AER Award Communicating Europe 

For many people of today Europe is identified with the European Union which gives the impression of being too far away from the ordinary citizen and which seems to have become a symbol for bureaucracy and distant governance. Surveys confirm a decline in public support for the EU. Yet, for the past 50 years, Europe and the European Union have been a model for peace, freedom and prosperity in the world. And today, global challenges such as climate change and energy, immigration and trade issues can only be adequately met with a truly European response.

In order to address these challenges and to safeguard the founding principles of the European project, we need to overcome this negative feeling about Europe: we must develop new ways of communicating Europe to our citizens, to our children, to our young people, to our grandparents - in short, to all the members of our society.

What kind of projects can be submitted for 2008?

The 2nd AER Award Communicating Europe shall be awarded to regions that contributed to clarify European affairs to their citizens and have promote a better understanding of Europe in their region. The theme of European integration encompasses the activities and policies of the European Union , but also the wider concept of European values and identity, which are not only limited tot he EU. The Assembly of European Regions Prize for Communicating Europe will honor work in three categories:

Communicating the Lisbon Treaty

The EU Constitution has been a vividly debated, and finally agreed upon in Lisbon by the European Heads of State under a new name, the EU Lisbon Treaty. The ratification process began in December 2007 and is set to continue throughout 2008. We would like to know how your region is communicating to your citizens how the Lisbon Treaty will affect their lives.

Engaging regional media on European issues

Much has been said about national media and Europe, far less on the role of regional media. In many regions of Europe, regional newspapers are the first source of information for citizens. Yet, European news and issues are often badly covered. What is your region doing in order to get regional media more involved in European issues?

Educating young people about Europe

To communicate Europe in early childhood, to involve pupils and students in European issues educates for a European citizenship. We would like to know how your region enthuses children and young people for Europe.

Who can participate?

Participants should be regional authorities and their institutions from any Council of Europe country.