First referendum on European Constitution yields "yes"

On 20 February 2005, the Spanish - who were the first to vote by referendum on the European Constitution - approved the European text by a wide majority, with 76.73% in favour of its ratification. Although this referendum was merely consultative, Prime Minister José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero had however warned that, if the "no" vote won, the text would not be submitted for ratification by parliament. 17.24% of the electorate voted against and 6.03% voted blank.

This easy victory was dampened somewhat by the low turnout of voters (only 42,32% or four voters in ten). The announced success of the "yes" vote and the high consensus on the construction of Europe in Spain, as well as the complexity of the text and the lack of information given to voters, largely explain the high abstention rate during this referendum.
While expressing regret for the poor turnout, the EU institutions believe that the results of this first referendum on the Constitution are a good omen for the popular consultations still to be held in eight other countries, including Portugal (probably in April this year), France (definitely in May), the Netherlands (towards the end of May/early June), Luxembourg (on 10 July), Poland (probably in the autumn), Denmark (not before the autumn), Ireland (possibly towards the end of the year or early in 2006), the United Kingdom (definitely in the spring of 2006). As a reminder, Lithuania, Hungary and Slovenia have already ratified the Constitution in parliamentary votes.

For more information on the status of the procedures for ratification of the Constitutional Treaty in different Member States, visit: http://europa.eu.int/constitution/futurum/ratification_en.htm

 

News from the institutions

Econtentplus: A new EU programme to promote the European digital content market

The "content market" encompasses media and publishing, on-line databases and other business services. Digital content is still a small part of this market, which is traditionally dominated by films, TV programmes, books, videos, music, CDs and mail order catalogues. On 17 February 2004, the European Commission submitted a proposal concerning the new Community programme eContentplus (2005-2008), which builds on the previous eContent programme (2001-2004) and aims to make European digital content more accessible, user-friendly and commercially viable. On 27 January, the European Parliament voted in favour of the eContentplus programme, with only one amendment setting the programme's budget at €149 million (instead of the €163 million originally proposed by the Commission or the €135 million decided by the Council on 10 June 2004). It is expected that this amendment, which results from a compromise reached between the parliamentary rapporteur and the Dutch Presidency in the second half of 2004, will be accepted by the Council. The new programme will concentrate on those parts of the digital content market where fragmentation is clearly apparent in Europe, and where market forces alone so far have been insufficient to drive growth. The programme targets three domains: spatial (or geographical) data, educational material and cultural content. The eContentplus programme is part of a broader set of measures to improve the conditions for innovation and creativity in the converging content market, including - among such measures - the MEDIAplus programme and the review of the Television Without Frontiers Directive, due later this year. For further information, read Press Release IP/05/98, available on RAPID.

Making Europe more attractive and competitive

Every year the World Investment Conference brings together some 700 international business leaders, high-level representatives of EU Member States, national and regional decision-makers, and academics to meet and exchange views in the French town of La Baule. On 10 February 2005, in preparation for the spring European summit and the review of the Lisbon Strategy, a delegation from the La Baule 2005 think tank met the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, and the President of the European Parliament, Josep Borrell, for the purpose of submitting a set of "40 recommendations to reinforce the attractiveness and competitiveness of the enlarged Europe". The recommendations are based on seven key concepts: 1) developing an "operational, project-centred approach" to gear the EU's macroeconomic policy for growth and employment to the requirement of enhancing both the attractiveness of Europe and its regions and the competitiveness of large businesses and SMEs in Europe; 2) building innovation policies founded on well-defined priorities for industry, services and regional planning; 3) consolidating and structuring the attractiveness of European regions by focusing on support for training and innovation and by developing "poles of competitiveness" as well as efficient transport infrastructures; 4) developing a clearer definition and more effective support for research and innovation in regional-public-private partnerships; 5) developing a robust industrial policy to counter competition from emerging economies; 6) achieving greater fluidity in the internal market and labour markets; and 7) bringing Europe closer to its citizens, which involves, in particular, giving responsibility to Members of the European Parliament by "making them ambassadors for the Lisbon Agenda in their regions" and fostering greater participation by national parliaments and local governments. To read the La Baule think tank report, which sets out the 40 recommendations in detail, visit: http://www.labaule2005.org/documents/news/lisbonagenda_fromrecommendationstoimplementation.pdf

2005 eEurope Awards for eGovernment

The eEurope Awards, organised by the European Institute of Public Administration with the support of the Information Society Technologies Programme of the European Commission for the years 2003-2005, recognise innovative initiatives in the areas of eGovernment and eHealth within Europe.

The overall goal of the eEurope Awards is to promote best practice among the Member States of the enlarged European Union, the candidate countries and the EFTA countries. All public administrations in Europe (national, regional, local, etc.) delivering eGovernment services and having valuable lessons to share as good practices with other administrations are encouraged to participate in a call (open as of 16 March 2005) by submitting their application at www.e-europeawards.org, where full information, guidelines and a helpdesk will be available.

