Topic boxes of Évora 2016
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Transcript of Topic boxes of Évora 2016
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Topic Boxes
34th National Selection Conference of EYP Portugalmiddot EacuteVORA middot
APRIL 2016
CULT middot ECON middot ITRE middot JURI middot LIBE middot EMPL middot ENVI middot BUDG
Topic boxes a new concept that will make your issue more accessible understand-able and interactive Inside your topic box you will find more useful informa-tion ideas and arguments that will spark new ways of thinking about the prob-lems we are faced with at this session As a media team we are tasked with working behind the scenes as well as behind our cameras making it our mission to reflect your progress experience enjoyment and ultimately memories that will unfold at this session With this publication our first publication we hope to set a precedent We hope to lighten your workload This is the first of our publications dedicated and created for you
Truly Yours Media Team
preface
How to read your Topic Box
Each Committee has itrsquos own lsquoTopic Boxrsquo which is full of relevant graphs pictures statistics articles and videos
12Within each Box there are hyperlinks which
enable you to access the content that the journalists have critiqued and referenced This will help you to better understand and form your own opinions on the topics
Hyperlinks can be hidden within paragraphs at the bottom of a body of text or within headers or pictures3
How to read your Topic Box
25
4You can save these links in your browser so that you have easy access to the infor-mation at any point at the session This en-ables you to draw upon sources to back up points and arguments that you might have
You can even check out the videos and articles of other committeersquos topics in order to increase your knowledge and get a head start for GA
contentExplore get inspired find solutions
03
0201
04
07
0605
08
Committee on Culture and Education
Committee on Economic and Mone-
tary Affairs
Committee on Industry Trade and Energy
Committee on Civil Liberties Justice and
Home Affairs
Committee on Legal Affairs
Committee on Employ-ment and Social Affairs
Committee on the Envi-ronment Public Health
and Food Safety
Committee on Budget-ary Affairs
by Beatriz Faneca
by Pedro Oliveira amp Juliana Teixeira
by Valeriya Yakovleva
by Inecircs de Oliveira
by Joatildeo Costa Cardoso
by Laura Libera
by Pedro Oliveira
by Juliana Teixeira
COMMITTEE ON CULTURE AND EDUCATION
Broadening European exchange How can the flagship initiative ldquoYouth on the Moverdquo be made more accessible to young people who have limited financial capaci-ty and who come from less advan-taged educational backgrounds
Some people believe that low literacy is a concern confined to third-world countries However is it Europe has been assumed to be fully literate yet around 55 million people aged between 16 and 65 cannot read and write properly ldquoone in five European 15-year-olds and almost one in five adults lack the literacy skills required to successfully function in a modern societyrdquo
Donrsquot you think we should all know about this
ldquoIf education alone cannot transform
society neither can society change
without itrdquo
- Paulo Reglus Neves Freire
01
How will we promote a culture of lifelong
learning
bull We give people a reason to learn
bull We break down barriers to learning
bull We help people kick start the learning process
Any time is a good time to learn
Every teacher plays a role in the success of young pupils in education
To motivate and provide students with a broad scope of knowledge teachers should have a wider range of specialized content Besides fulfilling educational goals teachers have to encourage pupilsrsquo creativity However if so wouldnrsquot more time be required If we wish to give equal attention to different approaches to learning why not have more teachers in the classroom Every child should have an equal opportunity to education despite economic status special education needs migrant or even ethnic
minority background
ldquoIf education alone cannot transform
society neither can society change
without itrdquo
- Paulo Reglus Neves Freire
ldquoThe refugee crisis has put education systems under extreme pressurerdquo
International migratory flow has accelerated and diversified during the last decades becoming more and more complex How does the share of immigrants in schools affect the classroom performance of non-immigrants Can education help to combat anti-immigration
mentalities by favouring and adopting a process of integration
1) Immigrants are less educated than natives however there is great diversity across countries These differences point to the fact that the policies required to facilitate the integration of immigrants may have
to vary across countries
2) While first generation immigrants will be almost entirely educated in their country of origin and not their host country child immigrants and second generation immigrants typically join the education
system of their host country
Therefore educational institutions play an important role in bridging the gap in the education system
Immigrant integration can be enhanced byUsing free pre-school programs
Recruiting teachers with an immigrant background ndash establishing positive role models
Better educated individuals are generally more open have a stronger preference for cultural diversity and a favourable attitude towards
immigrants
It is crucial to make students experience the joy of under-standing If schools take on the responsibility of adopting a welcome open attitude to immigrants this will positive-ly influence the attitudes of students and those within the community Helping to ease the integration of immigrants on a wider scale Naturally young people with limited finan-cial capacity and from less advantaged educational back-grounds will acquire a sense of integration and self-determi-nation which will positively impact them throughout life Yes education is definitely the key to success be-cause I am you are we are Youngsters on the Move
Nevertheless hostility towards immigrants may result in a poor attainment preventing learners from acquiring further skills
Thus year after year problems go unsolved Education becomes an opportunity not fully grasped and young pupils risk drop-
ping out of school at the very first chance they getIs education indeed the silver bullet for the next generation
Tiny wobbly baby steps towards Education and Training in Europe 2020
COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AND MONETARY AFFAIRS
A new industrial revolution With the industrial sector forming the backbone of many European economies how can Europe and the different economies of its Member States achieve renewed investment and growth in industry
The future of EU industry system
The establishment of an ldquoIndustrial policy for globalization erardquo is one of the seven 2020 goals Therefore we must re-think the current status of the European industry due to its comparatively low standards of research and development when compared to other super economies and crucial differences within the Union itself Today European industries face challenges that do not allow them to achieve their full potential and will not allow them to achieve the 2020 goals
02
Servitisation is the process of changing the way manufacturing companies see themselves in the market
This process has seen a substantial rise in the past decade Manufacturing firms can now extend their portfolio to offer services creating a boost in the dynamics behind the de-industrialisation we are facing today This shift towards services aims to increase competitiveness at both local and global market level whilst acquiring additional revenues which will become more stable over time Looking at the statistics we can clearly observe the advantages that servitisation has brought to certain manufacturing companies
bull Compared to pure goods producers servitised firms are 35 percent more profitable bull Manufacturing firms in which services account for less than 10 of their production sales are twice the size of pure goods producers
Share of services in industry output
The graphic along with the different markets studied offers clear examples of the influence of services On the one hand the demand for mechanical and electrical equipment has caused an increase in the use of services for installation and maintenance help Yet on the other hand the market for wood paper and printing services has decreased due to the decline in demand for such materials This suggests that each market must be considered individually when figuring out the best approach to making each industry as successful as possible
The European industrial world is changing and itrsquos now time to find new approaches to get the most from the current market Will servitisation have a significant importance in the industrial market future
lsquolsquoMy motto will be ldquoaccelerate and integraterdquo We need to accelerate the implementation of concrete actions to
support a comepetitive industrial economy And we have to better integrate competitiveness in all policy areas at all
levels of governmentrdquo
-Elzbieta Bienkowska European comissioner for the Internal Market
The solution for the dilemma facing the European industry will never be straightforward As is the opinion of the European commissioner for Industry several areas exist which must be reviewed and rethought with the aim of achieving a more competitive industrial economy In her speech the commissioner reminded the industry that they must find new ways of conducting business innovating their system and investing in new technologies whilst bearing in mind climate changes and environmental issues
COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRY TRADE AND ENERGY
Smart cities for smart growth How can innovative urban development meet the challenges of increasing urbanisation and sustainability within and beyond the scope of Europe 2020
Smart cities for 11 billion people Mitchell Joachim at
TEDxBerlin
In this very interesting and captivating speech from the acknowledged innovator in ecological urban design and architecture Mitchell Joachim we learn more about the possibilities of smart cities and their effects on society and citizenrsquos lifestyles In this TEDx talk the expert provides different examples of how innovation starts and how we can begin thinking differently about the way we build our cities in order to successfully combine evolution and ecology
03
A circular economy is an alternative to a traditional linear economy (make use dispose) in which we keep resources in use for as long as possible extract the maximum value from them whilst in use then recover and regenerate products and materials at the end of
each service life
Technology is vital in the development of Smart Cities There are many possible means of incorporating technology into our everyday lives For example the concept of the Internet of Things the network of physical objectsmdashdevices vehicles buildings and other itemsmdashembedded with electronics software sensors and network connectivity that enables these objects to collect and exchange data 1
However therersquos more to smart cities than simply technology From green fea-tures to safety and security there are many more factors that make a city smart
1 httpsenwikipediaorgwikiInternet_of_Things
click on the picture to open in full resolution
Circular economy a key concept
A smart growing city is by definition environmental-ly friendly which makes the circular economy a key concept
This definition can be looked up at the website of the Waste amp Resources Action Programme (WRAP) which is a registered charity that helps communities to achieve a circular economy whilst helping businesses and individuals to reduce waste develop sustainable products and use resources efficiently Effective resource management is crucial to the establishment of a sustainable and green economy The circular economy promotes waste reduction a greater resource productivity increases competitiveness and also reduces the environmental impacts of production and consumption so
urce
http
w
ww
spro
utec
ours
eorg
Game project about energy saving and smart building funded by the European Unionrsquos Seventh Programme for research technological development and demonstration
click on the logo to see the video
Smart Cities in Europe ndash what can we learn from them
1 Copenhagen - 40 of all commuters travel by bike
2 Vienna- Renovated a former 40 hectare slaughterhouse district and turned it into an innovation district focused on media science and technology
3 Stockholm- 40 of its land mass is dedicated to green space
4 London- Londonrsquos Royal Docks emerged from the Olympics plan-ning as a regenerated sustainable commercial and residen-tial area
COMMITTEE ON CIVIL LIBERTIES JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
The future of Schengen How can Europe safeguard its principle of free movement while adequately reacting to the new challenges of the migration and refugee crisis
The Refugue Crisis Fixing Borders Is Not Enough
The article from the Centre of European Reform attempts to find a new strategy in reference to the current refugee crisis Should we use the existing strategy or come up with a totally new one The author states that a large number of immigrants are solely moving countries for economic reasons It is important to see the difference between an economic and lsquogenuinersquo refugee How can we distinguish between the two whilst remaining neutral And who decides how we do this Since poverty alignment should not be an overlooked explanation for immigration
On the other hand is it right to close the boarders to economic refugees Europersquos economy remains far more stable than the majority of countries that refugees are coming from Europe has to realise that 99 of the refugees are living lives full of hardships Such lives as lived by a 13-year-old refugee from Lebanon who started crying in front of the German chancellor Angela Merkel speaking the following words ldquo It is terribly painful to see others really enjoying life when you canrsquot enjoy life yourselfrdquo She is not alone in feeling this way Not in the slightest
04
ldquoWe need a strong European approach on migration And
we need it nowrdquo
Jean-Claude Juncker 23 August 2015
Is the Schengen dream of Europe without borders becoming a thing of
the pastThis article tells a personal story which shows the benefits of the Schengen area for Europeans but also telling the fears of people concerning the ongoing crisis ldquoIt was an ideal that all these countries would unite and be the same and equalrdquo Rainer Maring sighed ldquoBut Europersquos not working right Now all of this is put at risk Wersquore going backwards There are lots of calls to close down the borders Itrsquos all going wrongrdquo How can we ensure that we keep our borders open Nicolas Sarkozy the ex-president of France already declared ldquoSchengen is deadrdquo If we close our borders again will we take a trip back in time or is this a necessary step towards a better future The Greek border is an particular crisis because it is the main entrance into Europe for refugees Will it be enough to close only the Greek borders or will the refugees find alternative entrances to Europe Especially with the most desired destinations for refugees being Germany Sweden and Hungary1
1 Migrant crisis Migration to Europe explained in seven charts [Online] Available at httpwwwbbccomnewsworld-europe-34131911 [Accessed 13 April 2016]
ldquoWe will never erect any fences any wallsrdquo
Aleksander Vucic 26 August 2015
Brussels attacks Can Europe keep its open borders
This article stresses the effect that the terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels had on national security levels Belgium for example rein-troduced boarder controls Furthermore the author highlights that the advantage of open borders is not solely economic Open boarders allow for cultural exchange Do we want to leave all this behind Or should the EU work on a concept that allows open borders and in-stead solves the problems the refugee crisis is causing It is also unsure that we will achieve more effective security by closing our borders
Where are they coming from and where do they go
Seeing all these statistics evokes a range of different emotions From fear to anger to being overwhelmed by the high number of peo-ple who had to leave their whole life behind them in order to be-come ldquoEuropeanrdquo Does their life not have as much worth as ours Do we have the right call a country our territory and deny oth-ers access despite them needing support and acceptance their own homes having been destroyed Is this more of a moral debate
COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AFFAIRS
Investing in a knowledge society How should the EU balance upholding intellectual property rights with the access to knowledge for education culture and research
Intellectual Property Rights protection is involved in everything around us Whether you realise it or not you have certainly encountered it From jokes on Tumblr about Taylor Swift suing everyone to the medicine we take when we have a headache everything involves Intellectual Property protection Naturally it has both a positive and a negative side It is the committeersquos goal to find ways to create a balance between the two
are made on a national level but since the trade market is becoming more and more international with each day there are growing numbers of problems Furthermore considering the fact that a vast amount of big companies are multinational any IPR infringement problems that might occur need to be solved at an international levelPA
TEN
T LA
WS
05
Two sides of the coin
These videos show two different perspectives on the topic The first one being a CEO and Inventor explaining the importance that a strong patent system had in his particular case The second one a TED talk offers the counter view that focuses on the problems that patents create in the medical field by preventing the creation of cheaper versions of the medicines
So which is more important economic growth or access to valuable often lifesaving information If we put it this way it seems obvious that the IPR protection is less important than saving a life However that doesnrsquot mean that the patents copyrights and trademarks should be banned completely as this would increase the unemployment and poverty rates So is there a way to balance the two Are there possible solutions for special cases that IPR effects such as the one described in the medical field
What does the media have to say about this
This article explains the faults that exist in the current patent sys-tem according to the author The author explores the idea of abolishing patenting altogether but having been proven ineffec-tive it also shows what is wrong and how that could be changed
Breakthroughs brought to you by IPR This infographic should give you an idea
of the part that IPR protection systems play in innovation and progress It shows the breakthroughs and the profits gained (shown in the GDP per capita) thanks to the existence of patents and trademarks
What Who Why Ben Wallis answers
In this interview Ben Wallis a Consumers In-ternational Coordinator discusses several as-pects of the topic at hand She speaks of the problems and benefits of patents explains the disadvantages of a strict IP protection sys-tem and shows the interests of consumers and industries in keeping or banishing patents
It might give you a simpler more acces-sible approach to the topic to better help you understand different aspects to it
Why it matters The following graphs show the correlation between the num-ber of Patents and the GDP throughout the years (2000-2014) in the countries of France UK and Germany The lines are continuously parallel showing the positive influ-ence of the Patents on the economy From this we can con-clude the importance that IPR intensive companies have on the economy and the influence their use has on cre-ating employment This supports the argument that the abolishment of Patents and other forms of IP protection would have a significantly large negative impact on the economy
In conclusion there are two main conflicts at stake
