- 13 films with EU MEDIA programme support selected in Cannes International Film Festival
- Youth policy, culture diversity and state aid rules for cinema in the spotlight at the Council of 16-17 May
- Harpa wins European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture - Mies van der Rohe Award 2013
- Commissioner Vassiliou addresses Education Ministers in Helsinki
- 8 out of 10 say EU projects aid innovation in classroom
Thirteen European films financed by the European Union's MEDIA programme have been selected for screening at the 66th Cannes International Film Festival, including seven films in competition for the Palme d'Or Award, amongst which the laureate of MEDIA Prize 2012, Asghar Farhadi with "The Past". On May 20, the festival has celebrated European cinema with the "European Rendezvous" at Cannes. Androulla Vassiliou, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, has awarded the 2013 MEDIA Prize to Thomas Vinterberg.
Is the European Union's youth policy up to the job in today's difficult economic and social climate? Will the proposed EU-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership affect the EU's commitment to cultural diversity? These are just two of the issues which have been in the spotlight at the Council for Education, Youth, Culture and Sport on 16-17 May. The European Commission has been represented by Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou (Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth), and Vice-President Joaquín Almunia (Competition), who has addressed a debate on planned new State aid rules for cinema.
On 29 April, the European Commission and the Mies van der Rohe Foundation announced that Harpa from Reykjavik, Iceland and Nave de Música from Madrid, Spain are the winners of the 2013 EU Prize for contemporary architecture and the Emerging architect special mention.
The European Commission's new initiatives to support the modernisation of education and training was discussed at the Council of Europe Standing Conference of Ministers of Education in Helsinki, Finland on 26 April. Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, briefed ministers from nearly 50 European countries on the Commission's efforts to step up the impact of education policies in today's challenging conditions. The Commissioner made special reference to the Rethinking Education strategy and future 'Opening Up Education' initiative, as part of a wider debate on good governance and quality education.
The study found that the most positive impact was on individuals directly involved in projects, who said that it broadened their views, increased access to best practice and innovation, and improved their professional skills in ICT, languages and management.
