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Commission en #04 - JUIN 2013 DOSSIER Science for growth EU Citizenship Report 2013 Supporting reforms in Myanmar/Burma Staff forum with President Barroso
CONTRIBUTEURS
Celso Sanchez Martinez
(DG HR DS.6) assure la coordination
du système de management environ-
nemental EMAS de la Commission
pour améliorer continuellement
Malini Morzaria , son impact environnemental, grâce
ECHO’s Regional Infor- au travail de nombreux services Sofia Gregou
mation Officer for Central opérationnels et aux comporte- (DG HR DS.6) is res-
East and Southern Africa, ments durables de tout un chacun. ponsible for EMAS
has been covering huma- Communication
nitarian crises for over and Training Com-
15 years – the last six with mission-wide and
ECHO. Her first time back promoting staff’s envi-
in South Kivu since 2000, ronmental awareness.
she reports on the human She works in coordi-
cost of the two-decade- nation with the EMAS
long Great Lakes crisis. Editorial Team and
the Network of EMAS
Correspondents in
Rosaria Carbone est respon- each DG and Service.
sable de la communication interne à
l’unité Communication de l’ERCEA
(European Research Council Executive
Agency. Elle soutient aussi l’équipe
chargée de la dissémination des résul-
tats des projets de recherche financés
par le Conseil européen de la recherche.
Aurora Constantinopol Koen Van
works as publications coordinator
in DG CONNECT’s Communica- den Heuvel
tion unit. She has been working coordinates work-
for the European Commission force planning,
for 6 years, with previous private- human resource
sector experience in publishing. (HR) metrics
and reporting in
DG HR. E ditor of
the annual HR
R eport, which
Tiziana Arcarese is a computer scientist. She joi- serves as a portal
ned the Commission in 2001 and is in DG CONNECT for everyone (in
since then, dealing with research projects, internal and outside the HR
procedures and more recently in the Communication Community),Koen
Unit where she leads the planning and support team is interested in HR
management in
the Commission.
Rédacteur en chef Zach Hester, Tél. 02 29 69617 - Secrétaire de rédaction Dominique Labourdette - Rédaction Matteo Manzonetto,
Michael Scheerer - Stagiaires Catarina Da Fonseca, Sébastien Procureur - Mise en page & Cend en ligne Marcelo Contreras -
Courrier des lecteurs Eimear O’Kelly - Chef d’unité Norman Jardine.
Accès à Commission en direct en ligne – Personnel actif https://myintracomm.ec.europa.eu - Retraités et CCP https://myintracomm-ext.ec.europa.eu -
Autres institutions et agences (également EEAS) http://myintracomm.ec.testa.eu
Commission en direct est édité par l’unité de Communication, DG HR D.3 - Adresse: CE-SC11, 01/18 - Télécopieur 0229 99285 -
Courrier des lecteurs votcour@ec.europa.eu - Envoi de la publication aux pensionnés oib-cend-pension@ec.europa.eu
ISSN 1977-9259 - Cette publication n’engage pas juridiquement la Commission.
Cover : A scientist at work in a nanotechnology laboratory © Belga
©©Matton EDITORIAL
People focused
by Zach Hester, Editor-in-Chief, Cend tt
A s we all know, 2013 is the European Year
of Citizens – a very felicitous focus for a
European Year with the EU-wide elections for the
next European Parliament scheduled for next year,
about Europe and problems they may encounter
in exercising their rights. See also the interview
about the Commission’s new Visitors Centre, as well
as photos of the Open Doors in Brussels and the
May 2014. voluntary citizen initiative ‘12 Hours for Greece’.
While the European Year was the subject of The people focus continues with this month’s
our dossier in the March edition of Commission dossier on science for growth – and the extremely
en direct, this May was a particularly important important role researchers play in ensuring our
month with the publication of the Commission’s future prosperity. In addition to a special interview
2013 EU Citizenship Report. Nathalie Stockwell, our with Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn about
colleague from DG JUST who worked on the Report, European research and the proposed Horizon 2020
explains its key findings and recommendations. programme, other articles and interviews give a taste
But our citizen focus does not stop there. Martina of the contributions different areas of science are
André-Kaut from DG COMM’s Europe Direct team making.
tells us about their work with the network of And for those of you who missed the actual event,
500 Europe Direct Information Centres – spread highlights of the Staff Forum with President Barroso
across the EU and present in every Member State and Vice-President Šefčovič are also featured. g
– who help citizens every day with their questions
SOMMAIRE
Science for growth
20 23 30 51
06 Post Our stories
22 Europe Direct – Insights
07 Regards
23 How Europe Direct helps citizens
Europe & beyond 25 Défis des Ecoles européennes
08 Brèves 28 Faces of EMAS
10 Countering car industry decline 30 Bruxelles-Nantes à velo
11 EU Citizenship Report 2013
Au quotidien
14 ‘Smarter’ cities
46 Staff forum addresses concerns
18 Supporting Myanmar/Burma reforms
49 Human Resources Report 2013
20 Panzi Hospital gives women hope
51 Nouveau Centre des visiteurs
15 Photos 52 EU Bookshop
52 Nominations
Marco- Máire
Nathalie Martina Umberto Geoghegan- Francesca Christos
Antonio Tajani Stockwell André-Kaut Moricca Quinn Campolongo Tokamanis
10 11 23 25 36 42 45
56
Generations
53 Soins palliatifs et fin de vie
55 Cancer Support and
32
Dossier
retired staff
Freizeit
56 C
ontemporary architecture
recognised 34 Timeline
59 Brèves 36 Máire Geoghegan-Quinn on research and Horizon 2020
60 Jeux 40 Favoriser la régénération cellulaire
62 Histoire en images 41 Energy efficiency in Alginet, Spain
63 Annonces 42 Scientific support for financial stability
43 ‘Clean Sky’ and greener aviation
44 Bio-économie et malnutrition
45 Nanotechnology’s impulse for growth
Benoît Attilio
Woringer Jürgen Wettig Stajano Roy Edwards
51 51 53 55
POST
Banking union Thank you very much for the dossier on the banking
union! It was very useful, and I especially appreciated
the recapitulative timeline and the glossary.
