renew, SK), EP Vice-President

On the occasion of the 3rd edition of the Gender Equality Week organised in the European Parliament in Brussels, Marcel KOLAJA (Greens/EFA, CZ), Quaestor and Chair of the Artistic Committee and Evelyn REGNER (S&D, AT), EP Vice president, participate to the opening of the exhibition "Art Herstory: Female perspectives in the European Parliament’s Contemporary Art Collection".The artists featured in the exhibition Herstory, which combines most recent acquisitions with a selection of older contributions to the collection, illustrate the importance and relevance of female perspectives.

Art Herstory: Female perspectives in the European Parliament’s Contemporary Art Collection: opening of the exhibition

Women Speakers of EU parliaments and of Ukraine meet in Brussels to discuss the humanitarian situation and assistance to refugees from Ukraine in EU member states. Speakers from Czechia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia, and Ukraine, among others, visit a Ukrainian civil society hub and attend the opening of the exhibition of the Polish Sejm “Ukrainian Woman”.

Meeting of Women Speakers of Parliaments of the European Union: Visit to the Ukrainian civil society hub and opening of the exhibition of the Polish Sejm “Ukrainian Woman"

This video recalls the history of the Jean Monnet House

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Opening of Art exhibition opening ' VOICES ' as part of the Belgian Presidency Exhibition