Warsaw summit redefines mandate of Council of Europe

The third summit of the Council of Europe took place in Warsaw on 16 and 17 May 2005 with the aim of redefining the mandate of the pan-European organisation. The action plan adopted at the summit is geared to three main objectives:

1) Promoting human rights, the rule of law and democracy. The action plan provides for member States to take measures at national level in order to: verify the compatibility of legislation and administrative practice with the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights; improve the effectiveness of domestic remedies for anyone with an arguable complaint; ensure adequate training in Convention standards (launch of a European programme for human rights education for legal professionals), etc.

2) Strengthening the security of European citizens: this chapter includes combating terrorism, corruption, organised crime, trafficking in human beings, violence against women and cybercrime as well as promoting ethics in biomedicine and sustainable development.

3) Building a more humane and inclusive Europe: The Committee of Ministers has been instructed to appoint a high-level taskforce to review the Council of Europe’s strategy for promoting social cohesion. The Heads of State and Government have also confirmed their commitment to: combat all kinds of exclusion and insecurity of the Roma communities in Europe; promote the rights of the child and combat any form of violence against children (with the launch of a three-year action programme); enhance all opportunities for the training of educators in the fields of education for democratic citizenship, human rights, and history and intercultural education; promote youth mobility; promote cultural diversity and artistic creativity; foster intercultural dialogue; promote sport; and pursue – in cooperation with the EU – the actions aimed at managing migration.

To read the summit’s final declaration, visit: http://www.coe.int/t/dcr/summit/20050517_decl_varsovie_fr.asp

 

News from the institutions

High levels of life satisfaction in Spain

A new survey from the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions was presented to the Spanish government, social partners and NGOs in Madrid on 26 and 27 April, revealing that, in Spain, levels of satisfaction with life and optimism about the future are somewhat higher than the European average. Despite this, the report, the European Quality of Life Survey (EQLS) found some economic deprivation and hardship in Spain, especially amongst women and older people, reflecting their slightly lower household income levels in comparison with other former EU15 Member States. Older people in Spain tend to be less satisfied and are markedly less optimistic about the future than the EU average.

The findings also show that that tension between men and women in Spain is higher than average: 17% of Spanish men report a lot of tension compared to the EU25 average of 10%, while 22% of Spanish women say this compared to the EU25 average of 13%. Spain is also the country in the EU15 where the highest proportion of both men and women report work-life problems. Nearly half of Spanish women report that several times a week they are too tired to carry out household tasks after they come home from work, compared with a quarter of women in the former EU15. The corresponding figures are 35% for Spanish men and 21% for men on average in the EU15 countries.

The EQLS report also demonstrates that more Spanish women workers fear losing their jobs in the coming six months than overall in the EU15 countries and that Spain is the only country in which more than twice as many women as men fear this.

For more information on quality of life research from the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, go to: http://www.eurofound.eu.int/newsroom/presspack/qual_life/index.htm

2004 saw a 53% rise in the number of complaints against the European institutions

On 10 May, the European Ombudsman, P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, presented his Annual Report for 2004 to the Committee on Petitions of the European Parliament. The report indicates that there has been an unprecedented rise in the number of complaints lodged by citizens: +53% (of which 27% from the new Member states) in comparison with the previous year. This figure reflects the fact that more citizens are aware of the existence of the Ombudsman’s service and of the procedures for seeking redress. It is also indicative of the greater effort made by EU institutions to provide information in this area. In spite of the increase in the number of complaints, Mr Diamandouros, who toured all the EU countries, found that citizens feel they are receiving effective support to exercise their rights and recognise the positive results obtained through mediation. In almost 70% of the cases handled, the Ombudsman helped the complainant by opening an inquiry into the case, referring it to a competent body or giving advice on where to turn for a prompt and effective solution to the problem. For their part, the relevant institutions settled bills and paid interest, released documents, provided explanations, remedied injustices and/or apologised for mistakes. On 25 May the Ombudsman will be meeting representatives of the European Commission, his main institutional interlocutor, given that more than 70% of complaints concern the EC. To find out more, read Press Release EO/05/6, available on RAPID.

An additional €49 million allocated to Chernobyl Shelter Fund

At a donors’ meeting held in London on 12 May within the framework of a conference organised by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and attended by representatives of the European Commission, all G8 countries, Russia (which is contributing to the fund for the first time) and Ukraine, the European Commission announced that an additional €49 million would be allocated to the international Chernobyl Shelter Fund (CSF). This additional contribution from the Commission comes on top of more than €600 million already pledged to the fund by 28 donor governments in 1997 and 2000. With its new pledge, the Commission has now committed a total of €239.5 million for the Fund since 1997, thus becoming the main donor. In the context of the newly launched European Neighbourhood Policy, the Action Plan agreed with the Ukraine in 2004 includes, as an important priority, the objective of closing the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, in compliance with the internationally accepted nuclear safety standards. As a reminder, the CSF is managed by the EBRD and was established in 1997 to fund the Shelter Implementation Plan (SIP) at Chernobyl. The principal aim of the plan, which was developed collaboratively by the EU, the United States and the Ukraine, is to convert Chernobyl’s Reactor 4, destroyed by the accident, into an environmentally-safe site. The project – estimated to cost $1,091 million – will be completed by 2008-2009. For more information, read Press Release IP/05/556 on RAPID.

