Unlimited connections

Concept and original French text: Sophie Jeleff
Editorial direction and design co-ordination:
Council of Europe Public Information Division
Page layout: The Big Family
Illustrations: Frédérique Ligier-Cmolik
Produced by the Council of Europe, Directorate of Communication:
October 2010
View the map of member States:
www.coe.int/47countries1europe
www.coe.int
www.book.coe.int
Greater Europe
from Iceland to Azerbaijan
So what is Greater Europe? Itʼs a vast area, stretching from Iceland
in the north-west, to Azerbaijan, in the south-east.
The Council of Europe represents this Greater European area.
47 member States
Founded on 5 May 1949 by 10
States (Belgium, Denmark, France,
Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway,
the Netherlands, the United Kingdom
and Sweden) and then joined by
Greece and Turkey (August 1949),
the Council of Europe now has 47
member countries, thanks to the
accession of:
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Iceland and Germany (1950),
Austria (1956)
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Poland (1991),
Bulgaria (1992),
Estonia, Lithuania,
Slovenia, the Slovak Republic,
the Czech Republic,
Romania (1993),
Andorra (1994),
Latvia, Albania, Moldova,
"the former Yugoslav Republic
of Macedonia", Ukraine (1995),
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Cyprus (1961),
●
Malta (1965),
●
Spain (1977),
●
San Marino (1988),
●
Switzerland (1963),
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Portugal (1976),
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Liechtenstein (1978),
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the Russian Federation, Croatia (1996),
Georgia (1999),
Armenia and Azerbaijan (2001),
Bosnia & Herzegovina (2002),
Serbia (2003),
Monaco (2004),
Montenegro (2007).
Finland (1989),
Hungary (1990),
Be careful not to confuse the Council of Europe
with the European Union, a different institution which has 27 member countries.
The Council of Europe makes its voice heard beyond the confines of the continent too.
Five other countries have observer status with the Organisation:
the United States, Canada, Japan, Mexico and the Holy See.
Two official languages
English and French are the Council of Europeʼs official languages.
German, Italian and Russian are used as working languages.
A s e a rc h
engine foitiar tives
ideas and in
project in the
e as a political
ap
sh
ok
to
pe
Euro
, with the aim of
cond World War
wake of the Se
to a continent
and prosperity
bringing peace
and atrocities
rn apart by wars
to
en
be
d
ha
at
th
.
for far too long
Europe in 1949
the Council of
The creation of
European
dation stone of
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Or
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huge network of
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Ministers or
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the national
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with local citizen
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tal organisations
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cision-makers an
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betw
s voice heard.
making societyʼ
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Through thes
4 forums,
the Council
of Europe
e
gives a voic
to citizens,
regions
s.
and countrie
www.coe.int/cm/
www.assembly.coe.int
www.coe.int/Congress/
www.coe.int/ngo
Hot topics
host
covers a whole ere
pe
ro
Eu
of
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ci
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The Coun
mblies.
s different asse
of topics in it examples:
nt
are a few rece
t women
violence agains
ocracy
respect for dem
n
judicial corruptio
n
io
freedom of relig
ial crisis
es of the financ
the consequenc
ors
ternet and min
media on the In
ge
of climate chan
the challenges
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gic challeng
water as a strate
ecting
orism while resp
combating terr
human rights
ts
regional conflic
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gies and the en
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bl
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to action
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t
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m
o
Fr
discussion
rums
l of Europeʼs fo
in the Counci
n
, adopted texts
deliberatioat
ies, conventions
adoption of tre
ation
untry
recommendbe
taken in each co
of measures to
uncil of Europe
One of the Co
ocracy is a
core values, dem
rn m en t w he re
fo rm of go ve
ones who decide
ci tizens are the
rticipating.
by voting and pa
rope carries out
The Council of Eu
ing missions in its
regular fact-find
es, to check that
member countri
y
ing, or on the wa
democracy is be
ly respected.
to being, proper
S
M
O
D
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R
F
D
RIGHTS AN
l
ts, fundamenta
for all
or child, has righ
an
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r
Fo
.
ty
Every human be
ti
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id
tools for
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rights that defi
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Europe has
the Council of
e rights.
protecting thos
by the Court
ol
A navigation to
m
o
d
for more free
Human Rights
Convention on
The European
l of Europe, an
d by the Counci
is a text create
h:
instrument whic
t, freedom of
edom of though
- safeguards fre
d security, the
rights to life an
expression, the
ht to vote;
erty and the rig
right to own prop
atment, the
, inhumane tre
re
rtu
to
its
ib
- proh
exclusion
ry, the collective
ve
sla
,
lty
na
pe
death
of foreigners.
