Brussels, 09/05/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 8 May Commissioner Ján Figel presented his 2008 work programme to the European Parliament's culture and education committee. The commissioner has made cultural training and European citizenship a priority. He declared: “We have to be concrete and credible if we are to respond to the feelings of European citizens and not just those of industry”. He highlighted the benefits of creativity and innovation to economic growth and added: “We have to look for quality in our education systems and a labour market that is adapted so that everyone can express their competencies inside it”.
The commissioner broke down his programme into the following points: 1) The European Institute of Technology. He highlighted the commitment of the German presidency to finding a principled agreement by the end of June, and then insisted on the need to “find funds for establishing the credibility” of the future institute. 2) The European certification framework. Figel was pleased with the support from Parliament for the Commission's proposal and hoped that Parliament would adopt it by the end of the summer. He stressed that this harmonisation also had to be done at an international level and therefore, Israel and Kirghizstan were now candidates for the Bologna Process.
“Our ideas coincide” he said. 3) Education and training programmes. Noting the growing interest in these programmes, Mr Figel' called for support to be targeted more at reforms in higher education institutions, and for concerns of efficiency and fairness towards migrants and the mobile to be stepped up. The ministers with responsibility for education within the member states will take stock of this at their forthcoming conference, to be held in London at the end of May. 4) Schools and teachers. Mr Figel' would like to see the publication of the communication on schools, after the launch of a public consultation phase. Then, he plans to draft a resolution on the quality of teachers, in order to encourage and motivate them. This initiative received the support of German MEP Doris Pack (EPP/ED), who lamented “the lack of qualified teachers”. “Teaching leaves much to be desired, particularly with regard to Europe”, she added. 5) Sport. Referring to recent reports on football and physical education, Mr Figel' reminded his audience of the forthcoming publication of a Commission White Paper on sport, aiming to specify legal space of this. The White Paper will also take account of the social value of sport, and of the role of its governing bodies. The commissioner welcomed their considerable involvement in the drafting of this document. A proposed text is scheduled for early July. 6) Youth policy. A communication is being prepared; it is scheduled for publication this year. (gc)