Consulting young people more effectively – a strategic objective for the EU
The French poet Louis Aragon once said, “Women are the future of mankind”. Paraphrasing him, we might add that “young people are the future of Europe”. But between this lofty proposition and its realisation in concrete terms there is a huge gap – as recognised by the European Commission in its Communication of 30 May 2005 on youth policies. See http://www.europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/631&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
Indeed, in the above-mentioned document, the Commission notes that “unemployment among young people is more than double the overall unemployment rate in Europe” and that “young people as a group are particularly at risk of poverty”. And yet – adds the Commission – young people are “the future source of the research capabilities, innovation and entrepreneurship that Europe needs to succeed”. The Commission’s Communication sets out a number of guidelines for action, including measures to integrate the “youth dimension” in European and national employment policies more effectively and to achieve a greater involvement of young people in the “political process”. To this end, the Commission is planning to launch a broad consultation process on youth policy, beginning with an Internet consultation this summer, and culminating in a youth event/conference (“Youth takes the floor”) at the end of 2005.
Without wishing to dampen anyone’s optimism, we should perhaps note here that, according to the most recent European surveys, only about one-third of the European population has access to the Internet. Placing too much emphasis on electronic communications could therefore prevent the most disadvantaged groups of young people (i.e. those that the Commission wishes to help as a matter of priority) from inputting their opinions, given that the above-mentioned European surveys also show that Internet access is significantly lower among the most disadvantaged social categories.
News from the institutions
A rural development policy for 2007-2013
While the heated discussions on the Common agricultural policy made the headlines during the last European summit, the Agriculture Council reached a unanimous agreement on 20 June, on a new Regulation providing support for rural development for the next programming period (2007-2013).
The main features of the new rural development policy are: one funding and programming instrument, the European Agriculture Rural Development Fund (EARDF); a new strategic approach for rural development with clear focus on EU priorities; reinforced control, evaluation and reporting and a clearer division of responsibilities between Member States and Commission; a strengthened bottom-up approach, with Member States, regions and local action groups having more say in attuning programmes to local needs. The four main objectives are:
- Axis 1: Improving competitiveness of farming and forestry (i.e. fostering human capital by providing training and advice to farmers and foresters, improving and developing infrastructure related to the development and adaptation of agriculture and forestry, support for semi-subsistence farmers in new Member States). A minimum of 10% of the national envelope has to be spent on Axis 1.
- Axis 2: Environment and countryside (i.e. natural handicap payments to farmers in mountain areas, NATURA 2000 payments, agri-environment measures). A minimum of 25% of the national envelope has to be spent on Axis 2.
- Axis 3: Improving quality of life and diversification of the rural economy (i.e. diversification to non agricultural activities, support for the creation of micro enterprises, encouragement of tourism, village renewal). A minimum of 10% of the national envelope has to be spent on Axis 3.
- Axis 4: the LEADER approach (implementation of bottom-up local development strategies of local action groups). A minimum of 5% of national programme funding is reserved for LEADER.
While an agreement on the Financial perspectives is still pending, the budget proposed for 2007-2013 amounts to 88.75 billions euros. Read the press release: http://ue.eu.int/ueDocs/cms_Data/docs/pressData/fr/agricult/85389.pdf.
New procedure to select European Capitals of Culture
On 30 May 2005, the Commission adopted a proposal aimed at “improving the designation process of the European Capitals of Culture” (ECOC). The proposal encourages Member States to organise competitions at national level between cities which would be interested in having the title. The new procedure would involve establishing a “mixed” selection panel comprising experts appointed by the European institutions and the Member States concerned. The Commission also proposes establishing a “European monitoring panel” (composed of the experts appointed by the European institutions) f or the period after the designation of the ECOC until the start of the event. The panel would provide the cities concerned with support and advice to develop their programmes, focusing on the latter’s European dimension and contributing, wherever necessary, to ensuring “European added-value” . Furthermore, the Commission’s proposal defines the criteria that must be met by the cities’ actions, again based on the key concept of European added value. The proposal could become effective in 2007. The current chronological list of Member States (two per year) entitled to nominate a “European Capital of Culture” in the period 2009-2019 will not be modified. To find out more about the new procedure, visit: http://europa.eu.int/comm/culture/eac/other_actions/cap_europ/cap_eu_en.html.
