Назад 5-7 October: high-level online event on midterm results of the EU/CoE Partnership for Good Governance for Eastern Partnership countries

The midterm results of the second phase of the European Union and Council of Europe Partnership for Good Governance (PGG) launched in 2019 and the impact of the programme on the lives of people in the Eastern Partnership region will be the key focus of an online event held on 5-7 October. The event will be held under the title ‘Improving the lives of citizens through better Governance’.
Strasbourg 1 October 2020
  • Diminuer la taille du texte
  • Augmenter la taille du texte
  • Imprimer la page
  • Imprimer en PDF
5-7 October: high-level online event on midterm results of the EU/CoE Partnership for Good Governance for Eastern Partnership countries

A welcome address by Marija Pejčinović Burić, Secretary General of the Council of Europe and by Olivér Várhelyi, EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement will be presented at 9:00 CEST on 5 October.

It will be followed at 10:30 CEST on 5 October by a live session “Eastern Partnership: challenges and priorities for future cooperation” (Bluejeans link). The following keynote speakers are expected to take part:

  • Mathieu Bousquet, Head of Unit, Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, European Commission
  • Verena Taylor, Director, Office of the Directorate General of Programmes, Council of Europe
  • Kristine Grigoryan, Deputy Minister of Justice of Armenia
  • Ian Feldman, President of the Moldovan Equality Council
  • David Asatiani, Chairperson of the Georgian Bar Association

The audience, including mass media representatives, will have the possibility to ask questions in ‘chat’ format and answers will be provided live by the panellists.

On 7 October at 10:30 CEST the second live panel “Responses to COVID 19 and lessons learned in the Eastern Partnership region” will be held (Bluejeans link). Participation of the following speakers is expected:

  • Mathieu Bousquet, Head of Unit, Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, European Commission
  • Pilar Morales, Head of the Programming Department, Office of the Directorate General of Programmes, Council of Europe
  • Serhii Saienko, Deputy Director, EU Regional Policies and Strategies Directorate General for the European Union, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, PGG National Coordinator (tbc)
  • Leyla Hasanova, First Secretary, Department of Human Rights and Democracy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, PGG National Coordinator
  • Sofia Strive, Co-chair of the Steering Committee and Working Group 1 Coordinator, Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum

Between the live sessions, from 5 to 7 October, interviews/statements by representatives of the European Union and the Council of Europe, testimonies from beneficiaries and partners from the Eastern Partnership countries , quiz, videos, as well as other information materials on the results of PGG in the priority areas (fighting economic crime, better justice for citizens, combating violence against women, protection against discrimination) will be posted on the dedicated section of the website. These materials will remain accessible during and after the event.

Strasbourg, France Strasbourg, 1-2 July 2024
  • Diminuer la taille du texte
  • Augmenter la taille du texte
  • Imprimer la page
  • Imprimer en PDF
Addressing hate speech and hate crime: regional gathering of the network of Equality Bodies from the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership Region

A two-day workshop on addressing hate speech and hate crime took place at the premises of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, involving Equality bodies from the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership regions.  The event supported by the EU and Council of Europe, gathered 50 representatives from both regions who discussed and exchanged on the best practices, measures and common challenges when addressing hate speech and hate crime. Through monitoring and reporting, policy advocacy, raising awareness and supporting victims equality bodies play a fundamental role in protecting human rights and ensuring that all individuals are treated equally.

In her opening remarks, Angela Longo, Head of Anti-discrimination Co-operation Unit, Council of Europe, underlined the significant progress in engaging with Equality Bodies through this network, regularly exchanging best practices and addressing the challenges of hatred and intolerance in societies. She highlighted that this new chapter of discussion delves into the grey area between hate speech and hate crime, addressing issues of incitement and biases,

Representatives from Equality Bodies had the opportunity to discuss and enhance their knowledge on the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers Recommendation to member States on combating hate crime, adopted on 7th May 2024, as well as gain a clearer understanding of EU standards in the field of hate crime. Moreover, participants engaged in exchanges with peers from the Spanish Observatory on Racism and Xenophobia (OBERAXE), who shared insights on addressing hate speech in the public discourse. The National Office Against Racial Discrimination (UNAR) in Italy provided practical examples for developing counter-narratives and raising awareness initiatives.

They also explored opportunities to advocate for legislative reform, foster multisectoral co-operation, enhance data collection, and overall improve national mechanisms to counter hate crimes.

This seminar was organised within the action “Promoting equality and combating racism and intolerance in the Western Balkans” and the project “Promoting equality and non-discrimination: towards more resilient and inclusive societies” – co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe, and implemented by the Council of Europe  under the joint Programmes “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” and “Partnership for Good Governance”.

Follow us on social media