University Network of the European Capitals of Culture Conference jointly with EMUNI and the University of Maribor in Maribor, Slovenia, European Capital of Culture 2012. In 2013 UNeECC organized its Annual Conference jointly with Aix-Marseille University and EHESS - School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences in Marseille, France, European Capital of Culture 2012.. UNeECC currently has 47 members: University Network of the European Capitals of Culture The University Network of the European Capitals of Culture(UNeECC), an international non-profit association, was founded upon the initiative of the University of Pécs in Pécs, Hungary in December 2006 by 15 founding members. UNeECC invites memberships in three different categories:
European Capital of Culture of designating an annual Capital of Culture to bring Europeans closer together by highlighting the richness and diversity of European cultures and raising awareness of their common history and values. It is strongly believed that the ECoC significantly maximises social and economic benefits, especially when the events are embedded as a part of a long–term culture-based development strategy of the city and the surrounding region. The Commission of the European Union manages the title and each year the Council of Ministers of the European Union formally designates European Capitals of Culture: more than 40 cities have been designated so far.