Ute Ally, DG AGRI
Languages
Much to my regret, the third edition of the new
Commission en direct did not contain articles in all
the three working languages of the Commission. Ich Staff
hoffe, das lässt sich wieder ändern. retiring
Manfred Auster, Head of Political Section,
EU Delegation Ottawa
New version of Commission en direct is great! But would
it be possible to still have the items ‘Au revoir’ and ‘In
memoriam’. It’s interesting for ‘old people’ like me !!!!
Frederic Pierre Knechciak, DG HOME
Departures
and
in memoriam
Funny, guys! But WHERE do I find colleagues that
retire? Or those that retired that passed away? I found
that a useful item in the old Cend.
Benedictus Nieuwenhuis, DG FPI
(On Yammer)
6 Juin 2013
regards
Marilyn once sang that diamonds are a girl’s best friend.
These days that’s not true. ICT skills are a girl’s best
friend. Have them, and the diamonds will follow.
Neelie Kroes
Free movement of workers
within the EU’s Single Market
is a win-win situation, both
for individuals and for the EU
economy as a whole.
László Andor
©©EU
©©EU
As Asia knows very well
from its own crisis in
©©EU
©©EU
1997-98-, a crisis can be
an opportunity for reform
and renewed growth.
Peter Praet
Une Europe forte
passe aussi par
un changement de
mentalité. Celui qui veut du succès
doit prendre des risques.
Viviane Reding
europe & beyond
Tax fraud and
brèves evasion
A head of the European Council of 22 May,
focusing on tax fraud and evasion and
©©EU
energy policy, MEPs called for EU-wide action to
collect tax lost to fraud and evasion. A European
Parliament resolution voted on 21 May urged EU
Member States to join forces to halve by 2020 the
Action Plan uncollected ‘tax gap’ of €1 trillion. MEPs want
governments to agree measures to clamp down on
to revitalise
tax havens, close avoidance loopholes, and combat
aggressive tax planning. Other ways in which EU
countries could benefit by better coordinating their
Atlantic tax systems are set out in a separate resolution on the
annual tax report. “The scope for cross-border tax fraud
economy is scandalous, and unilateral national measures will not
suffice to defeat it,” said Mojca Kleva Kekuš (S&D,
SI), the lead MEP on the resolution on tax evasion.
Addressing Parliament, Commission President
O
José Manuel Barroso stated: “The total loss of revenue
due to illegal fraud and unacceptable evasion is estimated
n 14 May, the Commission adopted an to be around €1 trillion a year. How can we explain to
Action Plan to revitalise the marine and honest households and businesses who are feeling the
maritime economy in the Atlantic Ocean area. The squeeze yet still paying their fair share of taxes, that there
Action Plan follows up on the Atlantic Strategy are other parts of society and enterprise who are deliber-
the Commission adopted in 2011. It aims to show ately avoiding paying up?” g
how the EU’s Atlantic Member States, their regions
and the Commission can help create sustainable http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/semeta/
growth in coastal regions and drive forward the headlines/news/2012/06/20120627_en.htm
‘blue economy’, which has the potential to provide
7 million jobs in Europe by 2020. The Atlantic area
is home to numerous maritime activities. These
include both traditional activities, such as fisheries,
aquaculture, tourism and shipping, as well as emer-
ging ones such as offshore renewables and marine
biotech. The Action Plan encourages Member States
to work together, to share information, costs, results
and best practices, and to generate ideas for further
areas of cooperation. g
http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/policy/blue_growth/
index_en.htm
8
©©Matton
Juin 2013
3,25 milliards
d’euros pour
le Mali
«
©©EU
En réunissant les promesses de dons dont le pays
Serbia and
a besoin pour rencontrer ses priorités de dévelop-
pement, la communauté internationale envoie un signal
fort dont nous pouvons collectivement nous réjouir.»
Kosovo reach C’est par ces mots que le président Barroso a salué
l’issue de la conférence internationale des donateurs
landmark deal «Ensemble pour le renouveau du Mali». Organisée le
15 mai dernier par l’UE (DG DEVCO et EEAS) avec la
France et le Mali, la conférence a mobilisé l’ensemble
A
de la communauté internationale au niveau des chefs
d’Etat et de gouvernement pour la relance du Mali.
fter ten rounds of often gruelling talks, Des engagements financiers pour un montant total
EU High Representative Catherine Ashton de 3,25 milliards d’euros ont été annoncés, dont
facilitated a breakthrough in the dialogue for 1,35 milliards d’euros par l’UE – comprenant, pour
normalisation of relations between Belgrade and la Commission, 523,9 millions d’euros d’aide au
Pristina on Friday, 19 April. She announced that développement et 12 millions d’euros d’aide huma-
Serbia’s Prime Minister Ivica Dačić and Kosovo’s Prime nitaire. La réussite de cet évènement constitue aussi
Minister Hashim Thaçi had reached a landmark agree- un motif de fierté légitime pour l’UE qui, pour la
ment. “I want to congratulate the Prime Ministers for their première fois, organisait une conférence internatio-
determination and their courage over these months,” said nale des donateurs au plus haut niveau. g
Ashton after the agreement was reached.
The agreement came just in time for the meeting http://donor-conference-mali.eu/fr
of the EU’s General Affairs Council and Foreign
Affairs Council on 22 April in Luxemburg. Ashton
briefed the EU 27 Member States on the state of play
of negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo. On the
same day, the Commission together with the EU
High Representative also published a written report
on the progress and recommended that negotiations
be opened with Serbia on EU accession, and with
Kosovo on Stabilisation and Association Agreement
(SAA) with the EU. The reports and the recommen-
dations will be discussed by the Council in June.
