*** PHILIPPE BUSQUIN, FRANCOIS LOUIS: Le déclin de l'Empire scientifique européen. Comment enrayer la chute ? Editions Luc Pire (37-39 quai aux Pierres de Taille, B-1000 Brussels - E-mail: editions@lucpire.be - Internet: http://www.lucpire.be ). "Voix politiques" series. 2005, 160 pp., 20 €. ISBN 2-87415-481-4.
Europe is the cradle of modern science. No more, no less! Galileo, Newton, Amère, Darwin, Mendeleeve, Curie, Fleming, and Einstein, to name just a few were European. No Americans. However, who remembers today that Europe was “yesterday”, prior to 1933, the centre of gravity for research? Not many, and for a good reason: despite some of the achievements of the avant-guard, such as the European Centre for Nuclear Research (CERN), European Southern Observatory or the European Space Agency, European countries have played, to varying degrees ,a research role now suddenly find themselves collectively relegated to playing second fiddle to the USA, while China and other powers emerge in international research. Certain people accept the situation. Others do not. Philippe Busquin is one of the latter. As Commissioner Potocnik in his postface in this book points out, it was down to Busquin in the Prodi Commission who resurrected and transformed “this ancient idea that had remained for too long a dead letter” into draft policy and the project for the European research Area.
Philippe Busquin, now an MEP, is best placed in providing, in collaboration with a Belgian journalist, a lay man's illustration, that is both reliable and accessible to a mass readership, of the stakes at play in the construction of this European Research Area. The first part of the book, “Towards a European Research Area”, provides the main key histories, economic and scientific policies in the current debate within a budgetary angle. The second part consists of a lengthy interview with Busquin in the weeks that followed his departure from the European Commission. The former president of the French-speaking Socialists of Belgium uses the occasion to draw up a balance sheet of his mandate and to comment on the main questions of the moment in European construction: Constitution, enlargement, Turkish accession etc. The final part of the book, “Twenty Keys for Taming Science” is devised as a mini scientific encyclopaedia. As well as a small biography of ten of the main names in scientific history, the reader can also find some technical files that are very intelligently made accessible focusing on the most important scientific issues of the day: cloning, nuclear fusion, fuel cells, nano-technology. So many research themes on which the Union is currently attempting to orientate itself strategically, notably funding for laboratories.
The overall book, through its instructive thrust and force of conviction and enthusiasm should also, and this is no mean feat in the era of “mad cows”, contaminated blood and dioxin chickens, contribute to the restoration of a climate of confidence between European citizens and technological progress, which, for a lot of people, arouses much suspicion. The authors in conclusion, say that “in the globalised world developing before our eyes, the scientific prestige of Europe and its humanist influence will only resist at the price of genuine European political integration and massive investment in an intelligent and creative environment”. This involves, at the very least, the ability, to begin with, of making citizens aware of what is happening.
Michel Theys
*** MICHEL HERBILLON: Les universités au XXIe siècle: pour une nouvelle Europe des Lumières. Délégation pour l'Union européenne de l'Assemblée nationale (Kiosque de l'Assemblée nationale, 4 rue Aristide Briand, F-75007 Paris. Tel: (33-1) 40636121 - Internet: http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr ). "Documents d'information" series, No. 1927. 2004, 130 pp., €5. ISBN 2-11-116647-2.
In the relaunch of the Lisbon Strategy, European universities have a major role to play and can now give their support to the “Lisbon process”, which, according to the French MP responsible for this information report, constitutes a “real lever of reform” given that it is a “European objective and “chance for France”. Michel Herbillon says that it is indispensable for showing how America currently imposes its model of higher education. In the global market, which also effects us more locally, Europeans therefore have to respond if they still want to exist given that universities are also “cradles of influence” reflecting values and societal models. In this spirit, the author suggests a method and way forward with twelve proposals for building a Europe of excellence in diversity, including that of creating a European fund for university infrastructure, as well as a European university label
(PBo)
*** ROBIN MARK, MIREILLE POUGET, EDWARD THOMAS (Editors): Adults in Higher Education: Learning from Experience in the New Europe. Peter Lang AG (32 Hochfeldstrasse, Postfach 746, CH-3000 Bern 9. E-mail: info@peterlang.com - Internet: http://www.peterlang.com ). 2004, 512 pp. ISBN 3-03910-182-X
This book is the result of research in the “Adults Learning and participating in Education” project (Alpine). Supported by the European Commission, this project seeks to increase the level of education of adults at a university level. European society at a world level is increasingly developing towards one based on knowledge. The European Union has recognised this fact and launched, in an effort to adapt as quickly as possible and as efficiently as it can, the Lisbon Strategy. It recognises the capital role of this permanent education process, particularly that of higher adult education, which allows citizens to continually acquire the skills necessary for their participation in the economic life of their communities. Moreover, education continues to bring elements that contribute to maintaining a democratic, stable and peaceful society.
