Brussels, 13/02/2006 (Agence Europe) -Commissioners Günter Verheugen, in charge of Enterprise and Industry, and Jan Figel, who is responsible for Education, amongst other things, presented the initiative of the European Commission aiming to promote entrepreneurship in schools and universities to the press on Monday. This communication, which is part of the "growth and employment" strategy of the Commission, encourages the Member States to develop a more systematic strategy in schools, said Mr Verheugen. Mr Figel noted that the initiative is part of the Commission's policy in terms of education, particularly the European framework of key competencies adopted last November, which includes entrepreneurship, the "Education and Training 2010" working programme, and also the European Youth Pact, which urges the Commission to develop entrepreneurship in young people. Europe lacks concrete initiatives in terms of entrepreneurship training, stresses the Commission, which recommends that the local and regional administrations draw up a strategy, with clear objectives concerning all levels of education, and that the Member States specifically include entrepreneurship in school timetables (practical work, role-play and visits to local businesses), at all levels. In order to encourage schools to go down this road, the Member States should, amongst other things: -grant particular attention to the training of teachers and raising awareness in the directors of teaching establishments; -promote cooperation between schools, the local authorities and businesses; -encourage the creation of mini-businesses managed by students. In higher education, institutions should include entrepreneurship in a wide range of courses, particularly for scientific and technical subjects. The public authorities, for their part, should guarantee teachers high-level training and encourage the development of the networks, allowing for the exchange of best practice, promoting the mobility of teaching staff between university circles and the business world and getting companies involved in teaching. Entrepreneurship is very much lacking in Europe, regrets Commissioner Verheugen, quoting the results of a recent survey indicating that 50% of the young Europeans who took part believe that it is better not to set up a business if the plan involves risks (just 33% in the United States). However, many quality initiatives exist in Europe to promote entrepreneurship in schools, Günter Verheugen acknowledged, adding that he would like to increase the number of such projects and encourage an exchange of "best practice".