Catherine Ashton stated: “The recommendations
to open negotiations for EU membership with Serbia and
to open negotiations for an SAA with Kosovo mark a
decisive break with the past and a common step towards
a European future.” g
©©EU
9
EUROPE & BEYOND
Car industry
struggle against serious decline
by Michael Scheerer, Cend tt
Affected by the crisis, Europe’s automotive industry is in serious trouble.
Commission en direct asked Vice-President Antonio Tajani about the
situation and how the EU can help.
Europe’s car markets are in turmoil after
new-car sales fell 9.8%. Is this slump due
to the crisis?
Certainly, car sales and production are strongly
influenced by the macro-economic context. At pre-
sent, Europe is confronted with a deep economic
downturn and the car market is at its lowest point
since 1995. Cars are durable consumer goods repre-
sent an important part of the household budget.
Sales therefore closely follow economic cycles.
Current forecasts do not see the EU car market recov-
ering to pre-crisis levels over the next years.
©©EU
Let’s not, however, be entirely pessimistic. In
contrast to the poor performance on the domestic
market, the EU automotive industry clearly benefits contraction currently observed in automotive pro-
from growth on international markets. The trade duction starts to go beyond the standard response
balance in motor vehicles and parts has been growing of realigning output with demand.
constantly, reaching well over €100 billion in 2012.
How can the EU help?
Car production is a key industry in Member Last year, the Commission adopted the CARS 2020
States like Germany, France, and Italy. Do Action Plan, which aims to improve the competi-
you see this decline affecting the whole tiveness and sustainability of the European automo-
European economy? tive industry. Firstly, the Commission wants to
The EU car market is in a deep decline, but the situ- provide all necessary support to ensure investment
ation varies across the EU. In 2012, among the ‘big in research, development, and innovation. We
five’ automotive markets, three went through a sig- believe this is our way out of the crisis. At the same
nificant contraction – Spain, Italy, France – whereas time, we want the automotive industry to capitalise
Germany’s contracted only slightly, and the UK’s on the competitive advantage it already has on
even expanded. In the first quarter of 2013, the international markets. We therefore have several
situation further deteriorated, as sales in Germany measures to facilitate international harmonisation
declined by 13%. The top five markets are also the and better access to third markets through a well-
top five producers and thus are strongly affected by balanced trade policy. I am confident that with
low sales levels. But the effects of market decline are CARS 2020 we have an adequate response for the
felt across the EU, as automotive and engine plants difficult times ahead. g
are located in 16 EU Member States and their supply
chain stretches across the EU-27. Importantly, the http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/automotive/index_en.htm
10 Juin 2013©©MC EUROPE & BEYOND
EU citizenship
People at the centre
of the EU agenda
by Zach Hester, Cend tt
EU citizenship and the rights it gives citizens are the prime focus of this
European Year. The 2013 EU Citizenship Report just published by the
Commission is an important milestone. Commission en direct met with
Nathalie Stockwell (pictured in centre), from DG JUST, who worked on
the report with colleagues, to find out more.
What is the purpose of plan putting forward 12 concrete initiatives to
the EU Citizenship Report? improve EU citizens’ rights. It aims at making sure
The EU Citizenship Report is an opportunity to that EU citizens can effectively enjoy their rights in
underline – in the context also of the European Year everyday life when working, training, studying, liv-
of Citizens – that citizens are and must be at the ing, travelling or shopping in the EU, and when
centre of the EU’s agenda. The report is an action participating in the EU’s decision-making process.
11Job opportunities for Europeans in other
EU countries is top of the agenda
This is the second such report. • eliminating barriers to shopping in the EU
What progress has been made since • providing targeted and accessible information
the first EU Citizenship Report in 2010? in the EU
The first EU Citizenship Report outlined 25 con- • participating in the democratic life of the EU
crete actions to remove obstacles to EU citizens’
enjoyment of their EU rights in cross-border situa- What are the main actions?
tions. All actions put forward in 2010 have now The report sets out 12 concrete actions in the above
been implemented (see link below). six key areas to help Europeans make better use of
To give you just one example, the Commission their EU rights (see link below).
recently adopted a proposal to facilitate the smooth Two very important actions aim at helping
circulation of public documents (such as birth, citizens make the most of the EU labour market and
death or marriage certificates or documents relating increasing young people’s chances to find a job or
to real estate), doing away with formalities such quality training.
as ‘Apostille’ and ‘legalisation’. Abolishing these Today, one of the biggest challenges we face across
requirements will save citizens and businesses in the EU is unemployment – currently 26 million
the EU up to €330 million, not counting the time people are out of work in the EU as a whole. Youth
saved and the inconvenience avoided. unemployment is particularly alarming, with an
unemployment rate of 23.5%.
What are the most problematic areas Enabling Europeans to benefit from job oppor-
identified in the new report and how were tunities in other EU countries and contribute to the
they identified? economy is at the top of the 2013 EU Citizenship
During a full year we asked citizens about the prob- Report’s agenda. As the first action, the Commission
lems they were encountering when looking for a commits itself to seeing how the EU’s social security
job, travelling, voting or standing as candidates in coordination rules can be updated to allow citizens
elections, or when shopping on line. We launched to continue receiving the financial support they
a wide ranging on-line public consultation (see link are entitled to at home for longer than the current
below) and Eurobarometer surveys on EU citizen- minimum three months period.
ship and electoral rights (Flash Eurobarometers In parallel, the Commission will develop a quality
364 and 365). framework for traineeships to guarantee that young
Targeted events were also held such as the people can get quality work placements, making
Committee of the Regions’ Forum of 28 November sure their rights are respected and they get the best
2012 and the hearing jointly organised by the out of their work experience. The Commission will
European Parliament and the Commission on also take steps to improve the exchange of informa-
19 February 2013 (see links below). tion about traineeships and apprenticeship oppor-
EU Commissioners, together with European tunities through EURES – the European network of
Parliamentarians and national and local politicians employment services.
have also been participating in Citizens’ Dialogues Another important area covered in the report is
in cities across Europe. promoting ways for citizens to take an active part
The main issues highlighted by citizens can be in the democratic life of the EU. The Commission
put into the six following categories: will notably propose constructive ways to enable EU
• removing obstacles for workers and trainees in citizens living in another EU country to maintain
the EU their right to vote in national elections in their
• cutting red tape in the Member States country of origin. It will also explore ways of
• protecting the more vulnerable in the strengthening and developing the European public
12 Juin 2013space. This is particularly important in view of the http://ec.europa.eu/justice/citizen/
upcoming 2014 European elections. files/2013eucitizenshipreport_en.pdf
How much depends on action at Member
State level and how much at EU level?