gned the Conates have all si
St
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Th
to ensuring
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ic
wh
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io
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ve
tal rights on
these fundamen
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fo
t
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sp
re
their territory.
this planet as
no peace on
"There will be
ated in some
rights are viol
an
m
hu
as
long
ld."
part of the wor
René Cassin
Hosted
the European
ke a case to
ta
ay
m
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gh
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Hu
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s been violated
ental rights ha
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After exhaustin
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Rights. The Cour
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judgments conc
tʼs
ur
Co
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th
ngs
Most of
judicial proceedi
d the length of
as
ch
to a fair trial an
su
r issues
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it
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ho
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slavery,
otection of jour
ls in schools, pr
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religious symbo
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nmental
and even enviro
nalistsʼ sources
www.human-rights-convention.org
www.echr.coe.int
www.coe.int/socialcharter
www.coe.int/commissioner
www.cpt.coe.int
the
cial Charter is ng
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p
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Council of Eu
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ic rights. It also
om
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of housing, heal
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th
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in
s
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A Greater Euro
th penalty
without the dea
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in impoEurope has su
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sing the aboliti
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member States
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ath penalty shal
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penalty or
emned to such
nd
co
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al
sh
ention
No one
e European Conv
ocol no. 13 to th
executed." (Prot
s).
on Human Right
ner
The Commissio
ts investigates
h
for Human Rig
dy, the Commis
independent bo
ate
Operating as an
stigates the st
an Rights inve
y,
tr
un
co
sioner for Hum
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s in Europe, co
ts
en
m
ru
of human right
st
peʼs in
e Council of Euro
ensuring that th
th.
are complied wi
es of inquiry
A few recent lin
n?
enders in priso
● Ever younger off
always
sabled persons
● Are the rights of di
ted?
properly respec
hooling
their right to sc
● Roma children and
ta
recording of da
● The police and the
using)
ealth, water, ho
● Is the right to life (hate change?
m
threatened by cli
ent stopping
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th
and searching by
t
easures respec
● Do anti-terrorist m
human rights?
h people
Connecting wit dividual rights but they also
ve in
Human beings ha
ings with other
rning their deal
ve
go
s
have right
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ty, at work, when
people, in socie
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, when they retir
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re
ty seeks to ensu
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m
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rs: wo
of all its membe
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sa
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the well-being
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e
children, youn
pensioners, th
s,
er
rk
wo
ners,
persons, foreig
c.
unemployed et
Visiting hours
gates of prisons
not stop at the
Human rights do
e Council of
of detention. Th
of
or other places
e Prevention
mittee for th
m
Co
ʼs
pe
ro
Eu
and lawyers,
e up of doctors
ad
m
),
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e
Tortur
and psychiatric
police stations
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king on living
er Europe, chec
,
hospitals all ov
giene and health
mmodation, hy
co
ac
s,
on
iti
at
nd
co
e States so th
comments to th
and sends its
ns on board.
recommendatio
they can take its
y
a
s
a
n
e
r
d
l
i
Giving ch
voices
for childrenʼs
gning
home,
rope is campai
Eu
of
l
ci
n
cerns them: at
ou
n
C
co
at
The
th
g
in
decision-mak
urts etc
to be heard in
r district, in co
ei
th
in
e,
g
lla
eir vi
at school, in th
tion
s a child is a viola
Violence toward
of an obvious
s. It may be
of human right
to work, are
ildren are forced
ch
en
wh
,
re
tu
na
street.
ve to live in the
exploited or ha
ence against
schools too: viol
It can be seen in
ing, theft,
teachers, bully
on
s
ck
ta
at
,
ls
pupi
ises.
m to school prem
insults, vandalis
places where
ten hidden, in
Violence is of
the home or
be protected, in
children should
en violence
itutions. And wh
st
in
re
ca
ive
at
altern
be easy to see
l, it might not
ca
gi
lo
ho
yc
ps
is
damaging.
but it is just as
certain video
indirect too, in
Violence can be
aggressive
e, or in overly
pl
am
ex
r
fo
es
gam
ting practices.
sales and marke
www.coe.int/children
www.coe.int/childprotection
www.coe.int/corporalpunishment
ng",
against smacki
d
an
h
r
u
yo
se
"Rai
promoting child
of violence
Zero tolerance
n
against childre
rope campaign
a Council of Eu
t violence.