 

News from the networks

Christian Aid calls for a change in development policies

Development aid is often linked to economic liberalisation. But the effects of liberalisation can be catastrophic. In a report entitled “The damage done: Aid, death and dogma”, UK-based NGO Christian Aid strongly criticises the results of certain development aid policies and calls on the British Government – which is making ready to take over the presidency of the EU as well as the chair of the G8 – not to endorse such policies in future.

The report shows in stark detail the damage that is done to deprived people when the dogma of so-called “free” trade is pursued uncompromisingly in the name of poverty relief. The privatisation programme implemented in the Indian State of Andhra Pradesh plunged the rural economy into a crisis, as a result of which more than 4,000 ruined farmers committed suicide. This “development aid” programme was supported by the British Government. The report also shows how democratic institutions in Ghana have been subverted by the demands of the doctrinaire free market policies advocated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In Jamaica, increasing numbers of women have been driven to prostitution by a continuing round of liberalisation that has wrecked their employment opportunities.

Christian Aid urges the British Government to bar UK aid from being tied to policies of liberalisation or privatisation, and to act in this direction at national and international level, particularly at the forthcoming G8 summit, which will be held in Scotland in July this year. In the European context, Christina Aid calls for any phasing out of trade preferences to be done in a way that minimises the harm to poor countries and provides them with maximum time to adjust. It also calls for at least €500 million in compensation to be provided for ACP countries which are dependent on sugar production so as to allow them to diversify into other industries. For further information, visit: http://www.christianaid.org.uk

 

Funding opportunities

Purchase of external services to support the Commission

The DG for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities has recently launched a call for tenders concerning the purchase of external services to assist the Commission. The aim of these services is to provide a web-based tool to support the exchange of relevant information between the Commission and actors engaged in Local Employment Development (LED) initiatives as well as between those actors themselves. The total amount available is €600,000. Deadline for submission of applications: 20 June 2005. Contact: European Commission, DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Rue de Genève 1, B-1049 Brussels. Call VT/2005/038 http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_soci al/calls /2005/vt_2005_038/tender_en.htm

Flash Eurobarometer surveys

The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Press and Communication has published a contract notice entitled “Flash Eurobarometer surveys”, the aim being to conduct opinion polls among the general public on EU-related matters. Contract duration: one-year. The contract may be renewed three times at most (maximum term: four years) and the budget for each year is up to €9,500,000. Deadline for submission of applications: 21 June 2005. For more information, contact: European Commission, DG for Press and Communication, Unit PRESS/B/1, Attn: Mr Antonis Papacostas, B-1049 Brussels, Tel. +32 2 295 99 67, Fax: +32 2 296 17 49, E-mail: PRESS-B-1@cec.eu.int. OJ 2005/S 66-63203 of 05/04/2005.

Technical assistance for the URBACT website

The Interministerial Delegation for Urban Affairs – URBACT Secretariat has launched a call for tenders concerning “Technical assistance services to the URBACT Secretariat, linked to the URBACT website and the data processing tool URBACT-PRESAGE”. The areas of the contract are the “Recuperation, management and progressive maintenance of the URBACT site” ( www.ur ba ct.org), “Webmastering, evolutions and maintenance of the data processing tool URBACT-PRESAGE” and “Hosting, database and hosting support and sub-editing secretariat for the website”. Deadline for submission of applications: 20 June. For more information, contact: Mira Guhring, DIV – URBACT, 194, Avenue du Président Wilson, F–93 217 Saint Denis la plaine cedex, Tel. +33 1 49 17 45 81, Fax: +33 1 49 17 45 55, E-mail: info@urbact.org

E-inclusion: analysis and approaches for improvement

The Information Society DG of the European Commission has published a call for tenders concerning a study on the “status of e-inclusion measurement, analysis and approaches for improvement”. The aim of the call is to produce a study consisting of a series of reports that will – among other results – review and analyse initiatives on, and relevant to, e-inclusion and “ICT for participation”. The total indicative amount of the budget is €300,000. The closing date for submission of applications is 6 June 2005. For more information, contact: Mr Frans de Bruïne, European Commission, Directorate-General Information Society/Directorate C — Lisbon Strategy and Policies for the Information Society/Unit C1 — Lisbon Strategy and eEurope (BU 33 2/05), B-1049 Brussels. Tel. +32 2 295 29 18, Fax: +32 2 296 17 80, E-mail: Miguel.Gonzales-Sancho-Bodero@cec.eu.int, Website: http://europa.eu.int/information_society/eeurope/2005/index_en.htm. OJ 2005/S 82-079127 of 27/04/2005.

