If you are interested in hunting, you are probably aware that although the EU restricts hunting, it also recognises that hunting activities have social, cultural, economic and environmental benefits for many European regions. Here is how the EU ensures there is wildlife to hunt alongside nature to enjoy.

This is what Europe does for hunters

Four in ten European tourists choose their holiday destinations on the basis of the cultural sites or museums they would like to visit. The EU supports these sites and helps them link up with similar sites in cross-border areas.

This is what Europe does for cultural tourists

If you are a transnational or expatriate in a European country, your children might speak more than one language and have a broader world view. Yet, they could face some issues as a result of globalisation.

This is what Europe does for third culture kids

The European Project has been rooted in the desire for peace since the 1950s, uniting Europeans economically, culturally and politically.

This is what Europe does for people who are concerned about peace

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Cultural heritage plays an important role in the history and identity of Europe’s countries and indeed of the continent as a whole. It is a vital part of Europe’s economy and promoting cultural treasures will help to boost growth and employment.

The EU has made 2018 the European Year of Cultural Heritage to highlight the diversity, shared history and rich cultures that make Europe today. 
Throughout 2018, we will celebrate our diverse cultural heritage across Europe - at EU, national, regional and local level. The aim of the European Year of Cultural Heritage is to encourage more people to discover and engage with Europe's cultural heritage, and to reinforce a sense of belonging to a common European space. The slogan for the year is: Our heritage: where the past meets the future.
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Cultural Heritage

Demographic change can pose a major challenge for the EU. Regions with a rapidly shrinking population are affected by a severe gap in the provision of social services (healthcare, cultural), physical (transport) and ICT connectivity, education and labour opportunities.

Depopulated regions are often low-income rural or post-industrial areas, with fewer job opportunities. The exodus of younger, skilled workers has further affected ageing, generation renewal and agricultural development. The economic crisis of 2008 led to young educated professionals from Southern and Eastern Europe moving to North-Western Europe. The Covid-19 crisis is likely to encourage this trend. Reduced economic activity and unemployment are expected to generate a new wave of migration by young people both within and between EU countries.

The European Parliament wants the demographic challenge to be a priority for the EU, alongside climate issues and the digital transition. A coordinated approach - integrating the principles of sustainability, greening and digitalisation across different EU policies - would also contribute to reversing negative demographic trends.

Demography in the EU

The Industry, Research and Energy, and Culture and Education committees questioned Iliana Ivanova, Bulgarian candidate for innovation, research, culture, education and youth. Ms Ivanova was nominated to replace Mariya Gabriel, who resigned on 15 May to become Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister of Bulgaria. During her introductory speech, Commissioner-designate Iliana Ivanova presented her priorities to invest in research and innovation in the EU, boosting skills, promoting the cohesive role of culture and empowering youth.

The EU is a scientific powerhouse, she underlined, however the landscape remains “fragmented” and investments are below the target of 3% of GDP and behind global competitors. She vowed to do the utmost to support the Horizon Europe programme as a tool to ensure that Europe can be “a trailblazer at global level” and attract more resources, including through partnerships, and to facilitate access to funding for SMEs.

The European Parliament during its September session&nbsp;approved the appointment of Iliana Ivanova&nbsp;as Commissioner for innovation, research, culture, education and youth.

Hearing of Iliana IVANOVA, Bulgarian Commissioner-designate

As this has now become a tradition, the European Parliament in Strasbourg holds its Open Day on Sunday 10 June, around the theme "2018 - European Year of cultural heritage". 

Children like adults are expected to follow a circuit with information stands, surrounded by some musical, educative and playful animations, in a family atmosphere. A debate is also planned between citizens and MEPs.

2018 Open Day in the EP in Strasbourg

Raoni Metuktire, also known as Chief Raoni or Ropni, is a Native Brazilian leader and environmentalist.

