*** MARIA JOAO RODRIGUES (Ed.): Vers une société européenne de la connaissance. La stratégie de Lisbonne (2000-2010). Editions de l'Université de Bruxelles (26 av. Paul Héger, B-1000 Brussels. Tel: (32-2) 6503799 - Fax: 6503794 - e-mail: editions@admin.ulb.ac.be - Internet: http: //http://www.editions-universite-bruxelles.be ). 2004, 305 pp, 23 euros. ISBN 2-8004-1343-3.
As Wim Kok outlines his working group's recommendations for revitalising the process initiated as part of the Lisbon Strategy, this detailed book has been published at the right time. It is all the more valuable since it has been edited by the woman who chaired the group of international experts during the last Portuguese Presidency that set out the fundamentals of the strategy to turn Europe into a knowledge-based society by 2010. The members of this initial group of experts joined Maria Joao Rodrigues in the writing of this book, which provides extremely useful added insight into the Kok Report.
The authors broach vital subjects in terms of the future of the European Social Model and governance in Europe, as Prof. Mario Teló points out in the preface. Knowledge is in the process of becoming a fundamental source of economic and social development, but it could also become a source of social inequality within society and lead to new hierarchies of international power. Is it possible in this context to design a European alternative to the US model of a knowledge-based society? How can international competitiveness and the high tech revolution be reconciled with the European values of justice, social cohesion and democracy? What modernisation strategy should be adopted for technological innovation, the reform of the welfare state, European employment policies, research, education and the single market? Illuminating responses are given in the book to these highly significant questions for our future.
Michel Theys
*** BRUNO AMABLE: Reforming Europe: Is the Third Way the Only Way? Saint-Gobain Centre for Economic Studies (47 rue Louis Blanc, F-92984 Courbevoie. Tel: (33-1) 49041100 - Fax (33-1) 49041101 - e-mail: centre@saint-gobain.com - Internet: http://www.centresaint-gobain.org ). "Prisme" series, No. 3. 2004, 28 pp.
As debate over economic reform continues apace, this research sheds new light on arguments put forward in the Sapir Report commissioned in 2002 by President Romano Prodi. The author of this study, economics lecturer at Université Paris X and researcher at the 'Centre d'études prospectives et d'économie mathématique appliquée à la planification' (Cepremap), challenges the micro-economic arguments set out in the Sapir Report, on the grounds that it would mean Europe abandoning a capitalist model including social welfare for a free trade version largely hostile to social security and characterised by excessive labour market flexibility. Bruno Amable compares the growth and innovation performance of France and Germany with the United Kingdom and the United States, and also with Sweden and Finland. Although the different models end up with generally comparable levels of performance, the author believes they have different consequences in terms of income and social risk distribution. Hence he stresses that the choice of model is making a real political choice. (STu)
*** GIUSEPPE FAJERTAG, PHILIPPE POCHET (Eds.): La nouvelle dynamique des pactes sociaux en Europe. Presses Interuniversitaires Européennes-Peter Lang (Brussels. e-mail: info@peterlang.com). "Travail & Société" series, No. 26. 2001, 435 pp. ISBN 90-5201-927-4.
A very detailed book by twenty-four renowned experts, outlining coherent and differentiated approaches to the new social agenda that trade unions, employers and the state are negotiating in the post-EMU economy. The book's introduction includes four essays looking at various aspects of the debate surrounding the signing of social pacts in the 1990s (the impact of EMU, the relative importance of the various stakeholders, interaction between pay policy, welfare and reform of the labour market, etc.). The second part of the book contains case studies in eleven EU Member States and Norway. The diversity of solutions chosen in the different countries and the complex nature of the arrangements in each state are illustrated, and the book's conclusions are set out in two chapters comparing more economics-based aspects. (MT)
*** EDOUARD LANDRAIN: Entre les exigences de la flexibilité et celles du réalisme: la voie étroite de l'aménagement du temps de travail en Europe. Délégation de l'Assemblée nationale pour l'Union européenne (126 rue de l'Université, F-75007 Paris. Tel.: (33-1) 40636000 - Internet: http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr ). Newsletter No. 1519. 2004, 133 pp, 5 euros. ISBN 2-11-117643-5.
This French parliamentary newsletter assesses the state of play in reducing the working week in Europe. In the first part of the report, parliamentarian Edouard Landrain explains the unique peculiarities of the French experience of the 35 hour working week, characterised by the almost exclusive role of the legislator. In the other Member States, however, the opposite holds and the law tends to do little more than set down general guidelines, supplemented by the employers and trade unions through collective bargaining. The newsletter shows that most states are sceptical about the scope for cutting the working week, with this being seen as generating costs and increasing the informal economy rather than leading to job creation. In the second part of the newsletter, Edouard Landrain examines problems encountered in achieving greater harmonisation. Member States' responses vary enormously subsidiarity has a huge role for employment issues. After describing the employment situation in Germany, Spain and Italy, which have seen the emergence of will to combat mass unemployment through convergent structural reforms, the author suggests ways of moving towards greater harmonisation. He believes these solutions would lead to increased levels of social governance in Europe. (STu)
*** BENGT ERIKSSON, ASE-BRITT FALCH, SANDOR LISZNYAI, MAGDA RITOÓK: Theories of Intervention and Social Change. Peter Lang (1 Moosstrasse, Postfach 350, CH-2542 Pieterlen, Switzerland. Tel: (41-32) 3761717 - Fax: 3761727 - E-mail: publicity@peterlang.com - Internet: http: //http://www.peterlang.de ). "European Social Inclusion" series, No. 9. 2003, 176 pp. ISBN 3-631-50433-0.