bull The conflict between the preservation of intellectual property by the authors and the stagnation of progress and innovation caused by the lack of access to the information that is patented
bull The lack of harmonization of patent legislation across
the EU
Considering all of the information given to you the various perspectives and insights what do you think could be done to solve the existing problems Who should be prioritized the inventors or the consumers or is the possibility to find a com-
promise an achievable solution
COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS
Equal opportunities or equality of result In how far should Europe make an effort to reduce the growing wage and income inequality whilst keeping in mind its aim of lifting 20 million people out of risk of poverty and social exclusion
Income inequality is a significant issue facing todayrsquos society that effects almost every country in the world The staggering difference between the rich and the poor has serious consequences on society and the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion is on the rise This disparity has become more and more apparent In both developed and developing countries the poorest half of a country representing only 10 of its wealth Also it is proven by the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report of 2012 that the richest 300 people on earth have the same amount of money as the total owned by the poorest 3 billion people The same report states that some countries in the world are 80 times richer than others So considering the differences of the economic and political systems between countries what can be done to balance such inequalities
ww
wth
eru
leso
rg
On September 15th 2015 the European Federation of Academies of Sci-ences and Humanities (ALLEA) the European Science Foundation (ESF) and the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) gathered to de-bate the rise of income inequality in EU countries For example a pro-
posed solution discussed in this meeting was the taxation of the richest individuals Af-ter this debate the partici-pants unanimously conclud-ed that this issue is not being properly addressed by the Member Statesrsquo governments If this is the case the prob-lem of income inequality will not be solved and equality will
not be achieved How can we encourage Member States to pay more at-tention to this issue Recent events such as the reports on tax avoid-ance by multinational companies (eg IKEA and Starbucks) and the role of offshore companies concerning the Panama Papers affair have once again underlined that there is far too much room for improvement
ep
th
in
kt
an
k
eu
In 2012 Eurostat released a video explaining that the definition of poverty inside the European Union can differ greatly since all the Member Stateslsquo and its individuals have different perspectives This is due to unavoidable cultural differences in each Member State But is this really as simple as Eurostat makes it seem What do you think is poverty a product of cultural differences Letrsquos take a closer look
06
First off the poor acting of the ldquojournalistldquo and her ldquofriendldquo is completely ridiculous Do we really need a ldquoplotldquo to ex-plain poverty in the European Union This video is far too light-hearted when taking into account the issue they are discussing poverty not exactly material for small-talk It makes poverty look like a joke rather than the real issue it is
The only redeeming quality of this video is the fact that per-ception of poverty is highlighted to be relative to the society in which a person lives in Imagine you live in a neighbourhood where there is no sign of poverty you would see poverty as a pressing issue However if you lived in a less ldquoaffluent part of townrdquo where you witness poverty all around you you would be unavoidably aware of itrsquos presence With only this to commend Eurostatrsquos video on you could say lsquonice tryrsquo and suggest the EU should address this widespread problem appropriately and justly
Taking all of this into account what measures can be tak-en to tackle the lack of serious action regarding this issue What could be done in regards to both nation-al and global taxation policies We are curious what EM-PLrsquos stance on the topic of inequality is looking like
COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY
Sustainable growth on global markets After the agreements of the COP21 Summit in Paris have paved the way for a global climate deal how can Europe push for a global emission trading scheme
bullAim for greenhouse gas emissions to peak as soon as possible bullRapid reductions to achieve a balance between emissions from human activity and the amount that can be retained in the atmosphere
bullDeveloped countries must continue to take the lead in the reduction of greenhouse gases
bullDeveloping nations are encouraged to enhance their efforts and move over time to cut emissions
bull Keep warming ldquowell below 2 degrees celsiusrdquo
bull Continue all efforts to limit the rise in the temperature to 15 degrees celsius
07
The Paris Agreement represents the first step towards a greener planet The Parties agreed on an ambition cycle a set of goals timeframes and commitments designed to ensure that Parties
regularly strengthen their commitments Governments aim to lower global warming to below 2ordmC meanwhile providing finance to poor nations to help them cut emissions and cope
with the effects of extreme weather
MEDIASocial Europe ndash After COP21 The EU Needs to Revise its Climate Policy Targets by Beacutela Galgoacuteczi explains the measures and actions of the governments involved and their long term effect on global warming
Pan European Networks ndash Climate emissions reports may offer ldquofalse hoperdquoAccording to this article the Paris Agreement and the measures taken to avoid an increase in global warming
NUMBERS20 increase in energy from r e n e w a b l e s compared to
1990
Only the first 3 countries have achieved the Europe 2020 target According to these statistics in 2014 EU-28 was only 4 away from reaching the goal
httpeceuropaeu
G r e e n h o u s e gas emissions are 20 low-er than in 1990
Levels of greenhouse gases have been decreasing since 1990 and by now this target is almost achieved
httpeceuropaeu
20 increase in energy efficiency
compared to 1990
Estonia was the only country reach-ing the target as of yet Zero represents the achievement of the goal which means most of the Member-states have a long way until they achieve the necessary increase in en-ergy efficiency by 20
httpeceuropaeu
This video explains in a simplified way all the negotiations that took place in Paris The COP21 Conference in Paris was a major step forwards to ensure a sustainable future The previous conferences did not have the same success Furthermore the COP21 will give several countries the opportunity to work together towards a greener and more sustainable future energy-wise environmentally and economically
Al Gore is an American politician and environmentalist who served as the 45th Vice President of the United States from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton Despite several less optimistic projections for the future Al Gore presents a different perspective on the matter showing that embracing green solutions is becoming cheaper and cheaper as well as more efficient to implement Is the green future closer than we have been imagining
COMMITTEE ON BUDGETARY AFFAIRS
Beyond Europe 2020 What key points should the European Commission propose as targets of a European Strategy package after 2020
The European Parliament is one of the budgetary arms of the EU Together with the Council it establishes the annu-al budget of the European Union Even though the num-bers shown in the video are outdated it accurately por-trays the importance of the EU Budget and its purpose
What is BUDG
This process goes through the Committee on Budgets
httpstwittercomep_budgets
Additional information can be found on this committeersquos twitter account
BUDG was responsible for approving and set-ting the rules of the budget plan for Europe 2020 the ten-year economic programme of the EU
08
smart|sustainable|inclusive
development
EUROPEANSrsquo VIEW ON EUROPE 2020
45 consider that the EU ldquois going in the right direc-tion to exit the crisis and face new global challengesrdquo
25 consider that it is going in the wrong direction23 believe that the EU is going in neither the right nor the wrong direction7 expressed no opinion on Europe2020
Source European Commission Europe2020 Report (Standard Eurobarometer 81 Spring 2014) Pages 13-18
ldquoOn March 5 the European Commission launched the first step in reviewing the Europe 2020 strategy The mid-term review is designed
to take stock of the progress made so far in achieving the goals and targets of Europe 2020 and to set the pace for possible re-enforcement
or adaptation of the strategy As people continue to struggle with the impact of the financial and economic crisis we need the European Union Institutions and member states to honour the
commitments they made in 2010rdquo
With 4 years left until the deadline the objectives the EU set with this programme in nearly all categories still have not been met Reviews such as these are crucial By periodi-cally reviewing its general progress we are facilitating anal-ysis and reflection on the evolution of the measures being taken and therefore promoting improvement However af-ter all the analysis and reflections that have been made we can conclude that failure is imminent A change of measures may be the only chance this programme has to ever prevail
Furthermore the answer lies in the upcoming genera-tions The youth need to step in and demand a different ap-proach How should we prioritize our goals What needs to be reformed How will we prevent Europe2020 from shar-ing the same fate as itsrsquo predecessor The Lisbon Strate-gy And last but not least Where should the budgets go to
HOW CAN WE CREATE A NEW STRATEGY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT IS CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THESE UNMET GOALS
EUROPE 2020 INDICATORS
To find appropriate ways of overcoming the programmersquos difficulties it is necessary to first attend to itsrsquo main issues Only after carefully analysing statistics and numbers we can detect the areas that need to be focused on in order to fill the gaps left between the current situation and the objectives
of Europe2020
Employment Rate age group 20-642008 7032009 6902014 692
Europe 2020 goal 75- The unfavourable effect of the economic crisis on the European labour
market has caused the lack of growth on the employment rate
Research and development Gross Domestic Expenditure on ResearchampDevelopment
2008 185 of GDP2014 203 of GDP
Europe 2020 goal 3 of GDPThe EUrsquos efforts to stimulate economic growth by boosting public expenditure on Research and Development have not significantly increased
its GDP
Education People at risk of poverty or social exclusion2005-2009 114 million
2012 1225 million2013 1215 million
- Between 2011 and 2014 almost 1 in every four people in the EU27 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion The increase has been largely attributed to the economic crisis in 2008 and the following recessions in the majority
of Member States
For more information visit Eurostat
ldquoGood governance democracy the rule of law the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows as well as effective accountable and inclusive institutions are crucial Policy coherence at all levels by all coun-tries should be at the core of our new global partnership All our actions will have to be monitored in a transparent way to keep us on track in implementing this challenging new agenda To ensure this we should aim for one overar-ching monitoring accountability and review framework We have an ambitious programme but ambition is needed if we are to fulfil the noble objective we have set ourselves the end of extreme poverty and a sustainable future for all
Lets start working This is our world our dignity our futurerdquo
Speech by European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica at the plenary session of the Third In-ternational Conference on Financing for Development 14 July 2015
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal
![Page 2: Topic boxes of Évora 2016](https://reader031.fdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020522/579077611a28ab6874bd7647/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Topic boxes a new concept that will make your issue more accessible understand-able and interactive Inside your topic box you will find more useful informa-tion ideas and arguments that will spark new ways of thinking about the prob-lems we are faced with at this session As a media team we are tasked with working behind the scenes as well as behind our cameras making it our mission to reflect your progress experience enjoyment and ultimately memories that will unfold at this session With this publication our first publication we hope to set a precedent We hope to lighten your workload This is the first of our publications dedicated and created for you
Truly Yours Media Team
preface
How to read your Topic Box
Each Committee has itrsquos own lsquoTopic Boxrsquo which is full of relevant graphs pictures statistics articles and videos
12Within each Box there are hyperlinks which
enable you to access the content that the journalists have critiqued and referenced This will help you to better understand and form your own opinions on the topics
Hyperlinks can be hidden within paragraphs at the bottom of a body of text or within headers or pictures3
How to read your Topic Box
25
4You can save these links in your browser so that you have easy access to the infor-mation at any point at the session This en-ables you to draw upon sources to back up points and arguments that you might have
You can even check out the videos and articles of other committeersquos topics in order to increase your knowledge and get a head start for GA
contentExplore get inspired find solutions
03
0201
04
07
0605
08
Committee on Culture and Education
Committee on Economic and Mone-
tary Affairs
Committee on Industry Trade and Energy
Committee on Civil Liberties Justice and
Home Affairs
Committee on Legal Affairs
Committee on Employ-ment and Social Affairs
Committee on the Envi-ronment Public Health
and Food Safety
Committee on Budget-ary Affairs
by Beatriz Faneca
by Pedro Oliveira amp Juliana Teixeira
by Valeriya Yakovleva
by Inecircs de Oliveira
by Joatildeo Costa Cardoso
by Laura Libera
by Pedro Oliveira
by Juliana Teixeira
COMMITTEE ON CULTURE AND EDUCATION
Broadening European exchange How can the flagship initiative ldquoYouth on the Moverdquo be made more accessible to young people who have limited financial capaci-ty and who come from less advan-taged educational backgrounds
Some people believe that low literacy is a concern confined to third-world countries However is it Europe has been assumed to be fully literate yet around 55 million people aged between 16 and 65 cannot read and write properly ldquoone in five European 15-year-olds and almost one in five adults lack the literacy skills required to successfully function in a modern societyrdquo
Donrsquot you think we should all know about this
ldquoIf education alone cannot transform
society neither can society change
without itrdquo
- Paulo Reglus Neves Freire
01
How will we promote a culture of lifelong
learning
bull We give people a reason to learn
bull We break down barriers to learning
bull We help people kick start the learning process
Any time is a good time to learn
Every teacher plays a role in the success of young pupils in education
To motivate and provide students with a broad scope of knowledge teachers should have a wider range of specialized content Besides fulfilling educational goals teachers have to encourage pupilsrsquo creativity However if so wouldnrsquot more time be required If we wish to give equal attention to different approaches to learning why not have more teachers in the classroom Every child should have an equal opportunity to education despite economic status special education needs migrant or even ethnic
minority background
ldquoIf education alone cannot transform
society neither can society change
without itrdquo
- Paulo Reglus Neves Freire
ldquoThe refugee crisis has put education systems under extreme pressurerdquo
International migratory flow has accelerated and diversified during the last decades becoming more and more complex How does the share of immigrants in schools affect the classroom performance of non-immigrants Can education help to combat anti-immigration
mentalities by favouring and adopting a process of integration
1) Immigrants are less educated than natives however there is great diversity across countries These differences point to the fact that the policies required to facilitate the integration of immigrants may have
to vary across countries
2) While first generation immigrants will be almost entirely educated in their country of origin and not their host country child immigrants and second generation immigrants typically join the education
system of their host country
Therefore educational institutions play an important role in bridging the gap in the education system
Immigrant integration can be enhanced byUsing free pre-school programs
Recruiting teachers with an immigrant background ndash establishing positive role models
Better educated individuals are generally more open have a stronger preference for cultural diversity and a favourable attitude towards
immigrants
It is crucial to make students experience the joy of under-standing If schools take on the responsibility of adopting a welcome open attitude to immigrants this will positive-ly influence the attitudes of students and those within the community Helping to ease the integration of immigrants on a wider scale Naturally young people with limited finan-cial capacity and from less advantaged educational back-grounds will acquire a sense of integration and self-determi-nation which will positively impact them throughout life Yes education is definitely the key to success be-cause I am you are we are Youngsters on the Move
Nevertheless hostility towards immigrants may result in a poor attainment preventing learners from acquiring further skills
Thus year after year problems go unsolved Education becomes an opportunity not fully grasped and young pupils risk drop-
ping out of school at the very first chance they getIs education indeed the silver bullet for the next generation
Tiny wobbly baby steps towards Education and Training in Europe 2020
COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AND MONETARY AFFAIRS
A new industrial revolution With the industrial sector forming the backbone of many European economies how can Europe and the different economies of its Member States achieve renewed investment and growth in industry
The future of EU industry system
The establishment of an ldquoIndustrial policy for globalization erardquo is one of the seven 2020 goals Therefore we must re-think the current status of the European industry due to its comparatively low standards of research and development when compared to other super economies and crucial differences within the Union itself Today European industries face challenges that do not allow them to achieve their full potential and will not allow them to achieve the 2020 goals
02
Servitisation is the process of changing the way manufacturing companies see themselves in the market
This process has seen a substantial rise in the past decade Manufacturing firms can now extend their portfolio to offer services creating a boost in the dynamics behind the de-industrialisation we are facing today This shift towards services aims to increase competitiveness at both local and global market level whilst acquiring additional revenues which will become more stable over time Looking at the statistics we can clearly observe the advantages that servitisation has brought to certain manufacturing companies
bull Compared to pure goods producers servitised firms are 35 percent more profitable bull Manufacturing firms in which services account for less than 10 of their production sales are twice the size of pure goods producers
Share of services in industry output
