AGP Executive Report

Mental Health & Community Care: On World Suicide Prevention Day (10 Sept), Luxembourg psychologist Émilie Senez urges people to talk openly about suicidal thoughts—asking “Have you ever thought about suicide?” can help someone feel heard, and the fear that it “plants the idea” is wrong. Education & Everyday Life: Luxembourg’s new school year starts with 104,000 pupils back in class, as PISA results keep raising alarms; teachers’ union Féduse-CGFP warns reforms like the Alpha project and smartphone limits must also tackle effort, classroom management, and digital distraction beyond school. Local Culture & Tradition: Grevenmacher’s Grape and Wine Festival crowned Lynn as the 76th Wine Queen, with her court of princesses Anne, Noémie and Lana—continuing the region’s wine traditions across the year. Arts & Entertainment: Luxembourgish translator Martine Schoellen shares behind-the-scenes excitement for the new Gruffalo book, Gruffalo Granny, released 12 Sept in Luxembourgish alongside the original. Music in Luxembourg: Orbit Culture’s Bloodstock set is now available to watch, and the band’s “Nuclear God” video drops ahead of their Rockhal show in Esch-sur-Alzette on 14 Oct. Immigration & Rights: A Luxembourg court granted refugee status to a Turkish man linked to the Gülen movement, overturning a prior rejection over risk of persecution.

Luxembourg Education & Culture: Luxembourg’s new school year kicks off with 104,000+ pupils returning amid fresh PISA worries, as the government pushes the Alpha French-literacy push and raises the school-leaving age to 18, while teachers’ union Féduse-CGFP warns reforms must tackle classroom management and digital distraction, not just resources. Local Governance & Rights: A Luxembourg court granted refugee status to a Turkish man linked to the Gülen movement, overturning an earlier refusal and citing the risk of persecution tied to his father and his own activities. Arts & Heritage in Venice: The Fiat Lux exhibition brought Luxembourgish craftsmanship and creators to Venice, with the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess attending, alongside Luxembourg cinema at the Venice Film Festival. Music Scene: Metal fans can catch Orbit Culture’s Bloodstock Open Air set now on streaming, with “Nuclear God” highlighted ahead of the band’s Luxembourg Rockhal date. Community & Lifestyle: Atlantis Horse Sanctuary near Newel (Germany) offers last-resort care for horses and other livestock, supported by lessons, sponsorships, and donations. Travel Practicalities: A guide for Cyprus holidaymakers shares ways to cut costs and avoid airport-travel traps. International Debate: The UK voted down assisted dying legislation, keeping the issue alive across Europe.

Education & Youth: Luxembourg’s new school year opens with 104,000+ pupils back in class, as PISA concerns keep pressure on reforms like the Alpha French-literacy project and inclusion measures, while teachers’ union Féduse-CGFP warns that “automatic” progression and digital distraction are undermining effort. Culture in Motion: Luxembourg’s Fiat Lux exhibition brought over 60 works by local creators to Venice, with the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess joining visits to the Luxembourg pavilion and Homo Faber. Film Spotlight: Luxembourg-linked “Guria” premiered at the Venice Film Festival, with international co-production ties including Luxembourg. Refugee Rights: A Luxembourg court granted refugee status to a Turkish man connected to the Gülen movement, overturning a prior rejection over risk of persecution. Assisted Dying Debate: UK MPs voted down assisted dying legislation for terminally ill adults, reigniting a wider Europe-and-beyond discussion on how laws differ. Travel & Lifestyle: Thailand’s visa-free stay drops from 60 to 30 days from Sept. 15, but a paid one-time extension can still extend stays. Global Mobility: New Zealand expands Working Holiday eligibility lists and introduces a visa-waiver system via NZeTA for about 60 countries.

