The EU Scholarship Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community for Academic Year 2018/19 is launched!

In the framework of the EU Scholarship Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community, the British Council recently announced the key dates and information sessions for the 2018/19 academic year applications. The official launch event for 2018/19 call took place on 31 January at Merit Hotel, Nicosia. The event was marked by the presence of Mr. Kjartan Bjornsson, Head of Unit, Cyprus Settlement Support, Structural Reform Support Service, European Commission. 
The application period for the 2018-19 academic year will be 15 January - 15 March and the deadline for the applications will be 15 March 2018 at 23:59 (local time). 

Three information sessions were held at the EU Infopoint on 17 & 24 January and 7 February. The interested candidates had the opportunity to learn more about the application process in a productive Q&A session. In order to give more details about the process, the British Council organises one-to-one and mini group sessions between 29 January - 6 March every Tuesday and Friday between 14:30 - 16:30 at the EU Infopoint. Intetested candidates should reserve their place by calling 0392 228 2577 or send e-mail to [email protected].

For more information about the EU Scholarship Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community, please visit http://www.abburs.eu/en/ or call 0392 227 0194/95

The European Commission highlighted the topic of “Women, Violence & The Media” at a seminar organised by the EU Infopoint in cooperation with the Cyprus Turkish Journalists Association on 15 January. The seminar hosted a keynote speaker, Çiçek Tahaoğlu, the Bianet Women and LGBTI News Editor. The event brought journalists, media specialists, and practitioners in the field together and generated a discussion on women, violence and the media. Çiçek Tahaoğlu shared her experiences and insights and provided recommendations on the subject.

Violence against women and girls is a serious problem of global scale and proportions.  One in three women in the EU has experienced physical and/or sexual violence since the age of 15; 75 % of women in a professional job or in top management have experienced sexual harassment. Women and girls who are victims of violence need appropriate support and protection, which is reinforced by effective and deterrent laws.  

More information on the EU policy can be found at this link: http://ec.europa.eu/justice/gender-equality/gender-violence/index_en.htm

State of the Union and 2018 Priorities Presentation held in Nicosia

The Representation of the European Commission in Cyprus presented the “State of the Union and 2018 Priorities” on 25 January at Merit Hotel in Nicosia. Mr.George Markopouliotis highlighted the Roadmap for a more united, stronger and more democratic union in his presentation.

Presenting his priorities for the year ahead and outlining his vision for how the European Union could evolve by 2025 President Jean-Claude Juncker said: "The wind is back in Europe’s sails. But we will go nowhere unless we catch that wind. (…) We should chart the direction for the future. As Mark Twain wrote, years from now we will be more disappointed by the things we did not do, than by the ones we did. Now is the time to build a more united, stronger and more democratic Europe for 2025."

To steer the reform agenda set out in his State of the Union speech, President Juncker proposed a Roadmap for a More United, Stronger and More Democratic Union. A series of concrete initiatives were immediately adopted by the Commission - on trade, investment screening, cybersecurity, industry, data and democracy.
Every year in September, the President of the European Commission delivers his State of the Union Address before the European Parliament, taking stock of achievements of the past year and presenting priorities for the year ahead.
The President also sets out how the Commission will address the most pressing challenges the European Union is facing. 
The Commission then adopts a Work Programme setting out the list of actions it will take in the coming twelve months. 
For more information on the State of the Union please visit the site: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/state-union-2017_en