The graphic along with the different markets studied offers clear examples of the influence of services On the one hand the demand for mechanical and electrical equipment has caused an increase in the use of services for installation and maintenance help Yet on the other hand the market for wood paper and printing services has decreased due to the decline in demand for such materials This suggests that each market must be considered individually when figuring out the best approach to making each industry as successful as possible
The European industrial world is changing and itrsquos now time to find new approaches to get the most from the current market Will servitisation have a significant importance in the industrial market future
lsquolsquoMy motto will be ldquoaccelerate and integraterdquo We need to accelerate the implementation of concrete actions to
support a comepetitive industrial economy And we have to better integrate competitiveness in all policy areas at all
levels of governmentrdquo
-Elzbieta Bienkowska European comissioner for the Internal Market
The solution for the dilemma facing the European industry will never be straightforward As is the opinion of the European commissioner for Industry several areas exist which must be reviewed and rethought with the aim of achieving a more competitive industrial economy In her speech the commissioner reminded the industry that they must find new ways of conducting business innovating their system and investing in new technologies whilst bearing in mind climate changes and environmental issues
COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRY TRADE AND ENERGY
Smart cities for smart growth How can innovative urban development meet the challenges of increasing urbanisation and sustainability within and beyond the scope of Europe 2020
Smart cities for 11 billion people Mitchell Joachim at
TEDxBerlin
In this very interesting and captivating speech from the acknowledged innovator in ecological urban design and architecture Mitchell Joachim we learn more about the possibilities of smart cities and their effects on society and citizenrsquos lifestyles In this TEDx talk the expert provides different examples of how innovation starts and how we can begin thinking differently about the way we build our cities in order to successfully combine evolution and ecology
03
A circular economy is an alternative to a traditional linear economy (make use dispose) in which we keep resources in use for as long as possible extract the maximum value from them whilst in use then recover and regenerate products and materials at the end of
each service life
Technology is vital in the development of Smart Cities There are many possible means of incorporating technology into our everyday lives For example the concept of the Internet of Things the network of physical objectsmdashdevices vehicles buildings and other itemsmdashembedded with electronics software sensors and network connectivity that enables these objects to collect and exchange data 1
However therersquos more to smart cities than simply technology From green fea-tures to safety and security there are many more factors that make a city smart
1 httpsenwikipediaorgwikiInternet_of_Things
click on the picture to open in full resolution
Circular economy a key concept
A smart growing city is by definition environmental-ly friendly which makes the circular economy a key concept
This definition can be looked up at the website of the Waste amp Resources Action Programme (WRAP) which is a registered charity that helps communities to achieve a circular economy whilst helping businesses and individuals to reduce waste develop sustainable products and use resources efficiently Effective resource management is crucial to the establishment of a sustainable and green economy The circular economy promotes waste reduction a greater resource productivity increases competitiveness and also reduces the environmental impacts of production and consumption so
urce
http
w
ww
spro
utec
ours
eorg
Game project about energy saving and smart building funded by the European Unionrsquos Seventh Programme for research technological development and demonstration
click on the logo to see the video
Smart Cities in Europe ndash what can we learn from them
1 Copenhagen - 40 of all commuters travel by bike
2 Vienna- Renovated a former 40 hectare slaughterhouse district and turned it into an innovation district focused on media science and technology
3 Stockholm- 40 of its land mass is dedicated to green space
4 London- Londonrsquos Royal Docks emerged from the Olympics plan-ning as a regenerated sustainable commercial and residen-tial area
COMMITTEE ON CIVIL LIBERTIES JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
The future of Schengen How can Europe safeguard its principle of free movement while adequately reacting to the new challenges of the migration and refugee crisis
The Refugue Crisis Fixing Borders Is Not Enough
The article from the Centre of European Reform attempts to find a new strategy in reference to the current refugee crisis Should we use the existing strategy or come up with a totally new one The author states that a large number of immigrants are solely moving countries for economic reasons It is important to see the difference between an economic and lsquogenuinersquo refugee How can we distinguish between the two whilst remaining neutral And who decides how we do this Since poverty alignment should not be an overlooked explanation for immigration
On the other hand is it right to close the boarders to economic refugees Europersquos economy remains far more stable than the majority of countries that refugees are coming from Europe has to realise that 99 of the refugees are living lives full of hardships Such lives as lived by a 13-year-old refugee from Lebanon who started crying in front of the German chancellor Angela Merkel speaking the following words ldquo It is terribly painful to see others really enjoying life when you canrsquot enjoy life yourselfrdquo She is not alone in feeling this way Not in the slightest
04
ldquoWe need a strong European approach on migration And
we need it nowrdquo
Jean-Claude Juncker 23 August 2015
Is the Schengen dream of Europe without borders becoming a thing of
the pastThis article tells a personal story which shows the benefits of the Schengen area for Europeans but also telling the fears of people concerning the ongoing crisis ldquoIt was an ideal that all these countries would unite and be the same and equalrdquo Rainer Maring sighed ldquoBut Europersquos not working right Now all of this is put at risk Wersquore going backwards There are lots of calls to close down the borders Itrsquos all going wrongrdquo How can we ensure that we keep our borders open Nicolas Sarkozy the ex-president of France already declared ldquoSchengen is deadrdquo If we close our borders again will we take a trip back in time or is this a necessary step towards a better future The Greek border is an particular crisis because it is the main entrance into Europe for refugees Will it be enough to close only the Greek borders or will the refugees find alternative entrances to Europe Especially with the most desired destinations for refugees being Germany Sweden and Hungary1
1 Migrant crisis Migration to Europe explained in seven charts [Online] Available at httpwwwbbccomnewsworld-europe-34131911 [Accessed 13 April 2016]
ldquoWe will never erect any fences any wallsrdquo
Aleksander Vucic 26 August 2015
Brussels attacks Can Europe keep its open borders
This article stresses the effect that the terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels had on national security levels Belgium for example rein-troduced boarder controls Furthermore the author highlights that the advantage of open borders is not solely economic Open boarders allow for cultural exchange Do we want to leave all this behind Or should the EU work on a concept that allows open borders and in-stead solves the problems the refugee crisis is causing It is also unsure that we will achieve more effective security by closing our borders
Where are they coming from and where do they go
Seeing all these statistics evokes a range of different emotions From fear to anger to being overwhelmed by the high number of peo-ple who had to leave their whole life behind them in order to be-come ldquoEuropeanrdquo Does their life not have as much worth as ours Do we have the right call a country our territory and deny oth-ers access despite them needing support and acceptance their own homes having been destroyed Is this more of a moral debate
COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AFFAIRS
Investing in a knowledge society How should the EU balance upholding intellectual property rights with the access to knowledge for education culture and research
Intellectual Property Rights protection is involved in everything around us Whether you realise it or not you have certainly encountered it From jokes on Tumblr about Taylor Swift suing everyone to the medicine we take when we have a headache everything involves Intellectual Property protection Naturally it has both a positive and a negative side It is the committeersquos goal to find ways to create a balance between the two
are made on a national level but since the trade market is becoming more and more international with each day there are growing numbers of problems Furthermore considering the fact that a vast amount of big companies are multinational any IPR infringement problems that might occur need to be solved at an international levelPA
TEN
T LA
WS
05
Two sides of the coin
These videos show two different perspectives on the topic The first one being a CEO and Inventor explaining the importance that a strong patent system had in his particular case The second one a TED talk offers the counter view that focuses on the problems that patents create in the medical field by preventing the creation of cheaper versions of the medicines
So which is more important economic growth or access to valuable often lifesaving information If we put it this way it seems obvious that the IPR protection is less important than saving a life However that doesnrsquot mean that the patents copyrights and trademarks should be banned completely as this would increase the unemployment and poverty rates So is there a way to balance the two Are there possible solutions for special cases that IPR effects such as the one described in the medical field
What does the media have to say about this
This article explains the faults that exist in the current patent sys-tem according to the author The author explores the idea of abolishing patenting altogether but having been proven ineffec-tive it also shows what is wrong and how that could be changed
Breakthroughs brought to you by IPR This infographic should give you an idea
of the part that IPR protection systems play in innovation and progress It shows the breakthroughs and the profits gained (shown in the GDP per capita) thanks to the existence of patents and trademarks
What Who Why Ben Wallis answers
In this interview Ben Wallis a Consumers In-ternational Coordinator discusses several as-pects of the topic at hand She speaks of the problems and benefits of patents explains the disadvantages of a strict IP protection sys-tem and shows the interests of consumers and industries in keeping or banishing patents
It might give you a simpler more acces-sible approach to the topic to better help you understand different aspects to it
Why it matters The following graphs show the correlation between the num-ber of Patents and the GDP throughout the years (2000-2014) in the countries of France UK and Germany The lines are continuously parallel showing the positive influ-ence of the Patents on the economy From this we can con-clude the importance that IPR intensive companies have on the economy and the influence their use has on cre-ating employment This supports the argument that the abolishment of Patents and other forms of IP protection would have a significantly large negative impact on the economy
In conclusion there are two main conflicts at stake
bull The conflict between the preservation of intellectual property by the authors and the stagnation of progress and innovation caused by the lack of access to the information that is patented
bull The lack of harmonization of patent legislation across
the EU
Considering all of the information given to you the various perspectives and insights what do you think could be done to solve the existing problems Who should be prioritized the inventors or the consumers or is the possibility to find a com-
promise an achievable solution
COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS
Equal opportunities or equality of result In how far should Europe make an effort to reduce the growing wage and income inequality whilst keeping in mind its aim of lifting 20 million people out of risk of poverty and social exclusion
Income inequality is a significant issue facing todayrsquos society that effects almost every country in the world The staggering difference between the rich and the poor has serious consequences on society and the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion is on the rise This disparity has become more and more apparent In both developed and developing countries the poorest half of a country representing only 10 of its wealth Also it is proven by the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report of 2012 that the richest 300 people on earth have the same amount of money as the total owned by the poorest 3 billion people The same report states that some countries in the world are 80 times richer than others So considering the differences of the economic and political systems between countries what can be done to balance such inequalities
ww
wth
eru
leso
rg
On September 15th 2015 the European Federation of Academies of Sci-ences and Humanities (ALLEA) the European Science Foundation (ESF) and the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) gathered to de-bate the rise of income inequality in EU countries For example a pro-
posed solution discussed in this meeting was the taxation of the richest individuals Af-ter this debate the partici-pants unanimously conclud-ed that this issue is not being properly addressed by the Member Statesrsquo governments If this is the case the prob-lem of income inequality will not be solved and equality will
not be achieved How can we encourage Member States to pay more at-tention to this issue Recent events such as the reports on tax avoid-ance by multinational companies (eg IKEA and Starbucks) and the role of offshore companies concerning the Panama Papers affair have once again underlined that there is far too much room for improvement
ep
th
in
kt
an
k
eu
In 2012 Eurostat released a video explaining that the definition of poverty inside the European Union can differ greatly since all the Member Stateslsquo and its individuals have different perspectives This is due to unavoidable cultural differences in each Member State But is this really as simple as Eurostat makes it seem What do you think is poverty a product of cultural differences Letrsquos take a closer look
06
First off the poor acting of the ldquojournalistldquo and her ldquofriendldquo is completely ridiculous Do we really need a ldquoplotldquo to ex-plain poverty in the European Union This video is far too light-hearted when taking into account the issue they are discussing poverty not exactly material for small-talk It makes poverty look like a joke rather than the real issue it is
The only redeeming quality of this video is the fact that per-ception of poverty is highlighted to be relative to the society in which a person lives in Imagine you live in a neighbourhood where there is no sign of poverty you would see poverty as a pressing issue However if you lived in a less ldquoaffluent part of townrdquo where you witness poverty all around you you would be unavoidably aware of itrsquos presence With only this to commend Eurostatrsquos video on you could say lsquonice tryrsquo and suggest the EU should address this widespread problem appropriately and justly
Taking all of this into account what measures can be tak-en to tackle the lack of serious action regarding this issue What could be done in regards to both nation-al and global taxation policies We are curious what EM-PLrsquos stance on the topic of inequality is looking like
COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY
Sustainable growth on global markets After the agreements of the COP21 Summit in Paris have paved the way for a global climate deal how can Europe push for a global emission trading scheme
bullAim for greenhouse gas emissions to peak as soon as possible bullRapid reductions to achieve a balance between emissions from human activity and the amount that can be retained in the atmosphere
bullDeveloped countries must continue to take the lead in the reduction of greenhouse gases
bullDeveloping nations are encouraged to enhance their efforts and move over time to cut emissions
bull Keep warming ldquowell below 2 degrees celsiusrdquo
bull Continue all efforts to limit the rise in the temperature to 15 degrees celsius
07
The Paris Agreement represents the first step towards a greener planet The Parties agreed on an ambition cycle a set of goals timeframes and commitments designed to ensure that Parties
regularly strengthen their commitments Governments aim to lower global warming to below 2ordmC meanwhile providing finance to poor nations to help them cut emissions and cope
with the effects of extreme weather
MEDIASocial Europe ndash After COP21 The EU Needs to Revise its Climate Policy Targets by Beacutela Galgoacuteczi explains the measures and actions of the governments involved and their long term effect on global warming
Pan European Networks ndash Climate emissions reports may offer ldquofalse hoperdquoAccording to this article the Paris Agreement and the measures taken to avoid an increase in global warming
NUMBERS20 increase in energy from r e n e w a b l e s compared to
1990
Only the first 3 countries have achieved the Europe 2020 target According to these statistics in 2014 EU-28 was only 4 away from reaching the goal
httpeceuropaeu
G r e e n h o u s e gas emissions are 20 low-er than in 1990
Levels of greenhouse gases have been decreasing since 1990 and by now this target is almost achieved
httpeceuropaeu
20 increase in energy efficiency
compared to 1990
Estonia was the only country reach-ing the target as of yet Zero represents the achievement of the goal which means most of the Member-states have a long way until they achieve the necessary increase in en-ergy efficiency by 20
httpeceuropaeu
This video explains in a simplified way all the negotiations that took place in Paris The COP21 Conference in Paris was a major step forwards to ensure a sustainable future The previous conferences did not have the same success Furthermore the COP21 will give several countries the opportunity to work together towards a greener and more sustainable future energy-wise environmentally and economically
Al Gore is an American politician and environmentalist who served as the 45th Vice President of the United States from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton Despite several less optimistic projections for the future Al Gore presents a different perspective on the matter showing that embracing green solutions is becoming cheaper and cheaper as well as more efficient to implement Is the green future closer than we have been imagining
COMMITTEE ON BUDGETARY AFFAIRS
Beyond Europe 2020 What key points should the European Commission propose as targets of a European Strategy package after 2020
The European Parliament is one of the budgetary arms of the EU Together with the Council it establishes the annu-al budget of the European Union Even though the num-bers shown in the video are outdated it accurately por-trays the importance of the EU Budget and its purpose
What is BUDG
This process goes through the Committee on Budgets
httpstwittercomep_budgets
Additional information can be found on this committeersquos twitter account
BUDG was responsible for approving and set-ting the rules of the budget plan for Europe 2020 the ten-year economic programme of the EU
08
smart|sustainable|inclusive
development
EUROPEANSrsquo VIEW ON EUROPE 2020
45 consider that the EU ldquois going in the right direc-tion to exit the crisis and face new global challengesrdquo
