While killing all microorganisms in our bodies may seem tempting to some germaphobes, scientific evidence indicates that beneficial microorganisms (that live in nearly ubiquitous communities called microbiota) are an essential component of human health, and could form a new frontier for personalised medicine to fight non-communicable diseases and improve human health. In this podcast, we’ll look at the microorganisms that live in our bodies and the incredible role they play in assuring our health.

EPRS STOA podcast - What if we killed all microorganisms in our bodies?

Are you or is your child a fan of chess? Children can benefit in all sorts of ways from this sport. Here is what the EU is doing to support national education systems in promoting chess.

This is what Europe does for young chess players in school

Many of you probably often make promises to yourselves to exercise more or start a yoga course. Sports policy is mostly decided by national governments, but the EU takes steps to encourage physical activity and Member State collaboration on sport.

This is what Europe does for people who exercise to keep fit

Do you never miss any of the major sports competitions on television? The EU helps you with that.

This is what Europe does for fans of major sports and cultural events

Do you enjoy outdoor swimming, diving or surfing? Let’s look at how your hobby is made safe.

This is what Europe does for water sports enthusiasts.

Did you cycle to work this morning? If you did, good for you! Not only does cycling help with traffic and pollution, it also makes us less dependent on cars and fuels. Here’s how the EU is supporting cycling across its member states.

This is what Europe does for cyclists

Sport is good for your health, and that’s a fact. Europe promotes sport, and that’s also a fact. Here are three things that Europe does for sportspeople.

This is what Europe does for sportspeople

Mountain sports are popular pastimes in the EU and qualified mountain guides do an important job, looking after the safety of their clients in a difficult and unpredictable environment.

This is what the EU does for mountain guides

The Erasmus programme is an international student exchange programme that has been running in Europe since 1987, supporting education, training and sport.

The current Erasmus+ 2014 to 2020 spending programme has a budget of €4.7 billion (in current prices).The proposed budget for the 2021 to 2027 programming period has been increased to EUR 30 billion (in current prices) (article 14 of the proposal). The focus of the new programme is on being inclusive and on doing more to reach young people with limited opportunities.

Erasmus - 8th parliamentary term

The Conference on the Future of Europe is a series of citizen-led debates and discussions that enable people from across Europe to share their ideas and help shape our common European future. The European Citizens´panels are an integral part of the CoFoE.

The European Citizens’ Panel on "EU in the world / Migration" will meet at the European Institute for Public Administration in Maastricht and online to deliver its recommendations. In March, the Panel’s report - on the EU’s self-reliance and stability, its place in the world, and all aspects of migration-related issues - will be debated in a Conference Plenary session.

The panels bring together people from different walks of life. Citizens have been chosen randomly by specialist contractors on behalf of the EU institutions, using methodologies that ensure that they are representative of the EU's diversity in terms of geographic origin, gender, age, socioeconomic background and level of education. Young people between 16 and 25 make up one-third of each panel.

These citizens come up with ideas and recommendations that will feed into the overall Conference deliberations, in particular into the Conference Plenaries, and ultimately into the report on its final outcome. The European Citizens’ Panels kicked&nbsp;off with the first 200-citizen meeting 17-19 of September in Strasbourg.

The first sessions of all four Panels took&nbsp;place on&nbsp;Parliament’s premises in Strasbourg and began&nbsp;working on draft recommendations within each Panel’s remit. This first European Citizens’ Panel focused on a stronger economy, social justice, jobs/education, youth, culture, and sport/digital transformation, based on citizens’ contributions collected from across Europe on a Multilingual Digital Platform, as well as support and presentations from prominent academics. The second European Citizens’ Panel focused&nbsp;on European democracy/values, rights, the rule of law, and security. The third panel´s agenda was&nbsp;climate change, environment and health. The fourth on the EU in the world/migration.

Also, the Panels are meeting in four European academic institutions (Dublin, Florence, Natolin/Warsaw, and Maastricht) to finalise their recommendations so they can be discussed at the Conference Plenary.

From 25-27 February&nbsp;the final European Citizens' Panels covering ‘A stronger economy, social justice and jobs / Education, culture, youth and sport / Digital transformation' was held in Dublin. The recommendations will be debated at the Conference Plenary in early March, alongside recommendations from the Panel on 'EU in the world / migration', and from national panels and events.

