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Joint Report on Social Protection and Social Inclusion 2006

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Joint Report on Social Protection and Social Inclusion 2006

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Employment and social policy > Social protection

Joint Report on Social Protection and Social Inclusion 2006

Document or Iniciative

Communication from the Commission, of 13 February 2006, to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions – Joint Report on Social Protection and Social Inclusion 2006 [COM (2006) 62 final – Official Journal C 67 of 18.03.2006].

Summary

The European Union (EU) and its social policies face major challenges in the medium to long term.

In the long run, the challenges of global competition, the impact of new technologies and an ageing population need to be addressed.

More immediate action is needed to boost sluggish growth, curb high rates of unemployment and reduce continuing inequalities.

Social protection and social inclusion: developments and reforms

After several years of stagnation, the percentage of GDP (28% in 2003) spent on social protection has now risen slightly.

Systems of cash transfers (other than pensions) account for 5% of GDP. In this area, reforms have been undertaken with a view to strengthening incentives to take up work. Benefits to support incomes for those making the transition to (low-paid) employment are also becoming more widespread. Social assistance is increasingly linked closely with social and employment services, thus achieving synergies and increasing efficiency. Moreover, notable reform efforts were made in relation to long-term sickness/invalidity schemes.

Spending on pensions, which averaged 13% of GDP in the EU in 2003, has ensured that being old is no longer associated with being poor or being dependent. Furthermore, in the light of population ageing and the increase in life expectancy in Europe, most Member States have undertaken reforms to ensure the adequacy, sustainability and modernisation of pensions. The National Strategy Reports which Member States submitted in 2005 show that these three objectives must be viewed together in order for the reforms to succeed. Member States have therefore adopted a three-pronged strategy based on:

reducing public debt;
higher employment rates among older people;
reforming pensions.

In 2003, spending on health care and long-term care averaged 8% of GDP. At present this area is directly affected by the consequences of ageing and the emergence of new technologies. In 2004 the Open Method of Coordination (MOC) was extended to include health care and long-term care, areas which continue to pose challenges in terms of supply, access and financial sustainability. In response to ever-growing demand, in order to guarantee access to health care for all and also to overcome the quantitative and qualitative gaps in supply, Member States have undertaken various reforms:

ensuring greater effectiveness and efficiency through reorganisation, prioritisation and the development of incentive structures for users and providers;
strengthening the role of health promotion and disease prevention policies;
systematic use of charges and co-payments as well as reductions in fees, targeted at disadvantaged groups;
promoting active lifestyles and healthy ageing;
developing indicators and setting quality standards, practice guidelines and accreditation systems;
involving patients;
promoting choice;
technological progress.

With regard to fighting poverty and exclusion, considerable progress has been made in several areas. However, like the economic situation, the picture remains mixed. Moreover, the review of the Lisbon Strategy revealed an implementation gap between what Member States committed to and the policy effort to implement them. There are eight problem areas in which action must be taken:

labour market participation, which is generally low;
modernisation of social protection systems;
disadvantages in education and training;
child poverty, which still persists;
assistance to families;
housing, an area where significant inequalities persist;
access to quality services;
integration of people with disabilities, ethnic minorities and immigrants.

Intervention was also necessary in light of the concentration of multiple disadvantages in certain urban and rural communities and among some groups (people with disabilities, migrants and ethnic minorities, homeless, ex-prisoners, addicts and older people).

Social protection and social inclusion: challenges

The Commission’s January 2006 Communication on a new framework for the OMC identifies four overarching challenges for social protection and inclusion policies:

to promote social cohesion and equal opportunities for all through adequate, accessible, financially sustainable, adaptable and efficient social protection systems and social inclusion policies;
to interact closely with the Lisbon objectives on achieving greater economic growth and more and better jobs and with the EU’s Sustainable Development Strategy;
to strengthen governance, transparency and the involvement of stakeholders in the design, implementation and monitoring of policy;
finally, there should be a two-way interaction between the OMC and the Lisbon Strategy. Social protection and inclusion policies should support growth and employment objectives, and, conversely, growth and employment policies should support social objectives.

For social protection schemes a holistic approach is required which focuses on:

sustainability;
monitoring the effectiveness and efficiency of systems, policies and funding mechanisms;
the distribution of spending across different branches;
the balance between public provision and self-reliance.

With regard to pension schemes, it is necessary to:

further highlight the interlinkages between the three broad objectives of adequacy, sustainability and modernisation of pension systems;
continue to remove disincentives and strengthen incentives for working longer (including for potential beneficiaries of minimum pensions);
improve the way in which both employers and labour markets treat older workers;
monitor the trend towards a decline in replacement rates;
take better account of new forms of working and of career breaks (particularly for care);
ensure that women can build up their own pension rights;
ensure that private pension schemes are affordable and secure, so that they can complement public schemes (which are the principal source of pensions in all but a few Member States) as effectively as possible.

With regard to health care and long-term care:

in terms of efficiency and effectiveness, there is a need for greater coherence and better coordination between different types of care;
in terms of access and quality, action must be taken to strengthen the role of family doctors;
in terms of financial sustainability, it is recommended to boost incentives to use resources in a rational way, and to ensure greater use of regulated competition.