25 consider that it is going in the wrong direction23 believe that the EU is going in neither the right nor the wrong direction7 expressed no opinion on Europe2020
Source European Commission Europe2020 Report (Standard Eurobarometer 81 Spring 2014) Pages 13-18
ldquoOn March 5 the European Commission launched the first step in reviewing the Europe 2020 strategy The mid-term review is designed
to take stock of the progress made so far in achieving the goals and targets of Europe 2020 and to set the pace for possible re-enforcement
or adaptation of the strategy As people continue to struggle with the impact of the financial and economic crisis we need the European Union Institutions and member states to honour the
commitments they made in 2010rdquo
With 4 years left until the deadline the objectives the EU set with this programme in nearly all categories still have not been met Reviews such as these are crucial By periodi-cally reviewing its general progress we are facilitating anal-ysis and reflection on the evolution of the measures being taken and therefore promoting improvement However af-ter all the analysis and reflections that have been made we can conclude that failure is imminent A change of measures may be the only chance this programme has to ever prevail
Furthermore the answer lies in the upcoming genera-tions The youth need to step in and demand a different ap-proach How should we prioritize our goals What needs to be reformed How will we prevent Europe2020 from shar-ing the same fate as itsrsquo predecessor The Lisbon Strate-gy And last but not least Where should the budgets go to
HOW CAN WE CREATE A NEW STRATEGY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT IS CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THESE UNMET GOALS
EUROPE 2020 INDICATORS
To find appropriate ways of overcoming the programmersquos difficulties it is necessary to first attend to itsrsquo main issues Only after carefully analysing statistics and numbers we can detect the areas that need to be focused on in order to fill the gaps left between the current situation and the objectives
of Europe2020
Employment Rate age group 20-642008 7032009 6902014 692
Europe 2020 goal 75- The unfavourable effect of the economic crisis on the European labour
market has caused the lack of growth on the employment rate
Research and development Gross Domestic Expenditure on ResearchampDevelopment
2008 185 of GDP2014 203 of GDP
Europe 2020 goal 3 of GDPThe EUrsquos efforts to stimulate economic growth by boosting public expenditure on Research and Development have not significantly increased
its GDP
Education People at risk of poverty or social exclusion2005-2009 114 million
2012 1225 million2013 1215 million
- Between 2011 and 2014 almost 1 in every four people in the EU27 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion The increase has been largely attributed to the economic crisis in 2008 and the following recessions in the majority
of Member States
For more information visit Eurostat
ldquoGood governance democracy the rule of law the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows as well as effective accountable and inclusive institutions are crucial Policy coherence at all levels by all coun-tries should be at the core of our new global partnership All our actions will have to be monitored in a transparent way to keep us on track in implementing this challenging new agenda To ensure this we should aim for one overar-ching monitoring accountability and review framework We have an ambitious programme but ambition is needed if we are to fulfil the noble objective we have set ourselves the end of extreme poverty and a sustainable future for all
Lets start working This is our world our dignity our futurerdquo
Speech by European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica at the plenary session of the Third In-ternational Conference on Financing for Development 14 July 2015
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal
![Page 3: Topic boxes of Évora 2016](https://reader031.fdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020522/579077611a28ab6874bd7647/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
How to read your Topic Box
Each Committee has itrsquos own lsquoTopic Boxrsquo which is full of relevant graphs pictures statistics articles and videos
12Within each Box there are hyperlinks which
enable you to access the content that the journalists have critiqued and referenced This will help you to better understand and form your own opinions on the topics
Hyperlinks can be hidden within paragraphs at the bottom of a body of text or within headers or pictures3
How to read your Topic Box
25
4You can save these links in your browser so that you have easy access to the infor-mation at any point at the session This en-ables you to draw upon sources to back up points and arguments that you might have
You can even check out the videos and articles of other committeersquos topics in order to increase your knowledge and get a head start for GA
contentExplore get inspired find solutions
03
0201
04
07
0605
08
Committee on Culture and Education
Committee on Economic and Mone-
tary Affairs
Committee on Industry Trade and Energy
Committee on Civil Liberties Justice and
Home Affairs
Committee on Legal Affairs
Committee on Employ-ment and Social Affairs
Committee on the Envi-ronment Public Health
and Food Safety
Committee on Budget-ary Affairs
by Beatriz Faneca
by Pedro Oliveira amp Juliana Teixeira
by Valeriya Yakovleva
by Inecircs de Oliveira
by Joatildeo Costa Cardoso
by Laura Libera
by Pedro Oliveira
by Juliana Teixeira
COMMITTEE ON CULTURE AND EDUCATION
Broadening European exchange How can the flagship initiative ldquoYouth on the Moverdquo be made more accessible to young people who have limited financial capaci-ty and who come from less advan-taged educational backgrounds
Some people believe that low literacy is a concern confined to third-world countries However is it Europe has been assumed to be fully literate yet around 55 million people aged between 16 and 65 cannot read and write properly ldquoone in five European 15-year-olds and almost one in five adults lack the literacy skills required to successfully function in a modern societyrdquo
Donrsquot you think we should all know about this
ldquoIf education alone cannot transform
society neither can society change
without itrdquo
- Paulo Reglus Neves Freire
01
How will we promote a culture of lifelong
learning
bull We give people a reason to learn
bull We break down barriers to learning
bull We help people kick start the learning process
Any time is a good time to learn
Every teacher plays a role in the success of young pupils in education
To motivate and provide students with a broad scope of knowledge teachers should have a wider range of specialized content Besides fulfilling educational goals teachers have to encourage pupilsrsquo creativity However if so wouldnrsquot more time be required If we wish to give equal attention to different approaches to learning why not have more teachers in the classroom Every child should have an equal opportunity to education despite economic status special education needs migrant or even ethnic
minority background
ldquoIf education alone cannot transform
society neither can society change
without itrdquo
- Paulo Reglus Neves Freire
ldquoThe refugee crisis has put education systems under extreme pressurerdquo
International migratory flow has accelerated and diversified during the last decades becoming more and more complex How does the share of immigrants in schools affect the classroom performance of non-immigrants Can education help to combat anti-immigration
mentalities by favouring and adopting a process of integration
1) Immigrants are less educated than natives however there is great diversity across countries These differences point to the fact that the policies required to facilitate the integration of immigrants may have
to vary across countries
2) While first generation immigrants will be almost entirely educated in their country of origin and not their host country child immigrants and second generation immigrants typically join the education
system of their host country
Therefore educational institutions play an important role in bridging the gap in the education system
Immigrant integration can be enhanced byUsing free pre-school programs
Recruiting teachers with an immigrant background ndash establishing positive role models
Better educated individuals are generally more open have a stronger preference for cultural diversity and a favourable attitude towards
immigrants
It is crucial to make students experience the joy of under-standing If schools take on the responsibility of adopting a welcome open attitude to immigrants this will positive-ly influence the attitudes of students and those within the community Helping to ease the integration of immigrants on a wider scale Naturally young people with limited finan-cial capacity and from less advantaged educational back-grounds will acquire a sense of integration and self-determi-nation which will positively impact them throughout life Yes education is definitely the key to success be-cause I am you are we are Youngsters on the Move
Nevertheless hostility towards immigrants may result in a poor attainment preventing learners from acquiring further skills
Thus year after year problems go unsolved Education becomes an opportunity not fully grasped and young pupils risk drop-
ping out of school at the very first chance they getIs education indeed the silver bullet for the next generation
Tiny wobbly baby steps towards Education and Training in Europe 2020
COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AND MONETARY AFFAIRS
A new industrial revolution With the industrial sector forming the backbone of many European economies how can Europe and the different economies of its Member States achieve renewed investment and growth in industry
The future of EU industry system
The establishment of an ldquoIndustrial policy for globalization erardquo is one of the seven 2020 goals Therefore we must re-think the current status of the European industry due to its comparatively low standards of research and development when compared to other super economies and crucial differences within the Union itself Today European industries face challenges that do not allow them to achieve their full potential and will not allow them to achieve the 2020 goals
02
Servitisation is the process of changing the way manufacturing companies see themselves in the market
This process has seen a substantial rise in the past decade Manufacturing firms can now extend their portfolio to offer services creating a boost in the dynamics behind the de-industrialisation we are facing today This shift towards services aims to increase competitiveness at both local and global market level whilst acquiring additional revenues which will become more stable over time Looking at the statistics we can clearly observe the advantages that servitisation has brought to certain manufacturing companies
bull Compared to pure goods producers servitised firms are 35 percent more profitable bull Manufacturing firms in which services account for less than 10 of their production sales are twice the size of pure goods producers
Share of services in industry output
The graphic along with the different markets studied offers clear examples of the influence of services On the one hand the demand for mechanical and electrical equipment has caused an increase in the use of services for installation and maintenance help Yet on the other hand the market for wood paper and printing services has decreased due to the decline in demand for such materials This suggests that each market must be considered individually when figuring out the best approach to making each industry as successful as possible
The European industrial world is changing and itrsquos now time to find new approaches to get the most from the current market Will servitisation have a significant importance in the industrial market future
lsquolsquoMy motto will be ldquoaccelerate and integraterdquo We need to accelerate the implementation of concrete actions to
support a comepetitive industrial economy And we have to better integrate competitiveness in all policy areas at all
levels of governmentrdquo
-Elzbieta Bienkowska European comissioner for the Internal Market
The solution for the dilemma facing the European industry will never be straightforward As is the opinion of the European commissioner for Industry several areas exist which must be reviewed and rethought with the aim of achieving a more competitive industrial economy In her speech the commissioner reminded the industry that they must find new ways of conducting business innovating their system and investing in new technologies whilst bearing in mind climate changes and environmental issues
COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRY TRADE AND ENERGY
Smart cities for smart growth How can innovative urban development meet the challenges of increasing urbanisation and sustainability within and beyond the scope of Europe 2020
Smart cities for 11 billion people Mitchell Joachim at
TEDxBerlin
In this very interesting and captivating speech from the acknowledged innovator in ecological urban design and architecture Mitchell Joachim we learn more about the possibilities of smart cities and their effects on society and citizenrsquos lifestyles In this TEDx talk the expert provides different examples of how innovation starts and how we can begin thinking differently about the way we build our cities in order to successfully combine evolution and ecology
03
A circular economy is an alternative to a traditional linear economy (make use dispose) in which we keep resources in use for as long as possible extract the maximum value from them whilst in use then recover and regenerate products and materials at the end of
each service life
Technology is vital in the development of Smart Cities There are many possible means of incorporating technology into our everyday lives For example the concept of the Internet of Things the network of physical objectsmdashdevices vehicles buildings and other itemsmdashembedded with electronics software sensors and network connectivity that enables these objects to collect and exchange data 1
However therersquos more to smart cities than simply technology From green fea-tures to safety and security there are many more factors that make a city smart
1 httpsenwikipediaorgwikiInternet_of_Things
click on the picture to open in full resolution
Circular economy a key concept
A smart growing city is by definition environmental-ly friendly which makes the circular economy a key concept
This definition can be looked up at the website of the Waste amp Resources Action Programme (WRAP) which is a registered charity that helps communities to achieve a circular economy whilst helping businesses and individuals to reduce waste develop sustainable products and use resources efficiently Effective resource management is crucial to the establishment of a sustainable and green economy The circular economy promotes waste reduction a greater resource productivity increases competitiveness and also reduces the environmental impacts of production and consumption so
urce
http
w
ww
spro
utec
ours
eorg
Game project about energy saving and smart building funded by the European Unionrsquos Seventh Programme for research technological development and demonstration
click on the logo to see the video
Smart Cities in Europe ndash what can we learn from them
1 Copenhagen - 40 of all commuters travel by bike
2 Vienna- Renovated a former 40 hectare slaughterhouse district and turned it into an innovation district focused on media science and technology
3 Stockholm- 40 of its land mass is dedicated to green space
4 London- Londonrsquos Royal Docks emerged from the Olympics plan-ning as a regenerated sustainable commercial and residen-tial area
COMMITTEE ON CIVIL LIBERTIES JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
The future of Schengen How can Europe safeguard its principle of free movement while adequately reacting to the new challenges of the migration and refugee crisis
The Refugue Crisis Fixing Borders Is Not Enough
The article from the Centre of European Reform attempts to find a new strategy in reference to the current refugee crisis Should we use the existing strategy or come up with a totally new one The author states that a large number of immigrants are solely moving countries for economic reasons It is important to see the difference between an economic and lsquogenuinersquo refugee How can we distinguish between the two whilst remaining neutral And who decides how we do this Since poverty alignment should not be an overlooked explanation for immigration
On the other hand is it right to close the boarders to economic refugees Europersquos economy remains far more stable than the majority of countries that refugees are coming from Europe has to realise that 99 of the refugees are living lives full of hardships Such lives as lived by a 13-year-old refugee from Lebanon who started crying in front of the German chancellor Angela Merkel speaking the following words ldquo It is terribly painful to see others really enjoying life when you canrsquot enjoy life yourselfrdquo She is not alone in feeling this way Not in the slightest
04
ldquoWe need a strong European approach on migration And
we need it nowrdquo
Jean-Claude Juncker 23 August 2015
Is the Schengen dream of Europe without borders becoming a thing of
the pastThis article tells a personal story which shows the benefits of the Schengen area for Europeans but also telling the fears of people concerning the ongoing crisis ldquoIt was an ideal that all these countries would unite and be the same and equalrdquo Rainer Maring sighed ldquoBut Europersquos not working right Now all of this is put at risk Wersquore going backwards There are lots of calls to close down the borders Itrsquos all going wrongrdquo How can we ensure that we keep our borders open Nicolas Sarkozy the ex-president of France already declared ldquoSchengen is deadrdquo If we close our borders again will we take a trip back in time or is this a necessary step towards a better future The Greek border is an particular crisis because it is the main entrance into Europe for refugees Will it be enough to close only the Greek borders or will the refugees find alternative entrances to Europe Especially with the most desired destinations for refugees being Germany Sweden and Hungary1
1 Migrant crisis Migration to Europe explained in seven charts [Online] Available at httpwwwbbccomnewsworld-europe-34131911 [Accessed 13 April 2016]
ldquoWe will never erect any fences any wallsrdquo
Aleksander Vucic 26 August 2015
Brussels attacks Can Europe keep its open borders
This article stresses the effect that the terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels had on national security levels Belgium for example rein-troduced boarder controls Furthermore the author highlights that the advantage of open borders is not solely economic Open boarders allow for cultural exchange Do we want to leave all this behind Or should the EU work on a concept that allows open borders and in-stead solves the problems the refugee crisis is causing It is also unsure that we will achieve more effective security by closing our borders
Where are they coming from and where do they go
Seeing all these statistics evokes a range of different emotions From fear to anger to being overwhelmed by the high number of peo-ple who had to leave their whole life behind them in order to be-come ldquoEuropeanrdquo Does their life not have as much worth as ours Do we have the right call a country our territory and deny oth-ers access despite them needing support and acceptance their own homes having been destroyed Is this more of a moral debate
COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AFFAIRS
Investing in a knowledge society How should the EU balance upholding intellectual property rights with the access to knowledge for education culture and research
Intellectual Property Rights protection is involved in everything around us Whether you realise it or not you have certainly encountered it From jokes on Tumblr about Taylor Swift suing everyone to the medicine we take when we have a headache everything involves Intellectual Property protection Naturally it has both a positive and a negative side It is the committeersquos goal to find ways to create a balance between the two