European Citizens’ Panels

On Europe Day, the Presidents of the European Parliament, Commission and Council received the final report with proposals to reform the EU. During a closing ceremony  in Strasbourg, President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola, on behalf of the Council Presidency, President Emmanuel Macron, and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen received from the Co-Chairs of the Conference Executive Board the final report on the outcome of the Conference.
This one-year journey of discussion, debate and collaboration between citizens and politicians culminated in a report centred around 49 proposals that include concrete objectives and more than 320 measures for the EU institutions to follow up on under nine topics: climate change and the environment; health; a stronger economy, social justice and jobs; EU in the world; values and rights, rule of law, security; digital transformation; European democracy; migration; education, culture, youth and sport. The proposals are based on recommendations made by citizens who met within the European Citizens’ Panels, National Citizens’ Panels and contributed their ideas on the Multilingual Digital Platform.

President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, said: "Citizens - especially young people - are at the heart of our vision for the future of Europe. They have directly shaped the outcome of the Conference. We are at a defining moment of European integration and no suggestion for change should be off-limits. We should not be afraid to unleash the power of Europe to change people’s lives for the better."

Conference on the Future of Europe: closing event

Erasmus+ is the EU's programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe. It has an estimated budget of €26.2 billion. This is nearly double the funding compared to its predecessor programme (2014-2020).

The 2021-2027 programme places a strong focus on social inclusion, the green and digital transitions, and promoting young people’s participation in democratic life. It supports priorities and activities set out in the European Education Area, Digital Education Action Plan and the European Skills Agenda. The programme also supports the European Pillar of Social Rights implements the EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027 develops the European dimension in sport. It will improve access to learning and mobility for people who historically have had fewer opportunities to participate – people living with a disability, people living in poverty, in a remote location, people with a migration background, and more. Compared to the previous Erasmus+, the new programme will expand to support mobility for students in adult education.

Erasmus +

European Youth Event (EYE) 2021&nbsp;took&nbsp;place on 8 and 9 October 2021&nbsp;in the European Parliament's seat in Strasbourg. EYE&nbsp;is a unique opportunity for young Europeans to make their voices heard. Between&nbsp;3 000 to 4 000 young people gathered&nbsp;in Strasbourg and online to exchange ideas and contribute to discussions on Europe’s future.&nbsp;

Under the motto “The future is ours”, the European Youth Event (EYE) 2021 featured&nbsp;dozens of activities, debates, and workshops, as well as sports events, artistic performances and concerts. The environment and the fight against climate change, ahead of the COP26 meeting in November 2021, were&nbsp;a central topic for discussion.

EYE is a unique opportunity for 16 to 30 year olds to interact in-person and online, inspire each other and exchange their views with experts, activists, influencers and decision-makers, right in the heart of European democracy.

EYE 2021 is&nbsp;the culmination of the European Parliament’s youth consultation process for the Conference on the Future of Europe.

EYE2021

Erasmus+ is the EU's programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe. Merging seven prior programmes, it offers opportunities not only for students, but also for a wide variety of individuals and organisations, helping them develop, share knowledge and have a life-changing experience at institutions and organisations in different countries.

In 2018, Parliament once again stressed the importance of inclusion in the Erasmus+ programme and asked the Commission to draw up a framework by 31 March 2021, along with a set of inclusion measures and guidelines for their implementation.

In late 2019, Parliament approved an amending budget for that same year’s EU budget in order to reinforcecore mobility activities, which are central to the development of a European education area. The amendment increased commitment appropriations for Erasmus+ to support mobility in higher education, and vocational education and training. However, Parliament also pointed out that this will need to be matched by increased payment appropriations.

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/erasmus-8th-parliamentary-term_11104_pk">package </a>for the 8th parliamentary term.

Erasmus + (2019-2020)

On 28 March, Parliament approved the next Erasmus+ programme for 2021-2027.

Erasmus+ is an EU programme supporting opportunities for education, training, young people and sport in Europe. It started as a student exchange programme in 1987, but since 2014 it also offers opportunities for teachers, trainees and volunteers of all ages. More than nine million people have taken part in the Erasmus+ programme over the last 30 years and nearly 800,000 people benefited from the programme in 2017 alone. The programme currently covers 33 countries (all 28 EU countries as well as Turkey, North Macedonia, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) and is open to partner countries across the world.

#EUelections2019 - Erasmus +

To mark the 2024 International Women's Day (8 March), the Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee is holding an inter-parliamentary committee meeting, gathering EU and national parliamentarians, to discuss the situation of women in sport today. Topics include eradicating gender stereotypes, abuse scandals and getting equal financial rewards and status. The experts to speak include Olympians Charline Van Snick (Belgium), Pia Sundhage (Sweden) and Katarzyna Zillmann (Poland). (Thursday 7 March).

