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European Economic Forecast - autumn 2010 - 2012 29 November 2010, 14:03 CET
The Commission on 29 November issued its spring economic forecasts. A continuation of the economic recovery is currently under way in the EU. While the recovery is becoming increasingly self-sustaining at EU level, progress across Member States remains uneven. The recovery also appears to be broadening out, whereby the pick-up in exports starts to spur investment demand. GDP growth GDP is projected to grow by around 1¾% in 2010-11 and by in 2012. A better than expected performance so far this year underpins the significant upward revision to annual growth in 2010 compared to the spring forecast. However, amid a softening global environment and the onset of fiscal consolidation, activity is expected to moderate towards the end of this year and in 2011, but to pick up again in 2012 on the back of strengthening private demand. The contribution of net exports to GDP growth is set to diminish over the forecast horizon; and the contribution of domestic demand to increase, owing to a gradual firming of investment and private consumption growth. As for private consumption, a slowly improving employment outlook, moderate income growth and subdued inflation underlie the projected pick-up in private consumption. In 2012, an annual GDP growth rate of around 2% is foreseen.

Employment in Europe 2010 25 November 2010, 23:44 CET
Produced annually by the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, the Employment in Europe report is now in its 22nd year. It has become one of the main tools of the European Commission for supporting Member States in analysis, formulation and implementation of their employment policies. Employment in Europe 2010 begins by assessing EU labour market adjustment since the onset of the economic crisis, taking account of the crisis’ impact and future prospects. It also analyses EU and Member State policies aimed at mitigating the effects of the crisis and supporting recovery, and looks ahead to their gradual phasing out. The Report then examines the need to reduce segmentation in labour markets and improve the job situation of young people before drawing conclusions on the way forward. This publication is available in printed format in English only.

Study on Holocaust and human rights education 25 November 2010, 11:44 CET
At a Ministerial Conference being held in Auschwitz from 26-28 January, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) released the findings of the first ever EU-wide study on the role of historical sites and museums in teaching about the Holocaust and human rights. On the eve of the 2010 International Remembrance Day for the Victims of the Holocaust, the report reveals that at historical sites and in schools across the EU, teaching about the Holocaust rarely includes discussion of related human rights issues. Teachers and guides are considered to be key to ensuring interest in the subject, yet there is a lack of human rights training on behalf of both groups. Based on the findings of its study, the FRA encourages national governments to better integrate human rights education into their school curricula to reflect the significance of human rights for both the history and the future of the EU.

Study visits catalogue 25 November 2010, 11:44 CET
The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) is the European Union's reference centre for vocational education and training. It provides information on and analyses of vocational education and training systems, policies, research and practice.

Giving Knowledge for Free: The Emergence of Open Educational Resources 25 November 2010, 11:44 CET
Learning resources are often considered key intellectual property in a competitive higher education world. However, more and more institutions and individuals are sharing their digital learning resources over the Internet, openly and for free, as Open Educational Resources (OER). This study, building on previous OECD work on e-learning, asks why this is happening, who is involved and what the most important implications of this development are. The report offers a comprehensive overview of the rapidly changing phenomenon of Open Educational Resources and the challenges it poses for higher education. It examines reasons for individuals and institutions to share resources for free, and looks at copyright issues, sustainability and business models as well as policy implications. It will be of particular interest to those involved in e-learning or strategic decision making within higher education, to researchers and to students of new technologies.

European Business (paperback) 25 November 2010, 11:44 CET
This text examines the question of how the future of the European Union will affect organisations operating in member states. The business environment in Europe continues to change as the moves toward integration gathers pace. It is inevitable that this new environment will present new challenges to key players and businesses operating in Europe. This text therefore provides a comprehensive and general overview of the key topics for students who need to understand the complexities of the EU. In addition to addressing the present and likely future issues, each chapter contains discussion questions, a case study and questions on the case to test the students' understanding of the topics covered.

Arts and Cultural Education at School in Europe: Curricula and initiatives 25 November 2010, 11:44 CET
This study presents up-to-date, comprehensive and comparable information on arts education policy in 30 European countries. It gives a detailed picture of the aims and objectives of arts education, its organisation, the provision of extra-curricular activities as well as initiatives for the development of such education at school. It also includes information on pupil assessment and teacher education in the arts. Besides the comparative study, detailed country descriptions on all topics covered are also available.

A new impetus for European cooperation in Vocational Education and Training to support the Europe 2020 strategy - EU Communication 25 November 2010, 11:44 CET
On 9 of June 2010, the European Commission presented a 10 year vision for the future of vocational education and training in the Communication "A New Impetus for European cooperation in Vocational Education and Training to support the Europe 2020 strategy".

