The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought was named after Russian scientist and activist, Andrei Sakharov, and was established by the European Parliament in 1988 to recognize individuals and groups whose lives have stood for free thought and the defense of human rights. This segment focuses on the 2011 awards, where five Arab activists were honored.

As Spain celebrates its 25-year anniversary as a member of the European Union, let's take a look at its evolution over those years.

Meet Joaquín Pérez, an award-winning Andalusian Nativity Scene sculptor.

Produced with a combination of tradition and innovation, the first Andalusian brut, Barbadillo Beta, was born in Andalusia's Barbadillo bodegas.

In the heart of Europe, there is quite a groundbreaking project: a college Euroregion which seeks to modernize higher education and increase the number of exchange students and graduates in the EU.

Meet Alejandro Hermann, a fascinating, world-renowned artist born of an Austrian father and French mother who studied in the best Parisian art schools and resides in Marbella, Spain.

The European Parliament's decision not to extend the fishing agreement with Morocco comes as a hard blow to the Andalusian fishing industry, whose workers are left jobless for months and demand compensation from the European Union.

Open Europe covers such diverse stories as the Mediterranean Corridor, the death of Gaddafi and European poverty.

Europea Abierta informs us about the European space program as well as its 2011 award for journalistic excellence.

Taking organic meat to all the school dining rooms:
That is the main objective of the Campos company in Andalusia.

One of the most fun ways to visit Wales is on board an antique steam locomotive. One of the oldest railroad companies in the world has recently opened a new line which, thanks to an army of volunteers, is delighting both tourists and its devoted employees.

The town of Olivares in Seville, Spain, has launched a set design workshop with the goal of teaching unemployed residents to create period decorations as a fun way to get to know their rich artistic heritage.

When 20-year-old Jassin Gaudi arrived in Sevilla to get in touch with his Moroccan roots, he thought he wanted to be a bullfighter, but instead found his passion in flamenco, an art which sometimes emulates it.

Europa Abierta concludes this epsidode with excerpts from the movie, Fuchsia the Mini-Witch, based on a novel by Paul van Loon.

The Small Business Act for Europe (SBA) is a regulation which aids Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to establish themselves more quickly, simply and with less capital than was previously possible.