FEMM- International Women’s Day/Women in Sport

FEMM interparlamentary Committee meeting - Women in Sports

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - Violence and discrimination in the world of sports after the FIFA Women’s World Cup

Launch of the 20 KM of Brussels race.

Sports group event - Environmental sustainability in sport

FEMM Committee - Workshop on Women in Sport

DROI Subcommittee in association with the Delegation for relations with the Arab Peninsula - World sport events and human rights in the context of the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar

EP Plenary session - E-sport and videogames

Video Games Stockshots

Brussels 20 km running race start

Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary II - Panel 1 - Stronger Economy, Social Justice and Jobs; Education, Culture, Youth and Sport; Digital Transformation

EP Plenary session - Role of culture, education, media and sport in the fight against racism

Conference on the Future of Europe [15161]

Conference on the Future of Europe - Panel 1 : Stronger economy, social justice, jobs, education, culture, sport, digital transformation, in Dublin.

Conference on the Future of Europe - Working Group meetings; Education, culture, youth and sport

Meeting between French deputy Laurence FARRENG, deputies of the Sport intergroup and the Olympic champion and President of the Paris 2024 Olympic Committee Tony Estanguet.

EP Plenary Session - EU sports policy: assessment and possible ways forward

Conference of the Future of Europe (CoFoE) -  Citizens panels - Stronger economy, social justice, jobs/education, youth, culture, sport/digital transformation

David SASSOLI, EP President meets with Jaime LAFITA, activist supporting the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis World Day

EP Plenary session - Erasmus+: the Union Programme for education and training, youth and sport

Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality - Inter-parliamentary Committee Meeting on Women in Sport

FEMM

Opening of the sitting

Composition of political groups

Parliamentarism, European citizenship and democracy (debate)

Violence and discrimination in the world of sports after the FIFA Women’s World Cup (debate)

Improving firefighters’ working conditions (debate)

Resumption of the sitting

Voting time

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

Composition of committees and delegations

Segregation and discrimination of Roma children in education (debate)

Explanations of vote

Report: Maria Noichl (A9-0240/2023) - Regulation of prostitution in the EU: its cross-border implications and impact on gender equality and women’s rights

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

Dates of forthcoming sittings

Closure of the sitting

Plenary session

Statements by the President

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting : see Minutes

Composition of Parliament

Verification of credentials

Composition of political groups: see Minutes

Negotiations ahead of Parliament’s first reading (Rule 71)

Corrigendum (Rule 241)

Signing of acts adopted in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (Rule 79): see Minutes

Order of business

New EU Forest Strategy for 2030 – Sustainable Forest Management in Europe (debate)

Deforestation Regulation (debate)

Surveillance and predator spyware systems in Greece (debate)

Energy efficiency (recast) (debate)

Conservation and enforcement measures applicable in the Regulatory Area of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO) - Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Area: conservation and management measures (debate)

The impact of COVID-19 closures of educational, cultural, youth and sports activities on children and young people in the EU (short presentation)

Interim report on the 2021 proposal for a revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework (short presentation)

One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

Agenda for next sitting: see Minutes

Youth, Education and Sport

Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary - Education, culture, youth

Opening by the Co-Chairs and agenda as proposed by the Executive Board

Health

European democracy

Migration

Values and rights, rule of law and security

Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary (with Metadata)

Conference on the Future of Europe - workgroup on Education, culture, youth and sport

Education, culture, youth, and sport - Presentation of the Recommendations by European Citizens’ Panel 1 and related National Panels

Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary 1: Youth, education and culture

Resumption of the session

Statement by the President 

Implementation of the 2021-2027 cohesion policy (debate)

Citizenship and residence by investment schemes

Shrinking space for civil society in Europe (debate)

Role of culture, education, media and sport in the fight against racism (debate)

Cohesion policy: reducing healthcare disparities and enhancing cross-border health cooperation (short presentation)

Cohesion policy: promoting innovative and smart transformation and regional ICT connectivity (short presentation)

Engaging with citizens: the right to petition and refer to the European Ombudsman, the European Citizens’ Initiative

Closure of the session

Conference on the Future of Europe – European Citizen’s Panels : Panel 1, Stronger economy, social justice and jobs/ Education, culture, youth and sport/ Digital transformation

Resumption of the session 

Approval of the minutes of the previous sittings

Composition of political groups 

Composition of committees and delegations 

Negotiations ahead of Parliament’s first reading (Rule 71) (action taken): see Minutes

Order of business 

Introduction of a European Social Security pass for improving the digital enforcement of social security rights and fair mobility

Coordination of Member States’ measures in light of increasing cases of COVID-19 in the EU

