"The Pulse - Your news from the EU Council" Newsletter Issues

editorial item 12 (26/05/2021)

We are looking a little more into the future with this edition. At the end of May, EU leaders agreed to issue a common EU digital COVID certificate, which makes it possible to travel safely and freely during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was World Environment Day last weekend and to mark the occasion, the Council invited five green influencers involved in climate awareness and action to collect questions that their followers wanted to put to high-level EU policymakers. We have the questions and answers for you in full - about our planet and how the EU, businesses, communities and individuals can protect it. Enjoy the read, and take our EU inventions quiz to find out how forward-looking European inventors have made contributions to our lives today.

Can ‘green’ be the new norm? (27/05/2021)

For World Environment Day, we invited 5️ European influencers to a Q&A with EU policymakers. Discover what drives them, their followers’ most pressing questions - and what answers they got.

Play the game on EU inventions (06/05/2021)

Do you know where the hairdryer was invented? Or who invented the parachute? Test your knowledge and play the game: match the EU inventions with their countries of origin and learn about inventions created by European inventors.

In this issue (19/04/2021)

Spring brings more sun, more energy and a range of activities for you to get closer to the EU:

You can now have your say on our future, using the digital platform of the Conference of the Future of Europe. This is the hub where citizens from across the Union can share and exchange their ideas and views in the coming months.

Want to know what a sports team and the EU Council have in common? Find out this Friday by joining a special online session with two top athletes and the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the EU. And that's just the beginning, because we have an invitation for you for the first fully virtual Europe Day. Save the date and keep an eye on your mailbox for more info!

And if you literally want to burn off some excess energy, why not to try some moves from our quiz on European dances?

Joining forces against climate change (19/04/2021)

The EU’s aim to be climate-neutral by 2050 will soon become a law. The EU is setting an example and inviting global players to join in. Why is joint action a must in fighting climate change?

Time to move your hips! (19/04/2021)

On Thursday, 29 April, we celebrate International Dance Day. Can you match ten dances with the EU countries they are most associated with? Let’s find out!

What does a sports team and the EU Council have in common? (30/04/2021)

Did it ever occur to you that preparing for a sports competition and for the Presidency of the EU might have many similarities? How important is fair play and active participation when you are part of a team? How can team spirit get the best results? Find out how both sides strive to achieve the best results in this interactive talk!

Europe Day: Visit the Council from your sofa! (09/05/2021)

Join a virtual guided tour of the EU Council premises and take a selfie in your favourite part of our buildings. Play IngenEUs - the EU inventions game and learn how to wish your family and friends 'Happy Europe Day' in all EU official languages. Save the date of 9 May and keep an eye on your mailbox - we will send you a special edition of the Newsletter!

Make your voice heard on the Future of Europe (19/04/2021)

The hub of the Conference on the Future of Europe is now online: This is your opportunity to speak up, to say what kind of Europe you want to live in, to help shape our future. Find out how you can get involved!

In this issue (04/03/2021)

It is finally happening: the roll-out of the vaccination campaign is gathering speed with new vaccines being delivered across Europe. In the survey that appeared in our last edition, many of you confirmed you were ready to have the vaccination as and when the time comes. Even so, some questions remain. Find out about the survey results below and where to find more information.

On account of the continuing pandemic, most of us will have to avoid travel over the Easter period. By way of compensation, we invite you on a virtual tour of the EU Council's Europa Building and beyond. Step virtually into the rooms that are rarely open to the public, take a look around and find your country's seat at the table. Our trainees will take you even further on a journey around Europe to discover different Easter traditions.

Shoulder to shoulder, screen to screen (24/03/2021)

For the first time in 11 years, the European Council welcomed the President of the United States last night. The EU leaders and US President Joe Biden exchanged views in a video conference on the future of EU-US relations. Read EUCO President Charles Michel's full introductory remarks.

What's your favourite Easter tradition? (04/03/2021)

The new group of trainees who joined the EU Council in February come from all over the European Union - and their Easter traditions are just as diverse as they are. We asked them about their favourite ones.