However, this book shows that despite the importance of continuous education for adults, there are many obstacles to overcome and the variety of provisions taken in this area on the continent puts a brake on the implementation of a genuine European higher education training policy for adults in general. The differences of national situations is illustrated in this book written by experts from around twenty European countries. These experts draw up a graph on higher adult education in their respective countries by presenting the current situation, the obstacles which adults have to confront in the pursuit of a university training, as well as the good practices that other universities can aspire to. Two chapters of analysis and conclusion close their book, providing an overall view of the current deficiencies and means for overcoming them in order for implementation to succeed.
(FRo)
*** BEATA BLEHOVA, PETER BACHMAIER (Editors): Die Bildungs-, Wissenschafts- und Kulturpolitik in der Slowakei 1945-2004. Peter Lang (Frankfurt am Main. Internet: http://www.peterlang.de ). "St. Pöltner Osteuropa Studien" series, No. 2. 2004, 268 pp., € 45.50. ISBN 3-631-53017-X.
This book brings together fourteen scientific analyses of Slovakia since the Second World War up to the present day and results from a Austrian-Slovakian colloquy in November 2003. Contributions from Slovak authors analyse the current situation and development of the education system since the Communist period. Foreign scientific contributions look at the Slovak evolution in relation to the fundamental transformation process following the collapse of the Communist block up to European Union accession. The authors believe that this transformation has not sufficiently been taken into account in current debates and fear that the necessary cultural renaissance is not only compromised by the Communist heritage but also by the negative aspects of globalisation.
(FBi)
*** GERALD G. SANDER, IVO MARYŠKA (Editors): Die Europäische Union vor neuen Herausforderungen Verfassung - Osterweiterung - Welthandel. Peter Lang (see coordinates attached). 2005, 209 pp., €39. ISBN 3-631-52596-6.
Eleven articles (eight German and three in French), which make up this assortment describe new European Union challenges. The work of the European Conventions tackled within the perspective of the local German regions. In order to define the Constitutional Treaty, the author uses the words of Joschka Fischer, German minister for foreign affairs, “A successful compromise is attained when everyone can live with it but when no-body is satisfied by it”.
It is also a question of European identity, within the perspective of political geography and Central Europe, the role of the Church and religious communities, the future of languages in an enlarged Union. It then looks at the experience of federalism in the former Czechoslovak territory as a context for European integration. This history of the Czech and Slovak Republics is examined, from independence to their entry into the Union. Turkish candidacy and its accession process are also analysed. Finally, it explains that the relation of the European Union with the WTO, as well as liberalisation of the world agrarian market as major actors on the international stage. (Fbi)
*** FRANK ECKARDT, DIETER HASSENPFLUG (Editors): Urbanism and Globalization. Peter Lang (1 Moosstr., CH-2542 Pieterlen. Fax: (41-32) 3761727 - Internet: http: //http://www.peterlang.de ). "The European City in Transformation" series, No. 2. 2004, 354 pp. ISBN 3-631-50744-5.
"How can heritages of a European city be transmitted to a city in times of profound changes?” Such is the question posed by Frank Eckhardt and Dieter Hassenpflug from the Bauhaus University of Weimar, a city which at first glance has been affected by globalisation. In order to seek out the answers to the challenges confronting cities in the post-national age, the coordinators of this book go back to the roots of the first Bauhaus movement which, at the beginning of the twentieth century, sought solutions for the city in the context of modernism. To do this, they have brought together around twenty experts to deal with political, cultural, social , as well as architectural facets to the question. After the introduction on urbanism and globalisation, the authors examine numerous points of study in five chapters. The first focuses on the definition and classification of what could be called, global cities. The second deals with the internal dynamics confronting these cities shaped by globalisation. Then a chapter looks at the actors in this global urbanism. The fifth chapter explores major urban planning projects, while the fifth studies the difference between European global urbanism and that, for example, in Bangkok or Guadaloupe. With its variety of empirical studies and data on the “floating citadel” skyscrapers, the money aspects and the Sarcelles graffiti affairs, as well as the streets of Prague and the construction of the temples dedicated to foreign gods in Finland, this book is a useful reflection tool for urban planners and those interested in what their city will become in the future. (FRo)
*** Retenatura 2000 - Veneto. Global assessment and territory management: the Veneto Region (Italy). Regione del Veneto (Regional Secretariat to the Territory, Palazzo Linetti, 99 Canareggio, 30121 Venezia. E-mail: natura2000@regione.veneto.it).
The Regione Veneto has decided to publish this review in English as well, in order to diffuse more knowledge and methodologies, indicates the Brussels region. Its director in Brussels, Gianlorenzo Martini, points out that Venice has been for a long time key point in defence of biodiversity, “an incontestable measure of the real wealth of life on earth”. In this context it points out that “biodiversity and business have to become legs on which competitiveness can run in Europe”.