He is a chief of the Kayapo people, a Brazilian Indigenous group from the plain lands of the Mato Grosso and Pará in Brazil. He is internationally famous as a living symbol of the fight for the preservation of the Amazon rainforest and indigenous culture.

He is nominated for the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize and 2019 Sakharov Prize.

In 2012, he visited the European Parliament in Strasbourg to defend its case.

Raoni Metuktire

Margaritis Schinas, born on 28 July 1962 in Thessaloniki, is a Greek civil servant and politician. He was a Member of the European Parliament from 2007 to 2009. Schinas is Vice-President-designate and Commissioner-designate for Promoting our European Way of Life.

After the hearing by the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) and the Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) of the European Parliament, the committees prepare an evaluation letter on the candidate.

Hearing of Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President-designate, Protecting our Eur

Mariya Gabriel, born on 20 May 1979 in Gotse Delchev, is a Bulgarian politician. She has been a European Commissioner since 2017.

After the hearing by the Committees on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and on Culture and Education (CULT) of the European Parliament, the committees prepare an evaluation letter on the candidate. Parliament is expected to vote on the new Commission as a whole on 23 October.

Hearing of Mariya GABRIEL, Commissioner-designate, Innovation and Youth

In the face of persistent discrimination, Parliament calls for common rules to ensure that the rights of all national minorities are redressed and respected across the EU.

The rules stipulate that people belonging to national minorities are entitled to equal cultural, linguistic and educational rights, and member states are urged to end discriminatory practices.

MEPs call on the European Commission to draft a directive on minimum standards for minorities in the EU, including benchmarks and measures.

Parliament is also calling on EU countries to end statelessness for Roma people and to guarantee that this minority group enjoys full human rights.

#EUelections2019 - Minorities in the EU

On the occasion of International Women’s Day (IWD), which is held every year on 8 March, the European Parliament celebrates 8 strong women who fought for their convictions.

IWD is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

Discover their portraits :

#IWD2019 - International Women's Day

Ylva Anna Maria Lindh was born on June 19 1957 in Enskede, in Stockholm. She was appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs in 1998. She was murdered on 10 September 2003, aged 46, while she was shopping in a department store in central Stockholm.

Anna Lindh is one of the eight women highlighted at the occasion of the International Women’s Day (IWD) which is held every year on 8 March.

IWD is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

Discover also the other portraits :

#IWD2019 -  Anna Lindh

Rigoberta Menchú Tum (born 9 January 1959) is a K'iche' political and human rights activist from Guatemala. Menchú has dedicated her life to publicizing the rights of Guatemala's indigenous feminists during and after the Guatemalan Civil War (1960–1996), and to promoting indigenous rights in the country.

After leaving school, Menchú has dedicated her life to publicizing the rights of Guatemala's indigenous feminists during and after the Guatemalan Civil War from 1960 to 1996. In 1979-80 her brother Patrocinio and her mother Juana were kidnapped, tortured and murdered by the Guatemalan army. Her father Vicente died in the 1980 Burning of the Spanish Embassy, which occurred after urban guerrillas took hostages and were attacked by government security forces. In 1984 her brother Victor was shot to death after he surrendered to the army, was threatened by soldiers, and tried to escape.

She received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1992 "in recognition of her work for social justice and ethno-cultural reconciliation based on respect for the rights of indigenous peoples." She has also become a figure in indigenous political parties and ran for President of Guatemala in 2007 and 2011.

Rigoberta Menchú Tum is one of the eight women highlighted at the occasion of the International Women’s Day (IWD) which is held every year on 8 March.

IWD is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

Discover also the other portraits:

#IWD2019 - Rigoberta Menchú Tum

Rita Levi-Montalcini is born on 22 April 1909 in Turin. She was an Italian neurologist who, together with colleague Stanley Cohen, received the 1986 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discovery of growth factors. From 1961 to 1969 she directed the Research Center of Neurobiology of the CNR (Rome), and from 1969 to 1978 the Laboratory of Cellular Biology.&nbsp; In August 1, 2001 she was appointed as senator for life by Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, President of Italy. She actively takes part to the Upper House discussions, unless busy in other academic activities all around the world. Rita Levi-Montalcini died in her house in Rome on 30th December 2012, at the age of 103.

