Press Releases 2010
Education
The EU averts funding crisis for Erasmus
12/12/2012
Current and future Erasmus students can be reassured: Member States and the European Parliament have averted a funding crisis which threatened the popular exchange scheme after a last-ditch agreement which has enabled the EU to plug a shortfall in the 2012 budget and remove uncertainty about funding for 2013.
The EU averts funding crisis for Erasmus
12/12/2012
Current and future Erasmus students can be reassured: Member States and the European Parliament have averted a funding crisis which threatened the popular exchange scheme after a last-ditch agreement which has enabled the EU to plug a shortfall in the 2012 budget and remove uncertainty about funding for 2013.
Ministers' agreement on EIT 'signal in the right direction', says Vassiliou
11/12/2012
Androulla Vassiliou, the European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, has welcomed a decision today by EU Ministers in support of the European Commission's proposals for the future of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT).
School partnerships improve pupils' and teachers' skills More information
11/12/2012
A new study on the impact of partnerships between schools in different countries has found that pupils - particularly at secondary level - significantly improved their skills, including cultural and social skills, IT and foreign languages.
Commission launches EU Skills Panorama to tackle skills mismatches
07/12/2012
The European Commission today officially launched the EU Skills Panorama, a website presenting quantitative and qualitative information on short- and medium-term skills needs, skills supply and skills mismatches.
Culture
Commission agrees way forward for modernising copyright in the digital economy
05/12/2012
At the initiative of President Barroso, the European Commission has today held an orientation debate on content in the digital economy.
Eindhoven, Leeuwarden and Maastricht to compete for title of European Capital of Culture 2018
30/11/2012
The selection panel appointed to assess the Dutch cities vying to be European Capital of Culture in 2018 met in Amsterdam today and recommended that Eindhoven, Leeuwarden and Maastricht should be preselected for the title.
European Union set for new accord with China on cultural cooperation
28/11/2012
Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, will reiterate the importance and benefits of increased cultural cooperation between the European Union and China when she meets Ministers and senior officials in Beijing this week (29 November-1 December).
Winners of the 2012 European Union Prize for Literature announced at Frankfurt Book Fair
31/10/2012
The winners of the 2012 European Union Prize for Literature, which recognises the best new or emerging authors in the EU, were announced today at the Frankfurt Book Fair.
Smash hits: Winners of 10th European Border Breakers Awards unveiled
19/10/2012
The winners of the 2013 European Border Breakers Awards, celebrating the top new talents in European pop music, were announced today by Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, and the European music festival Eurosonic Noorderslag.
Sport
Message of congratulations to José María Olazábal, Team Europe Ryder Cup captain
01/10/2012
The President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso has sent the following message this morning to the Team Europe Ryder Cup Captain, José María Olazábal.
EU Sport Forum: Sport leaders and Ministers step up fight against match-fixing
18/09/2012
Representatives of Europe's sport movement and Sport Ministers will pledge to step up their fight against match-fixing when they meet at the EU Sport Forum, organised by the European Commission in Nicosia, Cyprus, on 19-20 September. They are expected to endorse a 'Declaration on the fight against match-fixing'.
Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou attends opening of Paralympic Games in London
28/08/2012
Androulla Vassiliou, the European Commissioner responsible for sport, will attend the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games in London on 29 August (starts 21:30 Brussels time). "I am certain that the Paralympic Games will be nothing short of inspirational for all of us – whether athletes, spectators or viewers at home. I am looking forward to attending the opening and wish all the athletes an enjoyable games and good luck," said the Commissioner.
London 2012: European Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou to attend closing ceremony of the Olympic Games
07/08/2012
Androulla Vassiliou, the European Commissioner responsible for sport, will attend a number of events at the Olympic Games in London from 10-12 August, including the closing ceremony at the Olympic Stadium on Sunday evening (starts 22:00 Brussels time).
2012 London Olympic games – Statement by Androulla Vassiliou
27/07/2012
It gives me great pleasure to see the Olympic and Paralympic Games back in Europe. We all have the opportunity to celebrate sporting excellence at its best, as well as the shared values that unite us: respect, fair play, solidarity and equality.
Multilingualism
Multilingualism in Europe: Commissioner Vassiliou presents European Language Label awards
27/09/2012
Five projects which have shown outstanding performance in promoting the teaching and learning of languages were honoured today at the first 'European Language Label of the Labels Awards'.
European Day of Languages: multilingual magic, from speak-dating and cocktails to fun in the library 'bath'
25/09/2012
No-one will be lost for words: from a multilingual 'speak-dating' session in Prague, to a world café in Sofia, a rap challenge in Åarhus, European languages cocktail bar in Budapest, foreign language poetry evening in Cardiff and a 'linguistic bath' at 30 libraries in Berlin – these are just a few of the highlights of the European Day of Languages, taking place at venues throughout Europe tomorrow, 26 September.
