The European Parliament represents the citizens of the 25 Member States of the European Union, i.e. more than 453 million Europeans. The European Parliament participates in the legislative activity of the European Union, sets the Union's budget, drawn up jointly with the Council of Ministers, exercises democratic control over the activity of the Union's Commission and the Council, provides political impetus and participates in the Union's international activity. An assembly open to the world, it plays host to Heads of State and Government, handles relations with the developing countries and is deeply committed to the protection of human rights.

The European Ombudsman
1, avenue du Président Robert Schuman - F-67000 Strasbourg

Since 1995, the European Ombudsman can be called upon by any natural person (citizen) or legal entity (institutions, companies) residing in the European Union who considers himself the victim of an act of "maladministration" on the part of community institutions or bodies. The Ombudsman acts as a mediator between the author of the complaint and the incriminated community administration and has powers of inquiry. On 15 January 2003, Nikiforos Diamandouros succeeded Jacob Söderman.

The Schengen Information System
18, rue de la Faisanderie - F-67020 Strasbourg

The Schengen Information System lies at the heart of the system put in place by the Schengen Agreement. This is an automated computerised network which enables all police stations and consular agents from Member States of the Schengen Space (13 States in the European Union plus Norway and Iceland) to access data on wanted persons and objects or vehicles sought.

Institutions and bodies dependent on the Council of Europe

The Council of Europe
Avenue de l'Europe - F-67000 Strasbourg

Created in 1949, the Council of Europe is the European intergovernmental body which groups together the largest number of countries (45 Member States, represented by 630 parliamentarians). The Council of Europe's aim is to defend democracy and human rights across the continent of Europe. Its field of activity is very broad: social, cultural, educational, environmental, questions, etc. The bodies of the Council of Europe are the Committee of Ministers, the General Secretariat and the Parliamentary Assembly.

The European Court of Human Rights
Quai Ernest Bevin - F-67000 Strasbourg

Created in 1959, the European Court of Human Rights is the judiciary body of the Council of Europe. It sanctions States that have violated undertakings ratified on the signature of the European Convention on Human Rights. Any person who considers himself the victim of a violation of the rights guaranteed by the Convention may bring an action before the Court.

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe
Avenue de l'Europe - F-67000 Strasbourg

A consultative body of the Council of Europe, the aims of the Congress are to guarantee the participation of territorial communities in the construction of the ideal of the European unit, to enable local and regional elected representatives to make a contribution to the estalishment of European policies within the framework of the Council of Europe, to assist new democracies in establishing effective administrative structures, and to foster cooperation between the regions of central and eastern Europe and the regions of western Europen. The Congress, with an Assembly composed of representatives of more than 200,000 local towns and cities in the 46 Member States of the Council of Europe, holds a plenary session once a year.

The European Youth Centre and Foundation
30, rue Pierre De Coubertin - F-67000 Strasbourg

Created in 1972, the European Youth Centre is an organisation within the Council of Europe. Its aim is to involve young people and youth associations in the elaboration and development of a coherent and effective youth policy at all levels: local, regional and European. It provides educational and financial support to international activities to promote citizenship and cultural pluralism amongst young people.

The European Audiovisual Observatory
76, Allée de la Robertsau - F-67000 Strasbourg

Instituted in 1992, the European Audiovisual Observatory is a unique centre for the collection and distribution of information on the audiovisual industry in Europe. The Observatory groups together 37 Member States and the European Commission. Set up under the auspices of Audiovisual Eureka, it operates within the legal framework of an enlarged partial agreement of the Council of Europe. The Observatory fulfils two fundamental missions: ensuring greater transparency in the audiovisual sector in Europe, and meeting the need for information of audiovisual professionals.

The European Pharmacopoeia
266, Avenue de Colmar - F-67000 Strasbourg

Created in 1964, the European Pharmacopoeia, which numbers 33 Member States, amongst which 35 members of the European Union, is a tool used to standardise the quality of medicines. The Pharmacopeoia provides industry with "sample" substances, reference substances which enable them to check the conformity and quality of medicines produced, commercialised or exported in Europe.

 

Other bodies of a European and international nature

The Headquarters of Eurocorps
7, Quai Sturm - F-67000 Strasbourg

Created in 1993, Eurocorps is made up of forces from its five Member States: Germany, Belgium, Spain, France and Luxembourg. Eurocorps has become the key element in a European rapid reaction force. It can be called upon for the common defence of allies (within the framework of NATO), the maintenance or re-establishment of peace (within the framework of the WEU or the OSCE), assistance to victims of natural disasters or external aggression, or for the fulfilment of humanitarian actions.