Enforcement of EU law depends very much on the
national authorities and, when it comes to citizens’
©©EU
rights of free movement, also on local authorities. In
this respect, the Commission intends to take various
actions to ensure that local administrations are given
the tools to fully comprehend EU citizens’ rights of
free movement. Making EU citizenship a reality in
citizens’ lives is a joint endeavour by all concerned,
the European, national, regional and local levels, and
by the citizens themselves.
EU citizenship is the crown jewel
of European integration. It is to
What can citizens do to find out more Political Union what the euro is to
about their rights and ensure they are
respected? our Economic and Monetary Union.
The Commission has developed its one-stop-shop Today’s Citizenship Report places
Your Europe website and the Europe Direct network
(see pages 22-24) to help citizens find the answers to EU citizens centre stage. Ever since
their questions and relevant information about their it was first included in the Treaties
rights. The European Year of Citizens also aims to
promote these tools and raise citizens’ awareness
in 1993, EU citizenship has been
about their EU rights and how to use them. Building evolving – but it is not yet mature:
on this work, the Commission will – and this is a people still face obstacles exercising
commitment made in the new report – further
improve existing tools and guide citizens, in a user- their rights in everyday life. We
friendly way onto its main Europa website and receive over one million enquiries
towards the most relevant services to solve their
problems, as well as helping citizens understand if it
every year from citizens on issues
is the EU or rather national, regional or local bodies that relate to their rights. That is
that are most able to deal with particular issues. g
why today we are taking action to
reinforce citizens’ rights in everyday
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/reding/ situations, like looking for a job,
factsheets/pdf/table_of_actions_en.pdf
http://www.cor.europa.eu/en/news/forums/Pages/citizens- shopping online or taking part in
agenda-local.aspx European decision-making.”
http://ec.europa.eu/justice/citizen/document/files/eu_
hearing_report.pdf Viviane Reding
http://ec.europa.eu/debate-future-europe/index_en.htm
http://ec.europa.eu/justice/citizen/files/eu-citizen-
brochure_en.pdf
13EUROPE & BEYOND
©©EU
Technology and innovation
New partnership to make
Europe’s cities ‘smarter’
by Michael Scheerer, Cend tt
The Commission gathers 500 local decision-makers and industry
representatives to find innovative concepts for Europe’s cities and communities.
U nder the Commission’s leadership, a high-
profile group of mayors and industry repre-
sentatives has started to work towards making Europe’s
cities ‘smarter’. On 14 May, Vice-Presidents Siim Kallas
suppliers, and civil society representatives, with
the Commission playing the role of catalyst in
promoting partnerships between committed stake-
holders working on the basis of co-operative self-
(Transport) and Neelie Kroes (Digital Agenda) and organisation. To support the EIP, the Commission
Commissioner Günther Oettinger (Energy) hosted this will provide policy leadership, innovation support,
first high-level meeting of the European Innovation and regulatory measures. This autumn, the group will
Partnership (EIP) for ‘Smart Cities and Communities’. publish a Strategic Implementation Plan outlining
The challenges facing cities and communities in the specific operational objectives and advising the
quest for sustainability and quality of life are increas- Commission on its innovation agenda.
ingly significant. The EIP plans to support wide-scale Speaking at the high-level meeting, Commissioner
deployment of innovative technologies in the areas Oettinger stated: “Cities are key to the EU’s objectives
of mobility management, energy generation, distribu- of 20% energy savings by 2020 and to developing a
tion and consumption, and information and commu- low carbon economy by 2050, because 70% of the EU’s
nication technologies (ICTs). energy consumption takes place in cities.” He added:
Road congestion, for instance, costs Europe about “The time is right for smart cities and communi-
1% of its GDP every year, and traffic jams occur mostly ties. Cities and industry partners are eager to develop
in urban areas. Deployment of ICTs to better manage integrated sustainable solutions that offer clean, secure
urban traffic flows and facilitate use of public transport and affordable energy to citizens, reduce consumption
could alleviate the problem. and create new markets – in Europe and beyond. With
With the highest energy consumption in the the Smart Cities and Communities Initiative, the EU is
EU (about 40%), the construction sector is the main kick-starting these new markets with an initial funding
contributor to CO2 emissions. Better ICT-enabled of EUR 80 million to support innovative model projects
management could mean up to 15% savings in in selected European cities.” g
energy consumption and 15% in peak-load reductions,
resulting in a reduction of up to 20% in emissions.
