Euromed Summit of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions in Morocco The three-day “Euromed Summit of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions” opened on 14 October in Morocco with a cultural workshop to mark the “Year of Intercultural Dialogue – the initiatives of civil society networks and organisations”. Among the topics on the agenda are on “The Union for the Mediterranean - What opportunities does it offer civil society?”, “The social dimension of relations with southern Mediterranean partner countries”, “A Free trade area by 2010?”, “Women's access to economic and social life”, “Freedom of association and social dialogue” and 'Climate change and the Mediterranean'. The Euromed Summit of Economic and Similar Institutions is funded by the Regional Programme with €50,000 per annum (MEDA). It is an annual forum on-going since 1995, that discusses social and economic issues of interest to the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership Programme The EU’s relations with its Mediterranean neighbours: a media perspective on the potential for cooperation and communication Media play a vital role advancing European-Mediterranean relations, according to Jordanian Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications Nasser Judah. He was speaking at the European Neighbourhood Journalist Network Conference in Amman on 13 October, where he shared the opening addresses with European Commission head of Delegation Patrick Renauld. After the public opening, the 80 journalists taking part went into a private session for presentations on matters affecting their work. These included how news selection in the media can alter perceptions of different cultures and people, and efforts by media professionals to ensure that quality reporting rises above political and commercial pressures. The second day of the conference features workshops on reporting of migration and of energy and environmental matters, plus an examination of the challenges faced by women working in the media. http://www.journalismnetwork.eu/community/showthread.php?p=113#post113 Medibtikar 3rd Euro-Mediterranean Symposium on Innovation to be held in Jordan Under the key theme “Empowering the Mediterranean to innovate”, Medibtikar, the EuroMed Innovation & Technology Programme, will hold the 3rd Euro-Mediterranean Symposium on Innovation in corporation with the Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation. It will take place on 22 October, in Amman. The conference will bring together speakers in the field of innovation for a comprehensive overview. Financed by the Regional Programme with €7.25 million, Medibtikar offers the Partner Countries new and improved instruments to stimulate innovation in private and public enterprises and encourages networking. For more information click here Improve access to Justice in the South Mediterranean region On 23-24 October, in the framework of the programme Euromed Justice II, a working group dedicated to resolution of cross-border family conflicts will meet in Morocco. During this first meeting devoted to the “Legal framework of The Hague Convention and of Community law”, participants will exchange on the current situation, among others the practical and specific problems related to the recognition abroad of judicial decisions, and the ongoing or already completed legislative and regulatory reforms and discuss the priorities and needs to be addressed. www.euromed-justice.eu Euromed Audiovisual in Rome to discuss Public Support to Film The EU-funded Euromed Audiovisual Programme is holding a two-day workshop in Rome on 23-24 October on the issue of Public Support to Film. The Rome workshop, the last in a series of 8 events targeting representatives from Mediterranean national audiovisual authorities, is organised in conjunction with the Eurovisioni International Film and Television Festival. The aim of the workshop is to outline the reasons for and utility of public funding mechanisms, to illustrate how they function by examining case studies of practices that are common in various countries and to analyse the current situation in the Mediterranean countries participating in the Programme. http://www.euromedaudiovisuel.net/newsdetail.aspx?lang=en&treeID=74&documentID=10016
A new music laboratory for children opened in Jericho A new music laboratory for children was officially opened in the Jericho Kids club on 13 October, as part of 'A‘ţinī al-naya wa-ghannī - Reinforcing the protection and development of musical cultural heritage”, an EU-funded project that supports the Palestinian arts. Funded by the European Union with a total budget of around €100,000 the project contributed to the renovation and equipment of the laboratory. The initiative is a joint cooperation between the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music (ESNCM) and UCODEP, an Italian non-governmental organisation. | 
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