The chapter on the challenges for the future in relation to fighting poverty and exclusion highlights a threefold need:

better mainstreaming;
better governance;
better links between the NAPs for inclusion and the Structural Funds (in particular the European Social Fund and the European Regional Development Fund).

Still in relation to fighting poverty and exclusion, a more strategic, systematic and transparent approach is needed for the formulation of NAPs for inclusion, to ensure that policies are set out more clearly. The OMC needs to develop a strong focus on poverty among children and their families. The multiple exclusion faced by young people from ethnic minorities in poor neighbourhoods also needs increased attention. In this context, the fundamental role of education and training in breaking the intergenerational transmission of poverty should be highlighted.

It is essential to ensure that the OMC and the revised Lisbon Strategy mutually reinforce one another. Monitoring and evaluation also need to be strengthened.

Background

This second Joint Report on Social Protection and Social Inclusion responds directly to the challenges of the Lisbon Strategy and of the Hampton Court Summit, and builds on the 2003 Communication ” Strengthening the social dimension of the Lisbon strategy: Streamlining open coordination in the field of social protection “. It draws on the plans and policy statements produced by the Member States during 2005 under the three policy strands of social inclusion, pensions, and health and long-term care. It is guided by the views expressed by Member States and stakeholders on the value of the OMC.

Related Acts

Communication from the Commission of 22 December 2005, “
A new framework for the open coordination of social protection and inclusion policies in the European Union
” [COM (2005) 706 – Not published in the Official Journal]

Communication from the Commission of 27 January 2005 on the
Draft joint Report on Social Protection and Social Inclusion 2005
[COM (2005) 14 final – Not published in the Official Journal]

Communication from the Commission, of 27 May 2003, Strengthening the social dimension of the Lisbon strategy: Streamlining open coordination in the field of social protection [COM (2003) 261 final – Official Journal L 314 of 13.10.2004].

Enlargement strategy 2009-2010

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Enlargement strategy 2009-2010

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Enlargement strategy 2009-2010

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These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Enlargement > The stabilisation and association process: the western balkans

Enlargement strategy 2009-2010

This Communication sets out the progress made and the reforms to be implemented by countries engaged in the European Union (EU)’s enlargement process. It also presents the European Commission’s priorities in supporting these countries’ efforts.

Document or Iniciative

Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament –Enlargement Strategy and Main Challenges 2009-2010 [COM(2009) 533 – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

Candidates and potential candidates for European Union (EU) membership have been affected by the international economic crisis. However, their economic and fiscal stability has been maintained through reforms supported by the enlargement process.

The situation of candidates for membership

Turkey has made progress in new areas. In particular, at national level, the Government has launched an initiative concerning the rights of the Kurdish minority. Nevertheless, the country should make further efforts to improve the safeguarding of fundamental rights (for example concerning the press, trade unions and women) and to control the army through civil institutions.

At external level, the country participates in negotiations under the auspices of the UN in order to resolve the Cypriot conflict. In 2009, Turkey contributed to stabilisation initiatives concerning the Middle East and the Southern Caucasus. The country has also signed an agreement on the construction of the Nabucco gas pipeline which should contribute to a secure energy supply in Europe.

Croatia has made steady progress. Accession negotiations could be concluded in 2010 if the country continues with reforms according to the planned timetable. Croatia also has to resolve its border issue with Slovenia.

The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has made progress in its reforms. The country has made particular efforts in the areas of democracy, justice and the fight against corruption. Discussions have also taken place under the auspices of the United Nations (UN) in order to resolve this country’s border issue with Greece.

The situation of potential candidates for membership

Bosnia and Herzegovina has not made sufficient progress at political level, in particular due to the unstable political climate and the unsatisfactory functioning of institutions. In view of this situation, the European presence in the country has been strengthened. Furthermore, the country was strongly affected by the crisis and turned to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for assistance.

In Kosovo, stability has been maintained but remains fragile. The European EULEX Mission has therefore been deployed throughout the territory. In addition, progress should be made to improve the functioning of justice and the administration, as well as to reconcile the different communities in the country. Finally, European financial aid has been increased since 2008, and EUR 500 million was earmarked for the country for the years 2007-2010.

Reforms in Montenegro have progressed at political and democratic levels. However, shortcomings in the judiciary and in administrative capacity still remain. Moreover, the country concluded an agreement with Croatia to resolve the border issue between them.

Serbia should continue its reforms, particularly with regard to the economy. In addition, the country requested specific assistance from the EU and the IMF to recover from the economic crisis. The country should also improve its relations with Kosovo. Administrative capacity has been improved. Furthermore, the country is cooperating in a satisfactory manner with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), but some war criminals have still not been arrested.

In 2009, the European Union received two new applications for membership from Albania and Iceland.

Albania has made satisfactory progress. Parliamentary elections organised in 2009 met with international standards. However, efforts are still required to guarantee the smooth functioning of the judiciary.

Iceland applied for membership in July 2009, in particular due to the financial crisis which has strongly affected it. This country is thoroughly integrated in the European internal market: it participates in the European Economic Area (EEA) and the Schengen Area.