The EIP also aims to increase collabora- http://ec.europa.eu/energy/technology/initiatives/smart_
tion between local decision-makers, industry cities_en.htm
14 Juin 2013©© Belga PHOTOS Couronnement de Willem-Alexander des Pays-Bas Le 30 avril dernier, le prince-héritier Willem-Alexander des résidents du royaume, en présence de nombreux est devenu à l’âge de 46 ans le plus jeune souverain invités de marque. d’Europe, à la suite de l’abdication de la reine L’Union européenne était représentée par le président Béatrix après 33 ans de règne. Le nouveau roi des de la Commission, José Manuel Barroso, et le président Pays‑Bas a juré fidélité à la constitution des Pays-Bas du Conseil européen, Herman Van Rompuy. g et a promis de défendre les droits des Néerlandais et
PHOTOS
©©Newsville.be/D.Navridis
©©© AA
©©EU
Objectif atteint! 12 hours for Greece
Cette année encore, la Fête de l’Europe – Journée Democracy was the highlight of the second edition of
portes ouvertes a remporté un vif succès, avec la par- «12 hours for Greece», which took place in the Halles de
ticipation active de 22 directions générales et la visite Schaerbeek in Brussels on 9 May – Europe Day.
de 12 000 personnes au Berlaymont. In the European Year of Citizens, a group of citizens and
L’édition 2013 a été marquée par son caractère ori- philhellenes – headed by our colleague Jimmy Jamar
ginal et innovant, axé sur l’écoute et l’échange. Les (pictured greeting HRH Princess Léa of Belgium, along
citoyens ont fait entendre leurs voix au sein même with Greece’s Ambassador to Belgium P latonas Chatzimi-
du Berlaymont et dans des lieux emblématiques de halis) and assisted by Klimentini Diakomanoli and many
Bruxelles où ils ont pu participer à une douzaine de dé- others volunteers – brought to Brussels a wide range of
bats. Le dialogue citoyen sur l’avenir de l’Europe s’est musicians, performers, famous actors and dancers to
notamment tenu à La Tentation, en présence de la celebrate modern democracy and to send a message of
vice-présidente Viviane Reding et plus de 300 citoyens support and solidarity to Greece from the heart of the EU.
parmi lesquels des acteurs influents des mondes éco- Some 200 people read – in their preferred language –
nomique, politique, associatif et culturel belges. from Plato’s Republic, a masterpiece on democracy and
La fête s’est prolongée tout le week-end: le samedi governance written some 2,500 years ago in Athens.
au rond-point Schuman, avec la Fête du pain organi- The event gathered over 2,000 people, who enjoyed
sée en collaboration avec le Fonds Quartier Européen various aspects of Greek culture – music, food and
et le dimanche, pour la première fois au carrefour de dance, cooking lessons, a Zorba theatre piece, and a
l’Europe, avec la Fête de l’Iris où 15 000 visiteurs se Hellenic film festival, as well as a debate on democ-
sont pressés au Village européen. racy – an occasion to reflect on how citizens feel about
Evènement récurrent du calendrier des institutions our political system in Europe today. A large number
européennes, la Fête de l’Europe – Journée portes ou- of local young Greek entrepreneurs also participated,
vertes permet à la Commission de présenter au grand offering participants an opportunity to taste some of
public les réalisations concrètes de l’UE et de rappeler the wonders of the famous Mediterranean diet.
que l’Europe, ce sont ses citoyens. All the event’s proceeds will support three organisa-
Merci à tous pour votre engagement et rendez-vous tions working on the ground in Greece – Médecins sans
l’année prochaine! g Frontières-Greece, Make a Wish-Greece, and ELEPAP –
the Greek Society for Disabled Children. g©©All rights reserved
Swimming the North Channel for Malawi
Malawi’s health care system is severely deficient. Milko van Gool, Head of Operations with the EU Dele-
Especially in remote areas, such as in many villages gation in Malawi, swam the English Channel (32 kms
around huge Lake Malawi, where health clinics are in 16°C water) for charity in 2011 (see Cend 600,
too far away for most of the population. The only page 6, and Cend 605, page 4). In July this year he
means of travel is often by dug-out canoe, risking the envisages a risky attempt to swim across the wi-
dangerous currents, storms and crocodiles. der and much colder waters of the North Channel
The Chauncy Maples Malawi Trust is renovating between Northern Ireland and Scotland (35 km, 10°-
Africa’s oldest engine ship, the Chauncy Maples, to 13°C, no wetsuit) to raise funds for the work of the
turn it into a hospital ship to deliver health care to Chauncy Maples Malawi Trust. Commission en direct
some of the poorest people on the African continent. will report on his attempt in the early autumn. g
How can colleagues help?
The easiest way to help make the Chauncy Maples hospital ship a reality is with a credit or debit card through
www.justgiving.com/milkovangool. Donations can also be made via a simple bank transfer to account number
BE44 8601 1176 9745 (BIC = SPAABE22) with beneficiary ‘MVG CHANNEL SWIM’. All donations will go to the Chauncy
Maples Malawi Trust, which has almost no overhead costs as it is volunteer-based. The cost of the North Channel swim will
be borne entirely by Milko himself.
http://mvgchannelswim.blogspot.com
17EUROPE & BEYOND
Myanmar/Burma
EU support for comprehensive
reforms
by Zach Hester, Cend tt
After nearly five decades of military dictatorship, a new government
came to power in Myanmar/Burma in early 2011. It has since embarked
on a remarkable programme of political, economic and administrative
reforms, and the EU is actively supporting this process.
I ntroducing genuine democracy, striving to
achieve ethnic peace and addressing the prob-
lems caused by decades of economic mismanage-
ment and underinvestment are no easy task. But this
is the agenda the current government has set itself.
Under President U Thein Sein, very significant steps
have been taken towards establishing a more open
and equitable society.
Democratic transition
The government’s three-pronged national reform
process focuses on political reforms to ease restric-
tions on civil liberties and political activity, eco-
nomic reforms to introduce a market economy and
©©EU
improve the population’s economic and social
well-being, a nd ad minist rat ive refor ms to
strengthen good governance and build effective But obviously there are many challenges to address
institutions. after such a long period of authoritarian rule.
Most political prisoners have now been
released. The country’s most famous dissident, Many challenges
who suffered years of house arrest or detention, At the political level, while good progress has been
the Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi made, the ethnic conflicts that have marred the
now sits in the country’s parliament after elections, country since independence have not been entirely
along with other members of the National League extinguished. But the government’s peace initiative
for Democracy, as head of the opposition. The has already met with some success. Ceasefire agree-
country’s parliament has now become a place ments have been negotiated with ten of the eleven
of lively political debate and the rapprochement major armed ethnic groups. Peace in resource-rich
between the government and opposition has Kachin State in the north, however, remains elusive.
boosted confidence in the strength and sustain- Intercommunal violence in Rakhine State has also
ability of the democratic transition. raised serious concerns.
