Brussels, 22/11/2007 (Agence Europe) - Workers' linguistic and cultural competencies were at the centre of a forum in Lisbon on 19 November, attended by the commissioner in charge of multilingualism, Leonard Orban. Participants at this forum included business leaders and managers of human resources, and focused on the partnership between business, education and public authorities as well as other stakeholders to enhance language learning in favour of the economy. The impetus for the debate comes from the results of a recent European Commission study which shows that lack of language skills leads to loss of business. The Commission indicated that a report with recommendations aiming to improve the competitiveness of companies and the employability and mobility of workers, and language awareness-raising will be finalised after this forum. (I.L.)