are made on a national level but since the trade market is becoming more and more international with each day there are growing numbers of problems Furthermore considering the fact that a vast amount of big companies are multinational any IPR infringement problems that might occur need to be solved at an international levelPA
TEN
T LA
WS
05
Two sides of the coin
These videos show two different perspectives on the topic The first one being a CEO and Inventor explaining the importance that a strong patent system had in his particular case The second one a TED talk offers the counter view that focuses on the problems that patents create in the medical field by preventing the creation of cheaper versions of the medicines
So which is more important economic growth or access to valuable often lifesaving information If we put it this way it seems obvious that the IPR protection is less important than saving a life However that doesnrsquot mean that the patents copyrights and trademarks should be banned completely as this would increase the unemployment and poverty rates So is there a way to balance the two Are there possible solutions for special cases that IPR effects such as the one described in the medical field
What does the media have to say about this
This article explains the faults that exist in the current patent sys-tem according to the author The author explores the idea of abolishing patenting altogether but having been proven ineffec-tive it also shows what is wrong and how that could be changed
Breakthroughs brought to you by IPR This infographic should give you an idea
of the part that IPR protection systems play in innovation and progress It shows the breakthroughs and the profits gained (shown in the GDP per capita) thanks to the existence of patents and trademarks
What Who Why Ben Wallis answers
In this interview Ben Wallis a Consumers In-ternational Coordinator discusses several as-pects of the topic at hand She speaks of the problems and benefits of patents explains the disadvantages of a strict IP protection sys-tem and shows the interests of consumers and industries in keeping or banishing patents
It might give you a simpler more acces-sible approach to the topic to better help you understand different aspects to it
Why it matters The following graphs show the correlation between the num-ber of Patents and the GDP throughout the years (2000-2014) in the countries of France UK and Germany The lines are continuously parallel showing the positive influ-ence of the Patents on the economy From this we can con-clude the importance that IPR intensive companies have on the economy and the influence their use has on cre-ating employment This supports the argument that the abolishment of Patents and other forms of IP protection would have a significantly large negative impact on the economy
In conclusion there are two main conflicts at stake
bull The conflict between the preservation of intellectual property by the authors and the stagnation of progress and innovation caused by the lack of access to the information that is patented
bull The lack of harmonization of patent legislation across
the EU
Considering all of the information given to you the various perspectives and insights what do you think could be done to solve the existing problems Who should be prioritized the inventors or the consumers or is the possibility to find a com-
promise an achievable solution
COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS
Equal opportunities or equality of result In how far should Europe make an effort to reduce the growing wage and income inequality whilst keeping in mind its aim of lifting 20 million people out of risk of poverty and social exclusion
Income inequality is a significant issue facing todayrsquos society that effects almost every country in the world The staggering difference between the rich and the poor has serious consequences on society and the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion is on the rise This disparity has become more and more apparent In both developed and developing countries the poorest half of a country representing only 10 of its wealth Also it is proven by the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report of 2012 that the richest 300 people on earth have the same amount of money as the total owned by the poorest 3 billion people The same report states that some countries in the world are 80 times richer than others So considering the differences of the economic and political systems between countries what can be done to balance such inequalities
ww
wth
eru
leso
rg
On September 15th 2015 the European Federation of Academies of Sci-ences and Humanities (ALLEA) the European Science Foundation (ESF) and the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) gathered to de-bate the rise of income inequality in EU countries For example a pro-
posed solution discussed in this meeting was the taxation of the richest individuals Af-ter this debate the partici-pants unanimously conclud-ed that this issue is not being properly addressed by the Member Statesrsquo governments If this is the case the prob-lem of income inequality will not be solved and equality will
not be achieved How can we encourage Member States to pay more at-tention to this issue Recent events such as the reports on tax avoid-ance by multinational companies (eg IKEA and Starbucks) and the role of offshore companies concerning the Panama Papers affair have once again underlined that there is far too much room for improvement
ep
th
in
kt
an
k
eu
In 2012 Eurostat released a video explaining that the definition of poverty inside the European Union can differ greatly since all the Member Stateslsquo and its individuals have different perspectives This is due to unavoidable cultural differences in each Member State But is this really as simple as Eurostat makes it seem What do you think is poverty a product of cultural differences Letrsquos take a closer look
06
First off the poor acting of the ldquojournalistldquo and her ldquofriendldquo is completely ridiculous Do we really need a ldquoplotldquo to ex-plain poverty in the European Union This video is far too light-hearted when taking into account the issue they are discussing poverty not exactly material for small-talk It makes poverty look like a joke rather than the real issue it is
The only redeeming quality of this video is the fact that per-ception of poverty is highlighted to be relative to the society in which a person lives in Imagine you live in a neighbourhood where there is no sign of poverty you would see poverty as a pressing issue However if you lived in a less ldquoaffluent part of townrdquo where you witness poverty all around you you would be unavoidably aware of itrsquos presence With only this to commend Eurostatrsquos video on you could say lsquonice tryrsquo and suggest the EU should address this widespread problem appropriately and justly
Taking all of this into account what measures can be tak-en to tackle the lack of serious action regarding this issue What could be done in regards to both nation-al and global taxation policies We are curious what EM-PLrsquos stance on the topic of inequality is looking like
COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY
Sustainable growth on global markets After the agreements of the COP21 Summit in Paris have paved the way for a global climate deal how can Europe push for a global emission trading scheme
bullAim for greenhouse gas emissions to peak as soon as possible bullRapid reductions to achieve a balance between emissions from human activity and the amount that can be retained in the atmosphere
bullDeveloped countries must continue to take the lead in the reduction of greenhouse gases
bullDeveloping nations are encouraged to enhance their efforts and move over time to cut emissions
bull Keep warming ldquowell below 2 degrees celsiusrdquo
bull Continue all efforts to limit the rise in the temperature to 15 degrees celsius
07
The Paris Agreement represents the first step towards a greener planet The Parties agreed on an ambition cycle a set of goals timeframes and commitments designed to ensure that Parties
regularly strengthen their commitments Governments aim to lower global warming to below 2ordmC meanwhile providing finance to poor nations to help them cut emissions and cope
with the effects of extreme weather
MEDIASocial Europe ndash After COP21 The EU Needs to Revise its Climate Policy Targets by Beacutela Galgoacuteczi explains the measures and actions of the governments involved and their long term effect on global warming
Pan European Networks ndash Climate emissions reports may offer ldquofalse hoperdquoAccording to this article the Paris Agreement and the measures taken to avoid an increase in global warming
NUMBERS20 increase in energy from r e n e w a b l e s compared to
1990
Only the first 3 countries have achieved the Europe 2020 target According to these statistics in 2014 EU-28 was only 4 away from reaching the goal
httpeceuropaeu
G r e e n h o u s e gas emissions are 20 low-er than in 1990
Levels of greenhouse gases have been decreasing since 1990 and by now this target is almost achieved
httpeceuropaeu
20 increase in energy efficiency
compared to 1990
Estonia was the only country reach-ing the target as of yet Zero represents the achievement of the goal which means most of the Member-states have a long way until they achieve the necessary increase in en-ergy efficiency by 20
httpeceuropaeu
This video explains in a simplified way all the negotiations that took place in Paris The COP21 Conference in Paris was a major step forwards to ensure a sustainable future The previous conferences did not have the same success Furthermore the COP21 will give several countries the opportunity to work together towards a greener and more sustainable future energy-wise environmentally and economically
Al Gore is an American politician and environmentalist who served as the 45th Vice President of the United States from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton Despite several less optimistic projections for the future Al Gore presents a different perspective on the matter showing that embracing green solutions is becoming cheaper and cheaper as well as more efficient to implement Is the green future closer than we have been imagining
COMMITTEE ON BUDGETARY AFFAIRS
Beyond Europe 2020 What key points should the European Commission propose as targets of a European Strategy package after 2020
The European Parliament is one of the budgetary arms of the EU Together with the Council it establishes the annu-al budget of the European Union Even though the num-bers shown in the video are outdated it accurately por-trays the importance of the EU Budget and its purpose
What is BUDG
This process goes through the Committee on Budgets
httpstwittercomep_budgets
Additional information can be found on this committeersquos twitter account
BUDG was responsible for approving and set-ting the rules of the budget plan for Europe 2020 the ten-year economic programme of the EU
08
smart|sustainable|inclusive
development
EUROPEANSrsquo VIEW ON EUROPE 2020
45 consider that the EU ldquois going in the right direc-tion to exit the crisis and face new global challengesrdquo
25 consider that it is going in the wrong direction23 believe that the EU is going in neither the right nor the wrong direction7 expressed no opinion on Europe2020
Source European Commission Europe2020 Report (Standard Eurobarometer 81 Spring 2014) Pages 13-18
ldquoOn March 5 the European Commission launched the first step in reviewing the Europe 2020 strategy The mid-term review is designed
to take stock of the progress made so far in achieving the goals and targets of Europe 2020 and to set the pace for possible re-enforcement
or adaptation of the strategy As people continue to struggle with the impact of the financial and economic crisis we need the European Union Institutions and member states to honour the
commitments they made in 2010rdquo
With 4 years left until the deadline the objectives the EU set with this programme in nearly all categories still have not been met Reviews such as these are crucial By periodi-cally reviewing its general progress we are facilitating anal-ysis and reflection on the evolution of the measures being taken and therefore promoting improvement However af-ter all the analysis and reflections that have been made we can conclude that failure is imminent A change of measures may be the only chance this programme has to ever prevail
Furthermore the answer lies in the upcoming genera-tions The youth need to step in and demand a different ap-proach How should we prioritize our goals What needs to be reformed How will we prevent Europe2020 from shar-ing the same fate as itsrsquo predecessor The Lisbon Strate-gy And last but not least Where should the budgets go to
HOW CAN WE CREATE A NEW STRATEGY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT IS CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THESE UNMET GOALS
EUROPE 2020 INDICATORS
To find appropriate ways of overcoming the programmersquos difficulties it is necessary to first attend to itsrsquo main issues Only after carefully analysing statistics and numbers we can detect the areas that need to be focused on in order to fill the gaps left between the current situation and the objectives
of Europe2020
Employment Rate age group 20-642008 7032009 6902014 692
Europe 2020 goal 75- The unfavourable effect of the economic crisis on the European labour
market has caused the lack of growth on the employment rate
Research and development Gross Domestic Expenditure on ResearchampDevelopment
2008 185 of GDP2014 203 of GDP
Europe 2020 goal 3 of GDPThe EUrsquos efforts to stimulate economic growth by boosting public expenditure on Research and Development have not significantly increased
its GDP
Education People at risk of poverty or social exclusion2005-2009 114 million
2012 1225 million2013 1215 million
- Between 2011 and 2014 almost 1 in every four people in the EU27 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion The increase has been largely attributed to the economic crisis in 2008 and the following recessions in the majority
of Member States
For more information visit Eurostat
ldquoGood governance democracy the rule of law the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows as well as effective accountable and inclusive institutions are crucial Policy coherence at all levels by all coun-tries should be at the core of our new global partnership All our actions will have to be monitored in a transparent way to keep us on track in implementing this challenging new agenda To ensure this we should aim for one overar-ching monitoring accountability and review framework We have an ambitious programme but ambition is needed if we are to fulfil the noble objective we have set ourselves the end of extreme poverty and a sustainable future for all
Lets start working This is our world our dignity our futurerdquo
Speech by European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica at the plenary session of the Third In-ternational Conference on Financing for Development 14 July 2015
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal
![Page 4: Topic boxes of Évora 2016](https://reader031.fdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020522/579077611a28ab6874bd7647/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
How to read your Topic Box
25
4You can save these links in your browser so that you have easy access to the infor-mation at any point at the session This en-ables you to draw upon sources to back up points and arguments that you might have
You can even check out the videos and articles of other committeersquos topics in order to increase your knowledge and get a head start for GA
contentExplore get inspired find solutions
03
0201
04
07
0605
08
Committee on Culture and Education
Committee on Economic and Mone-
tary Affairs
Committee on Industry Trade and Energy
Committee on Civil Liberties Justice and
Home Affairs
Committee on Legal Affairs
Committee on Employ-ment and Social Affairs
Committee on the Envi-ronment Public Health
and Food Safety
Committee on Budget-ary Affairs
by Beatriz Faneca
by Pedro Oliveira amp Juliana Teixeira
by Valeriya Yakovleva
by Inecircs de Oliveira
by Joatildeo Costa Cardoso
by Laura Libera
by Pedro Oliveira
by Juliana Teixeira
COMMITTEE ON CULTURE AND EDUCATION
Broadening European exchange How can the flagship initiative ldquoYouth on the Moverdquo be made more accessible to young people who have limited financial capaci-ty and who come from less advan-taged educational backgrounds
Some people believe that low literacy is a concern confined to third-world countries However is it Europe has been assumed to be fully literate yet around 55 million people aged between 16 and 65 cannot read and write properly ldquoone in five European 15-year-olds and almost one in five adults lack the literacy skills required to successfully function in a modern societyrdquo
Donrsquot you think we should all know about this
ldquoIf education alone cannot transform
society neither can society change
without itrdquo
- Paulo Reglus Neves Freire
01
How will we promote a culture of lifelong
learning
bull We give people a reason to learn
bull We break down barriers to learning
bull We help people kick start the learning process
Any time is a good time to learn
Every teacher plays a role in the success of young pupils in education
To motivate and provide students with a broad scope of knowledge teachers should have a wider range of specialized content Besides fulfilling educational goals teachers have to encourage pupilsrsquo creativity However if so wouldnrsquot more time be required If we wish to give equal attention to different approaches to learning why not have more teachers in the classroom Every child should have an equal opportunity to education despite economic status special education needs migrant or even ethnic
minority background
ldquoIf education alone cannot transform
society neither can society change
without itrdquo
- Paulo Reglus Neves Freire
ldquoThe refugee crisis has put education systems under extreme pressurerdquo
International migratory flow has accelerated and diversified during the last decades becoming more and more complex How does the share of immigrants in schools affect the classroom performance of non-immigrants Can education help to combat anti-immigration
mentalities by favouring and adopting a process of integration
1) Immigrants are less educated than natives however there is great diversity across countries These differences point to the fact that the policies required to facilitate the integration of immigrants may have
to vary across countries
2) While first generation immigrants will be almost entirely educated in their country of origin and not their host country child immigrants and second generation immigrants typically join the education
system of their host country
Therefore educational institutions play an important role in bridging the gap in the education system
Immigrant integration can be enhanced byUsing free pre-school programs
Recruiting teachers with an immigrant background ndash establishing positive role models
Better educated individuals are generally more open have a stronger preference for cultural diversity and a favourable attitude towards
immigrants
It is crucial to make students experience the joy of under-standing If schools take on the responsibility of adopting a welcome open attitude to immigrants this will positive-ly influence the attitudes of students and those within the community Helping to ease the integration of immigrants on a wider scale Naturally young people with limited finan-cial capacity and from less advantaged educational back-grounds will acquire a sense of integration and self-determi-nation which will positively impact them throughout life Yes education is definitely the key to success be-cause I am you are we are Youngsters on the Move
Nevertheless hostility towards immigrants may result in a poor attainment preventing learners from acquiring further skills
