Open Day - European Parliament, Brussels - Main contents

date	May 8, 2010 - May 9, 2010
city	Brussels, Belgium
address	Wetstraat 175 [map]
location	Justus Lipsius building i
attending	R. (Robert) Schuman i, H.A. (Herman) Van Rompuy i, M. (Maroš) Sefčovič i et al.
organisation	European Commission (EC) i

On Saturday 8 May, the European institutions in Brussels will open their doors to the public. This year the “Open Day” has a special significance as it falls on the eve of the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, Europe Day, pronounced the 9 May of 1950 by Robert Schuman.

As part of a broader festival of Europe, events will take also place in Luxembourg, and on the 9 May, the 60th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration itself, in Strasbourg.

The following institutions will be open, allowing the public to visit the places where the decisions that affect their everyday lives are taken, and therefore give them the opportunity of learning more about the European Union and how it functions:

European Parliament

Council of the European Union

European Commission

European Economic and Social Committee

The Committee of the Regions

Programme of events - Brussels 8 May 2010

European Commission

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  Open to the public
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  Vice President of the European Commission and Commissioner responsible for Inter-Institutional Relations and Administration, Maroš Šefcovic, will open the event at 10.15.

European Council

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  Guided tour of the building - 10 a.m to 6.30 p.m. (start of the last tour)
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  The"Green Car Initiative” simulation game (10.30 a.m. and 14.30 p.m.)
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  Information stands (all day)
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  Quiz
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  Several colourful performances of traditional Galician music and dance in the Atrium.10.30 a.m. and 2 p.m

In addition, Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council will be present at the event during the afternoon. There will be a photo opportunity for journalists when he arrives at 13.00.

At 13.30, Mr. Van Rompuy will receive the final report of the Reflection Group on the Future of Europe “Project Europe 2030” from its Chairman, Felipe González. The group, which was established by the European Council, started its work in December 2008. The handover of the report will take place in public and copies will be available to visitors at the event.

At 14.00, he will meet the public and visit the different stands in the Atrium.

At 15.00, he will also receive from the Belgian astronaut Frank De Winne, from the European Space Agency (ESA) and the first European to command the International Space Station (ISS), the European flag he took into space during his six-month mission in 2009.

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  Meeting point for interested media at 12.45 at the main entrance of the Justus Lipsius building.

European Parliament

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  Debates open to the public in the European Parliament chamber with Parliament's Vice-President Mrs Durant
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  Stands of Parliament's political groups and services, institutions and European bodies
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  Exhibitions and conferences
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  Fun activities around the European Parliament (street theatre, concerts, children's village, etc)
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  Showing of three films from the European Parliament LUX prize collection as part of the "Festival of Europe, 27 countries, 27 films" operation at the UGC de Brouckère and Toison d'Or cinemas (9 May)

European Economic and Social Committee

The EESC will host an open day with the central theme of 'biodiversity', offering a wealth of festive and cultural activities for all ages. These include:

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  An opportunity to meet EESC members and to learn more about the EESC and the European Union
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  An Explorer's Expedition - overcome trials on a journey to discover the polar bear, the great white shark and the incredible world of bees
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  A quiz to test knowledge of the EU
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  Videobox - speak freely of your aspirations and ideas for Europe in a “jungle” setting
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  Klezmic Zirkus - a medley of jazz, classical music, rock, folk and reggae blended into traditional Eastern European compositions and themes

Programme of events - Luxembourg

European Parliament

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  6-7 May: academic colloquium on the Robert Schuman Declaration of 9 May 1950
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  European Parliament stand on the square outside the EU Court of Justice
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  Continuous music and dance programme
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  Sharing a giant European cake, given by Parliament
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  Gala football match between a selection of former Luxembourg internationals, led by Zinedine Zidane, celebrity backer of the friends of the European Leukodystrophy Association (ELA)
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  Showing of two films from the European Parliament LUX prize collection as part of the "Festival of Europe, 27 countries, 27 films" operation at the Utopolis cinema (9 May).

Programme of events - Strasbourg 9 May 2010: 60th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration

European Parliament

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  Euroscola session - debate with 800 young people and European Parliament President Mr Buzek in the European Parliament chamber.
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  Europe parade - 1000 participants will go to the European Parliament
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  Raising the colours ceremony with Eurocorps, in the presence of the European, French and German authorities
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  European Futsal (mini-football) tournament, in co-operation with Strasbourg city authorities, UEFA and the Alsatian football league association
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  Stands of Parliament's political groups and services
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  Inauguration of the Robert Schuman circuit around the European Parliament
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  Showing of a candidate film for European Parliament's 2010 LUX Prize as part of the "Festival of Europe, 27 countries, 27 films" operation at the l'UGC Ciné Cité Strasbourg-Etoile

The European Commission is the executive body of the EU and runs its day-to-day business. It is made up of the College of Commissioners, 27 European Commissioners, one for each member state, who are each responsible for one or several policy areas. In addition, the 'Commission' also refers to the entire administrative body that supports the Commissioners, consisting of the Directorates-General and the Services.

The European Commission is the sole EU body capable of proposing new legislation. The Commission also performs an oversight function, monitoring whether European legislation is properly implemented in the member states. In the event of non-compliance, the Commission can coerce a member state to comply by starting a legal procedure at the European Court of Justice.