Shopping Tourism: Travel And Tour World (TTW) named London the world’s top shopping destination for 2026, with Milan, New York, Shanghai, Paris and Tokyo close behind—spotlighting fashion, craftsmanship and local market culture. Film & Culture: Bucharest International Film Festival (18–27 Sept 2026) unveiled its competition lineup and a new “Visionnaire – Art & Cinema” section linking cinema with fine arts. Animation Industry: Cartoon Forum returns to Toulouse (14–17 Sept) with 66 selected animated projects and a bigger programme for financing, training and co-productions. Luxembourg in the Spotlight: Georgian film “Guria” premiered at Venice with Luxembourg listed among production countries, and Luxembourg-representing producer Niharica Raizada debuted at Venice with Amos Gitai’s “The Road to Jericho.” Education & Daily Life: Luxembourg’s Education Minister Claude Meisch frames the new school start as “fairness,” citing Alpha project French literacy and raising the leaving age to 18, while PISA results fuel pressure to act. Housing Reality: A new Europe-wide index finds renting is becoming permanent for many households, including Luxembourg’s renter-heavy profile. Religion & Rights: An EU court case on a Belgian baptismal record could force Europe to weigh data protection against religious freedom. Royal Moment: Norway’s King Harald V’s funeral drew crowds and royals worldwide, including Luxembourg’s royal presence.

Royal Farewell: Norway’s King Harald V was honoured in a packed Oslo state funeral, with a minute of silence, a 21-gun salute, and royals and leaders from across Europe and beyond—including Luxembourg’s Grand Duke and Duchess—gathering for the procession to Oslo Cathedral. Animation & Co-Production: Cartoon Forum returns to Toulouse (14–17 Sept) with 66 selected animated projects, 330 hours of content, and a bigger focus on financing, training and international collaboration. Papal Visit Watch: French bishops say Pope Leo XIV’s 25–28 Sept trip will be a “very significant moment,” with stops including the Élysée Palace and UNESCO, and a message centered on protecting young people in the age of AI. Venice Film Festival: Georgian film “Guria” premiered at Venice, with Luxembourg among the production countries, and is set to represent Georgia for the Oscars. Back to School Luxembourg: Over 104,000 children and teens return to public schools, with Alpha project literacy efforts and a raised school-leaving age framed as moves toward a fairer system. Housing Lifestyle: A new index finds renting is becoming permanent across Europe, with Luxembourg showing a renter share of 36% and homeownership at 62.3%. Education Results: Luxembourg is set to tighten smartphone rules after PISA reading declines, as the wider study shows global student scores hitting new lows. Digital Identity: Hopae and Saudi Arabia’s TCC expand cross-border e-identity verification, aiming to make services smoother for international users.

Back to School in Luxembourg: Over 104,000 children and teenagers returned to public schools this year, with 58,000 in primary and about 45,000 in secondary, plus nearly 7,000 in international programmes. Education Reform Debate: The teachers’ union SEW-OGBL says inclusion measures and the Alpha project rollout don’t go far enough, calling for more staff, less bureaucracy, better guidance for serious behaviour issues, and full recording of school violence. Papal Visit Watch: French bishops say Pope Leo XIV’s Sept. 25–28 trip will be a “very significant moment,” with plans including meetings in Paris and a focus on protecting young people in the age of new technologies and AI. Religious Freedom in Court: A Belgian baptism-record dispute is headed to the EU Court of Justice, testing whether data-protection rules can force the Church to erase historical sacrament records. Royal Moment in Oslo: Norway’s King Harald V was laid to rest in a major state funeral attended by European royals including Luxembourg’s Grand Duke Guillaume and Grand Duchess Stéphanie. Thailand Travel Update: Thailand’s visa-free stay for many nationalities drops from 60 days to 30 days from Sept. 15, with a new targeted system by nationality. Culture & Film: Venice Spotlight opens with Georgian director Levan Koguashvili’s “Guria,” while Asia Pacific Screen Awards nominations highlight “Don’t Tell Mother.”