education withou
or clip round
, pinch, shake
ap
sl
k,
ac
sm
A "little"
ildʼs rights and,
eaches of a ch
br
l
al
e
ar
r
ea
l
the
ysical and menta
cause serious ph
needless to say,
y physical
ent – disciplinar
m
sh
ni
pu
al
or
harm! Corp
ols, so why
in Europeʼs scho
ed
nn
ba
is
–
violence
not at home?
adopted the
uncil of Europe
In 2007, the Co
n of children
r the protectio
Convention fo
sexual abuse,
ploitation and
ex
al
xu
se
t
ns
agai
to establish the
ional legal text
at
rn
te
in
t
rs
fi
e
th
e of children as
of sexual abus
various forms
use committed
s, including ab
criminal offence
the family.
in the home or
today as many
that in Europe
It is estimated
al
ults suffer sexu
ren or young ad
as 1 in 10 child
abuse.
r ordeal for
marked by thei
be
ay
m
s
im
ct
vi
The
r lives.
the rest of thei
can take many
use of children
The sexual ab
ns with a
st (sexual relatio
ce
in
s:
rm
fo
t
differen
y, prostitution,
ily), pornograph
m
fa
e
th
of
r
be
mem
trafficking.
ophilia, assault,
organised paed
e
e media, on th
anywhere, in th
It can happen
me, carried
tly occurs at ho
os
m
it
t
bu
,
et
Intern
d
ily or so-calle
rs of the fam
be
em
m
by
t
ou
"friends".
Having a level playing field means that two teams can
compete on an equal footing, a starting position of equality.
But beyond the sports field, we must form one team working
together to ensure equality between men and women or
girls and boys. According to the official texts, women and
men are equal in law but, in practice and everyday life, too
many women and girls are direct victims of exploitation,
domestic violence, unemployment, rape, discrimination
and so on.
www.coe.int/equality
Equality is not opposed to differences
In its fight for gender equality, the Council of Europe reminds us that
the word ʻʻequalityʼʼ also means:
visibility: men and women must have clear access to the same jobs
and careers. Girls and boys must have the same options open to them
at school, so that they can have an equal choice of careers later on.
empowerment: a man and a woman must enjoy the same degree of
freedom. One of them must not depend on the other one. One must
not maltreat or verbally or physically abuse the other.
recognition: men and women must have equal pay for the same work.
participation: men and women must be able to participate in the
same way in political and public life, as well as in private and family
life.
Differences in gender do not mean differences in rights.
,
S
C
I
H
T
E
O
BI
ress but
ly making prog
nt
ta
ns
co
e
ar
logy
uncil of Europe
ine and techno
beings. The Co
Science, medic
an
m
hu
of
t
accompany
the detrimen
s and ideas to
le
ru
l
sometimes to
ca
hi
et
of
of
e
a whole packag
oethics, a kind
ens. This is bi
has developed
pp
ha
it
as
e
edical scienc
progress in m
human rights.
medicine and
n
ee
tw
be
t
in
meeting po
inforntaining all the
DNA: molecule co a living being. Fast
to create
mation needed
chnologies,
arch and new te
se
re
in
es
nc
va
ad
the Council
, are prompting
like "DNA chips"
l and legal
cus on the ethica
of Europe to fo
netics.
applications of ge
issues raised by
eu=good
(from the Greek
a gentle
eath), meaning
and thanatos=d
refers to
ffering. The term
death, without su
cause
or
te
ds to precipita
the use of metho
g
erin from
il extreme suff
death and curta
is triggering
ess. Euthanasia
an incurable illn
ts within
ns and argumen
tio
es
qu
of
t
lo
a
Europe:
in the Council of
society and with
of care?
an ultimate act
is it a crime or
helped to die?
Can someone be
Euthanasia:
development
first stage in the
m or part
e animal kingdo
th
in
g
eg
e
th
of
s, from the
ants. In human
of the seed in pl
us. When
speak of a foet
eighth week, we
me a human
e embryo beco
exactly does th
These are
t it be protected?
us
m
en
wh
g,
in
be
to which the
rsial questions
highly controve
, religions
tween countries
answers differ be
of Europeʼs
s. The Council
or philosophie
the use of
ention prohibits
Bioethics Conv
techniques
d reproduction
medically assiste
the future
lecting the sex of
with a view to se
for research
human embryos
child or creating
purposes.