 

Forthcoming events

2-3 June 2005, Trier (DE)

The Academy of European Law (ERA) will be holding a conference on “Litigating Fundamental Rights in the European Union” in the town of Trier on 2-3 June. Participants will evaluate the effectiveness of the Community system of judicial remedies in protecting the fundamental rights of individuals and will critically examine the various mechanisms by which such rights may be enforced by the individual litigant. The event will be held in English, French and German. Registration fee: €300 (Special fee for judges: €100). For more information, contact: Ute Beissel, Tel. +49 651 93 73 731, Fax: +49 651 93 73 790, Website: www. era.int, E-mail: rcrowe@era.int

9 and 10 June 2005, Maastricht (NL)

The European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA) is organising a seminar entitled « The Making of Environmental Policies in Brussels: Working Groups, Negotiations, Current Agendas » on 9 and 10 June in Maastricht. This seminar will provide information on today’s agenda as well as on the role of procedures, institutions and working groups and committees. It will answer questions such as how we can understand and influence the decision-making process in the environmental field, what features are relevant for our own work or how directives are negotiated in the working groups of the Council. This event, which will be conducted in English, is designed for officials working in national and regional administrations or NGOs, as well as academics that deal with or monitor EU environmental policy. The participation fee is EUR 600. The registration form, available on-line at http://www.eipa.nl/default.htm, must be returned before 23 May. For more information, contact Ms Winny Curfs, Programme Organiser, T: +31 43 3296320, F: +31 43 3296296, e-mail: w.curfs@eipa-nl.com

13-14 June 2005, Lille (FR)

The Nord de Calais Region, in partnership with Eris@ (European Region Information Society Association), will be holding its annual IANIS+ conference (Innovative Actions Network for Information Society) in Lille on 13-14 June on the theme “Building Competitive Regions: The Role of Innovation and ICTs in Transformation, Competitiveness, Employment and Cohesion”. The conference will enable European, national and regional policy decision-makers to discuss developments in the ICT sector among themselves as well as with researchers, academics and representatives of EU institutions. The debates will be translated simultaneously into French, English, German and Italian. The deadline for registration (free of charge) is 31 May 2005. For more information, visit: http://www.ia nis.net/lille2005

 

Publications

“New faces – A guide to who’s who in the EU”

After the accession of 10 new member states in the EU in May 2004 and the designation of a new college of European Commissioners in November 2004, a publication was needed that would identify the key personalities and players in the new EU. This is the reason why the Local Government International Bureau (LGIB) has recently published “New faces – A guide to who’s who in the EU”. This 33-page publication, available in English only, can help you work better to influence the future direction of the Union. You can download it for free at: http://www.lgib.gov.uk/publications/pdf/New_faces_web.pdf

“Looking beyond tomorrow: Scientific research in the European Union”

As part of its “Europe on the Move” series, the European Commission has published a new booklet entitled “Looking beyond tomorrow: Scientific research in the European Union”. The aim of this publication is to explain the strategy followed by the EU in the field of research with the aim of becoming the most dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world by the year 2010. Among the topics covered are “The EU’s expanding role in research”, “Creating the European research area”, “The information society and nanotechnologies” and the Sixth Framework Programme. The booklet can be downloaded in 11 languages from: http://europa.eu.int/comm/publications/booklets/move/48/index_en.htm

Project database

The South West UK Brussels Office has a website including significant examples of projects financed by the European Union. The projects cover the following areas: Cohesion policy and Structural Funds; transport; education and training; employment and social affairs; energy; enlargement; agriculture and rural development; the environment; enterprise and innovation; e-Europe; tourism and culture; fisheries; etc. For each project the website provides the following information: partners involved, duration, funding sources, description of the project, results, contact information and relevant links. Visit: http://www.southwestukbrusselsoffice.com/eu_projects_first_projects.htm

 

Partners search

GAL Etruria is looking for partners

The Local Action Group (LAG) Etruria is searching for international partners for a transnational cooperation project concerning the promotion of the cultural and natural resources of the Tuscany Arcipelago, Low Cornia Valley and Pisan Hills, through the realisation of an Internet portal on the Leader territory in the areas of Pisa and Livorno. During a first phase, virtual paths on cultural and natural subjects (such as museums, ecomuseums, mines, buildings, churches, etc) will be researched and reported on the web. Afterwards, all defined places will be visited and analysed so that they can be included in the website; finally, material on places and paths will be described. For more information, contact: D.ssa Federica Berselli, GAL Etruria, Via XXV Aprile, 7, IT-57034 Campo nell’Elba, e-mail: gal@galetruria.it or fberselli@tiscali.it, T: +39 0565 979114, Mobile: +39 339 1725675, F: +39 0565 979114.

 

 

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Responsible at Law: William Van Dingenen - Editor in Chief: Isabelle Mirambet - Editors: Monique Braem, Eirini Nikolaïdou, Verónica Catediano, Maylis Campbell.