One hundred and forty senior representatives of the EBU's Radio Membership met in Rome on Thursday for day one of the 17th EBU Radio Assembly, as guests of Vatican Radio, which is this year celebrating its 80th anniversary.

Thursday's session saw EBU Director of Radio Raina Konstantinova deliver an account of the Radio Department's activities over the past 12 months. And EBU Director General Ingrid Deltenre's presentation of possible new structures for the organization generated lively discussion, with Members stressing the importance of retaining the high level of service they have always enjoyed from the EBU Radio Department.

Topics covered by speakers during an informative first day ranged from an EBU study of new ways audiences are consuming radio, led by Head of SIS Alex Shulzycki, interactive radio and 'tagging' using the hybrid RadioDNS protocol, as well as difficulties faced by broadcasters in light of political and economical trends in today's media landscape.

Doris Pack MEP, Chairperson of the European Parliament's Committee on Culture and Education pledged support for public service radio broadcasting, while acknowledging some of the challenges faced in championing the importance and relevance of the medium at the top levels of EU politics.

Coincidentally, the Assembly immediately precedes the Beatification of the late Pope Jean-Paul II, which takes place on Sunday, and an EBU Radio operation is simultaneously underway facilitating coverage of this event.

The 17th EBU Radio Assembly resumes on Friday morning