Eurobarometer: 98% say language learning is good for their children, but tests highlight skills gap
21/06/2012
Almost nine out of ten EU citizens believe that the ability to speak foreign languages is very useful and 98% say that mastering languages will be good for the future of their children, according to a new Eurobarometer opinion poll on EU citizens' attitudes towards multilingualism and foreign language learning.
"This Eurobarometer shows that multilingualism and language learning matter a great deal to people and that is something we should rejoice in"
Androulla Vassiliou
EU's best young translators feted at awards
26/03/2012
Brussels, 26 March 2012 – Androulla Vassiliou will present trophies to winners of this year's Young Translators' (Juvenes Translatores) Contest, organised by the Commission. 27 secondary school students, one from each EU country, have been invited to Brussels to receive their award for producing the best translation from their country.
Translating for Europe… at school!
24/11/2011
Brussels, 24 November 2011 – More than 3 000 teenagers from 720 secondary schools across Europe took part in the EU Young Translator (‘Juvenes Translatores’) contest this morning. The 17-year old pupils put their command of foreign languages to the test while trying their hand at being a professional translator.
MEDIA
MEDIA and 'Creative Europe' in the spotlight at 65th Cannes Film Festival
16/05/2012
Eighteen films supported by the European Commission's MEDIA programme are in the Cannes Film Festival's 'Official Selection' this year, of which seven are in competition for the Palme d’Or, notably "Amour" by Michael Haneke, "The Angel's Share" by Ken Loach and "Jagten" (The Hunt) by Thomas Vinterberg. During the Festival, Androulla Vassiliou will award the first 'Prix MEDIA' to Iranian film-maker Asghar Farhadi and will also discuss the Commission's proposed new 'Creative Europe' programme, which includes MEDIA, with film directors and professionals.
Tribute to Claude Miller, Président d'Europa Cinémas
05/04/2012
Androulla Vassiliou has paid tribute to French film director Claude Miller who died in Paris last night, aged 70.
Asghar Farhadi – first winner of the EU MEDIA prize, 65th Cannes Film Festival
04/04/2012
Brussels, 4 April 2012 - Androulla Vassiliou will award the first EU MEDIA prize to the Iranian director Asghar Farhadi on Sunday, 20 May 2012 at the Cannes Film Festival.
Public funding for film: Commission consults on future state aid rules
14/03/2012
Brussels, 14 March 2012 - The European Commission has launched a public consultation on the state aid criteria it proposes to use to assess EU countries' public funding to support the film industry. The criteria are set out in a draft Communication, on which the Commission invites comments by 14 June 2012.
Public funding for film: Commission consults on film support issues – frequently asked questions
14/03/2012
The criteria to assess the compatibility of national, regional and local film and audiovisual support schemes with EU state aid rules are due to expire on 31 December 2012
Youth
Youth on the Move in Nicosia
16/02/2012
The European Commission's Youth on the Move road-show arrives tomorrow (17 February) at the International Education Fair in Nicosia, Cyprus. The roadshow highlights the EU grants on offer for young people interested in spending part of their studies abroad or taking up work placements with foreign companies.
Commissioner Vassiliou supports Universal Children's Day (20 November)
18/11/2011
Brussels, 18 November 2011 – On the eve of Universal Children's Day, Androulla Vassiliou said: "Children and young people are the most vulnerable members of our societies. They need care, protection and support. In these difficult times we must not reduce our support for them but rather strengthen our actions to make sure that they have a future. I will soon propose a new programme that will considerably increase the EU's investment in education, training and youth to benefit young people in Europe and beyond."
EU Youth Conference, Warsaw (5-7 September)
02/09/2011
Against a backdrop of rising youth unemployment, economic uncertainty and civil unrest in some European cities, the EU Youth Conference in Warsaw looks at what policy-makers are doing to re-engage with young people in order to encourage them to get more involved in civic and political life. Androulla Vassiliou takes part in the event which brings together 100 youth representatives and policy chiefs from European and national level.
Youth on the Move – strengthening support to Europe's young people
15/09/2010
Five million young Europeans are looking for a job. Many of them will miss opportunities because they lack the right qualifications or experience. Today, the European Commission launches Youth on the Move, a new flagship initiative aimed at helping these young people to gain the knowledge, skills and experience they need to make their first job a reality.
Youth On The Move Web Debate - 17 September - Don't Miss It!
07/09/2010
'Youth on the Move' – one of the flagship initiatives in the Europe 2020 growth strategy, will be launched on 15 September 2010. On 17 September, Commissioner Vassiliou will take part in a 'Youth on the Move' debate. This is your chance to ask the Commissioner anything you like about EU policy on education, training and mobility - don't miss it!