Rita Levi-Montalcini is one of the eight women highlighted at the occasion of the International Women’s Day (IWD) which is held every year on 8 March.

IWD is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

Discover also the other portraits:

#IWD2019 -  Rita Levi-Montalcini

CULT - Exchange of views with young people on the Committee’s .achievements in the 9th Legislature

CULT - Exchange of views with young people on the Committee’s achievements in the 9th Legislature - #Engaged4YOUth – bringing young people to the forefront of EU policy making

Committee on Culture and Education

CULT

Press point by Cristian-Silviu BUŞOI, Chair of ITRE and Sabine VERHEYEN, Chair of CULT, following the hearing of Iliana IVANOVA, Commissioner-designate for innovation, research, culture, education and youth

Committee on Culture and Education ( with interpretations )

Composition of political groups

IPCC report on Climate Change: a call for urgent additional action (debate)

Resumption of the sitting

Cohesion dimension of EU state aid and de minimis rules (debate)

Composition of committees and delegations

Voting time

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

EU Action Plan against Trafficking in Cultural Goods (debate)

Explanations of vote

Approval of the minutes of the sitting and forwarding of texts adopted

Dates of forthcoming sittings

Closure of the sitting

Adjournment of the session

Plenary session

CULT - Structured dialogue with European Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas

CULT Committe - Exchange of views with Commissioner Thierry Breton

Citizens' Garden cultural season opening

CULT Committee Meeting - Exchange of views with Commissioner Schmit on the European Year of Skills

EP Plenary session - EU Action Plan against Trafficking in Cultural Goods

CULT Committee - Harnessing talent in Europe’s regions - Exchange of views with Commissioner Elisa FERREIRA

Cultural Creators Friendship Group (CCFG) - European Discoverability Forum

Public hearing ' Russian War Against Ukraine – the war of ideologies and cultures '

CULT Committee - Public hearing on the ' European Media Freedom Act '

CULT Committee - Presentation of the priorities of the Swedish Presidency of the Council

Press conference on advance passenger information, the action plan against the trafficking in cultural goods, and 5th Security Union progress report

EP Plenary Session - Implementation of the New European Agenda for Culture and the EU Strategy for International Cultural Relations

CULT Public hearing ' Best practices in the teaching of arts in schools '

CULT Committee - Presentation of Charlemagne Youth Prize winners

CULT Committee - Exchange of views with Serhiy Zhadan, winner of the 2022 Peace Prize of the German Book Trade

CULT Committee - Structured dialogue with Commissioner Mariya Gabriel

Seminar ' Culture: a driver for health and wellbeing in the EU '

This Infoclip shows illustrations of different movie screenings of the Lux Audience Award 2024. The LUX European Audience Film Award ceremony takes place in Parliament’s hemicycle in Brussels. Parliament and the European Film Academy award the LUX prize to help the distribution of European films with significant artistic merit that reflect cultural diversity in Europe and beyond.

Infoclip: Screenings of the Lux Audience Award 2024

The new rules enhance the integrity of election campaigns and help fight disinformation and foreign interference. The regulation requires political advertising to be clearly labelled, allowing citizens to see why they were targeted, who sponsored the ad, how much they paid and to which elections or referendum it pertains. Sponsoring ads from outside the EU is prohibited in the three-month period leading up to elections. All online political ads are available in an online ad repository. Opening statements by Sandro GOZI (Renew, IT), Rapporteur and Věra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Values and Transparency, Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE), Chair of the Committee on Culture and Education (CULT), Anna Júlia DONÁTH (Renew, HU), Angelika NIEBLER (EPP, DE), and Daniel FREUND (Greens/EFA, DE). This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Transparency and targeting of political advertising: Opening statements by Sandro GOZI, Rapporteur, Věra JOUROVÁ, VP of the EC, Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE), Anna Júlia DONÁTH (Renew, HU), Angelika NIEBLER (EPP, DE), and Daniel FREUND (Greens/EFA, DE)