The revision of the Financial Regulation in view of the entry into force of the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework (debate)

EU sports policy: assessment and possible ways forward (debate)

A Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe (debate)

One-minute speeches (Rule 172)

Closure of the sitting 

Conference on the Future of Europe - European Citizens' Panels - session 2: Stronger economy, social justice, jobs/ education, youth, culture, sport/ digital transformation

The right of information of the Parliament regarding the ongoing assessment of the national recovery and resilience plans (debate)

Revised Industrial Strategy for Europe (debate)

Recent deaths in the Mediterranean and search and rescue at sea (debate)

First voting session

Recent deaths in the Mediterranean and search and rescue at sea (continuation of debate)

Human rights protection and the EU external migration policy (debate)

2019-2020 Reports on Turkey

EU strategy towards Israel-Palestine (debate)

Delegated acts (Rule 111(6)) (action taken): see Minutes

2019-2020 Reports on Montenegro (debate)

Announcement of voting results

The effects of climate change on human rights and the role of environmental defenders on this matter

Business Taxation (debate)

Second voting session

Business Taxation (continuation of debate)

Creative Europe Programme (debate)

Erasmus&#43;: the Union Programme for education and training, youth and sport (debate)

Composition of committees and delegations : see Minutes

European Solidarity Corps Programme (debate)

Artificial intelligence in education, culture and the audiovisual sector (debate)

Agenda of the next sitting : see Minutes

Ema and Lejla are young Slovenians that were born in May 2004. The same month Slovenia joined the European Union. Along with their daily life, sporting, and studying they share testimonies on the feelings about this historical event and the EU in this news item. Meanwhile, Parliament celebrates the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivering.

Born European - 20th anniversary of the 2004 Enlargement of the European Union – Slovenia

Parliament celebrates the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement. Young people, born on or around 1 May 2004 from the new member states, testimony on their feelings about this historical event and the EU.

Clip: Born European - 20th Anniversary of the 2004 EU Enlargement

This infoclip illustrates International women's day with women practicing sport in a competition level, and mixed teenagers' team. This infoclip illustrates also women at work today in different sector, agriculture, medical organisation, electronic technicians, scientists, board, television production. The annual inter-parliamentary committee meeting marking International Women’s Day (8 March) brings together MEPs and national MPs to discuss gender equality and women’s rights. This year’s theme is women in sport.

Infoclip: International women's day

To mark the 2024 International Women's Day (8 March), the Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee (FEMM Committee) holds an inter-parliamentary committee meeting, gathering EU and national parliamentarians, to discuss the situation of women in sport today. Topics include eradicating gender stereotypes, abuse scandals and getting equal financial rewards and status. The experts to speak include Olympians Charline Van Snick (Belgium), and Pia Sundhage (Sweden). The footage also shows extracts from the statement by Robert BIEDROŃ (S&D, PL), FEMM Chair. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

International Women’s Day 2024: extracts from the Interparliamentary Committee Meeting on the occasion of International Women's Day

During the trophy presentation for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in August, president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF) Luis Rubiales kissed Spain midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips, which she has stated she did not consent to. Mr Rubiales subsequently refused to resign - he has since been suspended by FIFA (the international governing body of association football), which has launched an investigation into his conduct. After the final of the Women’s Football World Cup was marred by harassment, MEPs quiz the Commission on how to counter violence and discrimination in sports. Extracts from the debate

Violence and discrimination in the world of sports after the FIFA Women’s World Cup: extracts from the debate

During the trophy presentation for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in August, president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF) Luis Rubiales kissed Spain midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips, which she has stated she did not consent to. Mr Rubiales subsequently refused to resign - he has since been suspended by FIFA (the international governing body of association football), which has launched an investigation into his conduct. After the final of the Women’s Football World Cup was marred by harassment, MEPs quiz the Commission on how to counter violence and discrimination in sports. Closing statement by Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms.

Violence and discrimination in the world of sports after the FIFA Women’s World Cup: closing statement by Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms

During the trophy presentation for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in August, president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF) Luis Rubiales kissed Spain midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips, which she has stated she did not consent to. Mr Rubiales subsequently refused to resign - he has since been suspended by FIFA (the international governing body of association football), which has launched an investigation into his conduct. After the final of the Women’s Football World Cup was marred by harassment, MEPs quiz the Commission on how to counter violence and discrimination in sports.