An Agenda for new skills and jobs: A European contribution towards full employment - Communication 24 November 2010, 12:27 CET
23 million people are currently unemployed across the EU - 10% of the active population - with serious consequences for European growth and welfare systems. At the same time, some employers are reporting difficulties in recruiting, especially for high-skill jobs. In the future there could be shortages in areas like the ICT or health sectors with an estimated deficit of 700,000 ICT specialists by 2015 and one million researchers by 2025. To address these challenges and boost the EU employment rate to reach 75 % of men and women by 2020, the European Commission has launched its flagship initiative 'An Agenda for new skills and jobs'. This Communication sets out 13 key actions aimed at reforming labour markets, upgrading skills and matching them with market demand to boost employability and make it easier to move jobs, to improve working conditions and job quality, and to create jobs.

Commission Communication on the CAP towards 2020 18 November 2010, 23:31 CET
The European Commission Communication "TheCAP towards 2020: Meeting the food, natural resources and territorial challenges of the future", which was presented on 18 November 2010, launches the institutional debate and prepares the ground for the legal proposals to be adopted by the Commission during 2011. The objective of the Communication is: * to highlight the key challenges and the major policy issues regarding EU agriculture and rural areas. The CAP needs to anticipate the economic, environmental and territorial challenges. * to outline possible policy orientations and options for the future. The CAP needs to be more sustainable, balanced, targeted, simpler, effective and accountable. Faced with these key challenges the CAP needs to improve current CAP instruments and design new ones.

Enlargement Strategy and Progress Reports 2010 11 November 2010, 23:13 CET
On 9 November the Commission adopted its annual strategy document explaining its policy on EU enlargement. The document will include also a summary of the progress made over the last 12 months by Croatia, Iceland, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Kosovo*. In the 2010 package, Commission will also present its Opinion on the readiness of Albania and Montenegro to start accession negotiations. These Opinions replace this year's progress reports on the two countries concerned.

Communication from the Commission: on the consolidation of EU Africa relations 1.5 billion people, 80 countries, two continents, one future 10 November 2010, 16:37 CET
The EU-Africa Partnership is the only continent-to-continent strategic partnership that the EU has. It is not a donor-to-recipient partnership; it is a real comprehensive partnership, based on common interests and the achievement of mutually beneficial situations - Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and Council on the consolidation of EU Africa relations - 1.5 billion people, 80 countries, two continents, one future.

Energy 2020 - A strategy for competitive, sustainable and secure energy - Communication 10 November 2010, 12:59 CET
On 10 November 2010, the European Commission has adopted the Communication "Energy 2020 - A strategy for competitive, sustainable and secure energy". The Communication defines defines the energy priorities for the next ten years and sets the actions to be taken in order to tackle the challenges of saving energy, achieving a market with competitive prizes and secure supplies, boosting technological leadership, and effectively negotiate with our international partners. On the basis of these priorities and the action presented, the Commission will come forward with concrete legislative initiatives and proposals within the next 18 months. This communication also sets the agenda for the discussion by Heads of States and Governments at the very first EU Summit on Energy on 4 February 2011.

International Trade - Final report of the Eurobarometer survey August-September 2010 09 November 2010, 23:52 CET
The European Commission has laid out its blueprint for an EU trade policy to help revitalise Europe's economy. In its discussion paper "Trade, Growth and World Affairs", the Commission analyses how trade is an engine for economic growth and job creation. It proposes a strategy to reduce trade barriers, to open global markets and to get a fair deal for European businesses. The overarching aim is to take a more assertive approach to ensure the benefits of trade reach European citizens.

A comprehensive approach on personal data protection in the European Union - EU Communication COM(2010)609/3 04 November 2010, 13:12 CET
On 4 November 2010 the European Commission adopted a strategic Communication on a comprehensive strategy on data protection in the European Union (COM(2010)609/3), highlighting its main ideas and key objectives on how to revise the current rules on data protection.

How Clean are Europe's Cars: T&E Car Company CO2 report 2010 04 November 2010, 10:30 CET
European carmakers are set to achieve mandatory EU targets for new car CO2 emissions years ahead of time according to a new report published today. One carmaker, Toyota, has almost met its target for the year 2015, six years in advance. The study’s findings suggest that carmakers previously exaggerated the time needed to comply with car CO2 limits. Therefore targets now being discussed for vans should be tightened according to Transport & Environment.

Proposal for a Council Directive on the management of spent fuel and radioactive waste 04 November 2010, 00:37 CET
On 3 November 2010, the European Commission proposed a Directive which sets safety standards for disposing spent fuel and radioactive waste from nuclear power plants as well as from medicine or research. In the Directive, EU Member States are asked to present national programmes, indicating when, where and how they will construct and manage final repositories aimed at guaranteeing the highest safety standards. With the Directive, internationally agreed safety standards become legally binding and enforceable in the European Union.

An Integrated Industrial Policy for the Globalisation Era - Putting Competitiveness and Sustainability at Centre Stage 28 October 2010, 12:49 CET
Industry must be placed centre stage if Europe is to remain a global economic leader. This is the core message of the Communication on "An integrated industrial policy for the globalisation era" adopted by the European Commission today on the initiative of Vice-President Antonio Tajani. The Communication, a flagship initiative of the Europe 2020 strategy, sets out a strategy that aims to boost growth and jobs by maintaining and supporting a strong, diversified and competitive industrial base in Europe offering well-paid jobs while becoming less carbon intensive. It is accompanied by a report on the competiveness performance of individual Member States and the annual European Competitiveness Report.