(MG)
*** GABRIELE TONDL: EU Regional Policy. Experiences and future concerns. Europainstitut Wirtschaftsuniversität Vienna (39-45 Althanstrasse, A-1090 Vienna. Tel: (43-1) 313364135 - fax: 31336758 - E-mail: europafragen@wu-wien.ac.at). "Working Papers" series , No. 59. 2004, 44 pp., €7.20
This brief study presents the most important facts of regional policy such as developed in the last two decades backed up by the theoretical arguments justifying this evolution. The author examines priority policies (objectives 1 and 2), the distribution of Structural funds in the fifteen original members and their extension to the ten countries that joined the Union a year ago. Future prospects are also explored. (LD)
*** EUROPEAN COMMISSION (Official publications office of the European Communities, L-2985 Luxembourg. Internet: http: //publications.eu.int) has published the following document:
*** L'Europe: mon foyer. Représentation en Belgique de la Commission européenne (73 rue archimède, B-1000 Brussels. Fax: (32-2) 1969560 - E-mail: represent-bel@cec.eu.int - Internet: http: //europa.eu.int/comm/represent/be). 2005, 32 pp.. ISBN 92-894-8922-7.
"Europe: My Home" is addressed to children and is devised for practical and informal use at school. The document contains many illustrations of a boy and a girl aged around ten, guided in the world of the Union by Papa Houpette a cartoon character. This little character therefore guides our two friends through the pages and introduces them to the European Union, why it exists, its institutions, the single market, enlargement and the Constitution etc. The brochure also includes a number of short exercises (corrections at the end of the book) and a lexicon of difficult words .
*** Liaisons sociales Europe. Groupe Liaisons (1 av. Edouard-Belin, F-92500 Rueil-Malmaison. Tel.: (33-8) 25800929 - fax: (33-1) 44722027 - Internet: http//http://www.liaisons-sociales.com ). March 2005, No.124, 16 pp., 32 euro. Subscription: 867.85 euro.
The first page of this publication makes an appeal to Employment Ministers to increase the social chapter in the Lisbon strategy. Supported by the Luxembourg presidency, they regret that this chapter is “almost exclusively examined in a context of increased employment rates, labour attractiveness, professional mobility”. They also point out that although growth and jobs are necessary conditions for the longevity of the social systems, they are not in themselves generators of solidarity and social progress. As another article points out, the Economic and Social Council also closely follows the Lisbon Strategy and annually publishes a communication elaborated on its recommendations in this area. The review also includes a dossier entitled “Nordic employment policies”.
*** Europe infos. Commission des Episcopats de la Communauté européenne - Office Catholique d'Information et d'Initiative pour l'Europe (42 rue Stévin , B-1000 Brussels. Tel: (32-2) 2350510 - fax: 2303334 - e-mail: debbichi-ocipe@tiscalinet.be). March 2005, No.68, 12 pp.. Subscription: 27 euros.
The commission of the Bishops' Conference of the European Community (COMECE) celebrated its twenty fifth anniversary in March. The editorial therefore looks at the main historical guidelines of this body, which over the years has developed regular exchanges with the European institutions. The central study presents the Union's strategic objectives of the Union up to 2010, such as those put forward by José Manuel Barroso during a speech in January to the European Parliament. It focuses on four main points: prosperity, solidarity, security and Europe as a world partner. Other articles focus on the still uncertain stability of the Balkans, updating the stance on AIDS by the Luxembourg presidency in all its meetings with third countries, smoothing out trans-Atlantic relations, the role of ecumenism in Europe and that of the European Investment Bank as a driving force of innovation
*** Info. European Investment Bank (100 bd. Konrad Adenauer, L-2950 Luxembourg. Tel: (352) 43791 - fax: 437704 - E-mail: info@eib.org - Internet: http://www.eib.org ). March 2005, No. 119, 24 p..
This issue examines the EIB's activities in 2004. The report looks at the main points of action: economic and social cohesion in the enlarged Union, setting up a European innovatory economy based on knowledge, Trans-European networks, environmental protection, development cooperation, transparency of EIB activities and its role in the money markets. A paper includes the results of the conference on public-private partnerships, an innovatory formula for funding infrastructure, responding to the erosion of public finance. Another paper focuses on Trans-European networks whose expansion has in large part been financed by EIB projects. It presents a map of these networks, as well as the main priority projects. Other articles look at funding of the water sector in the United Kingdom and cooperation with the Inter-American Development Bank.
Reviews in brief
*** Activity Report 2004. Union of the Electric Industry -Eurelectric. 2005, Brussels. This report examines the situation in this sector in 2004 and presents the positions of the electricity industry. ***Annual Report 2004. Energy Charter Secretariat. 2005, Brussels. It involves the annual report of the Secretariat of the Energy Charter, the main objective is to reinforce the use of law in energy issues.