Two Swedish social welfare lecturers at the University of Karlstad and two Hungarian psychology lecturers at Budapest Scientific University Eötvös Lorand have joined forces to write this scientific monograph on social change and social and psychological intervention. The publication forms part of a development project for a European academic course on social exclusion supported by the EU's Socrates Programme. A short book aimed at experts. (PB)
*** EDOUARD LANDRAIN: Réforme de l'assurance maladie: les remèdes européens. Délégation de l'Assemblée nationale pour l'Union européenne (see above). Newsletter No. 1672. 2004, 118 pp, 5 euros. ISBN 2-11-118572-8.
This report makes a comparative study of reform of sickness benefit systems in various countries and groups of countries at a time when the French sickness benefit system is a an impasse, firstly in terms of finance and then in terms of health and social matters, with the government making reform of social security one of its flagship policies. Parliamentarian Edouard Landrain points out that entitlement to sickness benefit is an integral part of EU acquis and action and earlier this year, the Commission unveiled a Communication on enhancing the definition of a common framework to support national efforts to reform and develop healthcare systems through the open coordination method.
The report notes that all EU countries are facing the same challenge - reconciling cost cutting in healthcare with ensuring good access to healthcare. While methods differ from one Member State to another, five main reform trends can be distinguished - decentralising decision-making, getting service providers to compete with one another in a regulated framework, making stakeholders aware of their responsibilities, modernising management and increasing monitoring and evaluation. The report's conclusions suggest that decentralised management systems, as established in Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, cuts costs. The author highlights the need to make patients aware of their responsibilities. One of the annexes is a useful table comparing summaries of each case study, including an outline of the reforms together with a list of pros and cons. (STu)
*** STEFANO BOY, SANDRA LIMOU: La mise en œuvre de la directive relative aux machines. Un équilibre fragile entre marché et sécurité. Bureau Technique Syndical Européen pour la Santé et la Sécurité (5 Bd du Roi Albert II, B-1210 Brussels. Tel: (32-2) 2240560 - Fax: (32-2) 2240561 - E-mail: tutb@etuc.org - Internet: http: //tutb.etuc.org). 2003, 160 pp, 20 euros. ISBN 2-930003-47-2.
The Machines Directive is the cornerstone of EU work equipment regulations. It aims to combine the free circulation of machines in the European Union with effective protection of workers and citizens. This study is the outcome of an EU research project looking at the application of the directive in four Member States, namely Germany, Finland, France and Italy. The research was started following observations that ten years after the Machines Directive came into force, no studies had been carried out into how it has actually been implemented in Europe, although the most recent report into accidents at work in the EU revealed that workers using machines are still considered at high risk. This detailed research looks at practical difficulties encountered in interpreting and applying the directive, and the respective liabilities of employers, manufacturers and suppliers, and problems with market surveillance. (STu)
*** WENDY MORRIS, PROF. JOHN WILSON, THEONI KOUKOULAKI: Pour une approche participative de conception des équipements de travail. Intégrer l'expérience des travailleurs. Bureau Technique Syndical Européen pour la Santé et la Sécurité (see above). 2004, 196 pp, 20 euros. ISBN 2-930003-51-0.
This report was drafted as part of a joint project carried out by the TUTB (European Trade Union Technical Bureau for Health and Safety) and the Saltsa programme (Common Swedish Programme for Research into Working Life in a European Perspective) into integrating end user experience into working systems. Through case studies, it examines ways end users can be involved in designing or altering machines and equipment. The book includes a range of different views of involving end users, and takes account of the various possible interpretations of participation, outlining the obstacles to such involvement. The conclusions show that in most cases, involving workers led to tangible improvements in the design of existing equipment. Progress has been observed, for example, in terms of chair, cabin and lever ergonomics, protection devices and reducing noise levels. The report also identifies a number of key factors for successful integration of end users, like an appropriate business climate and commitment across all levels of management. (STu)
*** EU Policies: A Guide for Business. American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (50 av. des Arts, box 5, B-1000 Brussels. Tel: (32-2) 5136892 - Fax: (32-2) 5137928 -- E-mail: amchameu@amcham.be - Internet: http://www.amchameu.be ). 2004, 249 pp. ISBN 2-91468-53-35.
