Brain drain and negative effects of demographic change have been key concerns for the SEDEC Commission of the European Committee of the Regions during the current mandate period, which is nearing its end. At its last meeting of the year on 27 November, SEDEC members adopted an opinion drafted by Emil Boc (RO/EPP), mayor of Cluj-Napoca, which urges to address the challenge of brain drain in coordination with all levels of government. Otherwise, "the phenomenon will have long-term and permanent effects on the future of the European Union", the draft opinion warns.

Taňa Christova (BG/EĽS), primátorka Gabrova, bola dnes zvolená za novú predsedníčku komisie SEDEC Európskeho výboru regiónov (VR), ktorý je zhromaždením miest a regiónov EÚ. Komisia SEDEC je jednou zo šiestich tematických komisií VR a venuje sa sociálnej politike, zamestnanosti, výskumu, vzdelávaniu a kultúre.

Sustainable development and coherent, fair and transparent reform of human-resources management will need to be central concerns for Montenegro's mayors well beyond the country's possible accession to the European Union, local and regional leaders from the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) told their Montenegrin counterparts on 18 October. Demands made by the EU are not just pre-conditions, they said, but reflect a basic reality that local and regional authorities within the EU need constantly to adjust policies and procedures to serve local needs.

​Cities and regions reflect Europe's cultural diversity and are best placed to turn Europe's cultural heritage into a strategic asset, local and regional leaders highlighted in a debate with Tibor Navracsics, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport. The Commissioner, who took the floor at the European Committee of the Regions' plenary session, recalled that strengthening a common European identity and promoting social and economic cohesion are among the objectives of the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018 and conditions to build the Europe of tomorrow.