Agenda cultuurraad: het Cultuur 2007-programma, Europees burgerschap (en)
The EU "Education, Youth Affairs and Culture" Council will meet on May 18-19, 2006 in Brussels. The Commission will be represented by Mr. Jàn Figel, Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Multilingualism. On the audiovisual and media part of this council, please see MEMO/06/207
Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and the Council establishing the Culture 2007 programme (2007-2013)
Background
The proposal adopted by the Commission in July 2004 integrates the two current programmes (Culture 2000 and support to cultural bodies) into one single programme. It aims at replacing the current Community support measures, which run until 31 December 2006. It will seek to promote multilateral cooperation within Europe as well as contribute to the bottom-up development of a European identity.
With a budget of 400 millions euros, it will pursue three main objectives: the trans-national mobility of people working in the cultural sector, the trans-national circulation of works of art as well as of artistic and cultural products and intercultural dialogue.
To achieve this, it will implement the following measures: 1) Support for cultural actions (Multi-annual cooperation projects, Cooperation measures and special measures), 2) Support for bodies active at European level in the field of culture and 3) Support for analyses and the collection and dissemination of information and for activities maximising the impacts of projects in the field of cultural cooperation and European cultural policy development.
In November 2005, the "Culture" Council reached unanimously a partial political agreement, excluding the budgetary provisions of the proposal in the absence of an overall decision on the financial perspectives. The Parliament's opinion at first reading was adopted on 25 October 2005.
At this Council
During the Council meeting, the Commission will orally present its modified proposal.
European Capital of Culture - Nomination of 2 members of the selection panel by the Council
Background
Each year, the Commission has to convene a panel to assess the proposals of cities for the ECOC title. In spring 2007, the Commission will manage the selection panel for the 2011 title. This panel is composed of 7 leading figures from the cultural sector: 2 are appointed by the Council, 2 by the EP, 2 by the Commission and 1 by the Committee of the Regions.
Proposal for Decision of the European Parliament and the Council concerning the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue (2008)
Background
On 5th October 2005, the Commission adopted the proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and the Council concerning the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue (2008). The Year aims at promoting intercultural dialogue as an instrument enabling European citizens and all those living permanently or temporarily in the European Union to obtain knowledge, qualifications and aptitudes in order to deal with a more open, but also more complex environment.
According to the initial proposal, the budget foreseen is €10 million, to be divided into three types of action: an information campaign, surveys and studies to which 51% of the overall budget should be allocated; a few emblematic events at Community level that would benefit from 24% of the overall budget; and events organised at the national level which would receive 25% of the overall budget.
The Commission's proposal has been examined in depth by the Cultural Affairs Committee of the Council. Major changes have been introduced in relation to the allocation of budget. The Presidency submitted a compromise text on the overall budget of €10 million stating that 40% would be allocated to the area of communication and studies; 30% to co-financing actions at EC level, and 30% to co-financing actions at national level.
In the European Parliament, Mrs Hennicot-Schoepges' report was adopted during the meeting of the CULT committee on 27th April. However, the vote in the plenary will take place on 31st of May.
At this Council
Waiting for the opinion of the European Parliament, the Council will adopt a general approach endorsing the Presidency compromise on allocation of resources .
The Commission welcomes the work so far in the Council and will adopt a modified proposal after the European Parliament has adopted its opinion.
Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and the Council establishing for the period 2007-2013 the programme "Citizens for Europe" to promote active European citizenship
Background
The proposal adopted by the Commission in April 2005 intends to ensure continuity to the citizenship programme, which runs until 2006, and to open the way to new activities, involving citizens directly. This programme is particularly important for bringing Europe closer to its citizens and makes a concrete contribution to the Commission's "Plan D" for Democracy, Dialogue and Debate adopted in autumn 2005
The opinion of the European Parliament at first reading was adopted on 5th April 2006.
In the light of the Inter-institutional Agreement on the financial perspectives 2007-2013 (signed on 17 May), the Presidency submitted a compromise on the overall budget of 215 million € (indexed prices, including administrative costs). An indicative breakdown among the different actions of the programme was also submitted.
At this Council
The Commission underlines the importance of rapidly reaching an agreement. The aim is that the decision is taken on time so that the programme can be implemented, as foreseen, in January 2007.
In order to contribute actively to these efforts, the Commission will present orally its amended proposal at the Council. The amended proposal, with the new programme name "Europe for citizens", would mainly integrate the Presidency compromise. However, Commission support for a political agreement at the Council will depend on the outcome of the debates.
