Flag, Anthem and Prizes

The European flag, anthem and prizes

The European flag, anthem and prizes
The European flag	Everyone knows the European flag: a circle of 12 gold stars on a blue background. The Parliamentary Assembly proposed it and the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopted it in 1955. The circle of stars represents the union of the peoples of Europe. The number of stars is invariable, twelve being the symbol of perfection and completeness. Since May 1986, the European flag has also been the official emblem of the European Union. Information concerning the use of the European emblem by outside bodies or individuals can be obtained from the Council of Europe's Directorate General of Legal Affairs in Strasbourg, or the European Commission in Brussels.
The European anthem	In 1972 the Committee of Ministers adopted Herbert von Karajan's musical arrangement of the prelude to the "Ode to Joy" from Beethoven's Ninth Symphony as the European anthem. It is played at European ceremonies.
Europe Day	In 1964 the Committee of Ministers decided that 5 May, the anniversary of the founding of the Council of Europe, should be celebrated as Europe Day. Its purpose is to involve the public more closely in European unification.
The European Human Rights Prize	In 1980, the Committee of Ministers instituted the Council of Europe Human Rights Prize in recognition of outstanding contribution to the cause of human rights as enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights. The Committee of Ministers awards the prize in Strasbourg every three years to a person, group of persons, institution or non-governmental organisation from a list submitted by the Parliamentary Assembly. The prize consists of a gold medal and a certificate commending the winner's contribution to the protection of human rights.
European awards for towns	The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly's Committee on the Environment, Regional Planning and Local Authorities awards various honours to towns and municipalities in recognition of their European activities. They may qualify for one of the following distinctions: the European Diploma, the Flag of Honour, the Plaque of Honour or the Europe Prize.
The Europe Prize	The Europe Prize, awarded annually since 1955, is the highest distinction which can be awarded to a municipality for its contribution to European co-operation. The winning authority is chosen by the Parliamentary Assembly's Committee on the Environment, Regional Planning and Local Authorities and receives a trophy (retained for one year), a bronze medal and a diploma. The winning municipality also receives some 40 000 French francs to be spent, in principle, on a study visit in Europe by some of its young citizens.
The European Diploma of Protected Areas	The Committee of Ministers awards this diploma, established in 1965, on the advice of the Committee for the Activities of the Council of Europe in the field of Biological and Landscape Diversity. It is awarded to natural parks, reserves or sites of international importance which meet certain criteria for safeguarding the natural heritage, and takes their scientific, cultural, and/or recreational value into account. The Council sponsors the area for a five-year period, which may be extended for further five-year periods after strict on-the-spot appraisal by specialists.
The Council of Europe Museum Prize	Established in 1977, this annual prize honours a museum judged to have made an original contribution to the preservation of the European heritage. It consists of a bronze statuette donated by the Spanish artist Joan Miró and a sum of roughly 33 000 French francs. The winning museum is selected by the Parliamentary Assembly's Committee on Culture and Education from among the museums shortlisted by the independent European Museum of the Year Award Committee.
The Prix Europa for television programmes	The Prix Europa is awarded annually for the best television programmes in the categories of "Fiction", "Non-fiction", "Current Affairs" and "IRIS" (multicultural programmes). The competition is organised by the Council of Europe and other European institutions. It aims to promote the creativity and diversity of national, regional and local cultures, and to encourage high-quality broadcasting.
Kontakt:	Further information is available from: : European Cultural Fondation Jan van Goyenkade 5 NL -1075 HN Amsterdam Tel.: +31 20 676 02 22 Fax: +31 20 675 22 31 E-mail: PRIX-EUROPA@t-online.de Internet: http://www.prix-europa.de/
Europe at School	This is an annual event in which prizes are awarded for the best essays and paintings on a European theme by school children. The purpose of the competition is to interest young people of school age in European affairs. Since 1986, "Europe at School" has been a joint activity of the Council of Europe, the Commission of the European Communities and the European Cultural Foundation (Amsterdam). Prizes include a sum of money, a special journey, medals, books, etc. For further information, please contact: "Europe at school" Co-ordinating Unit Europa-Zentrum Bachstrasse 32 D - 53 115 Bonn Tel.: +49 228 72 900 40 Fax: +49 228 72 900 90 E-mail: eas-cu@t-online.de Internet: http://www.prix-europa.de/

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