COVID-19 survey – how did you vote? (04/03/2021)

To jab or not to jab – that was the question in our survey last month. As promised, we now bring you the results. Over 70% of those who filled in the survey definitely want to be vaccinated.👏👏👏 Almost 22% want to but have some concerns. 8% are not sure. Find out more about how the EU is ensuring safe vaccines for Europeans. Stay safe!

Facts against fear (24/03/2021)

As vaccines against COVID-19 become available, misinformation on the safety and approval processes of these has fast spread across online platforms. Find out more about how the EU tackles the COVID-19 'infodemic'.

Traineeships with no exclusions (04/03/2021)

They are young, well-educated and prove that a lot is possible. Meet the five participants in our positive action programme for trainees with a disability and read about their experience so far.

Not only for VIPs: a 360° virtual tour of the EU Council building (04/03/2021)

Explore the Council from all angles and take a look inside rooms that are rarely accessible to visitors. Enjoy this exclusive chance to see the room where EU leadersʼ meetings are held.

editorial nr. 9 (05/02/2021)

Going into 2021, many hoped that this would be the year we were able to move on from the pandemic and get our lives back.

But a lot of us are currently still living a lockdown life of some sort – studying or working from home with very few opportunities to travel. So we have some suggestions for you on how to visit the Council virtually at least while waiting for better times.

According to a recent survey by the European Commission, many Europeans see a COVID-19 vaccine as the way forward out of the pandemic. But like most respondents, you might also still be a bit unsure about the vaccines that are out there and how they work. So we put on our lab coats to explain how mRNA vaccines work.

We would also like to hear your views via our short poll below: where do you stand on getting the vaccine yourself? We’ll look at the results in our next edition.

The COVID-19 vaccine technologies for non-scientists (05/02/2021)

Do the terms mRNA or viral vector sound like secret code to you? Keep on reading to finally understand what they’re talking about in the news.

Are you planning to get vaccinated against COVID-19? (05/02/2021)

We'd love to hear what you think! It only takes a few seconds to answer.

We'll share the results with you in the next edition.

Book your front-row seat in the Council (05/02/2021)

Still not sure what's the difference between the Council of the EU and the European Council? Or ready to dive deep into a specific policy field? Why not get an expert who works in the Council to explain it to you (all) via a virtual presentation?

Become our next trainee (11/01/2021)

Are you keen to be part of the next group of trainees at the General Secretariat of the Council? Applications for the autumn 2021 session opened on 15 February 2021. Check out the traineeships website for more details, the application form and testimonials from our former trainees.

Share your ideas to unlock climate action (05/02/2021)

Within the event series "Your Europe, Your Say! 2021", young experts, activists and influencers share their knowledge and expertise on climate change in the context of systemic change. And you are invited to contribute, too. Find out who will be there and how you can join the debate.

Inside the power house (05/02/2021)

Wonder what goes on inside this building? Everything you ever wanted to know about the European Council and the Council of the EU, told by those who know it best! Watch the full film and experience the atmosphere for yourself!

Last day of our readership survey (28/01/2021)

Our readership survey closes tonight. It's not too late to tell us what you think about our newsletter - and don't miss your chance to win a surprise package!

In this issue nr. 8 editorial (13/01/2021)

New year, new beginnings? Well, at least in the Council of the EU: Portugal has taken over the rotating presidency since 1 January and will be steering the different Council configurations over the next six months. In our quiz, you can find out how much you know about Portugal and the Portuguese.

Also, in the final days of 2020, the EU and the UK finally struck a deal on the future EU-UK relations. This brought yet another historic first: a Council meeting on Christmas Day. Below you will find the behind-the-scenes story full of fun facts and curiosities about the treaty and its signature.

In addition, we have plenty of tips on how you can kick-start your own year in a European spirit.

How well do you know Portugal? (13/01/2021)

On 1 January 2021 Portugal took over the six-month rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union in the middle of a pandemic and an economic crisis.

But how well do you know Portugal? Test your knowledge by taking part in our 10-question quiz !