Priorities of the 2009 – 2010 strategy

In order to foster economic recovery following the international financial crisis, the enlargement process supports the adoption of:

short term measures to fight unemployment and poverty;
medium-term measures to strengthen the stability of public finances and fiscal policies on the one hand, and to improve social protection and increase investment on the other.

In this context, European aid amounts to EUR 200 million in the form of grants, under the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA). The aid aims at strengthening:

the banking sector,
infrastructures,
small and medium-sized enterprises,
employment, particularly in rural areas.

The development of the rule of law and good governance is an essential priority for the EU. In 2009, EUR 80 million of IPA assistance were allocated for strengthening the judiciary and administration of partner countries.

Candidate countries should resolve conflicts with neighbours and maintain good relations with neighbouring States.

Increased regional cooperation is essential for economic development in the Balkans. In this regard, progress has been made in the areas of energy and transport. The Commission encourages cooperation under the South East European Cooperation Process.

Priorities for the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA)

The IPA has a budget of EUR 1.5 billion for the period 2009 – 2010. As a priority it finances:

the visa liberalisation regime for the Western Balkans, which is being completed in line with commitments under the Thessaloniki Agenda. All of the agreements aimed at facilitating the granting of visas and the readmission of persons residing without authorisation to their State have entered into force. In this spirit, the Commission has proposed a visa-free regime, applicable by 2010, for citizens from the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia;
the improvement of the quality of the pre-accession process through regular political dialogue and the monitoring of partners’ reforms;
the inclusion of civil society and administrations in the enlargement process to facilitate, in particular, their participation in EU agencies and programmes;
the fight against climate change, in particular by establishing the Regional Environmental Network for Accession (RENA) and by funding projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions;
improving communication about the enlargement process, directed at the populations of partner countries and European Union countries.

2010-2011 Enlargement Strategy

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2010-2011 Enlargement Strategy

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about 2010-2011 Enlargement Strategy

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Enlargement > The stabilisation and association process: the western balkans

2010-2011 Enlargement Strategy

The Commission presents its annual strategy for supporting reforms in the candidate and potential candidate countries for accession to the European Union (EU). It presents the political and financial priorities of the enlargement process for the current year.

Document or Iniciative

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council of 23 November 2010 – Enlargement Strategy and Main Challenges 2010-2011 [COM(2010) 660 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

The enlargement process has taken a new direction following the international economic crisis and the European Union’s (EU) new objectives for sustainable growth. This Communication also highlights the good progress made by the Western Balkan countries, even though the rate of reform needs to be faster.

Situation of the candidate countries

Turkey continued its process of political and constitutional reforms in order to improve the State’s democratic functioning and the judiciary, and to extend the scope of fundamental rights and respect for individual freedoms. However, effort is still required, in particular with regard to public procurement, competition policy and social policy. The country must also make progress towards normalisation of its relations with Greece and Armenia.

Croatia has made progress towards meeting the criteria for membership and harmonising its legislation with the EU’s acquis. Additional reforms must be made to ensure good management and monitoring of European funding. The same is true for the areas of justice, fundamental rights and competition policy, and for the country’s participation in the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).

The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia must implement reforms concerning the democratic system, public administration and the judiciary. In particular, the country must improve the fight against corruption, freedom of expression and the business environment. Relations between the country and Greece must also be normalised.

Accession negotiations were opened with Iceland in July 2010. The country can now benefit from the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) to support its reforms. The country must make progress towards ensuring the transparency of its political system, the independence of its judiciary, and the stability of its public finances and financial system.

Situation of the potential candidate countries

The Commission recommended that the Council grant candidate country status to Montenegro and open accession negotiations once the country has made sufficient progress towards meeting the criteria for membership. In addition, the Commission encourages Albania to continue its efforts with a view to opening negotiations.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has made limited progress towards meeting the criteria for membership, in particular with regard to compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), democratic principles and the right to equal treatment without discrimination.

Serbia continued its programme of political reforms with positive results concerning the fight against organised crime and corruption. In addition, the country has made progress in implementing the Interim Agreement on trade and the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA). It is essential that the country should also continue its efforts towards reconciliation and regional cooperation, and its active participation in the ICTY.

The pace of political reform in Kosovo has increased, specifically concerning the decentralisation process. However, efforts are still required to fight corruption, organised crime and money-laundering. In addition, dialogue and reconciliation between communities, protection of minorities, and regional dialogue and cooperation need to be improved.

Priorities of the 2010-2011 Strategy

The enlargement process must continue on the basis of new priorities, in order to:

overcome the economic crisis, specifically by carrying out structural reforms and introducing strict budget policies. In certain cases, the EU provides budget support and macro-financial assistance to countries involved in the enlargement process;
increase social inclusion, by improving conditions for vulnerable groups (the Roma population in particular), and by adopting ambitious targets for employment, poverty reduction and education;
reform the State and public administration, by focusing the reforms on the functioning of the institutional framework and the judiciary, and fighting organised crime and corruption;
guarantee freedom of expression and the independence of the media;
make progress towards reconciliation and regional cooperation, particularly in the Western Balkan countries.

