Europe Day 2016 Celebrations: United in Diversity!
The European Commission marked the importance of peace and unity during the Europe Day 2016 celebrations at Selimiye Square, Nicosia on Saturday, 14 May 2016. The event hosted EU Embassy representatives and EU supported projects, who provided information about their cultures and countries. After the opening speeches by Mr.George Markopouliotis, Mr.Mehmet Harmancı and Mr.Özdil Nami, the event continued with live music, dance performances, and various activities. This year Europe Day's theme was "United in Diversity" celebrating the unity of many lands, cultures, and languages united as Europe. Austria, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom were among the participating EU Member States. In addition to this, several local NGOs and technical assistance projects showcased their own EU supported projects and shared information about their activities. Moreover, EU Member State representatives provided information about their own countries and culture.
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Europe Day held on 9 May every year celebrates peace and unity in Europe. The date marks the anniversary of the historical Schuman Decleration. At a speech in Paris in 1950, Robert Schuman, the then French foreign minister, set out his idea for a new form of political cooperation in Europe, which would make war between Europe’s nations unthinkable.
The Schuman Declaration states that "Europe will not be made in one go, nor through a comprehensive construction, it will be built by concrete realisations that will first create real solidarity." What began on 9th May 1950, the pooling of steel and coal between France and Germany has evolved into what we today know as the European Union. The European Union is built on the fundamental values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and respect for human rights.
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Check out the Europe Day 2016 photos from HERE!
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Check out what we did more last month!
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LGBTI Rights in the EU
The European Commission highlighted the importance of LGBTI rights in the EU on International Day Against Homophobia, at Naci Talat Foundation, Nicosia on Tuesday, 17 May 2016. The EU Policy on the rights of LGBTI individuals, best practices from EU countries, EU harmonisation and implementations to achieve equality for LGBTI individuals, and relevant EU supported projects for LGBTI equality were discussed at the panel by Volkan Yılmaz, Doğuş Derya, Umut Güner and Erman Dolmacı. The moderator at the event was Mete Hatay.
Through its policies and programming, the EU particularly focuses on eliminating barriers to equality, fighting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. International Day Against Homophobia represents an annual landmark to draw the attention of decision makers, the media, the public, opinion leaders and local authorities to the alarming situation faced by lesbian, gay, bisexuals, transgender and intersex people and all those who do not conform gender norms.
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As part of of Europe Day 2016 celebrations, the EU Infopoint hosted families and children for the storytelling event on 28 May 2016. Children had the chance to hear the story "Dünyalar Kadar", a book about peace, published in both Turkish and Greek. The event also included educational activities for children.
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Check out this month's events!
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July Themes:
Youth Employment Workshop
Energy Panel
Follow our Facebook page for up to date information!
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The EU Infopoint aims to increase public knowledge, awareness and understanding of the European Union, its values, policies and programmes as well as the EU Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community. The EU Infopoint is a project funded by the European Union under the Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community with the aim to bring the Turkish Cypriot community closer to the EU.
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