In a race against time (13/01/2021)

On 24 December, the negotiators secured the agreement between the EU and UK that allowed to avoid cliff edge of hard Brexit. What happened after could be the next episode of "Fast and (not)furious".

Win the European Charlemagne Youth Prize (13/01/2021)

Are you aged 16-30 and working on a project with a European dimension? Apply for the 2021 Charlemagne Youth Prize and get rewarded for your project to further develop your initiative. Don’t delay, because the deadline is 1 February 2021!

New year, new job: new Europass (13/01/2021)

Is finding your dream job one of your resolutions for 2021? Europass helps you to prepare your CV, cover letter and job applications. Check how you can even receive personalised job suggestions!

5 minutes for the Pulse (13/01/2021)

Share your thoughts on the Pulse with us in our readership survey. And don’t forget to leave your email address if you want to win one of our surprise packages!

Are you feeling The Pulse? (11/12/2020)

In our newsletter, we want to write about what you care about and what you find interesting. Help us making it better by answering our short readership survey - and get a chance of winning one of our surprise packages.

In this issue (11/12/2020)

Dear readers,

This is the last edition at the end of what felt to many like a very long year. When we launched this newsletter in the spring, we certainly did not expect that COVID-19 would be dominating our news agenda – and our lives – as much and for as long as it has by now.

So for now, we want to give you a little break and we have decked the edition with a bit of end-of-year atmosphere from head(er) to toe: turn on some Christmas tunes from our Spotify Playlist while you look back at 2020 in our ultimate glossary or test your knowledge on European Christmas traditions.

Stay home, stay safe and happy holidays!

The ultimate glossary of the EU in 2020 (11/12/2020)

2020 was unprecedented and unpredictable. A year in which the use of the word "pandemic" increased by over 57,000%. Before toasting the end of the year, have a look at our glossary of terms for 2020.

New EU goals to save the climate (11/12/2020)

Last week, EU leaders endorsed a new target of greenhouse gas emissions reduction of at least 55% by 2030. Find out how your actions can fit into the bigger picture.

Are you a real European Christmas fan? (11/12/2020)

Test your knowledge on EU countries' Xmas traditions with 10 questions!

30 songs to bring on the Christmas spirit (11/12/2020)

Who said it had to be a silent night? With only little people to watch you around this year, sing your heart out in Czech, German, Portuguese or Swedish to our Spotify Christmas Playlist.

In this issue (17/11/2020)

Finally, last week brought some good news on COVID-19: several companies have announced positive study results on the way to a COVID-19 vaccine. We have the details on how the EU will make sure you get the vaccine when it’s ready. We also gathered all you need to know about COVID-19 testing until then.

If you cannot read about COVID-19 anymore – whether it's good or bad news – no worries, we also have some other topics for you. Read an interview on how the EU countries manage to develop joint external action in the face of crisis – we've spoken with someone who really knows this business. Also, find out what you can do to fight antisemitism and online hate speech on the internet.

Enjoy the read and drop us an email about what you want us to write about next time!

How the EU ensures you get the COVID-19 vaccine (17/11/2020)

Wondering if you will get one of the promising vaccines? Read on to find out how the EU is rapidly securing vaccines for everyone.

All you need to know about COVID-19 testing (17/11/2020)

Let's face it – pretty soon, every single European will have been tested for COVID-19. How exactly do the tests work and how reliable are the results?

How does the EU make the impossible happen? (10/11/2020)

How do you manage something that is only partially in the hands of the EU and still depends very much on individual countries? We decipher for you how EU external action works – and what is at stake.

How to fight antisemitism and online hate speech (17/11/2020)

In recent months, conspiracy theories of all kinds have crept out of the dark corners of the internet and antisemitic theories have reared their ugly heads again on social media. A debate by the German Council Presidency took a deeper look into the abyss of antisemitism and online hate speech.

18 books to travel around Europe without leaving your sofa (17/11/2020)

An advantage of the confinement and long winter evenings is that we have more time to read books. Why not widen your horizon, look beyond borders and dive into some masterpieces of literature from other European countries?