ECHO Annual Report 2009

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ECHO Annual Report 2009

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about ECHO Annual Report 2009

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Humanitarian aid

ECHO Annual Report 2009

Document or Iniciative

Annual Report of 9 April 2010 on Humanitarian Aid Policy and its Implementation in 2009 [COM(2010) 138 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

Humanitarian crises are increasingly frequent and complex, due to the growing number of:

refugees and displaced persons following conflicts;
natural disasters related to climate change;
persons made vulnerable by the economic crisis.

During 2009, 115 million persons benefited from European humanitarian aid. The budget initially planned had to be increased twice, using the ECHO emergency aid reserve. The EDF budget was also used to assist ACP countries.

Key operations

The number of natural disasters is rising. They are mainly weather-related. In response, ECHO leads emergency operations and also disaster preparedness actions in the most vulnerable areas.

In 2009, interventions concerned:

floods in Afghanistan, India, Tajikistan and West Africa;
cyclones, tropical storms and hurricanes in Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Bangladesh, India, Philippines, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Cuba, Fiji and Papua New Guinea;
droughts in the Greater Horn of Africa, the Sahel, Madagascar, the Palestinian territories and the Syrian Arab Republic;
earthquakes in Indonesia;
epidemics in West Africa, Southern Africa and Papua New Guinea;
crop failures in Uganda, Laos and Bangladesh.

“Man-made” crises led to:

population displacement following conflicts in Sri Lanka, Yemen, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Pakistan;
an increase in the need for basic essentials particularly in terms of health, food and water/sanitation in the Gaza Strip, following the attack by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF);
an increase in population vulnerability in Afghanistan and Somalia due to a deterioration in safety conditions, drought and soaring food prices.

Most funding was allocated to the Sudan due to the Darfur crisis which led to the displacement of more than 6.5 million persons; and to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where almost 3 million persons were displaced due to border conflicts.

The report highlights the bad working conditions of humanitarian workers who are increasingly restricted by the authorities of certain countries, violations of human rights, as well as attacks and hostage-taking in conflict zones.

However, the humanitarian situation has improved in certain countries. This is the case in North-Uganda where the Peace, Recovery and Development Plan was implemented in 2009. Zimbabwe also made progress in terms of health services, water supply, liberalisation of the economy, agriculture and employment. Finally, in Sri Lanka, many of the persons displaced following conflict have been able to return to their places of origin.

Political and institutional developments

A Working Group has been created within the Council, to deal with humanitarian aid and food aid (COHAFA). It should facilitate the implementation of the European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid.

The Commission has also established close working relationships with the new Committee on Development (DEVE) which has been elected within the new European Parliament.

Key competences for a changing world

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Key competences for a changing world

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Key competences for a changing world

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Education training youth sport > Education and training: general framework

Key competences for a changing world

Document or Iniciative

2010 joint progress report of the Council and the Commission on the implementation of the “Education & Training 2010” work programme – ‘Key competences for a changing world’ [Official Journal C 117 of 6.5.2010].

Summary

This fourth joint progress report on the implementation of the ‘Education and training 2010’ work programme notes that policy cooperation at the European level has provided valuable support to countries’ educational reforms. Education and training performance in the European Union (EU) has improved. Nevertheless, most of the quantitative targets set for 2010 have not been attained. Further work is needed to address the remaining challenges.

Key competences

The European framework for key competences for lifelong learning has been used in many EU countries as a reference point for reforming national education and training systems. It has contributed to the move towards a more competence-based teaching and learning approach. Progress has been significant on school curricula and in giving transversal key competences a more prominent part therein. However, additional efforts are needed in the organisation of learning, such as in:

putting to use the transversal key competences (digital competence, learning to learn competences, social and civic competences, sense of initiative and entrepreneurship, and cultural awareness);
updating the skills and competences of teachers and providing professional development opportunities for school leaders;
further developing assessment and evaluation tools to take into account the most important skills and attitudes within the key competences, including the transversal key competences.

A concern for EU countries is pupils’ reading skills performance, which continues to deteriorate. Concerted efforts need to be made to increase literacy levels, especially among boys and migrants. In general, EU countries have adopted personalised approaches to learning for pupils with special needs, as well as programmes for acquiring basic skills at an early stage. Nevertheless, progress is slow and further efforts are needed to combat disadvantage.

EU countries must further develop their vocational education and training (VET) systems to address the full range of key competences more systematically. Work should focus on curricula, teaching and learning methods, and training of VET teachers. The full range of key competences must also be applied to adult learning. While EU countries have taken measures to increase adult participation in education and training, additional efforts should be made to cover all qualifications levels and to improve the competences of adult education teachers.

Lifelong learning strategies

Most EU countries have adopted lifelong learning strategies, which provide for flexible learning pathways. They have also progressed in the development of national qualifications frameworks linked to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and covering all levels and types of education and training. Efforts have also been made in the development of lifelong guidance systems for adults. Nevertheless, challenges remain regarding the:

implementation of the lifelong learning strategies;
further development of the lifelong learning strategies, in collaboration with stakeholders and other relevant policy sectors;
coherence and comprehensiveness of the lifelong learning strategies, so that they cover the full life-cycle instead of only specific sectors or target groups;
coordination of lifelong guidance systems to take into account the needs of young people.