Embryo:
uction of a
identical reprod
m its DNA.
an individual fro
cell, a gene or
e cloning
rope prohibits th
The Council of Eu
.
of human beings
Cloning:
the soul."
e perdition of
th
t
u
b
is
ce
n
hout conscie
"Science wit
32
çois Rabelais, 15
Fran
www.coe.int/bioethics/
ne
contraction of ge
e complete
e designating th
om
os
m
ro
ch
d
an
be found
netic material to
collection of ge
genetics is
arch in human
in humans. Rese
ds and opeleaps and boun
progressing in
g illnesses.
ilities for curin
ning up possib
sure that
rope is keen to en
The Council of Eu
t used for
or testing is no
genetic research
es.
than medical on
purposes other
e:
Human genom
removal of an
individual and
e from
organ or tissu
tissue into
of that organ or
transplantation
of Europe
al. The Council
another individu
e principle
emphasis on th
lays particular
voluntary
cialisation and
er
m
m
co
nno
of
origin in
tances of human
donation of subs
ing.
t organ traffick
order to preven
nts:
Organ transpla an
of organ
transplantation
mans. The
animals into hu
or tissue from
ecautions
lists numerous pr
Council of Europe
e, drawing
th this techniqu
to be taken wi
of viruses
ion to the risks
particular attent
urce animal
ed from the so
being transmitt
nd them.
and those arou
to the recipient
Xenografting:
Blog it!
Ian, aged 15, publishes articles on a blog
which he shares with a few friends. He wants
to write one on freedom of expression in
Europe and manages to arrange an interview with a representative of the Council
of Europe to find out more...
Ian: What is freedom of expression
as you see it?
Freedom of expression is part and parcel of
democracy. In the words of article 10 of the
Council of Europeʼs Convention on Human
Rights, "Everyone has the right to freedom of
expression".
Ian: Can you give me an example?
When young people get into trouble for expressing alternative and critical views on the
web about what their government is doing,
that is an infringement of their freedom of
expression.
Ian: What about the media?
The media must be independent and free to
express the full range of public opinion in
their country.
Ian: What happens if the media are all
owned by the same people?
A concentration of media in the hands of a few
is a threat to freedom of expression. When
media are monopolised by a handful of really
powerful multi-media groups, the diversity of
information sources is in danger.
Ian: Does the European Court of Human
Rights play a role in protecting freedom of
expression?
The Court plays a key role wherever freedom
of expression is challenged. Over the last thirty
years it has handed down a lot of rulings
protecting this fundamental right.
Ian: Are there any limits
to freedom of expression?
Yes, some limits have to be set, in particular to
prevent racist and xenophobic speech. Another
imperative is not undermining the presumption
of a personʼs innocence when reporting information. Media freedom is not a free licence,
either, to invade peopleʼs privacy or to make
gratuitous and unfounded defamatory statements.
Ian: Are there any circumstances where
freedom of expression is particularly under
threat?
In a democracy freedom of expression and information is vital at all times but it becomes all
the more important in a crisis, in war-time or
where there is a terrorist threat. Governments
must not take advantage of these situations,
on the pretext of guaranteeing public security,
in order to restrict the free movement of media
professionals or access to information. The
right of journalists not to reveal their sources
must also be respected.
www.twitter.com/councilofeurope
www.facebook.com/pages/council-of-europe/42276542714
www.youtube.com/user/councilofeurope
www.coe.int/files/media-freedom/
Ian: and in the fight against terrorism?
The free circulation of information and ideas is
one of the most effective means of promoting
understanding and tolerance, and therefore of
preventing and combating terrorism.
Ian: Does it happen in Europe
that journalists are threatened?
In some cases journalists are harassed by
police, imprisoned for no reason and sometimes
even assassinated, simply for doing their job.
The Council of Europe condemns these incidents
whenever they occur.
Ian: What does the Council of Europe
do in the area of TV?
For over fifteen years now, the Council of
Europe has been looking at the free circulation
of television programmes between the member
States, freedom to receive programmes, the
responsibility of broadcasters, programming
content and advertising. All these topics are
dealt with in the European Convention on
transfrontier television, a text which is adapted
to keep step with the latest developments.
Ian: How does the Internet influence
freedom of expression in your opinion?
The Internet has given a real boost to freedom
of expression and information. For the Council
of Europe, access to information on the Internet
must be neither controlled nor restricted, there
must be self-regulation and user anonymity
must be preserved. But some measures do have
to be taken, especially to protect children.
