ON SATURDAY 9TH MAY, BRUSSELS CELEBRATES EUROPE DAY TH 65 ANNIVERSARY OF THE SCHUMAN DECLARATION EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS’ OPEN DOORS DAY 2015 “The contribution which an organised and living Europe can bring to civilisation is indispensable to the maintenance #EUopendoors of peaceful relations.” Robert Schuman, 9.05.1950, 65th anniversary On Saturday 9th May, the European Institutions will open their doors to the general public in order to celebrate Europe Day in a fun and festive way for the whole family. 9th May will mark the 65th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, which is regarded as the key event in the creation of a united Europe. The central theme of this 23rd edition will be the European Year for Development, a fi eld in which the European Institutions do a considerable amount of work supporting and initiating key projects in the areas of development aid and the fi ght against poverty. The European Parliament, the European Council, the Council of the European Union, the European Commission, the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Committee of the Regions and the European External Action Service will open the doors of their iconic buildings to more than 20,000 visitors, giving them the opportunity to gain a better understanding of how the institutions operate and to learn about the issues the institutions deal with in their day-to-day work on behalf of Europe’s citizens. Some symbolic concepts The Schuman Declaration: 65 years of peace and unity On 9th May 1950, Robert Schuman made a declaration that would change the very nature of Europe. The politician, who was the French Foreign Affairs Minister at the time, called for France and West Germany to pool ownership of their coal and steel industries together with other European countries. Although by today’s standards this may seem a rather modest endeavour, it nonetheless laid the foundations for a united and peaceful Europe. The six member states of the European Coal and Steel Community were making a historic move in order to prevent further devastating wars, after Europe had been left scarred by these distressing events twice in the fi rst half of the 20th century. Over 60 years later, this small Community has developed into the European Union, a family of 28 independent and democratic states, with 507 million citizens living in peace and stability: unprecedented in the history of the continent. 9th May 1950 marked the beginning of our shared adventure: an adventure which has been both exciting and benefi cial. This year, on the same date, we will celebrate Europe Day, remembering the journey we have been on together. BRUSSELS CELEBRATES EUROPE DAY EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS’ OPEN DOORS DAY 2015 Open Doors Day at the EU Institutions As well as commemorating a historic event, Europe Day is an opportunity to further promote transparency and encourage closer ties between the European Union and its citizens. The European Institutions open their doors and give the citizens the chance to discover their daily work. By letting people go behind the scenes, visit the Chamber where the EU’s elected representatives hold their debates, see the Council’s negotiation rooms and the room where the Commission meets, and meet the social partners and representatives of civil society, the Open Doors Day serves to demystify these «decision-making places» so that people can see them in a different light. Alongside this classic open-day format, there is a wide range of activities throughout the day for those who would like to find out more about the central theme of the European Year, which in 2015 is development cooperation. 2015: The European Year for Development The European Union Institutions have proclaimed 2015 the “European Year for Development”. The European Union and its Member States give nearly €60 billion per year for humanitarian and development aid, over half of global spending in these areas. Thanks to support provided by the Union, 14 million children now have access to primary education and sanitary facilities were provided for 25 million people between 2004 and 2012. By investing in developing countries, the Union can help keep in check threats to global security that arise from poverty, disease and climate change. During the Open Doors Day in Brussels, the European Institutions will organise a range of activities based on the theme of cooperation for development. Detailed programme A detailed programme of the European Institutions’ Open Doors Day is enclosed. The press contacts for each individual institution are listed underneath the programme of activities. We however remain at your service for any further information or requests for interviews. Lieven COSIJN Sophie DUPAVÉ Press Officer - European Parliament Press consultant for the European Parliament +32-2-284 31 26 +32-2-644 02 50 +32-473 86 41 41 +32-475 44 17 21 [email protected] [email protected] www.europa.eu/opendoors BRUSSELS CELEBRATES EUROPE DAY EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS’ OPEN DOORS DAY 2015 The European Parliament Main entrance: Solidarność Esplanade - Agora Simone Veil (adjacent to Place du Luxembourg). Programme for the day: from 9.45 am to 6 pm: > 9.45 am: Opening ceremony: Altiero Spinelli European Parliament vice-President Sylvie Guillaume will officially inaugurate the Open Doors Day on the steps of the Altiero Spinelli building on the Solidarność Esplanade, along with Rudi Vervoort, Minister-President of the Brussels-Capital Region and Willy Decourty, Bourgmestre of Ixelles. The main doors of the European Parliament will then open to the public, whilst the Solidarność Esplanade will host outdoor activities and performances all day long. > 10 am - 6 pm Tours of the European Parliament building and the hemicycle, information stands on the activities of the different political groups and Directorates-General. QUIZ: Visitors can answer a QUIZ as they visit the stands of the different Directorates General, to test their knowledge about the work of the European institutions. Beautiful Fairtrade scarves will reward participants! > 11 am - 1 pm: Debate on the topic: “Empowering women and girls - dignity and development for all”, with the participation of Dr Denis Mukwege, winner of the 2014 Sakharov Prize and Hauwa Ibrahim, winner of the 2005 Sakharov Prize. Members of the European Parliament will discuss the vital role of women and girls in development. Sylvie Guillaume and Ulrike Lunacek, vice-presidents of the European Parliament, will give the welcome address and we will have the honour of welcoming Hauwa Ibrahim and Denis Mukwege, both Sakharov Prize winners. Once the debate has begun, the public will also have the opportunity to ask questions. > 1.15 pm: Dr Denis Mukwege will introduce the documentary L’homme qui répare les femmes (La Colère d’Hippocrate) [The man who fixes women (Hippocrates’ Anger)], by Thierry Michel and Colette Braeckman. The film shows the doctor’s battle against the sexual abuse inflicted on women in the Congo during military conflicts. The film will begin at 1.30 pm. 115 minutes- Audio in French, English and Swahili with subtitles in French and Dutch. Hemicycle - Paul-Henri Spaak, 3rd floor. > 3 pm: Ulrike Lunacek, vice-President of the European Parliament, will introduce our two very distinguished special guests, Dr Denis Mukwege (winner of the 2014 Sakharov Prize) and Hauwa Ibrahim (winner of the 2005 Sakharov Prize). The two speakers will each give a brief presentation about their tireless work to help and protect their vulnerable fellow citizens. Nana Mouskouri, UNICEF ambassador, will also participate in this discussion. > 11 am - 5 pm: Mini conferences on cooperation for development These short conferences, each lasting half an hour, offer opportunities to learn more about the key political issues in the area of development. Conferences will begin at 11 am, 11.45 am, 12.30 pm, 3.45 pm and 4.30 pm. Room 3C50 - Paul-Henri Spaak, 3rd floor. Simultaneous interpretation will be provided in German, English, French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch and Polish. BRUSSELS CELEBRATES EUROPE DAY EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS’ OPEN DOORS DAY 2015 OUTSIDE THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, ON THE SOLIDARNOŚĆ ESPLANADE > 10 am - 6 pm: Development Village: A variety of NGO’s and civil society associations active in the field of development will inform the public in an interactive and fun way about the many projects they run and support. You can read more about these associations below. > For kids & teens Plenty of activities are on offer for younger guests. They can participate in street soccer, break dancing and graffiti workshops that will take place throughout the day on the Esplanade Solidarność or try to run a special obstacle course that will illustrate how people in some countries still struggle with access to water. Smaller kids will enjoy the face painting, giant puzzles and colouring activities. > Music and culture Presenter Eric Baranyanka will ensure a festive atmosphere all day long and introduce a colourful musical programme, including: - La Nouvelle Flibuste - Bal Global - C&C Factor E > 1.30 pm - 5 pm: Speed-dating A chance for visitors to share their ideas with some of the Belgian Members of the European Parliament. Take the opportunity to ask your representatives in the European Parliament about the topics you’re most passionate about. List of participants: Gérard DEPREZ, Tom VANDENKENDELAERE, Claude ROLIN, Marc TARABELLA, Anneleen VAN BOSSUYT, Philippe LAMBERTS, Helga STEVENS, Marie ARENA, Philippe DE BACKER, Sander LOONES and Mark DEMESMAEKER. Several exhibitions will also be on display: > Lest we forget Information Office in Belgium / Old Luxembourg station - Place du Luxembourg Portraits from Buchenwald 1944-1945, by Georges Despaux. 8th May 2015 marks the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe. Lest we forget is a collection of portraits drawn in secret by political prisoner Georges Despaux during his time at the Nazi concentration camp of Buchenwald.