Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council (16-17 May)

15/05/2013

Is the European Union's youth policy up to the job in today's difficult economic and social climate? Can the European Union do more to help sports organisations tackle doping? Will the proposed EU-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership affect the EU's commitment to cultural diversity? These are just some of the issues which will be in the spotlight at the Council for Education, Youth, Culture and Sport on 16-17 May.

Increased education opportunities between Tunisia and EU

14/05/2013

The European Union (EU) has agreed on additional funding to further develop the modernisation of higher education as well as the international cooperation capacity of higher education institutions in Tunisia under the Erasmus Mundus and Tempus programmes.

8 out of 10 say EU projects aid innovation in classroom

07/05/2013

More than eight in ten people involved in an EU-funded initiative aimed at encouraging innovative teaching methods and improved learning materials for children say the scheme had a positive and lasting impact on them.

Commissioner Vassiliou addresses Education Ministers in Helsinki

25/04/2013

The European Commission's new initiatives to support the modernisation of education and training will be discussed at the Council of Europe Standing Conference of Ministers of Education in Helsinki, Finland, tomorrow (26 April).

Improved support for new teachers in the EU

24/04/2013

Induction programmes designed to offer personalised support and advice for new teachers are now mandatory in 15 EU Member States (Austria, Cyprus, Estonia, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and the UK) as well as in Croatia and Turkey, according to a European Commission report about the conditions of teachers and school leaders in 32 countries.

MEDIA's magnificent seven compete for Palme d'Or

15/05/2013

Thirteen films supported by the European Union's MEDIA programme for cinema will be on the big screen at the 66th Cannes International Film Festival (15-26 May), including seven films in competition for the prestigious Palme d'Or.

Danish director Vinterberg wins Prix MEDIA at Cannes Film Festival

13/05/2013

Acclaimed Danish film director Thomas Vinterberg is the winner of the 2013 European Union Prix MEDIA. The prize is awarded to the best new film project with box-office potential eligible for support from the EU MEDIA programme for cinema.

Oscar triumph for MEDIA-backed films Amour and Searching for Sugar Man

25/02/2013

European Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou has paid tribute to the makers of EU-backed films Amour and Searching for Sugar Man after their success at last night's 85th Academy Awards in Hollywood.

Vassiliou congratulates Romanian director Netzer after Golden Bear success

18/02/2013

European Commissioner Androlla Vassiliou has congratulated Romanian director Călin Peter Netzer after he scooped the Golden Bear for best picture at the Berlin film festival with Poziţia Copilului (Child's Pose).

Berlinale festival to screen 17 films backed by EU MEDIA programme

06/02/2013

For two weeks (7-17 February), the 63rd Berlinale film festival will screen some of the best new European and international films, including 17 (list in annex) supported by the EU's renowned MEDIA programme.

Harpa wins European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture - Mies van der Rohe Award 2013

29/04/2013

Harpa, the Reykjavik Concert Hall and Conference Centre in Iceland, is the winner of the 2013 European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture - Mies van der Rohe Award, the European Commission and the Fundació Mies van der Rohe announced today. Designed by Henning Larsen Architects, Batteríið Architects and Studio Olafur Eliasson, the building has helped to transform and revitalise Reykjavik harbour and brought the city and harbour district closer together.

Winners of EU Prize for Literature at London Book Fair

12/04/2013

Authors Anna Kim (Austria) and Sara Mannheimer (Sweden), who were among the winners of the 2012 European Union Prize for Literature (IP/12/1082), have been invited to the London Book Fair, which opens on Monday 15 April.

Winners of 2013 EU Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards announced

26/03/2013

The winners of the 2013 European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards were unveiled today by the European Commission and Europa Nostra.

Young Cypriot tenor Giorgos Ioannou invited to take part in the European Heritage Awards Ceremony in Athens

01/03/2013

At the initiative of European Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou, young tenor and schoolboy Giorgos Ioannou had an audition with the world-famous Spanish tenor and composer Plácido Domingo last week in Vienna. Following the audition and after speaking on the telephone with Mr Domingo, Ms Vassiliou agreed to pass on a message from Mr Domingo to the new star.

Cypriot tenor George Ioannou welcomed by Plácido Domingo

18/02/2013

Today was a special day for teenager Giorgos Ioannou. Following a personal initiative by Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou, the young boy today had the unique opportunity of meeting the world-famous Spanish tenor and composer Plácido Domingo in Vienna.

Juvenes Translatores contest: Commissioner Vassiliou presents awards to Europe's best young translators

10/04/2013

The 27 teenage winners of the Commission’s annual Juvenes Translatores contest for young translators will receive their trophies from Androulla Vassiliou, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, in Brussels on Thursday 11 April.

Bravo to EU's young translators

28/01/2013

The names of the 27 winners of the European Commission’s annual EU Young Translator Juvenes Translatores contest for secondary school pupils are published today (28 January, list of winning pupils/schools below).

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

Social investment: Commission urges Member States to focus on growth and social cohesion

20/02/2013

The European Commission has called on Member States to prioritise social investment and to modernise their welfare states. This means better performing active inclusion strategies and a more efficient and more effective use of social budgets.

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.

2011 EU-China Year of Youth: new horizons for cooperation and dialogue

11/01/2011

Ms. Vassiliou and Wang Xiao, President of the All-China Youth Federation, open the EU-China Year of Youth in Brussels today and sign a joint declaration establishing a policy dialogue in youth affairs. The EU-China Year of Youth aims to strengthen and expand people-to-people contacts, intercultural dialogue, mutual understanding and cooperation. It offers opportunities for young Europeans and Chinese to meet, exchange and learn from each other during 2011 and beyond.

Vassiliou welcomes Premier League reforms to curb excessive spending

08/02/2013

The European Commission has welcomed new reforms agreed by the UK's Premier League aimed at reducing excessive wage bills and huge losses.

Commission blows the whistle over inflated football transfer fees and lack of level playing field

07/02/2013

Football clubs spend around €3 billion a year on player transfers, but very little of this money trickles down to smaller clubs or the amateur game, according to a European Commission study published today.

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.