Violence and discrimination in the world of sports after the FIFA Women’s World Cup: MEPs debate

During the trophy presentation for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in August, president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF) Luis Rubiales kissed Spain midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips, which she has stated she did not consent to. Mr Rubiales subsequently refused to resign - he has since been suspended by FIFA (the international governing body of association football), which has launched an investigation into his conduct. After the final of the Women’s Football World Cup was marred by harassment, MEPs quiz the Commission on how to counter violence and discrimination in sports. Opening statement by Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reformsr. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Violence and discrimination in the world of sports after the FIFA Women’s World Cup: opening statement by Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms

The start of the 43rd edition of the famous “20 kilometers of Brussels” race took place on Sunday 28th May 2023 at the Parc du Cinquantenaire. The beginnings are given by various political personalities, including Roberta Metsola EP president

Launch of the 43rd edition of the 20 km of Brussels by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

The 2023 Rugby World Cup is scheduled to take place in France from 8 September to 28 October 2023. Roberta METSOLA, EP President and by Eric ANDRIEU (S&D,FR) hold a press conference on the first European team at the Rugby World Cup. Q&A session with the press.

Press conference by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, by Eric ANDRIEU (S&D, FR) and by Anne-Sophie PELLETIER (The Left, FR) on the 1st European team at the Parliamentary Rugby World Cup: Q&A session

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, gives her opening remarks on the first European team at the Parliamentary Rugby World Cup. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference on the first European team at the Parliamentary Rugby World Cup: opening remarks by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

The 2023 Rugby World Cup is scheduled to take place in France from 8 September to 28 October 2023. Roberta METSOLA, EP President and by Eric ANDRIEU (S&D,FR) hold a press conference on the first European team at the Rugby World Cup.

Press conference on the first European team at the Parliamentary Rugby World Cup: opening remarks by Anne-Sophie PELLETIER (The Left, FR) and Eric ANDRIEU (S&D, FR)

Parliament calls for harmonized rules to protect players, especially kids, and measures to help the innovative video games sector expand.The draft text, on which MEPs debate on demands better protection for gamers, especially children, from gaming addiction and manipulative practices. Extracts from the debate, from the vote and statement by Adriana MALDONADO LÓPEZ (S&D, ES), Rapporteur.

Consumer protection in online video games - a European Single Market approach: extracts from the debate, from the vote and statement by Adriana MALDONADO LÓPEZ (S&D, ES), Rapporteur

MEPs vote on the following topics: 30th Anniversary of the Single Market, Consumer protection in online video games: a European Single Market approach - Adriana MALDONADO LÓPEZ (S&D, ES), Implementation of the common foreign and security policy - annual report 2022 - David McALLISTER (EPP, DE), Implementation of the common security and defence policy - annual report 2022 - Tom VANDENKENDELAERE (EPP, BE), Human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter - annual report 2022 - Isabel WISELER-LIMA (EPP, LU).

Voting session including 30th the resolution on the Anniversary of the Single Market, the report on the Consumer protection in online video games and the report on the implementation of the common foreign and security policy

MEPs debate with the Commission and the Concil The recent JHA Council decision on Schengen accession for Romania and Bulgaria. Closing statements by Vladimir BALAŠ, Czech Minister of Education, Youth and Sport and by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs.

The recent JHA Council decision on Schengen accession: closing statements by Vladimir BALAŠ, Czech Minister of Education, Youth and Sport and by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs

MEPs debate with the Commission and the Concil The recent JHA Council decision on Schengen accession for Romania and Bulgaria. Opening statements by Vladimir BALAŠ, Czech Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, for the Council and by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs.

The recent JHA Council decision on Schengen accession: opening statements by Vladimir BALAŠ , Czech Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, for the Council and by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs

The DROI Subcommittee (Human Rights) organises an exchange of views about the world sport events and human rights, in the context of the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar. Qatar's government has been criticised since international newspaper have reported on thousands of migrants coming from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, were hired in Qatar, and in some cases, died, since it won the World Cup organisation. Extracts from the exchange of views with Ali Bin Samikh Al Marri, Minister of Labour of the state of Qatar.

World sport events and human rights in the context of the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar - DROI Subcommittee: extracts from the exchange of views

Parliament demands measures to boost EU-based video-game development and increase efforts to develop and retain European talent. A draft report by the Culture Committee says the criteria to receive funding from the “Creative Europe” and “Horizon Europe” programmes do not always match the needs of small and medium-sized video game developers. MEPs also suggest exemptions in EU state aid rules to allow member state support for video game developers. Statement by Laurence FARRENG (Renew, FR), rapporteur and extracts from the debate.

E-sports and video games: statement by Laurence FARRENG (Renew, FR), rapporteur, and extracts from the debate (09/11)

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