The Internet has dramatically changed how we consume films, videos and television shows. Parliament is looking into bringing the rules up to date to keep up with this changing landscape, to better protect children from inappropriate material and support European productions.

New rules for the audiovisual media

The Parliament voted to update copyright rules in the digital single market to ensure fair pay and recognition for artists, news publishers, authors and performers.

New copyright rules for the digital age

How can Europe rise to the challenge of long term unemployment? Parliament is calling for Europe-wide solutions to tackle long-term absence from the job market due to illness.

Helping recovering people back into the job market

From an EU Solidarity Corps to cheaper phone calls and the future of Europe, there will be much for members to work on in the second half of 2018.  We have a look at the hot topics coming to Parliament in the next six months.

Coming Up in the second half of 2018

The European Solidarity Corps is a new initiative that will bring together young Europeans to help others across the EU. Parliament pushed to have fresh funds allocated to the Solidarity Corps. Additional activities like environmental protection and helping migrants are also set to become part of the programme.

European Solidarity Corps

The Parliament is set to tackle topics on work-life balance for parents and carers, boosting defences against cyber threats, cracking down on sexual harassment, setting up a digital gateway and tackling varying quality and composition of products between countries in the Single Market.

Coming-up in Brussels: From work-life balance to harassment

Europe is a world leader in social protection. High standards are in place for well-being, work-life balance and fighting poverty.  But the European Parliament calls for better application and higher standards.

Social protection

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global issue that medical specialists fear will kill more people than cancer by 2050, which is why the Parliament is urging the Commission and member states to implement greater prevention measures.

Fighting drug-resistant infections

An event organised by the Science Technology Options Assessment Panel (STOA) and the European Research Council (ERC) aimed to bridge the gap between policy and science. Some of Europe’s top young researchers met with members to plunge into some of the questions and challenges facing the world of scientific research.

Shaping Europe’s future through research

This summer, based on a proposal by the European Parliament, 15,000 18-year-olds will be receiving a free travel pass to discover Europe by train

Discover EU by train

Members of Parliament are to vote on a revision of Europass, a scheme that makes it easier for people’s professional skills to be understood across the EU. They want to update the digital version and make the tool more accessible.

Europass, the passport to mobility for EU citizens

The European Union has made 2018 the European Year of Cultural Heritage, highlighting the diversity, shared history and rich cultures that make Europe what it is today.

European cultural heritage: ties that bind

To ensure people with disabilities have equal representation and opportunities in society and in the workplace, the European Parliament is looking to further the EU-wide Disability Strategy, tackling issues such as gender equality, poverty and discrimination. MEP Helga Stevens has long been involved in the fight for the rights of people with disabilities. She argues that more can be done for the disabled in terms of representation and inclusiveness.

Disabilities in the EU: long road to equality

Want to hang out with 8,000 young people next summer? The European Parliament in Strasbourg is hosting the European Youth Event (EYE) on 1-2 June 2018. Get political and join in debates or kick back at live concerts, theatre shows and other performances. Europe's youth is its future. That's why we want to hear what you have to say.

European Youth Event 2018

Swedish MEP Soraya Post, a Roma herself, is working on a report focusing on the root causes of anti-Gypsyism. Europe has to recognise its failure to integrate this community, she says in an interview.

MEP Soraya Post on Roma: "Nobody wants to live like cattle."

The European Union is normalising its relationship with Cuba with the first-ever bilateral deal. The objective is to launch a political dialogue and to facilitate trade and cooperation.

EU-Cuba: a new start

Five numbers to take away from the plenary: new energy labelling, 30 years of Erasmus, gendre pension gap, European Capitals of Culture and European subsidies.

From labelling to Erasmus: 5 numbers to take away from Strasbourg

Christine studied architecture in Athens, Michele went to Budapest - both as Erasmus students. They are part of a generation whose life was shaped by the Erasmus programme.

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