European Railway Agency becomes operational in Valenciennes
Two years on from the announcement that its headquarters would be located in Valenciennes, the European Railway Agency was officially inaugurated on 16 June 2005. The Agency’s remit is to develop standards and guidelines for the establishment of a genuinely integrated European railway area. It will focus, in particular, on the safety and interoperability of railways in Europe , enabling trains to retain the same operator, crew and locomotive when crossing certain borders where this is not possible at present. The Agency has a budget of €13 million and will employ some 100 operatives by mid-2006. In his inauguration speech, the European Commissioner responsible for Transport, Frenchman Jacques Barrot, underlined the expected benefits – in both economic and environmental terms – of regulated competition and an integrated and competitive European railway area. However, the opening of railway freight traffic to competition (following a decision taken in 2003) is far from being a unanimously accepted policy. Thus, for example, three days before the Agency opened for business, rail workers unions blocked the first private freight company that tried to operate in France. The unions are concerned about possible job losses and are demanding guarantees against social dumping as well as in the area of safety. It was only at the end of four hours – following a forceful intervention by the “gendarmerie” – that the train was able to travel the 180-kilometre stretch from the Dugny chalk furnaces, in the Meuse region ( France) to the steelworks of the German group Saarstahl, in the Saar region ( Germany). As a reminder, the complete liberalisation of international rail transport in the UE is planned for 2010. For comprehensive information on EU railway policy, visit: http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/rail/index_en.html.
News from the networks
Amnesty International highlights the human cost of "Fortress Europe"
European Union countries are increasingly violating their international obligations on asylum according to three reports released simultaneously on 20 June 2005 by Amnesty International to mark World Refugee Day. The reports, covering a range of issues relating to the detention and expulsion of people seeking asylum in the United Kingdom, Spain and Italy, show up the terrible human cost of “Fortress Europe”. Amnesty International has also published an open letter to the incoming UK Presidency of the European Union with a series of recommendations on how the EU’s Common European Asylum System should be improved to ensure that the sort of human rights violations outlined in these reports are not tolerated by any EU country. For additional information visit: http://www. amnesty-eu.org
For its part, the European Commission has praised the functioning of EURODAC, the EU-wide fingerprint database for the comparison of fingerprints of asylum seekers and illegal entrants. The Commission believes that EURODAC has “confirmed its role as a key asylum management tool for the EU”. In 2004, EURODAC successfully processed 232,205 fingerprints of asylum seekers, 16,183 fingerprints of people crossing the borders irregularly and 39,550 fingerprints of people apprehended while illegally on the territory of a Member State. Figures show that, in 2004, the number of asylum applications decreased while the number of registered irregular entrants rose. To find out more, read MEMO/05/214 on RAPID.
Funding opportunities
Consumer policy
The European Commission has published a call for proposals concerning specific projects to implement the objectives of consumer policy. Budget: €2.5 million. Deadline for applications: 16 September 2005. For more information, visit: http://europa.eu.int/comm/consumers/tenders/information/grants/projects_en.htm.
Mobility of researchers
The Commission is calling for proposals for human resource and mobility activities, under the Marie Curie research training networks. Deadline: 28 September 2005 . For more information, contact: European Commission, FP6 Information Desk, Directorate General RTD, B-1049 Brussels, website: http://www.cordis.lu/fp6 . OJ C147 of 17 June 2005.
Science and society
The European Commission is calling for funding applications for research and development projects, under the sixth framework programme (FP6) for research and development. The new call covers the following topics:
- Science and society: risk governance and ethics (FP6-2005-Science-and society-14);
- Science and society: science communication (FP6-2005-Science-and-society-15); and
- Science and society: women and science (FP6-2005-Science-and-society-17).
Proposals should involve three organisations in the case of coordination actions, or one organisation only in the case of specific support actions. The closing date for proposals in all three areas is 25 October 2005. For more information, contact: European Commission, FP6 Information Desk, Directorate General RTD, B-1049 Brussels, website: http://www.cordis.lu/fp6 . OJ C 145 of 15 June 2005.
LIFE 2005-2006
The call for proposals for LIFE 2005-2006 has been published in the Official Journal of the European Communities. The closing dates are as follows:
- LIFE-Nature projects (projects aimed at the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora of Community and international interest): 30 September 2005; projects will then be submitted by the national authorities to the Commission at the latest by 30 November 2005;
- LIFE-Environment Demonstration projects (development of innovative and integrated techniques and methods; integration of environmental and sustainable development considerations into land-use development and planning; sustainable management of ground and surface water; development of clean technologies and environmentally-friendly products): 30 September 2005; projects will then be submitted by the national authorities to the Commission at the latest by 30 November 2005.
- LIFE Environment Preparatory Project : Proposals should be sent directly to the Commission by 30 November 200 5 (rather than 30 September, as previously announced);
- LIFE Third Countries projects : 31 October 2005; p rojects will then be submitted by the national authorities to the Commission at the latest by 30 November 2005 .