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toleranc
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www.coe.int/ecri
www.coe.int/greco
www.coe.int/trafficking
www.coe.int/moneyval
www.coe.int/files/terrorism/
www.coe.int/pompidou
n
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... exploitation
and trafficking of human being
s
Every year thousands of men, wom
en and children
in Europe fall victim to some form
of exploitation.
The Council of Europe, through
its Convention
on action against trafficking in
human beings,
seeks to protect the victims, stan
d up for their
rights and have the perpetrators
of these acts
prosecuted.
... money
laundering their ill-gotten
fficker covers up
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... terrorism
Not a day goes by withou
t new victims dying
in a terrorist attack som
ewhere in the world.
Following the successive
attacks in New York,
Washington, Istanbul, Mad
rid and London in the
2000s, the Council of Eur
ope has stepped up
its efforts to encourage gov
ernments to bring
terrorist networks to justice
but also to try to
understand the kind of soc
ial factors that could
make people want to carry
out such acts of extremism. Web-based pro
paganda by terrorist
networks is another major
challenge and a real
threat to human rights and
democracy.
... drugs problems not only for the
ts to
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pidou Group,
too. The Pom
ber States (as
of Europeʼs mem
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pean Commissi
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Cybercrime
With over a billion users in the world, the Internet has a huge impact on
society, but so too, unfortunately, does crime using the Internet, or cybercrime. The Council of Europe is the first organisation to have drawn up a
Convention on cybercrime at international level. Cybercriminals know no
frontiers and can operate in any country.
www.coe.int/cybercrime
www.coe.int/internet-literacy/
www.wildwebwoods.org
What are the forms of cybercrime?
malware or malicious codes and programmes, which may be viruses,
worms, Trojan horses, spyware, bots or botnets
criminal enterprises using tools like botnets, which are collections of
software robots
spam, which is mass junk advertising sent to web users, not only
causing a nuisance but potentially carrying malware
child pornography and the growing sexual exploitation of children to
make money on the Internet
circulating hate pamphlets and fanatical views using websites or
spam
terrorism using the Internet (hacking attacks against key
infrastructures, recruitment, financing, propaganda)
piracy, identity theft, fraud or money laundering to make illegal
profits
white-collar crime through hacking targeting specific users,
groups, organisations or industrial companies
crime linked to the development of on-line trading, community
sites and ʻʻcloud computingʼʼ (using networked memories and
computing systems).
Proper internet use is something to be encouraged,
as long as it is completely safe.
The Council of Europe is also working to reduce the risks of
young people ending up on unsuitable sites or coming into contact
with people with the very worst intentions.
WWW is also for
Wild Web Woods, the Council of Europeʼs
on-line game which teaches young people the basic security rules
to follow when surfing the web.
Click on Yes
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www.dosta.org
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www.youth-partnership.net
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Mobile connecti
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intercultural
s education and
as human right
rious counleaders from va
dialogue. Youth
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the European Yo
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pest (Hunrance) and Buda
in Strasbourg (F
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ideas and expe
They exchange
at diversity
derstanding of wh
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connecting
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Cultural diversity and biodiversity are closely connected and
should be celebrated in all our societies.
The Council of Europe sees culture as the
"soul of democracy" and develops
cultural policies aimed at:
promoting human rights
getting citizens to participate
bringing people together
reaching beyond borders thanks to common projects
asserting the diversity of cultures and identities
sharing the past
preventing conflicts.
The European Cultural Convention, adopted
in 1954, is the medium for European cooperation in
the areas of culture, education, youth and sport.
The intercultural cities programme
is an
initiative coordinated by the Council of Europe.
It encourages cities to use their multiculturalism to
positively manage conflicts and violence that might
arise as a result of the great diversity of their communities.
All manner of initiatives are encouraged: discussion
workshops on cultures, world music festivals, mediators
in hospitals, football tournaments etc
Screen-saver
Eurimages supports European films which best reflect
the diversity of the continent. Over 1 200 full-length
features and documentaries have received support
from this foundation set up by the Council of Europe,
and some of them have received awards at the most
prestigious festivals.
www.coe.int/itineraires
www.coe.int/eurimages
www.coe.int/BernConvention
www.coe.int/EuropeanLandscapeConvention
Walking in their steps
We can trace our ancestorsʼ activities through the
archaeological footprints they left behind them.