It is possible to pre-register through the online eEurope Awards Helpdesk and to receive news about the call (reference: "Expression of interest - Call 2005"). The 2005 eEurope Awards for eGovernment ceremony will take place at the Ministerial eGovernment Conference, which will be held on 24th & 25th November 2005 in Manchester, UK. The most outstanding applications presented at the conference will be awarded with the prestigious eEurope Awards Trophy. For more information: http://www.e-europeawards.org (eEurope Awards) or http://europa.eu.int/egovernment_research (eGovernment Conference 2005 ).

News from the networks

European-wide Action Week Against Racism

March 21st was declared International Day for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination by the General Assembly of the United Nations, in a reaction to the murder of 70 anti-apartheid demonstrators in Sharpeville, South-Africa, in 1960. During the annual Europe-wide Action Week (14-21 March 2005), which centres around 21 March, thousands of people will take part in a range of activities in active support of tolerance and equal rights, and to celebrate the diversity of Europe.

Hundreds of activities will take place across Europe, organised by a wide variety of organisations. Activities range from demonstrations and debates to film and music festivals, and from special TV programmes to cleaning racist graffiti off walls. This campaign aims to highlight the issues of racism from a non-governmental perspective on all levels - local, national and European. "UNITED for Intercultural Action", the European network against nationalism, racism, fascism and in support of migrants and refugees, provides campaign material free of charge (posters and reports). It calls upon all organisations to take part in the campaign by organising concerts or conferences, sending protest letters to policy-makers or finding other ways of voicing their opinion. For more campaign information, contact: UNITED for Intercultural Action, Postbus 413, NL-1000 AK Amsterdam, T: +31 20 6834778, F: +31-20-6834582, e-mail: info@unitedagainstracism.org, website: http://www.unitedagainstracism.org/

Funding opportunities

Support for the transnational distribution of European films

The European Commission's DG INFSO has just published two calls for proposals concerning the implementation of a programme encouraging the development, distribution and promotion of European audiovisual works (namely "Media Plus - Development, distribution and promotion 2001 - 2005"). The total budget available for financial assistance for the projects envisaged by the first of these two calls (under the "selective" support system) amounts to €12 million. Applications must be submitted to the Commission by no later than 15.3.2005, 8.7.2005 and 1.12.2005. As regards the second call for proposals (under the "Automatic" support system), the deadline for applications is 30.4.2005. The full text of both calls for proposals, together with the relevant application forms, can be found at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/avpolicy/media/distr_en.html. OJ C 44/27 of 19.02.2005

Improving the quality in higher education and promoting intercultural understanding

The European Commission's DG for Education and Culture has just published a call for proposals concerning the implementation of Actions 1, 2 and 3 of the Erasmus Mundus programme (i.e. the Community Action programme for the enhancement of quality in higher education and the promotion of intercultural understanding through cooperation with third countries) in the academic year 2006-2007 as well as the implementation of Action 4 of the programme in 2005. The total estimated budget available for this call for proposals is €63.3 million. The closing dates for the submission of applications to the Commission are as follows: 31 May 2005 for Actions 1 and 4; 31 October 2005 for Action 3, and 28 February 2006 for Action 2. The full text of the call for proposals, together with the relevant application form, can be found at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/programmes/mundus/index_en.html OJ C 047 of 23 February 2005.

Forthcoming events

3 March 2005, Brussels (BE)

The WalesCouncil for Voluntary Action (WCVA) is hosting an event, entitled "Strengthening Civil Society in an Enlarged Europe" on 3 March, as part of the programme of events for Wales Week 2005 in Brussels. This conference, which will be conducted in English, aims to highlight local practice and new policy developments, exploring good practice models of participatory democracy at regional level, set against the European policy context. The seminar will include a project showcase of WCVA-led initiatives supported by the European Social Fund and the European Regional Development Fund, in Objective 1, 2 and 3 areas of Wales. During this forum for debate, good practice will be highlighted in terms of active involvement in governance at regional level, delivery and management of Structural Funds, working in partnership at different levels, underpinned by strong support and leadership from WCVA. For more information, contact: Wales Council for Voluntary Action, Head Office, Baltic House, Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff, CF10 5FH, T: +44 (0) 29 2043 1700, F: +44 (0) 2043 1701, website: http://www.wcva.org.uk

8-10 March 2005, Madrid (ES)

On the anniversary of the Madrid train bombings on 11 March, which killed 191 people and injured thousands, some people will do more than just remember. The anniversary will mark the beginning of a civil society push towards a new democratic approach. An International Summit on Democracy, Terrorism and Security will therefore be held in Madrid on March 8-10. More than 50 former and current heads of state and government, decision and policy makers, experts on terrorism and security, and citizens from around the world will participate in this forum, which will produce a Madrid Agenda on democracy just ahead of the March 11 anniversary. The London-based group "opendemocracy.net", an online global magazine of politics and culture, and the independent Club of Madrid, which seeks to strengthen democracy, are calling for meetings to be held around the world to provide input for the final Madrid Agenda. The main message is: "Join people around the world by sitting down together, sharing time with friends, family or colleagues, and reflecting on what happened at Atocha station, what happened in New York, and in Bali, and in Baghdad. And while you remember, think about how it could be different. " For more information: http://www.opendemocracy.net/