The Central Commission for Navigation on the Rhine
2, Place de la République - F-67000 Strasbourg

Created in 1816, the Central Commission for Navigation on the Rhine is the oldest of the international organisations. It is composed of representatives, referred to as Commissioners, from the five Member States: Germany, Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Switzerland. It missions are to oversee compliance with the principles of freedom of navigation (Mannheim convention), to ensure navigational safety, to strive for the unity of the Rhine system and to promote the prosperity of navigation on the Rhine.

The International Commission on Civil Status
3, Place Arnold - F-67000 Strasbourg

Founded in 1949, the International Commission of Civil Status (ICCS) is an intergovernmental organisation which has the aim of promoting international cooperation in matters of civil status and improving the operation of national civil status services. Composed of sixteen Member States and six States with observer status, the ICCS maintains up-to-date records, provides the States with information and expert advice, conducts legal and technical studies, edits publications and draws up conventions and recommendations.

The European Science Foundation
1, Quai Lezay Marnésia - F-67000 Strasbourg

Created in 1974, the European Science Foundation is an international non-profitmaking non-governmental organisation. It plays the role of catalyst in the development of Science by bringing together eminent research scientists and funding bodies to debate paneuropean initiatives, and plan and implement them. The Foundation groups 78 research bodies representing 30 countries.

The Permanent Secretariat of the International Human Frontier Science Programme
12 quai Saint Jean, BP 10034 - F-67080 Strasbourg Cedex

The International Human Frontier Science programme has the objective of promoting fundamental research in the field of life sciences. The principal theme of the programme is the development of innovative approaches by synergising researchers in biology with scientists operating in the most varied fields: physical sciences, mathematics, chemistry, informatics, etc.

The Assembly of European Regions
20,Place des Halles - F-67000 Strasbourg

Founded in 1985, the Assembly of European Regions is a committed political organisation working to promote regionalism in Europe and the development of inter-regional cooperation. The Assembly numbers almost 250 regions amongst it members (representing thirty European countries) and 13 inter-regional organisations.

The International Institute of Human Rights
2, Allée René Cassin - F-67000 Strasbourg

Founded by René Cassin in 1969, the International Institute of Human Rights works totally independently to protect and develop fundamental human rights. Its aim is to promote the scientific study of human rights through teaching, research, publication, and the collation and disrtibution of documentation on an international scale. Its work is principally directed towards practical research on problems of society and ethics.

The Centre for European Studies
1, rue Sainte Marguerite - F-67000 Strasbourg

Created in 1995, the purpose of the Centre for European Studies in Strasbourg is training and research in the fields of skills relevent to the European Union, the Council of Europe and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The Centre is aimed at an audience (French and foreign) of elected representatives and civil servants, but also also at employees in the private sector.

ARTE, the European Cultural Television Station
4 quai du Chanoine Winterer - F-67080 Strasbourg Cedex

Created in 1991, ARTE is a European Economic Interest Grouping funded by TV licence revenues in France and Germany. The objective of ARTE is to promote and broadcast programmes of a cultural and international nature in order to foster the mutual comprehension and rapprochement of the peoples of Europe.

The International Space University (ISU)
1 rue Jean Dominique Cassini - F-67400 Illkirch-Graffenstaden

Founded in 1987, the ISU is a non-profitmaking non-governmental institution with the aim of developing, in tandem with the major space agencies (European Space Agency, CNES, NASA) teaching and research activities in various scientific, technological, economic and legal disciplines connected with space. Its objective is to train advanced students and young professionals in a multidisciplinary culture adapted to the management of space projects which all require international cooperation. The ISU welcomes students and teachers from all around the world.

 
European info point

The European Institutions Information Centre
26a, Avenue de la Paix - F-67000 Strasbourg

Created in 1995, the European Institutions Information Centre is part of the Info-Points Europe network, the official information network of the European Union. Its mission is to inform the general public and more a informed public on the functioning of the institutions and european policies.

The Euro Info Centre
4, Quai Kléber - F-67000 Strasbourg

The Euro Info Centre is housed in the Strasbourg and Bas-Rhin Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which has the mission of supporting the development and promotion of industrial, commercial and service companies. The Euro Info Centre is an information and advice centre which deals with European issues. Its objective is to support the development of companies in the European market through a better understanding of the Union's regulations and easier access to the funding methods and programmes offered by the European Union.

The EURES Network
4, rue Gustave Doré - F-67000 Strasbourg

The Media Antenna
1, parc de l'Etoile - F-67080 Strasbourg Cedex

The MEDIA antenna is under the direct control of the Communauté Urbaine de Strasbourg, which falls within the framework of a convention with the European Commission. Its aims are to provide information on European audiovisual and cinema subsidies and, more particularly, on the MEDIA programme, to provide assistance in setting up projects, and to promote the European dimension in setting up audiovisual projects.