On 14 June 2017 the Italian Permanent Representative in Strasbourg signed the Memorandum of understanding between Italy and the Council of Europe concerning the Programme Office in Venice status upgrade. This Office was opened in 2011 based on an agreement between the CoE and the Venetian city. On 28 June 2017 the Committee of Ministers approved the ratification and the execution of the headquarters agreement for the Council of Europe Office in Venice, giving full recognition to its international legal status.
The activities of the Office in Venice mostly focus on issues of common interest for both the Council of Europe and the city of Venice, including those related to raise awareness on the integration of minorities, gender equality, citizens’ participation in the democratic process, the role of women in the euro-Mediterranean context, the integration Roma and Remembrance Day.