11 March 2005, Valencia (E)

In the light of new European Commission proposals due to be finalised this spring, the European Association of Regional Development Agencies (Eurada) and the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions of Europe (CPMR) are organising a seminar on the regional dimension of the European Research Area, to be hosted by Valencia region on 11 March. The main themes of the seminar are: "The regional dimension of the European Research Area and the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (RTD-FP7)"; "What place for research in regional policy after 2006?" and "The challenges of establishing a joined up research and regional policy". The Director General of DG Research of the European Commission (Achilleas Mitsos), the Director General of DG Regional Policy (Graham Meadows), and representatives from regional development agencies, regional governments, research centres, and national and EU institutions will be taking part in the discussions. For further information, contact: Fanny Branchu, Head of Communications, T: + 33 2 99 35 40 50, E-mail: fanny.branchu@crpm.org, website: http://www.crpm.org - http://www.cpmr.org

Publications

Report of the "Fondation pour la Solidarité"

On 13 December 2004, the "Fondation pour la Solidarité" held a European conference in Brussels on the theme "Partnerships between businesses, trade unions and NGOs to promote the integration of migrant populations in the labour market". More specifically, the conference aimed to discuss the results of a Commission-funded project entitled "Survey, analysis, evaluation and recommendations in the field of innovative partnerships between private enterprises, trade unions and/or NGOs to combat discrimination and promote the integration of immigrant populations". Following an 18-month research period, the Foundation drew up a report which highlights the various elements contributing to the success of this kind of partnership, analyses some 50 recent and innovative partnerships, identifies a number of good practices and puts forward 60 recommendations addressed to public authorities, business companies, NGOs, trade unions and immigrants or people of immigrant origin. The full report on the research conducted by the Foundation as well as a brochure with the recommendations are available in e-format on http://www.partenariat-integration.be or can be requested in hard copy from Françoise Kemajou, E-mail: francoise.kemajou@fondation-solidarite.be, T: +32.2.535.06.63.

Regions of Knowledge

A recently published brochure from the Research Directorate-General provides details about the "Regions of Knowledge" pilot action (KnowReg), which was established in response to a call from the European Parliament. Launched in August 2003, KnowReg has a budget of EUR 2.5 million and aims to involve regional and local players in designing knowledge-based development projects and approaches. The brochure describes in brief 14 KnowReg projects involving some 70 regions and addressing the following themes: technology audits and regional foresight; university driven actions and regional development; mentoring and supporting activities. A paper version can be ordered here: http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/publications/pub_en.cfm

Creative site

CREATIF ("Collectif des Réseaux d'Accès public aux Technologies de l'Information et de la communication" - Association of ICT Public Access Networks) has already published two guides as part of a series entitled "L'accessibilité pour tous aux TIC" (ICTs for All). Both guides are available (in French only) on http://www.creatif-public.net. The site also announces forthcoming meetings and other events in addition to providing access to numerous working documents, studies, reports, a "portrait gallery", interviews, etc. To subscribe to CREATIF's bimonthly newsletter, go to: http://www.creatif-public.net/lettre.php3.

 

Partners search

European study on migration patterns in rural areas

Within the framework of a European conference of organisations involved in the reception of immigrants in rural areas, which will be held in Limoges (F) from 9 to 12 June 2005, the French national agency CNASEA (http://www.cnasea.fr) is planning to carry out a study with the following aims: to survey and analyse migration patterns in rural areas in EU Member States; and to identify innovative experiences and initiatives concerning the reception of immigrants in rural areas. The study will focus, in particular, on the relationship between town and countryside (demographic trends, migration flows, profiles of migrants), as well as on the means deployed to facilitate and monitor migration into rural areas (the state of the debate, the actors involved, the tools used to promote various forms of employment in local areas, etc.). The study will be based on the collection and processing of statistical data as well as on surveys conducted with the help of resource persons who are familiar with rural development issues in each country at national or regional level (representatives of government departments, LEADER+ networks, local development associations, researchers, etc.). If you know of anyone who might be willing to take part in the survey, or if you can provide information on existing studies or other interesting initiatives in this subject area, please contact: Florence GAILLAGUET (T: + 33 5 55 12 05 33, E-mail: florence.gaillaguet@cnasea.fr) or Cédric LEGER (T: +33 5 55 12 05 27, E-mail: cedric.leger@cnasea.fr).

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Responsible at Law: William Van Dingenen - Editor in Chief: Isabelle Mirambet - Editors: Monique Braem, Stephen Gardner, Wendy Jones, Eirini Nikolaïdou.