Events:

27 April (Strasbourg): The Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) held a commemoration ceremony at 12.45 pm which included a video with extracts of the most important political speeches held at PACE. Following a statement by the PACE President, “Zythos” a brass quartet from the Strasbourg Conservatoire played the European anthem.

12 May (Madrid): 119th session of the Committee of Ministers – Declaration.

16 May (Strasbourg): Night of Museums event where the Council of Europe will open its doors to the public in the evening to feature art donated by member states, to coincide with the “night of museums,” an annual event in Cultural Convention countries which involves museums opening their doors until 1 am for the public.

June (Strasbourg – date tbc): A possible meeting of NGOs to discuss the Madrid ministerial conference will involve civil society in marking the 60th anniversary.

22-26 June (Strasbourg): Awarding the first human rights prize of the Parliamentary Assembly and an examination of conclusions drawn in Madrid.

20 September (Strasbourg): Open doors for the Human Rights Building as part of European Heritage Days.

September (Strasbourg – date tbc): Before the commemorative event on 1 October in the Assembly the Council of Europe may hold a “mini conference” involving academics to discuss the outcome document from Madrid.

1 October (Strasbourg): Commemorative institutional event in the framework of the PACE session.

Also: Awards for an essay writing competition for young people aged 10-18 on a national level. Candidates will be asked to draft essays answering the question “How do you imagine the European citizen of the future?” Essay length should not exceed 1000 words. Member states decide in which language and form submissions can be made and a national jury likely to made up of parliamentary assembly and congress members will select a winning national essay for each of the 47 member states. Each national winner will be awarded a Council of Europe diploma and invited to receive it at the 60th anniversary commemorative event on 1 October.

Other events:

• Various national events to mark the 60th anniversary are being planned in member states. For example in Georgia and in the UK (5 May) among others. Warsaw International Book Fair: CoE guest of honour including a large stand.
• Various branches of the Council of Europe, including information offices, will distribute materials to publicise the 60th anniversary.

Documents/items:

• Virtual visit and website to commemorate the 60th anniversary should go online on 5 May
• Launch of website commemorating 50 years of the ECHR
• DVD for television journalists
• Visibility kit
• Georgian stamps commemorating the anniversary to be issued on July