Vocational education and training (VET)

The Copenhagen process provides for enhanced European cooperation on VET, with a view to improving the attractiveness and quality of VET systems. EU countries address these issues through the application of national quality assurance systems linked to the European Quality Assurance Reference Framework for VET. They also emphasise the professionalisation of VET teachers as well as on making VET more adaptable to the needs of learners and businesses.

However, EU countries must still tackle challenges relating to VET. For example, the relevance of VET with regard to labour market needs must be improved through:

closer cooperation between VET and the business world;
more work-based training (in addition to school-based training);
tools for anticipating future skill needs.

Efforts should also be made to progress faster in finding ways for learners of VET to continue on to higher education.

Higher education

Following an increasing awareness of the importance of enabling non-traditional learners to enter higher education, most EU countries have taken measures to facilitate access for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. At the same time, the diversity of income sources for higher education institutions is increasing. But, there is still the need to increase:

public as well as private investment in higher education;
access to higher education for those already in the work force for the purpose of continuing professional/personal development;
university-business partnerships to strengthen the autonomy of universities, as well as to improve their governance and accountability.

The way forward

While European cooperation in education and training has contributed to reforming national systems, critical challenges still remain. In particular, the European framework for key competences must be applied in full and the openness and relevance of education and training need to be improved. To this end, the Council and the Commission are committed to work together on the basis of the new strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training (ET 2020) and in the context of the overarching “Europe 2020” strategy.

Delivering lifelong learning for knowledge, creativity and innovation

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Delivering lifelong learning for knowledge, creativity and innovation

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Delivering lifelong learning for knowledge, creativity and innovation

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Education training youth sport > Education and training: general framework

Delivering lifelong learning for knowledge, creativity and innovation

Document or Iniciative

2008 joint progress report of the Council and the Commission on the implementation of the ‘Education and Training 2010’ work programme – ‘Delivering lifelong learning for knowledge, creativity and innovation’ [Official Journal C 86 of 5.4.2008].

Summary

This third joint progress report on the implementation of the ‘Education and training 2010’ work programme attests that significant progress has been achieved in many areas. However, further efforts still need to be made, especially with regard to skill levels, lifelong learning strategies and the education, research and innovation “knowledge triangle”.

Overall, progress throughout Europe has not been uniform nor have reforms been realised fast enough. Yet, most of the Member States have either already put into effect reforms, or are currently doing so, with regard to the following:

development of lifelong learning strategies that define policy priorities and the relationship between different sectors, covering either all aspects of education and training or focusing only on specific systems or stages;
development of qualifications frameworks and validation of non-formal and informal learning; however, it is now essential that Member States begin the application of these tools;
pre-primary education, for which a number of Member States have run successful pilot projects on teaching content, staff training, quality assessment and financing that should now be implemented on a broad scale;
modernisation of higher education, especially in terms of increasing the autonomy of universities;
mainstreaming education and training at the European Union (EU) policy level, with progress achieved in linking operational programmes to the ‘Education and training 2010’ work programme and in the development of European reference tools, such as the European Qualifications Framework or the key competences.

The areas where progress has been insufficient include the:

implementation of lifelong learning strategies;
reduction in the number of early school leavers, increase in the number of young people completing at least upper secondary education and the acquisition of key competences;
education, continuous training and professional development of teachers;
attainment of excellence in terms of education, research and knowledge transfer, and increase of both public and private investment in higher education;
participation of adults in lifelong learning, in particular of older workers and the low skilled;
improvement of the attractiveness, quality and relevance of vocational education and training (VET), including its proper integration into the rest of the education system;
increase in transnational mobility schemes provided at national level, with a focus on facilitating mobility also in VET.

Future work should concentrate, in particular, on implementing lifelong learning strategies, emphasising the role of education in the knowledge triangle and improving governance. The Member States’ lifelong learning strategies are not necessarily coherent or comprehensive. The strategies should be better linked to policy measures, the resources should be targeted more effectively and more efforts should be made to develop learning partnerships between national institutions and stakeholders. Hence, it is essential that:

knowledge about the economic and social impact of education and training policies be improved;
efforts to secure sustainable funding be strengthened;
skills levels be raised, especially through the early acquisition of key competences and VET;
socio-economic disadvantage be addressed, with priority placed on equal access, participation, treatment and outcomes;
migrants be considered in education and training policies and systems;
professional preparation and continuing development be provided for teachers.

As one of the fundamental elements of the knowledge triangle, education contributes to boosting growth and jobs. In addition to higher education, schools and VET have a significant role in facilitating innovation. Thus, it is of utmost importance that efforts are stepped up to enable partnerships between educational institutions and businesses and that excellence and key competences are developed throughout the different levels of education and training.

To further improve governance, it is imperative to give due consideration, both at the national and European levels, to the:

setting of priorities in education and training policy with regard to lifelong learning;
interlinking of relevant policies (e.g. innovation, research, employment);
integration of developments in higher education, VET and adult learning within the ‘Education and Training 2010’ work programme;
link between the Lisbon integrated guidelines and the ‘Education and training 2010’ work programme;
monitoring of and informing on national policy developments;
role of the civil society;
development of benchmarks and indicators;
use of Community funds and programmes.