Norway Royal Farewell: King Harald V’s state funeral in Oslo drew royals and heads of state across Europe and beyond, with Luxembourg’s Grand Duke Guillaume and Grand Duchess Stéphanie among the mourners; the solemn moment was briefly disrupted when a mobile phone rang during the minute of silence. Papal Culture in France: French bishops say Pope Leo XIV’s Sept. 25–28 visit will be a “very significant moment,” with stops including UNESCO and Lourdes and a focus on human dignity and the protection of young people in the age of new technologies. Back to School in Luxembourg: Over 104,000 children and teenagers returned to public schools, while teachers’ union SEW-OGBL warns inclusion reforms and the Alpha project still leave gaps—calling for more staff, clearer guidance on serious behaviour issues, and better recording of school violence. Education Skills Alarm: The OECD’s PISA results show reading and maths declines linked to digitalisation, prompting Luxembourg to tighten smartphone rules in secondary schools. Democracy Watch: Young politicians from CSV, DP, LSAP and the Greens launched a platform to safeguard Luxembourg’s democracy, including tighter regulation of online platforms and tech. EU Court & Brands: The EU’s top court backs IKEA’s right to pursue action over a Belgian far-right party’s use of IKEA trademarks in an anti-immigration campaign. Arts & Film: Venice opens with Georgian director Levan Koguashvili’s “Guria,” and Asia Pacific Screen Awards nominations highlight “All of a Sudden” and “Elephants in the Fog.” Music: Bryan Adams announces “How’s It Goin’” for Nov. 6, a Canada-rooted follow-up album.

EU Court & Brands: Inter IKEA has won the right to pursue legal action against Belgium’s far-right Vlaams Belang over its “Ikea Plan” campaign, with the EU’s top court saying freedom of expression doesn’t automatically outweigh trademark rights. Education & Daily Life: New PISA results show 15-year-olds’ reading, maths and science skills hitting the weakest levels in decades, with Luxembourg among countries seeing declines and renewed calls for smarter smartphone rules. Culture on Screen: Levan Koguashvili’s black-and-white tragicomedy “Guria” lands a Venice Spotlight premiere and is Georgia’s official Oscar submission, with Luxembourg listed among the co-producers. Royal & Community Moments: Bhutan’s Princess Sonam Yangden Wangchuck turns three, while Norway prepares for King Harald V’s final farewell in Oslo Cathedral. Local Relevance: Eurostat reports Luxembourg has one of the lowest primary-school pupil counts in the EU, adding to the wider demographic and schooling conversation. Human Rights: UN Human Rights Council talks again spotlight Afghanistan, with Luxembourg among countries urging Taliban restrictions on women and girls to be lifted.

Human Rights Watch: Luxembourg joined UN Human Rights Council calls urging the Taliban to lift restrictions on women and girls in education and social life, with Australia also announcing sanctions and legal action tied to discrimination against women. Court & Culture Clash: The EU’s top court backed IKEA in its trademark fight against Belgium’s far-right Vlaams Belang, ruling the party can’t hide behind “freedom of expression” when using IKEA branding to amplify a political message. Education & Reading Crisis: OECD’s PISA 2025 shows 15-year-olds’ reading, maths and science at record lows, with “hasty readers” rising; in Luxembourg, the debate is already shifting toward tighter smartphone rules in schools. Catholic Pilgrimage Spotlight: Pope Leo XIV’s France visit (starting Sept. 25) is expected to draw over 1 million people, with Masses in Paris and a stop in Lourdes. Film & Identity: Georgian director Levan Koguashvili’s black-and-white tragicomedy “Guria” premieres in Venice and is Georgia’s official Oscar entry, co-produced with Luxembourg’s Tarantula. Local Life & Learning: Eurostat reports EU primary enrolment is down overall, while Luxembourg’s numbers are among the lowest—yet rising compared with 2014.