Proposition de Décision du Conseil relative à la conclusion de la Convention de l'UNESCO sur la protection et la promotion de la diversité des expressions culturelles
Background
Le 20 octobre la Conférence générale de l'Unesco a adopté un projet de « Convention sur la protection et la promotion de la diversité des expressions culturelles ». L'adoption de ce texte a constitué une première en droit international. Elle légitime les politiques culturelles et encourage la coopération internationale, tout en donnant naissance au premier pilier de gouvernance mondiale en matière de diversité culturelle. La Convention permet en outre d'affirmer la nature double (culturelle et économique) des biens et services culturels.
La Commission a lancé la procédure de ratification communautaire le 21 décembre 2005 en adoptant une proposition de Décision du Conseil relative à la conclusion de la Convention. Les Etats membres ont été également invités à lancer leur procédure de ratification au niveau national.
La Commission souligne l'importance pour la Communauté et ses Etats membres de ratifier cette Convention dans les meilleurs délais - et notamment d'être parmi les 30 premières ratifications qui permettront l'entrée en vigueur de la Convention - et de faire en sorte que la ratification reflète la diversité et l'étendue du soutien apporté à ce texte lors de l'adoption. Il est en effet important d'assurer sa mise en ouvre dans les meilleurs délais.
La Convention est ouverte à la ratification depuis son adoption, et à ce jour deux Parties l'ont ratifiée: le Canada et l'Ile Maurice.
Lors de ce Conseil
La proposition de décision est soumise au Conseil pour adoption.
A un stade ultérieur, la Commission présentera au Conseil une proposition de Code de conduite entre le Conseil, les Etats membres et la Commission sur les modalités de coordination aux fins de la mise en oeuvre de la Convention. La Commission compte présenter cette proposition sous Présidence finlandaise.
Strengthening the European creative industries: a contribution to growth and employment
Background
This point will address the important role played by the European creative industries in promoting growth and employment, an issue dealt with by both DG INFSO ("i2010 - A European Information Society for growth and employment" communication) and DG EAC (study on the cultural economy in Europe).
At this Council
The purpose of this point is to present the Presidency conclusions on work in this area and to have an exchange of views. The Commission will recall that the Commission is currently carrying out an extensive study in order to monitor the contribution of the cultural sector - including the creative industries - to the Lisbon Agenda for growth and jobs. The Commission will also announce the preparation of a Communication on the role of culture in the European Union to be adopted in 2007. A consultation process shall be launched on this issue with Member States and all stakeholders.
Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council: The European Indicator of Language Competence
Background
The aim is to establish a European Indicator of Language Competence to measure progress made in language teaching to young European citizens. The European Indicator of Language Competence can be an important tool for assessing both the current distribution of linguistic skills and the progress made in improving language teaching. It will allow Member States to identify best practice which can be `exported' from one country to another.
In 2002, the Barcelona European Council invited the Commission to work on this. In August 2005, the Commission published a Communication to the European Parliament and the Council proposing a definition for the indicator and a plan for further work.
The European Parliament recently approved a report encouraging the Commission to go ahead and Member States to support implementation of the indicator. The Education Council will now discuss the Conclusions proposed by the Austrian Presidency, inviting the Commission to start analysing technical issues with the help of an Advisory Board and to report back by the end of the year.
At this Council
The Austrian Presidency is expected to reach a compromise on this issue and should invite the Commission to proceed with the detailed definition of the indicator.
Proposal for a Recommendation of the European Parliament and the Council on Key Competences for Lifelong Learning - General approach
Background
The Recommendation calls for Member States to ensure that all young people are given the possibility to develop a package of eight key competences by the end of their initial education and training, and that specific attention is paid to disadvantaged learners. In order to enable all adults to learn, maintain and update their key competences, the Recommendation calls for comprehensive infrastructures and coherent strategies to be developed in collaboration with social partners and other stakeholders.
In November 2005, the Commission adopted a proposal for a Recommendation of the European Parliament and the Council. This follows the request for a European framework for basic skills to be provided through lifelong learning that was originally made in the conclusions to the European Council in Lisbon in 2000. The proposal is one of the concrete outcomes of the Education and Training 2010 work programme and aims to encourage national reforms by providing, for the first time at the European level, a reference tool on key competences that all citizens should have for a successful life in a knowledge society.
At this Council
Following a detailed examination within the relevant Council body, and subject only to two parliamentary scrutiny reservations (DK, UK), there is a unanimous agreement of the text, and the Council is invited to endorse the general approach, pending examination by the European Parliament.