The application forms and all necessary information will be made available progressively on: http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/life/funding/index.htm.
Coming events
7 July 2005, Paris (FR)
A conference-debate entitled “Vers un cinéma européen?” (Towards a European cinema?) has been organised by the association “Confrontations Europe” in partnership with Arte, Laser, “Les Rencontres” and the City of Paris. Three round tables will be held on the following themes: “What can we learn from history?”; “Is there a wish for a European cinema?”; “Aesthetics, themes and projects”. To obtain more information and/or register, contact: Confrontations Europe, 41 rue Emile-Zola, F-93107 Montreuil Cedex, Tel. +33 1 49 88 11 94, Fax : +33 1 49 88 11 84, E-mail: confrontations@wanadoo.fr, Website: http://www.confrontations.org.
19-21 September 2005, Houffalize (BE)
The 15 th Summer University on Rural Tourism takes on a European dimension this year with the theme “Focus on rural tourism in Europe”. For the programme, registration procedure and all relevant information to prepare for this event, visit: http://www.source.asso.fr. Contact person: Sylviane Piedallu, Communication Officer, Centre national de ressources du tourisme et du patrimoine rural, Enita, BP 35, F-63370 Lempdes. Tel. +33 4 73 98 13 16, Fax: +33 4 73 98 13 68, Website: http://www.source.asso.fr.
2-5 October 2005, Rome (IT)
How are the historical values of our cities standing up to the needs of current urban development and how will these values determine the future of our cities? This is the main question that will be addressed by the 49 th IFHP World Congress in Rome. Entitled “Urban futures: continuities and discontinuities”, the main conference will be held in English, German, French and Italian. The working language during the parallel sessions will be English. For more information, visit: http://www.ifhp2005rome.it. Contact person: Joke Bierhuys, IFHP Congress Coordinator, 43 Wassernaarweg, NL-2596 CG The Hague, Fax: +31 70 3282085. Registration fee: €160-€780 (until 30 June); €190- €880 (after 30 June).
Publications
What scorching weather!
The European Commission’s Directorate-General for the Environment has recently published “What scorching weather!”, a small illustrated booklet for children. This time, Tom is directly confronted by the harmful effects of climate change when Lila the fox puts her life at risk to save her cubs from a fire that has broken out in the forest. Available in all EU official languages, this little story is a great way to make children aware of the kinds of problems associated with climate change. To consult the publication in electronic format (in English only), visit: http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/youth/index_en.html. If you wish to obtain a hard-copy version of the booklet, contact: European Commission, DG Environment, Information Centre (BU-9 0/11), B-1049 Brussels, Fax: +32 2 299 61 98, E-mail: env-pubs@cec.eu.int.
Evaluation of the Structural Funds’ contribution to the Lisbon Strategy
A newly published study evaluates the contribution of the current generation of Structural Funds programmes to the Lisbon Strategy in the EU-15. Conducted by the Danish Technological Institute on behalf of the Directorate-General for Regional Policy, the study identifies “the synergies and complementarities between the Structural Funds and the Lisbon Agenda ” , suggesting how these synergies and complementarities can be promoted at regional level. To download the study, go to: http://europa.eu.int/comm/regi onal_policy/sources/docgener/studies/pdf/lisbon2005.pdf
An information service for French associations
The “Agence de Valorisation des Initiatives Socio-Economiques” (Agency for the valorisation of socio-economic initiatives – AVISE) has announced the launch of a free telephone information service intended for associations in France. If you have any questions on:
- the “Sociétés Coopératives d’Intérêt Collectif” (Public interest cooperative societies – SCIC);
- the European Structural Funds, including the European Social Fund (ESF);
- or the “Dispositif Local d’Accompagnement” (Local support system – DLA),
you can now phone +33 2 38 79 97 27 or write an e-mail to: info@avise.org. To find out more about the service, contact: Farbod Khansari, European Affairs Officer, AVISE, 37 Rue Bergère, F-75009 Paris, Tel. +33 1 53 25 02 25, Fax: +33 1 53 25 02 20, Website: http://www.avise.org.
Announcements
Recruitment of contract agents by the European Institutions
The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO), on behalf of the European Institutions and of the Commission and the Council in particular, has launched a call for expressions of interest to constitute a database of candidates to be recruited as contract agents carrying out various tasks within the European Institutions . Closing date for applications: 20 July 2005. For more information, visit: http://europa.eu.int/epso/contract-agents/call-for-interest_en.htm.