Education & Skills: U.S. 15-year-olds’ reading scores fell sharply on the PISA-style international exam, with the drop matching declines seen across industrialized countries—raising fresh debate about literacy, screen time and social media. Local Community & Culture: Luxembourg’s Braderie is still about tradition more than turnover, with many shops joining for the feel-good draw and stock-clearing rather than big sales, as costs and setup hours rise. Film & Creative Industry: Luxembourg Deputy PM Xavier Bettel met India’s S Jaishankar to deepen ties in trade, fintech, startups and education, while a separate Korea-France film summit signals renewed pressure to fix film financing and tax support for investors. Politics & Society: Reactions in Luxembourg followed Germany’s Saxony-Anhalt election, where AfD surged to nearly 44%, prompting warnings about Europe’s populist wave. Church & Data Rights: The EU’s top court is set to rule on whether people can force the Catholic Church to erase baptismal records under GDPR. Tech for Youth: A free LIST programme invites girls aged 14–18 in Luxembourg to try AI, voice tech and chatbots through hands-on lab sessions. Travel Rules: ETIAS fees for UK and other non-EU travellers are set to rise to 20 euros for entry into Spain and other Schengen destinations, with age exemptions.

Education & Youth: Luxembourg’s summer school is back in action, with over 7,400 pupils signing up for free refresher classes that help students ease into the new school year. STEM for Girls: A new free AI and voice-tech programme, VoiceTech4Teens, invites girls aged 14–18 to run hands-on lab sessions at LIST in Belvaux, ending with a demo day in December. Culture & Community: Dudelange marked 10 years of its refugee reception centre, praising local cooperation between the municipality, ONA and the Red Cross as a model of everyday solidarity. Politics & Society: Luxembourg leaders reacted to Germany’s Saxony-Anhalt election after the AfD surged to nearly 44%, calling it a warning sign for Europe and urging the political centre to respond. Business & Diplomacy: Deputy PM Xavier Bettel says the India-EU FTA could unlock opportunities for companies on both sides, and he plans business-to-business meetings during his India visit. Travel Rules: New ETIAS-related fees are set to hit UK travellers heading to Spain and other Schengen destinations, with costs rising to around €20 per person. Religion & Law: The EU’s top court is set to rule on whether Catholic baptismal records must be erased under data-protection law, raising fresh questions about church autonomy.

Education & Youth: Luxembourg’s free summer school is back in action, with 7,400+ pupils signing up as classes resume at lycées like Atert-Lycée in Redange. STEM for Girls: LIST in Belvaux is hosting VoiceTech4Teens, a beginner-friendly AI and voice technology programme for girls aged 14–18, ending with demos on 12 December. Teachers’ Pay: A new Eurydice report keeps Luxembourg at the top of Europe for teacher salaries, with the gap narrowing only once purchasing power is considered. Local Community & Inclusion: Dudelange marked 10 years of its refugee reception centre, praising cooperation between the municipality, ONA and the Luxembourg Red Cross. Culture & Arts: Must-see exhibitions for Fall 2026 are highlighted, including major Pop Art and modern art shows abroad. Lifestyle & Travel Rules: UK travellers are warned that many passports may fail new Schengen entry checks, and ETIAS fees for UK/other non-EU visitors to Schengen are rising to 20 euros per person (40 for a family of four with two children). What’s On: Pointe du Raz Ladies Classic delivers a Luxembourg win as Nina Berton bursts from the chase to take victory. Heritage & Language: A Luxembourg language exhibit on multilingualism is set to travel to the Luxembourg Heritage Society in Northwest Iowa.

AI & Girls in Luxembourg: VoiceTech4Teens launches a free, beginner-friendly AI programme for girls aged 14–18 at LIST in Belvaux, with four hands-on lab sessions and a final demo on 12 December. Teachers’ Pay: A new Eurydice report puts Luxembourg at the top for teacher salaries, with the biggest gap versus Bulgaria and strong comparisons to France, Belgium and Germany. Consumer Protection: The Directorate for Consumer Protection says it keeps price displays honest after an EU-wide sweep found many traders not fully complying with price-marking rules. Culture & Film: Croatia selected “God Will Not Help” (Bog neće pomoći) as its Oscar candidate for Best International Feature Film. Cycling: Luxembourg time-trial champion Nina Berton wins the Pointe du Raz Ladies Classic after a late sprint from a breakaway. Music Loss: British singer Craig Douglas (“The Singing Milkman,” “Only Sixteen”) dies aged 85. Lifestyle/Travel: Thailand ends its 60-day visa-free stay on 15 September, shifting to 30- and 15-day limits depending on nationality. Human Stories: Franco Settanni shares how stigma can linger after addiction recovery, and how Stëmm vun der Strooss supports people post-therapy.