This guide, now in its twentieth edition, provides objective, succinct information about European Union proposals and policies. It aims to be exclusive, with thirteen chapters outlining the latest legislative developments and regulations in every area of activity of the European institutions, from competition to energy via consumer affairs, customs, the e-economy, the environment, intellectual property and trade relations. Under the heading "Business Perspective", each chapter ends with an analysis of the impact the EU decisions might have on industry and business. The last chapter covers horizontal issues like competitiveness, corporate governance and services in the single market. As a general introduction, there is a highly useful reminder of the various treaties establishing the EU, the three pillars and the legal basis underlying the EU's decision-making process, along with a list of various articles of EU legislation. (STu)
*** ALEXANDRE K. SAMII: Stratégie logistique. Supply Chain Management. Dunod (Paris. Internet: http: //http://www.dunod.com ). "Gestion Sup" series. 2004, 389 pp. ISBN 2-10-008207-8.
This book identifies the proper use of marketing mixes and logistics for redefining strategies for customer service, transport, storage, stocks and orders. Lecturer at the Université catholique de Louvain in Belgium, the author gives a framework of reference for analysing logistics as a strategic system. He reviews the main sections of the economy - supermarkets, rapid and sustainable consumer goods, office work, the pharmaceutical industry, chemicals and automobiles - with this third edition also looking at the mushrooming of e-commerce. (LD)
*** The EUROPEAN COMMISSION (Official Publications Office of the European Communities, L-2985 Luxembourg. Internet: http: //publications.eu.int) has published the following documents:
*** Many tongues, one family. Languages in the European Union. DG for Press and Communications, Publications (B-1049 Brussels). July 2004, 22 pp. ISBN 92-894-7759-8
There are currently twenty official languages in the European Union. Although the EU takes action, naturally enough, to ensure greater integration of nations, it also wants to ensure cultural and linguistic diversity. This booklet describes the language situation in Europe. Since most Europeans still do not speak enough foreign languages, the Commission launched an Action Plan in 2003 to encourage citizens to learn two languages in addition to their native tongue. This document explains the reasons and benefits of learning a foreign language, both in terms of extending one's culture and the benefits to citizens in terms of career prospects and mobility.
*** Inforegio Panorama. DG Regional Policy, Unit 01 "Information and Communications" (41 av. de Tervuren, B-1040 Brussels. Fax: (32-2) 2966003 - E-mail: regio-info@cec.eu.int - Internet: http: //europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/regional_policy/index_fr.htm). September 2004, No. 14, 28 pp.
This issue focusses on the Cohesion Fund. Set up in 1994, the Cohesion Fund entered a new phase when it was extended to the ten new EU Member States. This booklet outlines the main outcomes of the Cohesion Forum in May which greatly influenced the Commission's draft structural action regulations for 2007-2013. The review also looks at the pre-accession structural instrument. Concrete case studies from a series of countries benefitting from the Cohesion Funds and the pre-accession structural instrument, like example Poland, are also included.
*** Forum. Bertelsmann Stiftung (256 Carl-Bertelsmann-Strasse, D-33311 Gütersloh. Tel: (49-52) 418181160 - Fax: 418181999 - E-mail: angelika.turowitz@bertelsmann.de - Internet: http://www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/verlag ). 2004, No. 2, 40 pp.
The Bertelsmann Foundation acts as a kind of social entrepreneur. One article, written along with the German home affairs ministry, explains how harmonious integration of foreigners into society is not the work of the federal state and its Länder, but rather of towns and communities which have to make an effort in this domain. Some articles look at the demographic challenges facing Germany and the new face of the enlarged Europe. There is a dossier on healthcare, focussing on the importance of preventative measures, and articles looking at backache and combatting child poverty.
*** Paneuropa Intern. Paneuropa - Union Deutschland (17 Dachauer Strasse, D-80335. Tel: (49-89) 55468384 - Fax: 594768). October 2004, No. 11, 4 pp. Annual subscription: 95 euros.
Paneuropa Intern looks at how Europe sees itself, particularly when it comes to religion. Another article considers the ways European foreign policy may develop in the future.
*** La Lettre des Européens. Mouvement Européen-France (95 rue de Rennes, F-75006 Paris. Fax.: (33-1): 45499661 - E-mail: contact@mouvement-europeen.org - Internet: http//http://www.mouvement-europeen.org ). July-August-September, No. 50, 12 pp, 8.38 euros. Annual subscription: 30 euros.
Most of this issue is devoted to the European Constitution. Michel Barnier sets out the political and institutional reasons why European should say yes to the Constitution. Pervenche Berès takes a less rosy view of how the Constitution might contribute to the European project, while Anne-Marie Idrac, President of Mouvement Européen-France, sums up by urging French people to vote for the Treaty in the referendum. The magazine also includes factsheets on "Que fait l'Europe près de chez vous ?", describing EU action at local level. In another article, Romano Prodi looks back at his five years as President of the European Commission.
Reviews in brief
***Annual Report 2003. European Recovered Paper Council. 2004, Brussels. The report analyses paper recycling statistics and trends and gives an overview of the paper industry in the general. It also analyses and comments on the European Paper Recycling Declaration. ***Focus sur la Flandre. Édition Lanoo.
October 2004, Tielt. This issue of the fortnightly Flanders newsletter, published in French, English and German, looks at DHL's dispute with Brussels National Airport, along with other issues.