Thus year after year problems go unsolved Education becomes an opportunity not fully grasped and young pupils risk drop-
ping out of school at the very first chance they getIs education indeed the silver bullet for the next generation
Tiny wobbly baby steps towards Education and Training in Europe 2020
COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AND MONETARY AFFAIRS
A new industrial revolution With the industrial sector forming the backbone of many European economies how can Europe and the different economies of its Member States achieve renewed investment and growth in industry
The future of EU industry system
The establishment of an ldquoIndustrial policy for globalization erardquo is one of the seven 2020 goals Therefore we must re-think the current status of the European industry due to its comparatively low standards of research and development when compared to other super economies and crucial differences within the Union itself Today European industries face challenges that do not allow them to achieve their full potential and will not allow them to achieve the 2020 goals
02
Servitisation is the process of changing the way manufacturing companies see themselves in the market
This process has seen a substantial rise in the past decade Manufacturing firms can now extend their portfolio to offer services creating a boost in the dynamics behind the de-industrialisation we are facing today This shift towards services aims to increase competitiveness at both local and global market level whilst acquiring additional revenues which will become more stable over time Looking at the statistics we can clearly observe the advantages that servitisation has brought to certain manufacturing companies
bull Compared to pure goods producers servitised firms are 35 percent more profitable bull Manufacturing firms in which services account for less than 10 of their production sales are twice the size of pure goods producers
Share of services in industry output
The graphic along with the different markets studied offers clear examples of the influence of services On the one hand the demand for mechanical and electrical equipment has caused an increase in the use of services for installation and maintenance help Yet on the other hand the market for wood paper and printing services has decreased due to the decline in demand for such materials This suggests that each market must be considered individually when figuring out the best approach to making each industry as successful as possible
The European industrial world is changing and itrsquos now time to find new approaches to get the most from the current market Will servitisation have a significant importance in the industrial market future
lsquolsquoMy motto will be ldquoaccelerate and integraterdquo We need to accelerate the implementation of concrete actions to
support a comepetitive industrial economy And we have to better integrate competitiveness in all policy areas at all
levels of governmentrdquo
-Elzbieta Bienkowska European comissioner for the Internal Market
The solution for the dilemma facing the European industry will never be straightforward As is the opinion of the European commissioner for Industry several areas exist which must be reviewed and rethought with the aim of achieving a more competitive industrial economy In her speech the commissioner reminded the industry that they must find new ways of conducting business innovating their system and investing in new technologies whilst bearing in mind climate changes and environmental issues
COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRY TRADE AND ENERGY
Smart cities for smart growth How can innovative urban development meet the challenges of increasing urbanisation and sustainability within and beyond the scope of Europe 2020
Smart cities for 11 billion people Mitchell Joachim at
TEDxBerlin
In this very interesting and captivating speech from the acknowledged innovator in ecological urban design and architecture Mitchell Joachim we learn more about the possibilities of smart cities and their effects on society and citizenrsquos lifestyles In this TEDx talk the expert provides different examples of how innovation starts and how we can begin thinking differently about the way we build our cities in order to successfully combine evolution and ecology
03
A circular economy is an alternative to a traditional linear economy (make use dispose) in which we keep resources in use for as long as possible extract the maximum value from them whilst in use then recover and regenerate products and materials at the end of
each service life
Technology is vital in the development of Smart Cities There are many possible means of incorporating technology into our everyday lives For example the concept of the Internet of Things the network of physical objectsmdashdevices vehicles buildings and other itemsmdashembedded with electronics software sensors and network connectivity that enables these objects to collect and exchange data 1
However therersquos more to smart cities than simply technology From green fea-tures to safety and security there are many more factors that make a city smart
1 httpsenwikipediaorgwikiInternet_of_Things
click on the picture to open in full resolution
Circular economy a key concept
A smart growing city is by definition environmental-ly friendly which makes the circular economy a key concept
This definition can be looked up at the website of the Waste amp Resources Action Programme (WRAP) which is a registered charity that helps communities to achieve a circular economy whilst helping businesses and individuals to reduce waste develop sustainable products and use resources efficiently Effective resource management is crucial to the establishment of a sustainable and green economy The circular economy promotes waste reduction a greater resource productivity increases competitiveness and also reduces the environmental impacts of production and consumption so
urce
http
w
ww
spro
utec
ours
eorg
Game project about energy saving and smart building funded by the European Unionrsquos Seventh Programme for research technological development and demonstration
click on the logo to see the video
Smart Cities in Europe ndash what can we learn from them
1 Copenhagen - 40 of all commuters travel by bike
2 Vienna- Renovated a former 40 hectare slaughterhouse district and turned it into an innovation district focused on media science and technology
3 Stockholm- 40 of its land mass is dedicated to green space
4 London- Londonrsquos Royal Docks emerged from the Olympics plan-ning as a regenerated sustainable commercial and residen-tial area
COMMITTEE ON CIVIL LIBERTIES JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
The future of Schengen How can Europe safeguard its principle of free movement while adequately reacting to the new challenges of the migration and refugee crisis
The Refugue Crisis Fixing Borders Is Not Enough
The article from the Centre of European Reform attempts to find a new strategy in reference to the current refugee crisis Should we use the existing strategy or come up with a totally new one The author states that a large number of immigrants are solely moving countries for economic reasons It is important to see the difference between an economic and lsquogenuinersquo refugee How can we distinguish between the two whilst remaining neutral And who decides how we do this Since poverty alignment should not be an overlooked explanation for immigration
On the other hand is it right to close the boarders to economic refugees Europersquos economy remains far more stable than the majority of countries that refugees are coming from Europe has to realise that 99 of the refugees are living lives full of hardships Such lives as lived by a 13-year-old refugee from Lebanon who started crying in front of the German chancellor Angela Merkel speaking the following words ldquo It is terribly painful to see others really enjoying life when you canrsquot enjoy life yourselfrdquo She is not alone in feeling this way Not in the slightest
04
ldquoWe need a strong European approach on migration And
we need it nowrdquo
Jean-Claude Juncker 23 August 2015
Is the Schengen dream of Europe without borders becoming a thing of
the pastThis article tells a personal story which shows the benefits of the Schengen area for Europeans but also telling the fears of people concerning the ongoing crisis ldquoIt was an ideal that all these countries would unite and be the same and equalrdquo Rainer Maring sighed ldquoBut Europersquos not working right Now all of this is put at risk Wersquore going backwards There are lots of calls to close down the borders Itrsquos all going wrongrdquo How can we ensure that we keep our borders open Nicolas Sarkozy the ex-president of France already declared ldquoSchengen is deadrdquo If we close our borders again will we take a trip back in time or is this a necessary step towards a better future The Greek border is an particular crisis because it is the main entrance into Europe for refugees Will it be enough to close only the Greek borders or will the refugees find alternative entrances to Europe Especially with the most desired destinations for refugees being Germany Sweden and Hungary1
1 Migrant crisis Migration to Europe explained in seven charts [Online] Available at httpwwwbbccomnewsworld-europe-34131911 [Accessed 13 April 2016]
ldquoWe will never erect any fences any wallsrdquo
Aleksander Vucic 26 August 2015
Brussels attacks Can Europe keep its open borders
This article stresses the effect that the terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels had on national security levels Belgium for example rein-troduced boarder controls Furthermore the author highlights that the advantage of open borders is not solely economic Open boarders allow for cultural exchange Do we want to leave all this behind Or should the EU work on a concept that allows open borders and in-stead solves the problems the refugee crisis is causing It is also unsure that we will achieve more effective security by closing our borders
Where are they coming from and where do they go
Seeing all these statistics evokes a range of different emotions From fear to anger to being overwhelmed by the high number of peo-ple who had to leave their whole life behind them in order to be-come ldquoEuropeanrdquo Does their life not have as much worth as ours Do we have the right call a country our territory and deny oth-ers access despite them needing support and acceptance their own homes having been destroyed Is this more of a moral debate
COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AFFAIRS
Investing in a knowledge society How should the EU balance upholding intellectual property rights with the access to knowledge for education culture and research
Intellectual Property Rights protection is involved in everything around us Whether you realise it or not you have certainly encountered it From jokes on Tumblr about Taylor Swift suing everyone to the medicine we take when we have a headache everything involves Intellectual Property protection Naturally it has both a positive and a negative side It is the committeersquos goal to find ways to create a balance between the two
are made on a national level but since the trade market is becoming more and more international with each day there are growing numbers of problems Furthermore considering the fact that a vast amount of big companies are multinational any IPR infringement problems that might occur need to be solved at an international levelPA
TEN
T LA
WS
05
Two sides of the coin
These videos show two different perspectives on the topic The first one being a CEO and Inventor explaining the importance that a strong patent system had in his particular case The second one a TED talk offers the counter view that focuses on the problems that patents create in the medical field by preventing the creation of cheaper versions of the medicines
So which is more important economic growth or access to valuable often lifesaving information If we put it this way it seems obvious that the IPR protection is less important than saving a life However that doesnrsquot mean that the patents copyrights and trademarks should be banned completely as this would increase the unemployment and poverty rates So is there a way to balance the two Are there possible solutions for special cases that IPR effects such as the one described in the medical field
What does the media have to say about this
This article explains the faults that exist in the current patent sys-tem according to the author The author explores the idea of abolishing patenting altogether but having been proven ineffec-tive it also shows what is wrong and how that could be changed
Breakthroughs brought to you by IPR This infographic should give you an idea
of the part that IPR protection systems play in innovation and progress It shows the breakthroughs and the profits gained (shown in the GDP per capita) thanks to the existence of patents and trademarks
What Who Why Ben Wallis answers
In this interview Ben Wallis a Consumers In-ternational Coordinator discusses several as-pects of the topic at hand She speaks of the problems and benefits of patents explains the disadvantages of a strict IP protection sys-tem and shows the interests of consumers and industries in keeping or banishing patents
It might give you a simpler more acces-sible approach to the topic to better help you understand different aspects to it
Why it matters The following graphs show the correlation between the num-ber of Patents and the GDP throughout the years (2000-2014) in the countries of France UK and Germany The lines are continuously parallel showing the positive influ-ence of the Patents on the economy From this we can con-clude the importance that IPR intensive companies have on the economy and the influence their use has on cre-ating employment This supports the argument that the abolishment of Patents and other forms of IP protection would have a significantly large negative impact on the economy
In conclusion there are two main conflicts at stake
bull The conflict between the preservation of intellectual property by the authors and the stagnation of progress and innovation caused by the lack of access to the information that is patented
bull The lack of harmonization of patent legislation across
the EU
Considering all of the information given to you the various perspectives and insights what do you think could be done to solve the existing problems Who should be prioritized the inventors or the consumers or is the possibility to find a com-
promise an achievable solution
COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS
Equal opportunities or equality of result In how far should Europe make an effort to reduce the growing wage and income inequality whilst keeping in mind its aim of lifting 20 million people out of risk of poverty and social exclusion
Income inequality is a significant issue facing todayrsquos society that effects almost every country in the world The staggering difference between the rich and the poor has serious consequences on society and the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion is on the rise This disparity has become more and more apparent In both developed and developing countries the poorest half of a country representing only 10 of its wealth Also it is proven by the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report of 2012 that the richest 300 people on earth have the same amount of money as the total owned by the poorest 3 billion people The same report states that some countries in the world are 80 times richer than others So considering the differences of the economic and political systems between countries what can be done to balance such inequalities
ww
wth
eru
leso
rg
On September 15th 2015 the European Federation of Academies of Sci-ences and Humanities (ALLEA) the European Science Foundation (ESF) and the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) gathered to de-bate the rise of income inequality in EU countries For example a pro-
posed solution discussed in this meeting was the taxation of the richest individuals Af-ter this debate the partici-pants unanimously conclud-ed that this issue is not being properly addressed by the Member Statesrsquo governments If this is the case the prob-lem of income inequality will not be solved and equality will
not be achieved How can we encourage Member States to pay more at-tention to this issue Recent events such as the reports on tax avoid-ance by multinational companies (eg IKEA and Starbucks) and the role of offshore companies concerning the Panama Papers affair have once again underlined that there is far too much room for improvement
ep
th
in
kt
an
k
eu
In 2012 Eurostat released a video explaining that the definition of poverty inside the European Union can differ greatly since all the Member Stateslsquo and its individuals have different perspectives This is due to unavoidable cultural differences in each Member State But is this really as simple as Eurostat makes it seem What do you think is poverty a product of cultural differences Letrsquos take a closer look
06
First off the poor acting of the ldquojournalistldquo and her ldquofriendldquo is completely ridiculous Do we really need a ldquoplotldquo to ex-plain poverty in the European Union This video is far too light-hearted when taking into account the issue they are discussing poverty not exactly material for small-talk It makes poverty look like a joke rather than the real issue it is
The only redeeming quality of this video is the fact that per-ception of poverty is highlighted to be relative to the society in which a person lives in Imagine you live in a neighbourhood where there is no sign of poverty you would see poverty as a pressing issue However if you lived in a less ldquoaffluent part of townrdquo where you witness poverty all around you you would be unavoidably aware of itrsquos presence With only this to commend Eurostatrsquos video on you could say lsquonice tryrsquo and suggest the EU should address this widespread problem appropriately and justly
Taking all of this into account what measures can be tak-en to tackle the lack of serious action regarding this issue What could be done in regards to both nation-al and global taxation policies We are curious what EM-PLrsquos stance on the topic of inequality is looking like
COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY
Sustainable growth on global markets After the agreements of the COP21 Summit in Paris have paved the way for a global climate deal how can Europe push for a global emission trading scheme
bullAim for greenhouse gas emissions to peak as soon as possible bullRapid reductions to achieve a balance between emissions from human activity and the amount that can be retained in the atmosphere
bullDeveloped countries must continue to take the lead in the reduction of greenhouse gases
bullDeveloping nations are encouraged to enhance their efforts and move over time to cut emissions
bull Keep warming ldquowell below 2 degrees celsiusrdquo
bull Continue all efforts to limit the rise in the temperature to 15 degrees celsius
07
The Paris Agreement represents the first step towards a greener planet The Parties agreed on an ambition cycle a set of goals timeframes and commitments designed to ensure that Parties
regularly strengthen their commitments Governments aim to lower global warming to below 2ordmC meanwhile providing finance to poor nations to help them cut emissions and cope
with the effects of extreme weather
MEDIASocial Europe ndash After COP21 The EU Needs to Revise its Climate Policy Targets by Beacutela Galgoacuteczi explains the measures and actions of the governments involved and their long term effect on global warming
Pan European Networks ndash Climate emissions reports may offer ldquofalse hoperdquoAccording to this article the Paris Agreement and the measures taken to avoid an increase in global warming
NUMBERS20 increase in energy from r e n e w a b l e s compared to
1990
Only the first 3 countries have achieved the Europe 2020 target According to these statistics in 2014 EU-28 was only 4 away from reaching the goal
httpeceuropaeu
G r e e n h o u s e gas emissions are 20 low-er than in 1990
Levels of greenhouse gases have been decreasing since 1990 and by now this target is almost achieved
httpeceuropaeu
20 increase in energy efficiency
