Brussels, 24/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - The Danish minister for childhood and education, Christine Antorini, and for culture, Uffe Elbaek, have presented the priorities in their relevant fields to the members of the education and culture committee at the European Parliament. On education, the new European Commission programme, “Erasmus for All”, presented on 23 November 2011 by the European Commission, which aims to take over the seven current programmes on education, gives cause for concern among several MEPs who fear this will lead to a hotchpotch of objectives pursued by earlier programmes. They call for the Danish Presidency's support to prevent this. On the culture side, emphasis was placed on a more international dimension for European cultural policy and the growth of cultural and creative industries which could breathe new life into an economy in crisis. Discussions were headed by Doris Pack (EPP, Germany), newly re-elected as chairperson of the parliamentary committee.
The new “Erasmus for All” programme gives rise to many questions, mainly in relation to the taking into account of all the aspects tackled by previous programmes. The Danish minister hopes to reach conclusions on the substance of the matter during the next meeting of education ministers in May, and will leave it up to finance ministers to tackle budgetary matters. She hopes, moreover, that not too much attention will be focused on the name of the programme, given the number of interesting proposals of import to be studied. Speaking of the economic and financial crisis, Antorini highlighted the problem of youth unemployment, which is particularly high and continues to grow. Education, she said, plays a fundamental role in teaching young people to acquire more qualifications and to develop their creativity. The Danish Presidency will seek to develop a benchmark on employability, as the Polish Presidency had done on mobility, by linking two elements (employability and mobility). The objective is to draw a picture of the situation in member states and, as far as possible, to make comparisons which take specific national features into account. Noting that the question of recognition of skills and qualifications has not been studied in depth for nearly five years, Antorini intends to return to the subject in six months' time, given the importance that the subject has for employability. On the subject of youth, the Danish Presidency will tackle two aspects in particular: (1) youth participation in formal democracy (elections); and (2) youth participation in voluntary work. Antorini will also look at the development of creative qualities among the young.
In their questions and comments, several MEPs expressed apprehension about the new “Erasmus for All” programme. “Is it a good programme?” asked Petra Kammerevert (S&D, Germany). “Lifelong learning should not be diluted in a far broader programme”, said Santiago Fisas Ayxela (EPP, Spain). “Why not keep to existing programmes?”, asked Sabine Verheyen (EPP, Germany). Morten Lokkegaard (ALDE, Denmark) took the view that “one should focus far more on the substance of the programmes than on their names”. Many MEPs, moreover, called on the Danish minister not to leave it up to finance ministers to take the decision on funding allocated to the new programme, without first insisting that adequate funds are necessary. “If we leave it up to financiers, then we shall get nothing!” warned Lokkegaard. Helga Trüpel (Greens/EFA, Germany) took the view: “More intervention is needed. Denmark must adopt a bolder approach”. “Times are hard but they (the finance ministers) must also look at investment in education”, concluded Trüpel. The European Commission proposed a rise of around 70% of the budget for 2014-2020 compared to the current budget over seven years (2007-2013). The figure of €19 billion was suggested. Among the other views expressed, Hannu Takkula (ALDE, Finland) spoke of the exclusion of young people, a scourge that must be confronted head on from the earliest age.
Taking the floor, Danish Culture Minister Uffe Elbaek highlighted the huge growth potential of cultural and creative industries. He welcomed the new “Creative Europe” programme for the period 2014-2020 presented by the Commission at the end of November, at the same time as “Erasmus for All”, and which will be vital for establishing a healthy framework. He, too, plans to achieve an agreement on substance, in May this year at the Council of Ministers. The Danish Presidency will also place emphasis on the role of culture in external relations and will continue discussion on the digitalisation of cultural heritage. On the subject of sport, it will be necessary to ensure that the first action plan adopted in May is implemented, said Elbaek. The Presidency will pay great attention to integrity in sport, and will place emphasis on combating doping and match rigging.
Piotr Borys (EPP, Poland) called on the Danish Presidency to safeguard the autonomy of the “Creative Europe” programme and to obtain the necessary resources for the programme. A number of MEPs also tackled the question of copyright, in the context of closure of Megaupload (Helga Trüpel), and broader access to culture through new technologies (Sabine Verheyen). Verheyen said the cultural dimension is not sufficiently taken into account in the debate on copyright in a digital environment. On such a sensitive issue, Denmark will place emphasis on the problem of creation theft. The growth potential of creative industries is in danger, if copyright is not allowed, Elbaek said. It will be necessary to find a balance between free and open access to culture and the remuneration of artists. On the subject of the international dimension of culture, Lokkegaard highlighted the importance of stepping up relations with China.
The latter is in favour of intensifying cultural exchange with Europe. Finally, Marco Scurria (EPP, Italy) said three points deserve to be given priority in discussions on budget: (1) protection and restoration of European cultural heritage; (2) the place of sport in “Erasmus for All”; and (3) enhancing the value given to voluntary activity.
On the subject of sport, Ivo Belet (EPP, Belgium) called on the Danish Presidency to give a clear stance on the question of doping and rigged matches, which cause real problems for sporting credibility. He also spoke of the question of agents for players. Fisas Ayxela said action to counter the trafficking of doping products must be linked to the fight against narcotics in general, and this requires enhanced cooperation between member states. In addition to doping and match rigging, it will be necessary to continue the fight against discrimination of every kind in sport (race, gender, sexual leaning) and to encourage social integration through sport, Ayxela said. (IL/transl.jl)