While Member States have achieved progress in reforming certain strands of their education systems, persistent as well as certain new challenges still need to be addressed. Efforts to overcome these challenges should be stepped up. It is therefore essential that work on an updated strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training for post-2010 is begun now and that this is closely associated with the future development of the Lisbon process.

IT agency for the area of freedom, security and justice

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IT agency for the area of freedom, security and justice

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about IT agency for the area of freedom, security and justice

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Justice freedom and security > Free movement of persons asylum and immigration

IT agency for the area of freedom, security and justice

Document or Iniciative

Communication from the Commission of 24 June 2009 – Legislative package establishing an Agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice [COM(2009) 292 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

The communication presents the legislative package that aims to establish an agency for managing the operations of large-scale information technology (IT) systems in the area of freedom, security and justice. The IT systems for which the agency would be responsible consist of the:

second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II);
Visa Information System (VIS);
Eurodac system.

The agency could also be given responsibility for managing other large-scale IT systems in this field.

The Commission is currently developing the SIS II and the VIS. It will be responsible for their operational management during a transitional period before the agency would take up its responsibilities. The Commission developed the Eurodac system and is responsible for operating its central unit as well as for ensuring the security of data transfers.

The agency

In the long term, the most cost-effective solution for managing the above three IT systems would be a regulatory agency. The agency would be able to gradually build expertise and know-how in large-scale IT systems, therefore having the potential to become a centre of excellence for IT management of systems in the area of freedom, security and justice.

The main task of the agency would consist of the operational management of these systems in order to keep them functioning 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition, the tasks of the agency would include:

adopting security measures;
reporting and publishing;
monitoring;
organising specific trainings.

The agency’s governance structure and voting rules should reflect the existing variable geometry (European Union (EU) countries with different levels of participation in the information systems). The countries associated with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis and the Eurodac related measures would also participate in the agency.

The legislative package

At the time of adoption of the package in June 2009, different legal instruments were needed to establish the agency due to the cross-pillar nature of these IT systems. The first-pillar aspects of SIS II and VIS, as well as the Eurodac system were to be governed by a regulation, whilst the third pillar aspects of SIS II and VIS were to be governed by a decision.

Consequently, the legislative package consisted of proposals for a:

Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an Agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice (which describes the agency’s structure, tasks and voting procedures);
Council Decision conferring upon the Agency established by Regulation XX tasks regarding the operational management of SIS II and VIS in application of Title VI of the EU Treaty.

Following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty on 1 December 2009, the former pillar structure disappeared. Consequently, a single amended proposal [COM(2010) 93 final] was adopted on 19 March 2010 to take into account the changes brought about by the new treaty and to take over the substantive provisions of the above mentioned proposal for a Council decision.

The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia – Information society and media

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The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia – Information society and media

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia – Information society and media

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These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Audiovisual and media

The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia – Information society and media

acquis) and, more specifically, the priorities identified jointly by the Commission and the candidate countries in the analytical assessment (or ‘screening’) of the EU’s political and legislative acquis. Each year, the Commission reviews the progress made by candidates and evaluates the efforts required before their accession. This monitoring is the subject of annual reports presented to the Council and the European Parliament.

Document or Iniciative

Commission Report [COM (2011) 666 final – SEC(2011) 1203 – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia was granted candidate country status for European Union (EU) membership in 2005. The Accession Partnership, adopted by the Council in 2008, supports the country’s preparations in view of its future membership and the alignment of its legislation with the Community acquis. In 2008, the accession negotiations had not yet been opened, as some progress still needed to be made on the objectives and conditions set out in the partnership.

The 2011 Report notes progress with regard to the alignment of the legislation with the acquis, although the capacities of the Broadcasting Council to monitor the market remain inadequate.

EUROPEAN UNION ACQUIS (according to the Commission’s words)

The acquis includes specific rules relating to electronic communications, information society services, particularly e-commerce and services based on conditional access, and to audiovisual services. In the field of electronic communications, the acquis aims at removing the obstacles preventing the smooth running of the internal market of telecommunications services and networks, at encouraging competition and at protecting consumers’ interests, specifically by guaranteeing the universal availability of modern services.

In terms of audiovisual policy, the acquis requires legislative alignment with the Television without Frontiers Directive which creates the conditions for the free movement of television programmes in the European Union. The acquis intends to define a transparent, reliable and efficient regulatory framework for public and private broadcasting which meets European standards. It also estimates the capacity for participating in the Community programmes Media Plus and Media Training.

EVALUATION (according to the Commission’s words)

Progress was made in the field of information society and media. Alignment with the EU acquis is advancing and most of the key competitive safeguards were introduced. The capacity of the Broadcasting Council to monitor the market effectively remains inadequate.

Related Acts

Commission Report [COM(2010) 660 final – SEC(2010) 1327 – Not published in the Official Journal].
The 2010 Report presents advancements concerning alignment with the acquis and liberalisation of the Information Society and Media sector. In particular, progress must be made to ensure the proper functioning of public service broadcasters.