Flexible working time arrangements and gender equality – A comparative review of 30 European countries 27 October 2010, 23:56 CET
Increased flexibility of working time arrangements and promotion of gender equality are two important elements in the EU’s employment policy. In many instances, increased flexibility has a positive effect on gender equality, although this is not always the case. This review from the EU Expert Group on Gender and Employment sets out the relationship between working time flexibility and gender equality and compares the state of play in 30 European countries (EU-27 and EEA/EFTA). It gives an overview of working time flexibility throughout Europe as well as in-depth analysis of flexibility in terms of length and organisation of working time. Information is also provided on the regulatory framework and recent policy developments in the field. In addition, the review comprises a detailed statistical annex. This publication is available in English only, with French and German summaries.

EU Industrial R&D Investment Scoreboard 2010 27 October 2010, 23:37 CET
The European Commission's 2010 "EU Industrial R&D Investment Scoreboard" shows that R&D investment by top EU companies fell by 2.6% in 2009, even though sales and profits fell much more, by 10.1% and 21.0% respectively. The fall in R&D investment by leading players in the US, at 5.1%, was twice as sharp as in the EU, but the worldwide reduction was lower, at 1.9%. Japanese firms maintained their level of investment. Companies based elsewhere in Asia - China, India, Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan - continued the high R&D growth seen in previous years. Japanese car maker Toyota is the world's biggest R&D investor (€6.8bn) for the second consecutive year. Three EU companies feature in the top ten: Volkswagen, the biggest investor based in Europe with €5.8bn, Nokia and Sanofi-Aventis. The Scoreboard covers the top 1400 companies worldwide.

The Crisis of the Eurozone 27 October 2010, 22:50 CET
An important tension had been underlying the first decade of the European Monetary Union. On the one hand, governments had embraced a revolutionary prospect when designing its institutions. They called on market forces and supranational institutions to limit popular democracy and scale back the interventionist state. On the other hand, they were unprepared to live up to this prospect. Hence the accumulation of large economic imbalances and their culmination in the Greek crisis and the instability of the Union's periphery. These developments have given governments pause. With breathtaking speed, elites have agreed on the need for austerity. But it is difficult to see how the current attempt to return to the spirit of Maastricht would fare any better than before. Permanent austerity is fraught with economic irresponsibility and political risks. Europe therefore needs a new political debate about how much it wants to allow markets to determine the fate of its citizens and countries.

Report on Potentially Trade Restrictive measures 25 October 2010, 14:44 CET
Report on potentially trade restrictive measures identified in the context of the economic crisis - May 2010 – September 2010 - for the Trade Policy Committee. This new report published by the European Commission shows that more than 330 trade restrictive measures have been taken by the European Union's major trade partners since the outbreak of the financial and economic crisis in 2008. Despite the economic recovery and contrary to the G20 commitment, a mere ten per cent of those measures have been removed in the meantime. Ahead of the G20 summit in Seoul, the Commission calls on its trading partners to remove the remaining restrictions in order not to undermine the recovery.

The impact of investment funds on restructuring practices and employment levels 20 October 2010, 19:30 CET
One feature of the global economy in recent years has been the increasing number and importance of new investment funds (private equity (PE), hedge funds (HFs), and sovereign wealth funds (SWFs)), which are sometimes referred to as alternative investment funds (AIFs). This increase has paralleled fundamental changes in financial markets and has generated heated debates on the impact of these funds on restructuring practices, employment levels and industrial relations. This report present the results of a project that brought together researchers from several European countries to assess the effects of investment funds on labour outcomes.

Understanding and preventing discriminatory ethnic profiling: a guide 11 October 2010, 19:52 CET
Understanding and preventing discriminatory ethnic profiling: a guide aims to help the police address and avoid discriminatory ethnic profiling, and is designed to be used as a tool for more effective policing. When a decision by the police to stop an individual is motivated solely or mainly by virtue of a person's race, ethnicity or religion, this constitutes discriminatory ethnic profiling. Such practices can serve to alienate certain communities in the EU, and in turn can contribute to inefficient policing. The EU-MIDIS results show that minorities were stopped by the police more often than the majority groups living in the same neighbourhoods in Belgium, Germany, Greece, Spain, France and Hungary. This was not the case in the Slovak Republic, Bulgaria, Italy or Romania. (Note, comparisons were made between the police stops experienced by minority and majority populations in ten of the 27 EU Member States).

Results of the first EU-wide survey on police stops and minorities and the FRA Guide on preventing discriminatory ethnic profiling 11 October 2010, 17:43 CET
The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) has published results from its EU-MIDIS survey, showing that minorities who perceive they are stopped because of their minority background have a lower level of trust in the police. The two FRA publications "EU-MIDIS Data in Focus 4: Police stops and minorities" and "Understanding and preventing discriminatory ethnic profiling: a guide" were presented at a symposium of the European Police College (CEPOL) on 11 October 2010.