Highlights

This week marks the first time when the European Parliament, led by its Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, is organising a Disability Rights Week. For full information, please, follow the link to the event page.

A number of Hearings and other events will take place this week: Public Hearings, Monetary Dialogue with European Central Bank, Discharge hearing of Commissioner Hahn, and a presentation of a study on rail transport. For the full list, please, expand this announcement, you will find links, which will take you to the respective event pages.

The Fact Sheets on the EU provide an overview of European integration and of Parliament's contribution to that process. They present a brief summary of the EU's institutions and policies, and of Parliament's role in their development. Available in 24 languages, they cover five main areas: how the EU works; economy, science and quality of life; cohesion, growth and jobs; fundamental rights, security and justice; and the EU's external relations. The online version is updated regularly.

Studies, in-depth analyses and briefings produced by Parliament's policy departments and the Economic Governance and EMU Scrutiny Unit are available online in the dedicated section for Supporting Analyses. Apart from searching specific publications, a selection of papers and upcoming events can be found under "Highlights". A monthly overview of the work of policy departments is published in "Periodicals", with key studies on thematic issues.

Parliament's committees deal with EU legislative proposals by adopting reports, which then are referred to plenary for voting by all Members, and appoint negotiation teams to conduct talks with Council. They adopt non-legislative reports, organise hearings with experts and scrutinise other EU bodies and institutions. Parliament can set up sub-committees and special committees to deal with specific issues. Each committee elects a chair and up to four vice-chairs for a two and a half year mandate.

Parliament’s policy departments provide high-level independent expertise, analysis and advice at the request of committees and other parliamentary bodies. Covering all areas of activity of Parliament, they deliver policy analysis in a wide variety of formats, feeding directly into the legislative work of committees or members' delegations. They organise events, including workshops and expert panels, to enhance Parliament’s analytical capacity and develop common approaches to political issues.