18 Juin 2013©©EU
One of Asia’s leading economies in the 1960s, President Barroso also paid a visit in November
Myanmar/Burma is now one of its poorest countries 2012 and announced substantial EU support for
– ranked 149th out of the 187 counties in the 2012 the Myanmar Peace Centre as part of the process of
Human Development Index produced by the UN. bringing peace and stability to the ethnic regions
Disparities and poverty levels vary considerably and their long-term development.
within the country. Most of the poor live in rural In March 2013, President U Thein Sein made
areas and poverty levels are higher in ethnic states, the first visit to Brussels by a Burmese head of
particularly in the States of Chin, Rakhine and Shan. state, holding talks with Catherine Ashton. A
In South-East Asia, the country has the highest memorandum of understanding on crisis response
infant and maternal mortality rates and scores low was signed during the visit, which is particularly
in terms of enrolment in primary education and important given the risk of natural catastrophes in
other social indicators. the region.
To boost Burmese trading opportunities and
EU support economic development, the Commission has also
The EU has taken a calibrated approach to adjusting proposed reinstating the Generalised System of
its policy towards the country in light of develop- Preferences, which would provide vital duty-free
ments, supporting the reform process and contribut- access to the EU market under the Everything But
ing to the country’s political, economic, and social Arms initiative.
development. While the budgets for 2014-2020 have not yet
The EU responded quickly to the changes. been decided, assistance seems set to increase. EU
Development cooperation has more than doubled assistance focuses on supporting democracy, the
and expanded in scope, the EU being among the reform programme, the ethnic peace process, and
biggest donors. During his visit to the country in the country’s economic integration into the world
February 2012, Development Commissioner Andris trading system.
Piebalgs announced a package of €150 million for The Commission is also trying to ensure more
2012 and 2013 to support both immediate needs and coordinated programming at EU level and to align
the country’s inclusive development plans, building assistance better with the government’s priorities.
partly on existing support to education, rural devel- The establishment of a national development plan
opment, health, and support for civil society. In to be presented to donors this year will help this
April 2012, the EU suspended and then a year later process. A joint task force is set to meet later this year
lifted the sanctions imposed on the government, to explore how the EU can further assist Myanmar/
although the arms embargo remains in place. EU Burma in achieving its comprehensive agenda of
High Representative Catherine Ashton’s visit that reforms and long-term development. g
same month marked a new beginning in bilateral
relations, with the opening of an EU Office in Yangon. http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/myanmar/index_en.htm
19EUROPE & BEYOND
©©Panzi Hospital
Democratic Republic of Congo
Panzi Hospital gives women hope
by Malini Morzaria, ECHO tt
Supported by ECHO – the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and
Civil Protection department – since 2004, Panzi Hospital in South Kivu
province in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) plays a
particularly important role for women’s health in the region.
F or many, Panzi Hospital near Bukavu, the
capital city of South Kivu, is known as the
rape hospital of the country – at least, that is all
the media seem to be interested in reporting about
violence that accompanies the escalating conflicts
by a plethora of armed actors in eastern DRC. The
reality is that there is an absence of an adequate
health system in the DRC, especially when it comes
from Panzi Hospital. The reality and the statis- to reproductive and maternal health care, and this is
tics of Panzi’s services tell a very different story – what Panzi is largely addressing – the gaping holes
one that does not belittle the ‘normalised’ sexual in health services, specifically in rural areas.
20 Juin 2013Panzi Hospital is addressing the gaping
holes in health services in rural areas
Regional health role Bertha has an understandable sense of pride
Magambo Budundwa, who is a Project Assistant at about her work at this crucial hospital. “We are part
the hospital and involved since 2003, says that of Panzi and as we have grown and got more donors,
Panzi has grown to become a referral hospital for we have been able to offer medicines, treatment, food,
many in eastern DRC – addressing the gaps and the soap, and clothes. This was not the case before when I
needs of the population. “We deal a lot with compli- was a patient in 2000. With fistula, you have to wash
cated pregnancies, and antenatal care is also provided your clothes at least five times a day. Where would you
– DRC has a high maternal mortality rate due to the get soap, if you cannot feed your family ?” adds Bertha.
lack of medical care and facilities available for the peo-
ple who live in rural DRC and have unassisted births.” Offering good treatment in difficult
Panzi is the only hospital in South Kivu offering circumstances
support after sexual violence, as well as surgery and Panzi Hospital also has a unit that offers help – sur-
help for fistula. Elisha Biamungu, a surgical nurse gical and emotional – to survivors of sexual vio-
at Panzi Hospital, explains: “Fistula is an abnormal lence. However, Budundwa laments that this is all
connection between two body organs. In the case of Panzi, that visitors are interested in. There are many other
we deal with the abnormalities between the bladder and needs that Panzi Hospital and its health system try
the vagina and the rectum and vagina.” to address. “Women and men who come here know
As Biamungu specifies, 68-70% of the surgical there is treatment for all ailments and they feel no
cases of fistula Panzi deals with are due to prolonged stigma being at the hospital or getting treatment. Panzi
or unassisted labour – mostly in rural areas – whereas is known as a hospital for good care by the population
20% are due to bad past surgery or other trauma- we serve.”
related cases, and 1-3% are related to rape and/or ECHO has been supporting Panzi Hospital since
sexual violence. 2004. As the largest donor to Panzi Hospital, ECHO
has provided in total over €6.5 million in humani-
Life after fistula tarian funding in the last nine years, helping to
Mbile Misabiko (pictured), fondly known by all as address the medical needs of the most vulnerable
Bertha, is a nurse. She was trained at Panzi Hospital people affected by conflict in eastern DRC. g
and has since become a champion and a living
example of life after fistula.