Luxembourg Culture & Community: A Luxembourg language exhibit with 11 screens on multilingualism is set to travel to Remsen (Iowa), with QR-linked info and a wider heritage programme for visitors. Church & Rights: EU bishops’ conferences await a major EU court ruling on whether baptismal register entries must be erased on request, raising questions about church autonomy. Local Politics & Work-Life: Labour Minister Marc Spautz’s planned part-time parental leave in 2027 is criticised by the LSAP as “a step backwards” over unpaid pay and employer agreement. Education Access: Claude Meisch clarifies there’s no automatic “lycée de proximité” right; priority depends on proximity and sibling links when places are limited. Travel & Lifestyle: Thailand’s visa-free stay is being cut from 60 to 30 days for many nationalities from September 15, with Luxembourg included in the 30-day tourism list. Culture on the Move: The Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra is featured in Tongyeong (Korea) with major classical concerts in September, linking local music to an international audience. Public Health: France recalls pumpkin seeds after salmonella cases, a reminder that outbreaks can spread beyond meat and dairy. Safety & Justice: Three minors suspected of stealing on a bus in Gasperich were transferred to Schrassig prison due to youth detention capacity limits, drawing renewed criticism.

Foster Abuse Case: French prosecutors have charged a Moselle couple near the Luxembourg border after 26 former foster children alleged sexual abuse and other mistreatment over roughly 20 years; the couple deny the allegations and remain under judicial supervision. Youth Justice in Luxembourg: Three underage girls suspected of stealing on a bus in Gasperich were transferred to Schrassig prison due to a lack of youth detention space, with the case now before a juvenile court—sparking renewed criticism of minors held in adult facilities. Education & Skills: Eurostat data shows Greece trails EU averages for young people with university degrees, while Luxembourg stands out for strong tertiary attainment growth; the wider EU trend keeps pushing toward the 2030 education target. Local Culture & Language: A Luxembourg language exhibit featuring multilingualism screens is set to travel to the Luxembourg Heritage Society in Northwest Iowa, linking Luxembourgish culture with the diaspora. Family Policy Debate: Luxembourg’s proposed part-time parental leave model in 2027 draws fire from the LSAP as a “step backwards” over unpaid hours and employer discretion. Church & Data Rights: EU bishops’ conferences await a ruling on whether baptismal register entries must be erased on request, raising questions about religious autonomy. Arts in the Region: The Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra is scheduled to perform in Tongyeong, South Korea, with major classical concerts in September.

Fashion & Culture: Hong Kong Fashion Fest Gala 2026, themed “Rhythm of the Heart,” brought fashion, art and culture together with local officials and industry leaders. Church & Rights: An EU court case could force a Belgian diocese to erase baptismal register entries, raising big questions about religious autonomy. Luxembourg Politics & Family Life: Labour Minister Marc Spautz’s 2027 part-time parental leave plan drew criticism from the LSAP as “a step backwards” over unpaid hours and employer agreement. Education Access: Claude Meisch says there’s no automatic “lycée de proximité” right in Luxembourg; proximity and siblings can help, but the ministry decides alternatives when demand exceeds places. Travel & Cost of Living: Shoulder-season trips are getting pricier, while Ryanair warns winter schedules and fares may be hit by high jet fuel costs. Community & Skills: UNDP and CSD Reform trained over 80 vulnerable women and youth in Lewuniyiri (soap, shea, dairy, confectionery, soya milk) with Luxembourg funding. Culture & Heritage: A Luxembourg language exhibit with multilingual screens is set to travel to the Luxembourg Heritage Society in northwest Iowa. Sports Spotlight: Flora Pili heads toward Katie Taylor at Croke Park, a reminder of how Luxembourg-linked fights can travel far beyond home. EU Solidarity: Luxembourg-backed UN Population Fund support helped save 400 women and expand contraception access.