EUROPEAN COMMISSION: EDUCATION AND CULTURE

The Commission proposes countries to host European Capitals of Culture after 2019 MARIE-CURIE ACTION: EU-backed researchers in team behind Higgs boson 'God particle' discovery The Civil Society Platform continues to promote multilingualism with a new spirit Special needs children and disabled adults still getting a raw deal from education, says report European Commission launches new dialogue on higher education with Southern Mediterranean neighbours Androulla VassiliouCommissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth "The European Capitals of Culture is one of the most visible and successful initiatives that the EU has launched. As well as promoting the European Union's wonderful cultural wealth and diversity, the initiative has been a catalyst for the transformation of cities, to the benefit of citizens and visitors alike. The competition in Member States to host the title is tougher than ever – and this is proof of its enduring value and appeal."

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In the spotlight The Commission proposes countries to host European Capitals of Culture after 2019  The European Commission adopted a proposal for the continuation of the European Capitals of Culture initiative. The existing scheme runs until 2019 and the new proposal lists the order in which countries will nominate cities to hold the title, up to 2033. In addition to two Member States sharing the title each year, the proposal suggests that EU candidate or potential candidate countries could also nominate a European Capital of Culture every third year. The plan will now be discussed by the European Parliament and the Council; they are due to make a final decision on the future arrangements before the end of 2013.

MARIE-CURIE ACTION: EU-backed researchers in team behind Higgs boson 'God particle' discovery 30 scientists supported by the European Union's Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions for research training and mobility were involved in the discovery of the Higgs Boson or so-called 'God Particle', the European Commission confirmed. The sub-atomic particle, which experts believe is the basis for all matter in the Universe, was identified at CERN, the European nuclear research facility in Geneva, Switzerland. The discovery has been hailed as one of the most important breakthroughs in the history of science. The 30 scientists are part of two EU-backed initiatives, which have received €6.5 million in funding. The Civil Society Platform continues to promote multilingualism with a new spirit "Multilingualism is essential to go further on European integration": this is one of the conclusions of the Platform's latest general assembly. Special needs children and disabled adults still getting a raw deal from education, says report Despite commitments by Member States to promote inclusive education, children with special educational needs and disabled adults are still getting a raw deal, according to a report published by the European Commission. Many are placed in segregated institutions and those in mainstream educational settings often receive inadequate support, it says. European Commission launches new dialogue on higher education with Southern Mediterranean neighbours The European Commission has launched a new dialogue with Southern Mediterranean countries on higher education policies and programmes as part of its roadmap for anchoring progress in the region following the 2011 Arab Spring.   04 July 2012 Literary translation selection results for 2012 out now!   23 May 2012 The EU adopts its first report on the protection and the promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions   21 May 2012 OECD launches new skills strategy to inform government policies for a better future   08 May 2012 Students invited to help set EU agenda   28 - 29 August 2012 Governance of culture in today's globalised world - Nicosia   05 - 06 September 2012 EU High Level Group presents recommendations to increase level of literacy at a Presidency conference in Cyprus   19 - 21 September 2012 Sport forum and informal Ministerial meeting on sport in Cyprus. More information will be available in the next weeks at the following web site.   19 - 21 September 2012 Youth on the Move event - Higher Options Fair - Dublin   16 - 17 October 2012 Registration is open for Culture Forum   Open calls Culture: Cooperation projects - calls for proposals for Strand 1.1 (multi-annual projects) and Strand 1.2.1 - Deadline: 3 October 2012 Education: Implementation of the European strategic objectives in Education and Training (ET 2020), call for proposal EACEA/20/2012 - Deadline: 1 October 2012 Third call for proposals MEDIA Mundus - Deadline: 28 September 2012 CEDEFOP. Call for tender. Analysis of the Continuing Vocational Training and Adult Education Surveys - Deadline: 24 September 2012 Youth: Youth Support Systems - Partnerships, call for proposals EACEA/18/2012 - Deadline: 17 September 2012 CEDEFOP. Teaching and learning methods in initial vocational education and training: European trends and challenges - Deadline: 12 September 2012 Youth: Youth projects encouraging innovation and quality, call for proposals EACEA/19/2012 - Deadline: 3 September 2012 Public Open Call for tender EAC/09/2012 - Preparatory action "Culture in external relations" - Deadline: 17 August 2012 Framework contract No EAC/06/2012 for the supply of subscriptions to daily, weekly and monthly newspapers providing general and international news, in paper format by hand and in paper format by post (accompanied, where applicable, by online access) for departments of the European Commission located in Luxembourg - Deadline: 14 August 2012  Open Call for tender EAC/08/2012 - A profile of current and future audiovisual consumers - Deadline: 13 August 2012 Promoting innovative approaches to deal with cultural content and respect cultural diversity in the digital age - Deadline: 10 august 2012 Selected projects Education: Lifelong Learning Programme - Comenius, Erasmus, Leonardo da Vinci, Grundtvig  Education: Lifelong Learning Programme - Jean Monnet Key Activity 1 (call for proposals EAC/27/11)  MEDIA: Television broadcasting support (call for proposals 23/2011)   CEDEFOP. Green skills and environmental awareness in vocational education and training. Synthesis report CEDEFOP. Briefing note - Europass 2005-2020: Achievements and perspectives