“I saw what the doctors did for me when I came in
ostracised and afraid – I was wet and urine and feces just
came out at their own will. The smell is bad and no-one
wants to be near you. I had lost all hope and preferred
to be dead. After the surgery, I got help to resume my
studies and trained at Panzi to help deal with women
who suffer from fistula.”
Bertha adds that of 50 cases of fistula treated, 30-40
are successful and leave women able to resume more
or less normal lives. “It gives me great joy when we have
successful treatment. I act as a mentor to women who come
here, afraid and hopeless – I show them that you can, after
all, make something of your life after such an ordeal.” http://ec.europa.eu/echo/aid/sub_saharian/rdc_en.htm
21our stories
europe direct – Insights
Views from discussions at the 2013 Europe Direct Information Centres annual
general meeting
People need to have their views – and
criticisms – represented, and these
voices have to be heard in debates and The European project can
only be legitimised by positive
discussions on the future of Europe. results. The way ahead is to
Professor Dominique Reynié, Paris Institute of
Political Studies
finish the job in hand, because
the crisis simply cannot be
solved at the national level
With the European elections coming up, alone.
Antonio Vitorino, President of Notre
this is a very important moment. Europe and former Commissioner
We need to explain to people that their
voice counts, and this is why EDICs are
so vital – convincing citizens that they
have a role to play.
Viviane Reding, Commission Vice-President We need contact with citizens, and to
make them think about what Europe can
offer. Otherwise, we could see the rise
of populism reflected in the European
Serious flaws in the system go beyond Parliament.
issues of communication, and that Who is shaping public opinion in the
Europe needs to be radically reorganised. regions where you work? We need to
Honesty about current problems is the confront populists on their own territory.
only way to win public support. Laurent Thieule, Director for Communication,
Dr Ulrike Guérot, Senior Policy Fellow and Committee of the Regions
German representative at the European Council
on Foreign Relations
People have lost sight of the original
goal of the European project, which was,
Engage with citizens and explain to them essentially, to overcome nationalism by
exactly why the EU is important in their moving sovereignty to a supranational
everyday lives. body. Now sovereignty appears to be
Gregory Paulger, DG COMM Director-General
something Member States are desperate
to defend.
Robert Menasse, novelist
22 Juin 2013©©All rights reserved
Europe Direct
Helping citizens and rekindling
interest in the EU
by Zach Hester, Cend tt
For citizens, the network of 500 Europe Direct Information Centres
(EDICs) across the EU are often the first point of contact for information
on European issues or help with their problems. Martina André-Kaut
from DG COMM’s Europe Direct network team (pictured in red with the
organising team for EDIC’s annual meeting) talks about their work.
What do EDICs do? centres to find out more about EU legislation, policies,
The centres are part of a broader Commission decentral- programmes, and funding opportunities.
ised network which engages with people at local level on
European issues. EDICs are the local contact points. How are they organised?
Well-trained staff answer people’s queries about EU The new five-year generation of EDICs started work-
policies, engage with local audiences in debates on the ing in January this year. Members were selected via
EU, organise events and fairs. With an enviable geograph- a call for proposals launched simultaneously in all
ical spread – covering almost all the EU regions – EDICs 27 Member States in 2012.
offer people a unique chance to connect with Europe in EU institutions strongly support the network.
their own language. Growing numbers of people visit the To reinforce cooperation between the Commission
23and the European Parliament when jointly the main regular contact inside the Commission is
communicating to EU citizens, last year we signed the network correspondent located in each
a Memorandum of Understanding on the use of Commission Representation. DG COMM manages
Europe Direct. Parliament also voted an additional the network at central level and Representations
€1 million for EDICs to use in 2013 to promote manage and coordinate the network at national level.
the upcoming European elections in 2014. EDICs We at DG COMM Headquarters also organise
will play a key role in raising awareness on citizens’ an annual general meeting, which all EDIC repre-
voting rights. sentatives from all Member States attend. This year’s
meeting – in March at the Autoworld Museum in
What are the most significant changes Brussels – officially launched the new generation.
with the new generation?
These EDICs are now in place for five years, instead How was the event?
of four. This will help EDICs, EU institutions and For two days, Autoworld hosted more than 500 dele-
citizens to benefit from an even better partnership. gates who sought to identify the stumbling blocks to
The financial system is also much more flexible. making Europe more accessible to people.
With less administrative burden, the EDICs can There was something quite symbolic about the
focus more on their core business – giving real facts venue – with a collection of more than 250 vehicles,
and figures about Europe, organising events and each of them with its own history, all of them sharing
campaigns on Europe in the big cities and places the same roof, the museum bore a strong resemblance
outside national capitals, listening to people’s needs to the European project.
and concerns, and sending feedback to us. Members of the Commission, the European
The EDICs are close to the citizens and well Parliament, the Committee of the Regions, the
equipped to understand their concerns and hopes European Economic and Social Committee, and
related to the European project. The Commission Commission Representations, as well as prominent
uses the feedback EDICs receive from citizens, European thinkers and EDIC representatives tried to
requesting consolidated feedback from EDIC address the loss of confidence in the political process,
managers on major citizens’ issues every six months. growing Euroscepticism, populism, and the economic
One year before the European elections, the crisis’s effects (see discussion highlights, page 22).
European Year of Citizens is an excellent opportu- One of the key questions revolved around the
nity for the centres to explain and debate citizens’ purpose of the EU, and whether we are on the right
rights, with a strong accent on voting rights. track.
The objective was to find ideas and narratives on
How can we work with the EDICs and DG how to remobilise European citizens by means of frank
COMM’s Europe Direct team? dialogues and extensive networking.
With the new generation, DGs may associate EDICs The role of EDICs as one of the first points of
to their communication campaigns at local level contacts for EU citizens in the process of restoring
on their own budgets on the basis of a set of criteria public confidence was part and parcel of the discussions.
developed by DG COMM. EDICs can also be used Engaging young people in the EU project and busting
as local communication partners by providing EU myths, showing people the benefits of EU citizen-
them with communication materials in the ship, and branding better the EU institutions.
national language(s) of interest to their target Rekindling people’s interest in the European project
groups and by associating them to initiatives. was on everybody’s lips. g
However, the activities must comply with EDICs’
mission – information and awareness-raising.
