EU Events Monitor: 03/11/08

WOMEX: European Commission meets music sector professionals
"The European Commission meets with the music industry at the World Music Expo (WOMEX) in Sevilla, Spain, on 31 October 2008, to discuss modalities to strengthen the capacities of the music sector in developing countries.
The Commission will be exchanging views with music stakeholders on how to work together to strengthen the structures of the music industry in developing countries. There are three main themes:
* investing in culture for development,
* creativity and innovation and
* intercultural dialogue." [Europa]

First European Interactive Heritage Forum on "Heritage and Dialogue"
"The Forum took place in Brussels, on 23-24 October 2008, on the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the European Heritage Days in Belgium and as a contribution to 2008 – European Year of Intercultural Dialogue.

The first European Heritage Forum, organised within the context of the European Heritage Days – a joint action of the Council of Europe and the European Commission, took place in Brussels, on 23-24 October 2008, on the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the European Heritage Days in Belgium and as a contribution to 2008 – European Year of Intercultural Dialogue." [Europa]

The Week Ahead: 3 to 9 November 2008
Parliamentary committee meetings - Brussels [Europa]

Culture Committee: Public Hearing:" A Bridge between cultures in the EU regions", 6 November
"Following a state of play and examples of cultural cooperation among regions, experts will debate with Members on how to build bridges of understanding, future challenges and opportunities."

Community participation in the European Audiovisual Observatory
"Ivo BELET (EPP-ED, BE) will present his draft report on Community participation in the European Audiovisual Observatory on 6 November. He will address among others some specific issues on funding, new developments of online services, geographical distribution of publications."

Arab week at the European Parliament 3-7 November
"Europe's relationship with the Arab world will be the focus of attention during "Arab week" at the European Parliament from 3-7 November. A series of debates, exhibitions and even musical performances will take place in Brussels to draw attention to the politics and culture of the Arab world. The week will also see Members of the Human Rights subcommittee and the Foreign Affairs committee discussing human rights and meeting Arab League Secretary General Amr Mussa.

Also present in Arab week will be a group of Iraqi parliamentarians who will be briefing MEPs on the situation in the country and prospects for the future.
Speaking ahead of the event the President of the European Parliament Hans-Gert Pöttering commented that: "The Arab world is not only a close neighbour of Europe but also, through the Arab communities present in the Union's member states, a component of today's European societies."