Commission Report [COM(2009) 533 final – SEC(2009) 1334 – Not published in the Official Journal].

The October 2009 report indicates that the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has progressed on audiovisual policy, having partly met its objectives. However, while the administrative capacity of the Broadcasting Council was strengthened, no efforts were made to ensure the sustainability of the public service broadcaster. Also, both still face political interference. In the field of culture, the country has made some progress and its preparations now meet the EU requirements.

Commission Report [COM(2008) 674 final – SEC(2008) 2699 – Not published in the Official Journal].
The November 2008 report noted that some progress had been achieved in the field of audiovisual policy and that preparations in the media sector were advanced. However, certain concerns remained, in particular with regard to the financial situation of the Broadcasting Council and the public service broadcaster. In the area of culture, progress had been good. The country has been participating in the Community programme on culture.

Report on equality between women and men 2006

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Report on equality between women and men 2006

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Report on equality between women and men 2006

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Employment and social policy > Equality between men and women

Report on equality between women and men 2006

Document or Iniciative

Report from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, of 22 February 2006, on equality between women and men – 2006 [COM(2006) 71 final – Official Journal C 67 of 18.03.2006].

Summary

Gender policies contribute to employment and growth. In the renewed Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs, gender equality is recognised to be essential in meeting labour market challenges. Between 1999 and 2004, three quarters of the new jobs created in the European Union (EU) were filled by women.

However, the persistence of gender gaps underlines that more can be done to tap into the productive potential of women, particularly in terms of work-life balance. It is necessary to step up efforts to help men and women reconcile work and their private responsibilities at all stages in their lives.

State of play and main developments

Further steps forward were taken in 2005 in the area of equality for women and men:

Commission announcement of a communication on a “Roadmap for equality between women and men” in 2006 which will identify challenges and actions for the EU up to 2010;
adoption of an amended proposal for a Directive to simplify and modernise existing Community legislation on equal treatment of men and women in matters of employment;
creation of equality bodies;
the proposal to set up a European Institute for Gender Equality;
adoption by the social partners, in the context of the European social dialogue, of a Framework of Actions for Gender Equality (four priorities: addressing gender roles, promoting women in decision-making, supporting work-life balance and tackling the gender pay gap);
adoption of a common agenda for the integration of third country nationals (gender equality in immigration, trafficking in human beings, sexual exploitation, domestic labour exploitation);
adoption by the Commission, the Council and the European Parliament of a Joint Statement on “The European Consensus on Development”, which identified gender equality as one of the five key principles of the development policy;
integration of gender equality as a priority of the EU’s new Strategy for Africa.

Moreover, in its conclusions of 18 April 2005, the Competitiveness Council underlined the increasing importance given to gender equality in science and access for women to leading positions. However, Member States must take further steps to increase the number of women in research positions.

2005 also marked the 10th anniversary celebration of the Beijing Platform for Action, on which occasion governments worldwide took stock of the progress made so far. Although much had been achieved, there were still areas of concern, including women’s access to education, property, work and health care, maternal mortality and the situation of women, particularly in Africa.

Gender equality and employment

In the area of employment, disparities between men and women have steadily fallen in the last decade, mainly thanks to the massive increase in the entry of women into the labour market. The employment rate among women in the EU rose to 55.7% in 2004, up 0.7 percentage points compared with 2003. The employment rate gap was reduced to 15.2 points in 2004.

However, the figures vary considerably from one country to another. In terms of employment rates, the gap between women and men is less than 10% in Sweden, Finland, Denmark and the Baltic countries, and more than 20% in Cyprus, Malta, Luxembourg, Italy, Spain and Greece.

Despite this generally positive picture, significant imbalances still exist. Women

are involved mainly in traditionally “female” activities and occupations, which has reinforced segregation in the labour market;
are more involved in part-time work than men (32.6% of women in employment against only 7.4% of men in employment). Here the figures also vary greatly from one country to another. For example, fewer than 10% of women in employment work part-time in Slovakia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Lithuania and Greece, while in Luxembourg, Belgium, United Kingdom and Germany almost 40% of women who work do so on a part-time basis. In the Netherlands, this figure is as high as 75%;
have more difficulties related to work-life balance, and this affects their career. Within enterprises, women account for only 32% of managers. Only 10% of members of the boards and 3% of CEOs of the larger EU enterprises are women. In education and research there are many female graduates (43% of PhDs are women), yet their presence decreases consistently as they progress on the career ladder (only 15% of full professors are women);
are the victims of a significant pay gap. On average, women earn 15% less than men for every hour worked;
are at greater risk of social exclusion than men. The risk of poverty, in particular, is higher amongst older women and amongst single mothers with dependant children.

Policy orientations

In light of the above, the Commission reaffirms its commitment to the Community approach, combining gender mainstreaming and specific positive actions.

The Commission encourages the Member States and social partners to take action to:

reduce the employment rate gap between women and men;
scale down the pay gap and attack its underlying causes;
ensure the quality of jobs and a good work environment;
reform tax and benefits systems in order to make the labour market more attractive;
ensure the full support of the Structural Funds through the effective integration of a gender perspective in strategy and programming documents, and adequate funding for specific gender equality actions.