What does the work of DG COMM’s Europe
Direct team involve?
We at Headquarters provide strategic steering and
support for management of the network. For EDICs, http://europa.eu/europedirect/index_en.htm
24 Juin 2013©©MC OUR STORIES
Les défis
des écoles européennes
par Sébastien Procureur, Cend tt
Victimes de leurs succès, les Ecoles européennes sont confrontées à
plusieurs défis, notamment en matière de capacité d’accueil. Commission
en direct a rencontré Marco-Umberto Moricca, chef de la délégation
de la Commission au Conseil supérieur des Ecoles européennes.
Quelles sont les Ecoles les plus touchées les sections francophone et néerlandophone. Cela se
par l’accroissement des inscriptions? traduit par une augmentation du nombre d’enfants
Les Ecoles européennes sont victimes de leur succès, en inscrits. Nous aurions probablement moins de
particulier à Bruxelles et à Luxembourg. Dans ces deux pression sur les Ecoles européennes si la capacité
villes, elles accueillent principalement des enfants du d’accueil s’améliorait dans les écoles belges.
personnel des institutions européennes et connaissent
la plus forte augmentation des inscriptions. Comment peut-on résoudre le problème du
A Bruxelles, lorsque les écoles belges connaissent surpeuplement des Ecoles à Bruxelles?
un déficit de locaux ou une modification du droit Le Conseil supérieur a décidé à l’unanimité en 2009
d’inscription, les familles qui ont le droit de de demander à l’Etat belge une cinquième Ecole
s’inscrire dans les Ecoles européennes choisissent européenne, mais ce dernier ne nous a depuis lors
de plus en plus ces dernières, particulièrement pour pas indiqué quel bâtiment pourrait l’accueillir. C’est
25Ces derniers cinquante ans, la Belgique a construit
quatre Ecoles européennes à Bruxelles
pourquoi la Commission a rappelé lors de la réu- seurs détachés. Ceci est notamment le cas pour les
nion du Conseil supérieur, en avril 2013, et dans professeurs anglophones. Beaucoup d’enfants
tous les contacts bilatéraux depuis 2009, qu’elle apprennent l’anglais comme langue étrangère ou
attendait une proposition de la Belgique. choisissent l’anglais comme langue principale
L’Etat belge est propriétaire des bâtiments des lorsqu’une section de leur langue maternelle n’existe
Ecoles européennes. Mais tous les frais de gestion pas. La demande de professeurs de langue maternelle
d’une école – entretien, paiement des salaires… – anglaise est donc importante. Le Royaume-Uni
restent à la charge du budget de l’Union, des Etats estime que sa contribution est significativement
membres et des parents des élèves des Ecoles euro- supérieure à celle des autres pays et a donc décidé de
péennes ou de leurs employeurs. ne plus remplacer les professeurs dont le détache-
Ces derniers cinquante ans, la Belgique a ment arrive à échéance afin de réduire le quota «pro-
construit quatre Ecoles européennes à Bruxelles, fesseurs détachés/enfants» (actuellement 15% de pro-
soit un coût relativement limité au regard de la fesseurs détachés du Royaume-Uni pour 8% d’élèves
charge financière qu’elle devrait supporter si les nationaux environ). Toutefois, la Commission reste
enfants du personnel des institutions étaient à la recherche d’une solution pour parvenir à un
scolarisés dans l’enseignement belge. En effet, le accord sur le partage des coûts. A cet égard, lors du
coût annuel de la scolarisation d’un enfant dans le Conseil d’éducation du 16 mai, la Commission a
système belge est de 6 500 euros. Si les quatre Ecoles appelé les Etats membres à convenir d’un principe de
européennes n’existaient pas, les 12 000 enfants repartition équitable et le Conseil supérieur des
qui les fréquentent actuellement devraient être Ecoles européennes à se réunir en composition
scolarisés dans le système belge, ce qui représen- ministérielle pour cela.
terait un coût d’environ 70 millions d’euros par
an à charge de la Belgique. A titre de comparaison, Quelles ont été les principales décisions du
l’Ecole européenne de Laeken a coûté 60 millions Conseil supérieur d’avril?
d’euros aux autorités belges. Tout d’abord, le budget 2014 est maintenant adopté.
La Commission soutient les efforts de rationalisa-
D’autres Ecoles sont-elles touchées par la tion et de stabilisation des dépenses, tout en garan-
surpopulation? tissant pleinement le cursus et le niveau scolaire.
Il n’y a pas de problèmes de surpopulation dans les Un second point important portait sur l’examen
dix autres Ecoles européennes à l’exception de celle de la réforme du secondaire. Ce point n’a pas donné
de Varese (Italie) située près du Centre commun de lieu à une décision mais cela pourrait être le cas
recherche d’Ispra où travaillent environ 2 000 per- en décembre prochain. C’est un projet important
sonnes et de celle de Francfort, où se trouve la au niveau pédagogique pour la lutte contre l’échec
Banque centrale européenne (BCE). Avec l’Union scolaire. Par exemple, le nombre d’heures de mathé-
bancaire, la BCE s’agrandit, ce qui accroît le besoin matiques pourrait ainsi passer de 4 à 5 heures pour
de places d’accueil pour les enfants du personnel. tous, avec un complément possible de 2 heures pour
la filière «maths fortes». g
Où en est la question du détachement des
professeurs?
De manière générale, les Ecoles européennes attirent
toujours les professeurs des Etats membres. Pour cer-
tains Etats membres, le nombre d’enfants inscrits est https://myintracomm.ec.europa.eu/hr_admin/fr/social_bxl/
proportionnellement inférieur au nombre de profes- family/Pages/schools_europ.aspx
26 Juin 2013You can also read