compared to 1990
Estonia was the only country reach-ing the target as of yet Zero represents the achievement of the goal which means most of the Member-states have a long way until they achieve the necessary increase in en-ergy efficiency by 20
httpeceuropaeu
This video explains in a simplified way all the negotiations that took place in Paris The COP21 Conference in Paris was a major step forwards to ensure a sustainable future The previous conferences did not have the same success Furthermore the COP21 will give several countries the opportunity to work together towards a greener and more sustainable future energy-wise environmentally and economically
Al Gore is an American politician and environmentalist who served as the 45th Vice President of the United States from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton Despite several less optimistic projections for the future Al Gore presents a different perspective on the matter showing that embracing green solutions is becoming cheaper and cheaper as well as more efficient to implement Is the green future closer than we have been imagining
COMMITTEE ON BUDGETARY AFFAIRS
Beyond Europe 2020 What key points should the European Commission propose as targets of a European Strategy package after 2020
The European Parliament is one of the budgetary arms of the EU Together with the Council it establishes the annu-al budget of the European Union Even though the num-bers shown in the video are outdated it accurately por-trays the importance of the EU Budget and its purpose
What is BUDG
This process goes through the Committee on Budgets
httpstwittercomep_budgets
Additional information can be found on this committeersquos twitter account
BUDG was responsible for approving and set-ting the rules of the budget plan for Europe 2020 the ten-year economic programme of the EU
08
smart|sustainable|inclusive
development
EUROPEANSrsquo VIEW ON EUROPE 2020
45 consider that the EU ldquois going in the right direc-tion to exit the crisis and face new global challengesrdquo
25 consider that it is going in the wrong direction23 believe that the EU is going in neither the right nor the wrong direction7 expressed no opinion on Europe2020
Source European Commission Europe2020 Report (Standard Eurobarometer 81 Spring 2014) Pages 13-18
ldquoOn March 5 the European Commission launched the first step in reviewing the Europe 2020 strategy The mid-term review is designed
to take stock of the progress made so far in achieving the goals and targets of Europe 2020 and to set the pace for possible re-enforcement
or adaptation of the strategy As people continue to struggle with the impact of the financial and economic crisis we need the European Union Institutions and member states to honour the
commitments they made in 2010rdquo
With 4 years left until the deadline the objectives the EU set with this programme in nearly all categories still have not been met Reviews such as these are crucial By periodi-cally reviewing its general progress we are facilitating anal-ysis and reflection on the evolution of the measures being taken and therefore promoting improvement However af-ter all the analysis and reflections that have been made we can conclude that failure is imminent A change of measures may be the only chance this programme has to ever prevail
Furthermore the answer lies in the upcoming genera-tions The youth need to step in and demand a different ap-proach How should we prioritize our goals What needs to be reformed How will we prevent Europe2020 from shar-ing the same fate as itsrsquo predecessor The Lisbon Strate-gy And last but not least Where should the budgets go to
HOW CAN WE CREATE A NEW STRATEGY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT IS CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THESE UNMET GOALS
EUROPE 2020 INDICATORS
To find appropriate ways of overcoming the programmersquos difficulties it is necessary to first attend to itsrsquo main issues Only after carefully analysing statistics and numbers we can detect the areas that need to be focused on in order to fill the gaps left between the current situation and the objectives
of Europe2020
Employment Rate age group 20-642008 7032009 6902014 692
Europe 2020 goal 75- The unfavourable effect of the economic crisis on the European labour
market has caused the lack of growth on the employment rate
Research and development Gross Domestic Expenditure on ResearchampDevelopment
2008 185 of GDP2014 203 of GDP
Europe 2020 goal 3 of GDPThe EUrsquos efforts to stimulate economic growth by boosting public expenditure on Research and Development have not significantly increased
its GDP
Education People at risk of poverty or social exclusion2005-2009 114 million
2012 1225 million2013 1215 million
- Between 2011 and 2014 almost 1 in every four people in the EU27 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion The increase has been largely attributed to the economic crisis in 2008 and the following recessions in the majority
of Member States
For more information visit Eurostat
ldquoGood governance democracy the rule of law the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows as well as effective accountable and inclusive institutions are crucial Policy coherence at all levels by all coun-tries should be at the core of our new global partnership All our actions will have to be monitored in a transparent way to keep us on track in implementing this challenging new agenda To ensure this we should aim for one overar-ching monitoring accountability and review framework We have an ambitious programme but ambition is needed if we are to fulfil the noble objective we have set ourselves the end of extreme poverty and a sustainable future for all
Lets start working This is our world our dignity our futurerdquo
Speech by European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica at the plenary session of the Third In-ternational Conference on Financing for Development 14 July 2015
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal
![Page 5: Topic boxes of Évora 2016](https://reader031.fdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020522/579077611a28ab6874bd7647/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
contentExplore get inspired find solutions
03
0201
04
07
0605
08
Committee on Culture and Education
Committee on Economic and Mone-
tary Affairs
Committee on Industry Trade and Energy
Committee on Civil Liberties Justice and
Home Affairs
Committee on Legal Affairs
Committee on Employ-ment and Social Affairs
Committee on the Envi-ronment Public Health
and Food Safety
Committee on Budget-ary Affairs
by Beatriz Faneca
by Pedro Oliveira amp Juliana Teixeira
by Valeriya Yakovleva
by Inecircs de Oliveira
by Joatildeo Costa Cardoso
by Laura Libera
by Pedro Oliveira
by Juliana Teixeira
COMMITTEE ON CULTURE AND EDUCATION
Broadening European exchange How can the flagship initiative ldquoYouth on the Moverdquo be made more accessible to young people who have limited financial capaci-ty and who come from less advan-taged educational backgrounds
Some people believe that low literacy is a concern confined to third-world countries However is it Europe has been assumed to be fully literate yet around 55 million people aged between 16 and 65 cannot read and write properly ldquoone in five European 15-year-olds and almost one in five adults lack the literacy skills required to successfully function in a modern societyrdquo
Donrsquot you think we should all know about this
ldquoIf education alone cannot transform
society neither can society change
without itrdquo
- Paulo Reglus Neves Freire
01
How will we promote a culture of lifelong
learning
bull We give people a reason to learn
bull We break down barriers to learning
bull We help people kick start the learning process
Any time is a good time to learn
Every teacher plays a role in the success of young pupils in education
To motivate and provide students with a broad scope of knowledge teachers should have a wider range of specialized content Besides fulfilling educational goals teachers have to encourage pupilsrsquo creativity However if so wouldnrsquot more time be required If we wish to give equal attention to different approaches to learning why not have more teachers in the classroom Every child should have an equal opportunity to education despite economic status special education needs migrant or even ethnic
minority background
ldquoIf education alone cannot transform
society neither can society change
without itrdquo
- Paulo Reglus Neves Freire
ldquoThe refugee crisis has put education systems under extreme pressurerdquo
International migratory flow has accelerated and diversified during the last decades becoming more and more complex How does the share of immigrants in schools affect the classroom performance of non-immigrants Can education help to combat anti-immigration
mentalities by favouring and adopting a process of integration
1) Immigrants are less educated than natives however there is great diversity across countries These differences point to the fact that the policies required to facilitate the integration of immigrants may have
to vary across countries
2) While first generation immigrants will be almost entirely educated in their country of origin and not their host country child immigrants and second generation immigrants typically join the education
system of their host country
Therefore educational institutions play an important role in bridging the gap in the education system
Immigrant integration can be enhanced byUsing free pre-school programs
Recruiting teachers with an immigrant background ndash establishing positive role models
Better educated individuals are generally more open have a stronger preference for cultural diversity and a favourable attitude towards
immigrants
It is crucial to make students experience the joy of under-standing If schools take on the responsibility of adopting a welcome open attitude to immigrants this will positive-ly influence the attitudes of students and those within the community Helping to ease the integration of immigrants on a wider scale Naturally young people with limited finan-cial capacity and from less advantaged educational back-grounds will acquire a sense of integration and self-determi-nation which will positively impact them throughout life Yes education is definitely the key to success be-cause I am you are we are Youngsters on the Move
Nevertheless hostility towards immigrants may result in a poor attainment preventing learners from acquiring further skills
Thus year after year problems go unsolved Education becomes an opportunity not fully grasped and young pupils risk drop-
ping out of school at the very first chance they getIs education indeed the silver bullet for the next generation
Tiny wobbly baby steps towards Education and Training in Europe 2020
COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AND MONETARY AFFAIRS
A new industrial revolution With the industrial sector forming the backbone of many European economies how can Europe and the different economies of its Member States achieve renewed investment and growth in industry
The future of EU industry system
The establishment of an ldquoIndustrial policy for globalization erardquo is one of the seven 2020 goals Therefore we must re-think the current status of the European industry due to its comparatively low standards of research and development when compared to other super economies and crucial differences within the Union itself Today European industries face challenges that do not allow them to achieve their full potential and will not allow them to achieve the 2020 goals
02
Servitisation is the process of changing the way manufacturing companies see themselves in the market
This process has seen a substantial rise in the past decade Manufacturing firms can now extend their portfolio to offer services creating a boost in the dynamics behind the de-industrialisation we are facing today This shift towards services aims to increase competitiveness at both local and global market level whilst acquiring additional revenues which will become more stable over time Looking at the statistics we can clearly observe the advantages that servitisation has brought to certain manufacturing companies
bull Compared to pure goods producers servitised firms are 35 percent more profitable bull Manufacturing firms in which services account for less than 10 of their production sales are twice the size of pure goods producers
Share of services in industry output
The graphic along with the different markets studied offers clear examples of the influence of services On the one hand the demand for mechanical and electrical equipment has caused an increase in the use of services for installation and maintenance help Yet on the other hand the market for wood paper and printing services has decreased due to the decline in demand for such materials This suggests that each market must be considered individually when figuring out the best approach to making each industry as successful as possible
The European industrial world is changing and itrsquos now time to find new approaches to get the most from the current market Will servitisation have a significant importance in the industrial market future
lsquolsquoMy motto will be ldquoaccelerate and integraterdquo We need to accelerate the implementation of concrete actions to
support a comepetitive industrial economy And we have to better integrate competitiveness in all policy areas at all
levels of governmentrdquo
-Elzbieta Bienkowska European comissioner for the Internal Market
The solution for the dilemma facing the European industry will never be straightforward As is the opinion of the European commissioner for Industry several areas exist which must be reviewed and rethought with the aim of achieving a more competitive industrial economy In her speech the commissioner reminded the industry that they must find new ways of conducting business innovating their system and investing in new technologies whilst bearing in mind climate changes and environmental issues
COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRY TRADE AND ENERGY
Smart cities for smart growth How can innovative urban development meet the challenges of increasing urbanisation and sustainability within and beyond the scope of Europe 2020
Smart cities for 11 billion people Mitchell Joachim at
TEDxBerlin
In this very interesting and captivating speech from the acknowledged innovator in ecological urban design and architecture Mitchell Joachim we learn more about the possibilities of smart cities and their effects on society and citizenrsquos lifestyles In this TEDx talk the expert provides different examples of how innovation starts and how we can begin thinking differently about the way we build our cities in order to successfully combine evolution and ecology
03
A circular economy is an alternative to a traditional linear economy (make use dispose) in which we keep resources in use for as long as possible extract the maximum value from them whilst in use then recover and regenerate products and materials at the end of
each service life
Technology is vital in the development of Smart Cities There are many possible means of incorporating technology into our everyday lives For example the concept of the Internet of Things the network of physical objectsmdashdevices vehicles buildings and other itemsmdashembedded with electronics software sensors and network connectivity that enables these objects to collect and exchange data 1
However therersquos more to smart cities than simply technology From green fea-tures to safety and security there are many more factors that make a city smart
1 httpsenwikipediaorgwikiInternet_of_Things
click on the picture to open in full resolution
Circular economy a key concept
A smart growing city is by definition environmental-ly friendly which makes the circular economy a key concept
This definition can be looked up at the website of the Waste amp Resources Action Programme (WRAP) which is a registered charity that helps communities to achieve a circular economy whilst helping businesses and individuals to reduce waste develop sustainable products and use resources efficiently Effective resource management is crucial to the establishment of a sustainable and green economy The circular economy promotes waste reduction a greater resource productivity increases competitiveness and also reduces the environmental impacts of production and consumption so
urce
http
w
ww
spro
utec
ours
eorg
Game project about energy saving and smart building funded by the European Unionrsquos Seventh Programme for research technological development and demonstration
click on the logo to see the video
Smart Cities in Europe ndash what can we learn from them
1 Copenhagen - 40 of all commuters travel by bike
2 Vienna- Renovated a former 40 hectare slaughterhouse district and turned it into an innovation district focused on media science and technology
3 Stockholm- 40 of its land mass is dedicated to green space
4 London- Londonrsquos Royal Docks emerged from the Olympics plan-ning as a regenerated sustainable commercial and residen-tial area
COMMITTEE ON CIVIL LIBERTIES JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
The future of Schengen How can Europe safeguard its principle of free movement while adequately reacting to the new challenges of the migration and refugee crisis
The Refugue Crisis Fixing Borders Is Not Enough
The article from the Centre of European Reform attempts to find a new strategy in reference to the current refugee crisis Should we use the existing strategy or come up with a totally new one The author states that a large number of immigrants are solely moving countries for economic reasons It is important to see the difference between an economic and lsquogenuinersquo refugee How can we distinguish between the two whilst remaining neutral And who decides how we do this Since poverty alignment should not be an overlooked explanation for immigration
On the other hand is it right to close the boarders to economic refugees Europersquos economy remains far more stable than the majority of countries that refugees are coming from Europe has to realise that 99 of the refugees are living lives full of hardships Such lives as lived by a 13-year-old refugee from Lebanon who started crying in front of the German chancellor Angela Merkel speaking the following words ldquo It is terribly painful to see others really enjoying life when you canrsquot enjoy life yourselfrdquo She is not alone in feeling this way Not in the slightest
04
ldquoWe need a strong European approach on migration And
we need it nowrdquo
Jean-Claude Juncker 23 August 2015
Is the Schengen dream of Europe without borders becoming a thing of
the pastThis article tells a personal story which shows the benefits of the Schengen area for Europeans but also telling the fears of people concerning the ongoing crisis ldquoIt was an ideal that all these countries would unite and be the same and equalrdquo Rainer Maring sighed ldquoBut Europersquos not working right Now all of this is put at risk Wersquore going backwards There are lots of calls to close down the borders Itrsquos all going wrongrdquo How can we ensure that we keep our borders open Nicolas Sarkozy the ex-president of France already declared ldquoSchengen is deadrdquo If we close our borders again will we take a trip back in time or is this a necessary step towards a better future The Greek border is an particular crisis because it is the main entrance into Europe for refugees Will it be enough to close only the Greek borders or will the refugees find alternative entrances to Europe Especially with the most desired destinations for refugees being Germany Sweden and Hungary1
1 Migrant crisis Migration to Europe explained in seven charts [Online] Available at httpwwwbbccomnewsworld-europe-34131911 [Accessed 13 April 2016]
ldquoWe will never erect any fences any wallsrdquo
Aleksander Vucic 26 August 2015
Brussels attacks Can Europe keep its open borders
This article stresses the effect that the terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels had on national security levels Belgium for example rein-troduced boarder controls Furthermore the author highlights that the advantage of open borders is not solely economic Open boarders allow for cultural exchange Do we want to leave all this behind Or should the EU work on a concept that allows open borders and in-stead solves the problems the refugee crisis is causing It is also unsure that we will achieve more effective security by closing our borders