In addition, to promote an effective reconciliation of work and private life, Member States should:

step up their efforts to meet the Barcelona targets for childcare (providing childcare for 33% of children aged 0 to 3 years and 90% of children from 3 years to compulsory school age by 2010);
support the development of care for older and disabled persons;
promote and disseminate innovative and adaptable work arrangements that take into account the different needs at different stages of life;
make access to public services compatible with work schedules;
tackle sexist stereotypes and encourage men to take up their domestic and family responsibilities.

At political level, the Commission encourages the Member States to:

promote partnership and dialogue between all parties at the policy making and implementation stages;
strengthen their implementation of the principle of gender mainstreaming into all relevant policy areas;
reinforce gender mainstreaming in all chapters of the National Reform Programmes (NRPs);
support the good functioning of the national machinery in support of gender equality, including the equality bodies;
ensure that gender bias is avoided in policy monitoring.

Finally, to give gender equality its international dimension:

Member States should take concrete steps to accelerate the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action;
developing countries should be supported in their efforts in this area by appropriate technical and financial assistance from the EU;
Member States should take into account the gender perspective in partnerships with non-EU countries and in development strategies;
acceding, candidate and potential candidate countries should continue to be supported in their efforts to transpose, implement and enforce the Community acquis as well as to create the necessary institutions to apply it.

Report on equality between women and men – 2008

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Report on equality between women and men – 2008

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Report on equality between women and men – 2008

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Employment and social policy > Equality between men and women

Report on equality between women and men – 2008

Document or Iniciative

Report from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions of 23 January 2008, Equality between women and men – 2008 [COM(2008) 10 – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

This year, the European Commission is publishing its fifth report on equality between women and men, the first to cover the enlarged European Union (EU) of 27 Member States.

Gender gap: main developments

The figures for recent years show that the situation of women on the labour market in Europe is subject to two-tier development:

major progress in terms of quantity, on the one hand;
quality of employment remaining unfavourable in many respects on the other hand.

Female employment is still the driving force behind growth in employment within the European Union (EU):

7.5 of the 12 million new jobs created since 2000 are held by women;
the female employment rate is currently 57.2% (+ 3.5 points in comparison to 2000, in contrast to the increase by less than one point for men);
the employment rate for women over 55 years has increased more rapidly than that for men in the same age range (it is currently 34.8%, i.e. an increase of 7.4 points in comparison to 2000);
a significant narrowing of the employment rate gap between men and women, falling from 17.1 points in 2000 to 14.4 points in 2006.

This point, given the fact that women have better success rates at school and university (59%), generally raises the question of the quality of work for women:

the pay gap has stabilised at 15% since 2003 (it was 16% in 2000);
sectoral and occupational segregation by gender is not diminishing and is even increasing in some countries;
the proportion of female managers in businesses has stagnated at 33% and there is very little progression in the numbers of female politicians;
the balance between professional and private life remains precarious (the employment rate for mothers with young children is only 62.4% compared with 91.4% for fathers);
76.5% of part-time workers are women;
recourse to temporary work is also more common among women (15.1% compared with approximately 14% for men).

This occupational imbalance is not without effect on the social situation of women:

long-term unemployment is still more common among women (4.5% compared with 3.5% for men);
the risk of poverty, particularly among women over the age of 65 (21%, i.e. 5% more than for men), is reinforced by shorter, slower and less well-paid careers.

Policy and legislative developments

The Roadmap for Equality between Women and Men, launched in 2006, has given fresh impetus to Community policy in this area. An annual work programme allows the Commission to ensure follow-up action.

In 2007, the Commission launched the second phase of formal consultation of the social partners at European level on the possible approach of Community action for the reconciliation of professional, private and family life with a view to improving or supplementing the existing framework.

The Commission has also given its support to the European .

Infringement proceedings for failure to transpose Directive 2002/73/EC on equal treatment have practically been wound up. Analysis of the conformity of national implementing measures started in 2007 and will be continued in 2008.

Furthermore, the Commission has demonstrated its full commitment to tackling the pay gap between women and men in its Communication of 18 July 2007.

Progress has also been achieved with the establishment of the European Institute for Gender Equality.

Challenges and policy guidelines

The report stresses the need to significantly improve the quality of employment for women, while confirming the progress achieved in terms of quantity.

With this in mind, and in particular through the new cycle of the European Strategy for Growth and Jobs, it advocates concentrating structural, legislative and financial efforts on:

reducing differences in pay;
in-serve training;
health and welfare at work;
the reconciliation of professional and private life (accessibility of childcare services, the quality of services of general interest, etc.);
action to combat stereotypes linked to gender and cultural origin;
support for the implementation and follow-up of political commitments.

Background

In addition to the implementation of measures defined in the Roadmap for Equality between Women and Men, 2007 saw a number of major landmarks in connection with:

the contribution of the Commission to the establishment of common flexicurity principles;
the celebration of the 50th anniversary of European gender equality policy;
the launch of the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All;
the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Amsterdam Treaty, the basis for the European Employment Strategy and for gender mainstreaming in Community policies.