European Quality Charter for Mobility: Proposal for a Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council on transnational mobility within the Community for education and training purposes: - COM/2005/450
Background
Trans-national mobility for learning purposes is an essential tool for acquiring the personal skills and attitudes required for employability and citizenship in the 21st century. It increases labour market mobility, and leads to a better exploitation of educational resources in Europe. The European Quality Charter for Mobility aims to improve the quality of mobility for learning purposes, and would be expected to lead to greater worker and researcher mobility in the EU, thus contributing directly to the objective of making Europe the world's most competitive, knowledge-based economy.
At this Council
The Commission will recommend that the European Parliament and the Council approve the Charter (i.e. the whole Recommendation) in one reading.
Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an integrated action programme in the field of lifelong learning - exchange of views on the financial aspects
Background
The proposal adopted by the Commission in July 2004 is to integrate, for the period 2007-2013, a number of current programmes in education and training (centrally Socrates which includes Erasmus [universities], Comenius [schools] and Grundtvig [adult education], and Leonardo da Vinci [vocational education and training]) into one single integrated programme which aims at replacing the current Community support measures, which run until 31 December 2006. In November 2005, the "Education" Council unanimously reached a partial political agreement that excluded the budgetary provisions of the proposal, in the absence of an overall decision on the financial perspectives. The Parliament's First Reading opinion was adopted on 25 October.
In the light of the Inter-institutional Agreement on the financial perspectives 2007-2013 (signed on 17 May), the budget for the Lifelong Learning Programme was set at €6,970 million (€6,200 million in 2004 prices).
The Commission will on 24 May adopt a revised proposal for the Decision of the Parliament and of the Council establishing the new programme. The aim is that the Decision should be adopted before the end of 2006 following agreement on a Common Position in the Council and Second Reading in the Parliament.
At this Council
Ministers will have an exchange of views on the priorities for spending within the budget envelope set in the Inter-institutional Agreement, in order to prepare the Council's response to the Commission's revised proposal.
Review of the EU Sustainable Development Strategy - Policy debate on the contribution of education to sustainable development
Background
Sustainable development is the overarching long term goal of the European Union set out in the Treaty. Europe faces the challenge of maintaining the momentum of economic development that mutually reinforces economic growth, social welfare and environment protection. The Review gives much higher visibility to education, and the Commission Communication has been strongly endorsed by the Austrian presidency and by the Member States at the Education Committee.
The principles and objectives of sustainable development - economic prosperity, social equity, environment protection and international responsibilities - were reaffirmed by the European Council in June 2005 when they adopted guiding principles for sustainable development and formed part of the discussions of European Heads of State and Government at Hampton Court in October 2005. More recently, on 27.2.2006, the Commission approved a Communication to the Council and the European Parliament on the Review of the Sustainable Development Strategy _ A platform for action.
At this Council
It will be suggested that education for sustainable development should make specific use of the EU's Education &Training 2010 work programme, in particular, through developing the role of education and training systems as agents of innovation and change, also by interacting with the higher education section.
The Commission is open to study practical ways of pursuing this matter further, as education is undoubtedly a key factor in this domain.
Any other business: European credit accumulation and transfer system for vocational education and training (ECVET)
Background
ECVET is a European credit transfer system for vocational education and training. It is intended for individuals who, throughout their learning pathways and mobility, want to accumulate learning outcomes to obtain a qualification, or to transfer their learning achievements between qualifications, between vocational education and training systems and between countries.
The Commission was set the task of developing an ECVET system following the Council Resolution of 12 November 2002 and the Copenhagen Declaration of 30 November 2002. The initiative was given renewed impetus in the Maastricht Communiqué (14 December 2004), which stressed that priority be given to "the development and implementation of the ECVET in order to allow learners to build upon the achievements resulting from their learning pathways when moving between learning systems".
ECVET is linked to the European Qualification Framework (EQF). It will be a European decentralised system based on the voluntary participation of Member States and of the respective VET stakeholders or providers in accordance with national legislation and regulations.
It is the Commission's intention to propose a draft legal instrument on ECVET (recommendation or decision) before the end of 2007.
At this Council
The Commission is informing the Council about the launch of a wide-ranging consultation on the establishment of ECVET that will take place between 15 September 2006 and 15 March 2007. Countries will be invited to organise their own national consultations, in which all the competent bodies, including education, vocational training and employment ministries, social partners and professional bodies, are expected to take part.