EP President Roberta METSOLA, receives the Boniface VIII International Prize City of Anagni 2024 – XXII Edition - “for a culture of peace” at Europa Experience in Piazza Venezia. She delivers a speech with the Mayor of Rome Roberto GUALTIERI. The Bonifacio VIII International Prize for a culture of Peace, City of Anagni, 2024 is awarded to the President of the Parliament from the Bonifaciana Academy "for her high political, diplomatic, cultural and social skills worthy of a true stateswoman in service of Europe and the world". The prize was awarded in its previous editions to the presidents of the European Parliament David Sassoli, Antonio Tajani and Jerzy Karol Buzek.

Boniface VIII International Prize City of Anagni 2024 – XXII Edition - “for a culture of peace” to Roberta METSOLA, EP President, in presence of Roberto GUALTIERI, Mayor of Rome and Italian MEPs

Leading up to the European Parliament elections in June 2024, Metsola intends to tour all EU Member States, urging citizens to participate in the voting process. Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, delivers a speech during a joint meeting of the Committees for European Affairs, National Defense and Foreign Affairs, Cultural and Educational Affairs, and Equality, Youth and Human Rights, at the Plenary Hall of the Hellenic Parliament, during her official visit to Athens. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President at the Plenary Hall of the Hellenic Parliament

MEPs discuss the worrying reports on the increase in hate-driven incidents online and offline across the EU in the plenary debate in Strasbourg. Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade and the Federal Cultural Institutions, and Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of promoting our European Way of Life, deliver opening statements at the beginning of the session. The transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check agaisnt delivery.

Opening statements by Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of promoting our European Way of Life

Closing statements of the debate on the response to the demands of farmers and rural communities across Europe and how to foster fairly rewarded EU agriculture. Closing statements by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight and Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and the Federal Cultural Institutions.

Empowering farmers and rural communities - a dialogue towards sustainable and fairly rewarded EU agriculture: Closing statements by Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Executive Vice-President of the EC

MEPs discuss how to respond to the demands of farmers and rural communities across Europe and how to foster fairly rewarded EU agriculture. Opening statements by Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and the Federal Cultural Institutions and Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight. The transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Empowering farmers and rural communities - a dialogue towards sustainable and fairly rewarded EU agriculture: Opening statements by Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Executive Vice-President of the EC

The recent media revelations, which outlined how a European Parliament lawmaker has allegedly collaborated and shared information with Russian security service FSB, has prompted the institution to open an investigation, with President Roberta Metsola referring the specific matter to the Advisory Committee on the Code of Conduct. Following allegations that an MEP colluded with Russian security services, Parliament discusses this case and other interference attempts. Closing statements by Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of promoting our European Way of Life and Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and the Federal Cultural Institutions.

Russiagate - Allegations of Russian interference in the democratic processes of the European Union: Closing statements by Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission and Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs

MEPs discuss Russian attempts to interfere in the EU’s democratic processes following allegations that an MEP colluded with Russian security services. Opening statements by Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and the Federal Cultural Institutions and Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of promoting our European Way of Life. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Russiagate - allegations of Russian interference in the democratic processes of the European Union: opening statements by Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and the Federal Cultural Institutions an

MEPs discuss the December European Council, the 1 February Special summit and assess the situation in Hungary with the European Council's and Commission's presidents. During their meeting on 14 - 15 December, heads of state or government agreed, among other things, to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova and grant candidate status to Georgia. Closing statement Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight and Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and the Federal Cultural Institutions.