The Council of Europeʼs Cultural routes programme
features these traces of the past in guided routes
following the paths trodden by generations of travellers over the centuries.
The Council of Europe has sketched out 25 routes
going through numerous countries, each and every
one of them a celebration of our common cultural
heritage: Routes featuring the olive tree, Vikings,
Don Quixote, Mozart and the Santiago de Compostela
Pilgrims are just a few examples.
Access your heritage
Once a year museums, historical buildings and other
cultural sites open their doors to give the citizens of
49 countries an exceptional view inside. These are
the European Heritage days, an initiative launched
by the Council of Europe in 1991.
Whether it concerns the built environment, archaeological vestiges, movable assets, landscape or
local know-how, cultural heritage forms by its very
nature a major component of our living context and
our environment. Ever since drafting the Framework
Convention on the value of cultural heritage for
society, the Council of Europe has argued the case
that heritage should leave room for human progress,
while preserving:
substantial cultural and landscape diversity
dialogue between citizens of different cultures,
working together to make heritage part and parcel
of everyday life
sustainable enjoyment of heritage, so that future
generations can benefit from it too.
Protected spaces and species
Greater Europe is also home to many forms of
wildlife and their natural habitats. Thirty years
ago, the Council of Europe introduced the Bern
Convention to ensure the conservation of natural
habitats and vulnerable wild flora and fauna, from
invertebrates up to large carnivores, including
migratory species.
Biodiversity and climate change
The Council of Europe strives to soften the impact
of climate change on biological diversity, giving
opinions and guidance to States so that they take
the right kind of environmental policies on board.
Landscape format
Landscapes are meeting points between culture
and nature, evolving in time under the combined
influence of natural forces and human activity.
The Council of Europe gives pointers to its States
on how to let landscapes evolve harmoniously
while reflecting European diversity.
Landscapes are also:
- our day-to-day environment
- the urban or rural world
- the land or water that surrounds us
t...
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ons sport
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but also helps
g part of a
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your age,
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And it is open
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ability.
Play fair!
to win or stay
will do anything
Some athletes
ing substances
cluding consum
in
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tio
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nt
co
in
rformance.
hancing their pe
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of
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in th
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Those who reso
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also damage sp
own health but
doping
Europeʼs AntiThe Council of
only legal
d in 1989, is the
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Its aim is to cut
e in this area.
text in existenc
by stepping
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down use of do
by educating
also prevention
up testing and
thusiasts.
young sports en
www.coe.int/sport
www.coe.int/files/doping
www.coe.in/EPAS
Time out!
ease tensions
out is called to
e
tim
ts
or
sp
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In man
ams a break.
and give the te
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world a truce wa
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But today, spor
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on
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WINDOWS open...
... on the rest of the world
The North-South Centre in Lisbon (Portugal)
relays the Council of Europeʼs ideas beyond
our continent and focuses on topics linked to
solidarity and globalisation. Young people are
central to its activities.
www.nscentre.org
... on the international scene
The Council of Europe cooperates with other
organisations, particularly in the spheres of human
rights, democracy and the rule of law:
● the European Union (EU), which has 27 Member
States and a long tradition of cooperation with the
Council of Europe. On a base of shared values,
these two organisations mutually benefit from
each otherʼs strengths and expertise.
www.europa.eu
● the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) working in areas such as
combating terrorism, protecting national minorities
and fighting against human trafficking.
www.osce.org
● the United Nations Organisation (UN) working
in areas such as promoting and protecting childrenʼs
rights, combating violence against women and
preventing torture.
www.un.org
www.coe.int/hymne
check out the hip-hop version
of the European anthem
recorded in 2004
Symbols
of Greater Europe
12 gold stars
on a blue background.
The European flag was adopted by the Council of Europe back in 1955.
The European Unionʼs institutions have been using the same flag since
1986. The number 12 refers to perfection, the months of the year, the
apostles or the mythological works of Hercules. The stars form a circle
to symbolise unity.
The official European anthem
is an excerpt from the prelude to
the "Ode to joy" from Beethovenʼs 9th Symphony, with an arrangement by Herbert
von Karajan, adopted by the Council of Europe in 1972 and later by the European
Union. Other arrangements have been recorded since, including for symphony
orchestra, organ, piano (classical and jazz), rock guitar, jazz violin, techno and
trance.
The Council of Europe has had its headquarters in Strasbourg
since 1949. The ʻʻEuropean districtʼʼ is also home
to other institutions, such as the EUʼs European Parliament.