Joint debate on European Council meetings: closing statements by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Executive VP of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal and Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs

MEPs discuss the December European Council, the 1 February Special summit and assess the situation in Hungary with the European Council's and Commission's presidents. During their meeting on 14 - 15 December, heads of state or government agreed, among other things, to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova and grant candidate status to Georgia. Opening statement by Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and the Federal Cultural Institutions and Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission. This transcription is a result of an automatic process, Please check agaisnt delivery.

Joint debate on European Council meetings: opening statements by Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission

While international diplomatic efforts are underway to address the Gaza conflict and prevent it from escalating into a regional crisis, the Israeli government has expressed its determination to end Hamas' rule in Gaza. Israeli officials asserted a transition to more targeted warfare, though intense fighting continues. MEPs debate the humanitarian situation, the need to reach a ceasefire, and the risks of escalation in the Middle East. Closing statements by Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management and Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and the Federal Cultural Institutions.

Humanitarian situation in Gaza, the need to reach a permanent ceasefire and the risks of regional escalation: closing statements by Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management and Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs

While international diplomatic efforts are underway to address the Gaza conflict and prevent it from escalating into a regional crisis, the Israeli government has expressed its determination to end Hamas' rule in Gaza. Israeli officials asserted a transition to more targeted warfare, though intense fighting continues. MEPs debate the humanitarian situation, the need to reach a ceasefire, and the risks of escalation in the Middle East. Statements by Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and the Federal Cultural Institutions and Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management. The transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please, check against delivery.

Humanitarian situation in Gaza, the need to reach a permanent ceasefire and the risks of regional escalation: opening statements by Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management

Íban GARCÍA DEL BLANCO, (S&D, ES), rapporteur, hold a press conference on cultural diversity and the conditions for authors in the European music streaming market. The current rules leave a majority of authors receiving very low revenues. MEPs, the adopting a non legislative resolution, push to change the “pre-digital royalty rates” condemning the payola schemes that force authors to accept lower or no revenues in exchange for greater visibility. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Íban GARCÍA DEL BLANCO, (S&D, ES), rapporteur on cultural diversity and the conditions for authors in the European music streaming market

MEPs debate on the EU to live up to its commitments and deliver more military assistance to war-torn Ukraine. With Russian air attacks intensifying across Ukraine and with American military support currently held up by the U.S. congress, MEPs call on European countries to do more to help the Kyiv government defend its territory for as long as necessary. They urge EU heads of state or government to use the upcoming special European Council summit on 1 February to come to an agreement on a proposed €50 billion financial aid package for Ukraine. Closing statements by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight and Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and the Federal Cultural Institutions.

Keeping commitments and delivering military assistance to Ukraine: Closing statements by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal and Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs

MEPs debate on the EU to live up to its commitments and deliver more military assistance to war-torn Ukraine. With Russian air attacks intensifying across Ukraine and with American military support currently held up by the U.S. congress, MEPs call on European countries to do more to help the Kyiv government defend its territory for as long as necessary. They urge EU heads of state or government to use the upcoming special European Council summit on 1 February to come to an agreement on a proposed €50 billion financial aid package for Ukraine. Opening statements by Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and the Federal Cultural Institutions and Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight. The transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please, check against delivery.

Keeping commitments and delivering military assistance to Ukraine: Opening statements by Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade and Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Executive VP of the European Commission

Press conference by Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE), lead Rapporteur and Ramona STRUGARIU (Renew, RO), opinion Rapporteur, Ernest URTASUN, Spanish Minister for Culture and Věra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Values and Transparency on the European Media Freedom Act and the outcome of the inter-institutional negotiations

Press conference by Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE), lead Rapporteur and Ramona STRUGARIU (Renew, RO), opinion Rapporteur, Ernest URTASUN, Spanish Minister for Culture and Věra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission

Róża THUN UND HOHENSTEIN (Renew, PL), rapporteur, holds a press conference on Late Payments on Fostering a new payment culture. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

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