Where are they coming from and where do they go
Seeing all these statistics evokes a range of different emotions From fear to anger to being overwhelmed by the high number of peo-ple who had to leave their whole life behind them in order to be-come ldquoEuropeanrdquo Does their life not have as much worth as ours Do we have the right call a country our territory and deny oth-ers access despite them needing support and acceptance their own homes having been destroyed Is this more of a moral debate
COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AFFAIRS
Investing in a knowledge society How should the EU balance upholding intellectual property rights with the access to knowledge for education culture and research
Intellectual Property Rights protection is involved in everything around us Whether you realise it or not you have certainly encountered it From jokes on Tumblr about Taylor Swift suing everyone to the medicine we take when we have a headache everything involves Intellectual Property protection Naturally it has both a positive and a negative side It is the committeersquos goal to find ways to create a balance between the two
are made on a national level but since the trade market is becoming more and more international with each day there are growing numbers of problems Furthermore considering the fact that a vast amount of big companies are multinational any IPR infringement problems that might occur need to be solved at an international levelPA
TEN
T LA
WS
05
Two sides of the coin
These videos show two different perspectives on the topic The first one being a CEO and Inventor explaining the importance that a strong patent system had in his particular case The second one a TED talk offers the counter view that focuses on the problems that patents create in the medical field by preventing the creation of cheaper versions of the medicines
So which is more important economic growth or access to valuable often lifesaving information If we put it this way it seems obvious that the IPR protection is less important than saving a life However that doesnrsquot mean that the patents copyrights and trademarks should be banned completely as this would increase the unemployment and poverty rates So is there a way to balance the two Are there possible solutions for special cases that IPR effects such as the one described in the medical field
What does the media have to say about this
This article explains the faults that exist in the current patent sys-tem according to the author The author explores the idea of abolishing patenting altogether but having been proven ineffec-tive it also shows what is wrong and how that could be changed
Breakthroughs brought to you by IPR This infographic should give you an idea
of the part that IPR protection systems play in innovation and progress It shows the breakthroughs and the profits gained (shown in the GDP per capita) thanks to the existence of patents and trademarks
What Who Why Ben Wallis answers
In this interview Ben Wallis a Consumers In-ternational Coordinator discusses several as-pects of the topic at hand She speaks of the problems and benefits of patents explains the disadvantages of a strict IP protection sys-tem and shows the interests of consumers and industries in keeping or banishing patents
It might give you a simpler more acces-sible approach to the topic to better help you understand different aspects to it
Why it matters The following graphs show the correlation between the num-ber of Patents and the GDP throughout the years (2000-2014) in the countries of France UK and Germany The lines are continuously parallel showing the positive influ-ence of the Patents on the economy From this we can con-clude the importance that IPR intensive companies have on the economy and the influence their use has on cre-ating employment This supports the argument that the abolishment of Patents and other forms of IP protection would have a significantly large negative impact on the economy
In conclusion there are two main conflicts at stake
bull The conflict between the preservation of intellectual property by the authors and the stagnation of progress and innovation caused by the lack of access to the information that is patented
bull The lack of harmonization of patent legislation across
the EU
Considering all of the information given to you the various perspectives and insights what do you think could be done to solve the existing problems Who should be prioritized the inventors or the consumers or is the possibility to find a com-
promise an achievable solution
COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS
Equal opportunities or equality of result In how far should Europe make an effort to reduce the growing wage and income inequality whilst keeping in mind its aim of lifting 20 million people out of risk of poverty and social exclusion
Income inequality is a significant issue facing todayrsquos society that effects almost every country in the world The staggering difference between the rich and the poor has serious consequences on society and the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion is on the rise This disparity has become more and more apparent In both developed and developing countries the poorest half of a country representing only 10 of its wealth Also it is proven by the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report of 2012 that the richest 300 people on earth have the same amount of money as the total owned by the poorest 3 billion people The same report states that some countries in the world are 80 times richer than others So considering the differences of the economic and political systems between countries what can be done to balance such inequalities
ww
wth
eru
leso
rg
On September 15th 2015 the European Federation of Academies of Sci-ences and Humanities (ALLEA) the European Science Foundation (ESF) and the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) gathered to de-bate the rise of income inequality in EU countries For example a pro-
posed solution discussed in this meeting was the taxation of the richest individuals Af-ter this debate the partici-pants unanimously conclud-ed that this issue is not being properly addressed by the Member Statesrsquo governments If this is the case the prob-lem of income inequality will not be solved and equality will
not be achieved How can we encourage Member States to pay more at-tention to this issue Recent events such as the reports on tax avoid-ance by multinational companies (eg IKEA and Starbucks) and the role of offshore companies concerning the Panama Papers affair have once again underlined that there is far too much room for improvement
ep
th
in
kt
an
k
eu
In 2012 Eurostat released a video explaining that the definition of poverty inside the European Union can differ greatly since all the Member Stateslsquo and its individuals have different perspectives This is due to unavoidable cultural differences in each Member State But is this really as simple as Eurostat makes it seem What do you think is poverty a product of cultural differences Letrsquos take a closer look
06
First off the poor acting of the ldquojournalistldquo and her ldquofriendldquo is completely ridiculous Do we really need a ldquoplotldquo to ex-plain poverty in the European Union This video is far too light-hearted when taking into account the issue they are discussing poverty not exactly material for small-talk It makes poverty look like a joke rather than the real issue it is
The only redeeming quality of this video is the fact that per-ception of poverty is highlighted to be relative to the society in which a person lives in Imagine you live in a neighbourhood where there is no sign of poverty you would see poverty as a pressing issue However if you lived in a less ldquoaffluent part of townrdquo where you witness poverty all around you you would be unavoidably aware of itrsquos presence With only this to commend Eurostatrsquos video on you could say lsquonice tryrsquo and suggest the EU should address this widespread problem appropriately and justly
Taking all of this into account what measures can be tak-en to tackle the lack of serious action regarding this issue What could be done in regards to both nation-al and global taxation policies We are curious what EM-PLrsquos stance on the topic of inequality is looking like
COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY
Sustainable growth on global markets After the agreements of the COP21 Summit in Paris have paved the way for a global climate deal how can Europe push for a global emission trading scheme
bullAim for greenhouse gas emissions to peak as soon as possible bullRapid reductions to achieve a balance between emissions from human activity and the amount that can be retained in the atmosphere
bullDeveloped countries must continue to take the lead in the reduction of greenhouse gases
bullDeveloping nations are encouraged to enhance their efforts and move over time to cut emissions
bull Keep warming ldquowell below 2 degrees celsiusrdquo
bull Continue all efforts to limit the rise in the temperature to 15 degrees celsius
07
The Paris Agreement represents the first step towards a greener planet The Parties agreed on an ambition cycle a set of goals timeframes and commitments designed to ensure that Parties
regularly strengthen their commitments Governments aim to lower global warming to below 2ordmC meanwhile providing finance to poor nations to help them cut emissions and cope
with the effects of extreme weather
MEDIASocial Europe ndash After COP21 The EU Needs to Revise its Climate Policy Targets by Beacutela Galgoacuteczi explains the measures and actions of the governments involved and their long term effect on global warming
Pan European Networks ndash Climate emissions reports may offer ldquofalse hoperdquoAccording to this article the Paris Agreement and the measures taken to avoid an increase in global warming
NUMBERS20 increase in energy from r e n e w a b l e s compared to
1990
Only the first 3 countries have achieved the Europe 2020 target According to these statistics in 2014 EU-28 was only 4 away from reaching the goal
httpeceuropaeu
G r e e n h o u s e gas emissions are 20 low-er than in 1990
Levels of greenhouse gases have been decreasing since 1990 and by now this target is almost achieved
httpeceuropaeu
20 increase in energy efficiency
compared to 1990
Estonia was the only country reach-ing the target as of yet Zero represents the achievement of the goal which means most of the Member-states have a long way until they achieve the necessary increase in en-ergy efficiency by 20
httpeceuropaeu
This video explains in a simplified way all the negotiations that took place in Paris The COP21 Conference in Paris was a major step forwards to ensure a sustainable future The previous conferences did not have the same success Furthermore the COP21 will give several countries the opportunity to work together towards a greener and more sustainable future energy-wise environmentally and economically
Al Gore is an American politician and environmentalist who served as the 45th Vice President of the United States from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton Despite several less optimistic projections for the future Al Gore presents a different perspective on the matter showing that embracing green solutions is becoming cheaper and cheaper as well as more efficient to implement Is the green future closer than we have been imagining
COMMITTEE ON BUDGETARY AFFAIRS
Beyond Europe 2020 What key points should the European Commission propose as targets of a European Strategy package after 2020
The European Parliament is one of the budgetary arms of the EU Together with the Council it establishes the annu-al budget of the European Union Even though the num-bers shown in the video are outdated it accurately por-trays the importance of the EU Budget and its purpose
What is BUDG
This process goes through the Committee on Budgets
httpstwittercomep_budgets
Additional information can be found on this committeersquos twitter account
BUDG was responsible for approving and set-ting the rules of the budget plan for Europe 2020 the ten-year economic programme of the EU
08
smart|sustainable|inclusive
development
EUROPEANSrsquo VIEW ON EUROPE 2020
45 consider that the EU ldquois going in the right direc-tion to exit the crisis and face new global challengesrdquo
25 consider that it is going in the wrong direction23 believe that the EU is going in neither the right nor the wrong direction7 expressed no opinion on Europe2020
Source European Commission Europe2020 Report (Standard Eurobarometer 81 Spring 2014) Pages 13-18
ldquoOn March 5 the European Commission launched the first step in reviewing the Europe 2020 strategy The mid-term review is designed
to take stock of the progress made so far in achieving the goals and targets of Europe 2020 and to set the pace for possible re-enforcement
or adaptation of the strategy As people continue to struggle with the impact of the financial and economic crisis we need the European Union Institutions and member states to honour the
commitments they made in 2010rdquo
With 4 years left until the deadline the objectives the EU set with this programme in nearly all categories still have not been met Reviews such as these are crucial By periodi-cally reviewing its general progress we are facilitating anal-ysis and reflection on the evolution of the measures being taken and therefore promoting improvement However af-ter all the analysis and reflections that have been made we can conclude that failure is imminent A change of measures may be the only chance this programme has to ever prevail
Furthermore the answer lies in the upcoming genera-tions The youth need to step in and demand a different ap-proach How should we prioritize our goals What needs to be reformed How will we prevent Europe2020 from shar-ing the same fate as itsrsquo predecessor The Lisbon Strate-gy And last but not least Where should the budgets go to
HOW CAN WE CREATE A NEW STRATEGY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT IS CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THESE UNMET GOALS
EUROPE 2020 INDICATORS
To find appropriate ways of overcoming the programmersquos difficulties it is necessary to first attend to itsrsquo main issues Only after carefully analysing statistics and numbers we can detect the areas that need to be focused on in order to fill the gaps left between the current situation and the objectives
of Europe2020
Employment Rate age group 20-642008 7032009 6902014 692
Europe 2020 goal 75- The unfavourable effect of the economic crisis on the European labour
market has caused the lack of growth on the employment rate
Research and development Gross Domestic Expenditure on ResearchampDevelopment
2008 185 of GDP2014 203 of GDP
Europe 2020 goal 3 of GDPThe EUrsquos efforts to stimulate economic growth by boosting public expenditure on Research and Development have not significantly increased
its GDP
Education People at risk of poverty or social exclusion2005-2009 114 million
2012 1225 million2013 1215 million
- Between 2011 and 2014 almost 1 in every four people in the EU27 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion The increase has been largely attributed to the economic crisis in 2008 and the following recessions in the majority
of Member States
For more information visit Eurostat
ldquoGood governance democracy the rule of law the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows as well as effective accountable and inclusive institutions are crucial Policy coherence at all levels by all coun-tries should be at the core of our new global partnership All our actions will have to be monitored in a transparent way to keep us on track in implementing this challenging new agenda To ensure this we should aim for one overar-ching monitoring accountability and review framework We have an ambitious programme but ambition is needed if we are to fulfil the noble objective we have set ourselves the end of extreme poverty and a sustainable future for all
Lets start working This is our world our dignity our futurerdquo
Speech by European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica at the plenary session of the Third In-ternational Conference on Financing for Development 14 July 2015
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal
![Page 6: Topic boxes of Évora 2016](https://reader031.fdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020522/579077611a28ab6874bd7647/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
03
0201
04
07
0605
08
Committee on Culture and Education
Committee on Economic and Mone-
tary Affairs
Committee on Industry Trade and Energy
Committee on Civil Liberties Justice and
Home Affairs
Committee on Legal Affairs
Committee on Employ-ment and Social Affairs
Committee on the Envi-ronment Public Health
and Food Safety
Committee on Budget-ary Affairs
by Beatriz Faneca
by Pedro Oliveira amp Juliana Teixeira
by Valeriya Yakovleva
by Inecircs de Oliveira
by Joatildeo Costa Cardoso
by Laura Libera
by Pedro Oliveira
by Juliana Teixeira
COMMITTEE ON CULTURE AND EDUCATION
Broadening European exchange How can the flagship initiative ldquoYouth on the Moverdquo be made more accessible to young people who have limited financial capaci-ty and who come from less advan-taged educational backgrounds
Some people believe that low literacy is a concern confined to third-world countries However is it Europe has been assumed to be fully literate yet around 55 million people aged between 16 and 65 cannot read and write properly ldquoone in five European 15-year-olds and almost one in five adults lack the literacy skills required to successfully function in a modern societyrdquo
Donrsquot you think we should all know about this
ldquoIf education alone cannot transform
society neither can society change
without itrdquo
- Paulo Reglus Neves Freire
01
How will we promote a culture of lifelong
learning
bull We give people a reason to learn
bull We break down barriers to learning
bull We help people kick start the learning process
Any time is a good time to learn
Every teacher plays a role in the success of young pupils in education
To motivate and provide students with a broad scope of knowledge teachers should have a wider range of specialized content Besides fulfilling educational goals teachers have to encourage pupilsrsquo creativity However if so wouldnrsquot more time be required If we wish to give equal attention to different approaches to learning why not have more teachers in the classroom Every child should have an equal opportunity to education despite economic status special education needs migrant or even ethnic
minority background
ldquoIf education alone cannot transform
society neither can society change
without itrdquo
- Paulo Reglus Neves Freire
ldquoThe refugee crisis has put education systems under extreme pressurerdquo
International migratory flow has accelerated and diversified during the last decades becoming more and more complex How does the share of immigrants in schools affect the classroom performance of non-immigrants Can education help to combat anti-immigration
mentalities by favouring and adopting a process of integration
1) Immigrants are less educated than natives however there is great diversity across countries These differences point to the fact that the policies required to facilitate the integration of immigrants may have
to vary across countries
2) While first generation immigrants will be almost entirely educated in their country of origin and not their host country child immigrants and second generation immigrants typically join the education
system of their host country
Therefore educational institutions play an important role in bridging the gap in the education system
Immigrant integration can be enhanced byUsing free pre-school programs
Recruiting teachers with an immigrant background ndash establishing positive role models
Better educated individuals are generally more open have a stronger preference for cultural diversity and a favourable attitude towards
immigrants
It is crucial to make students experience the joy of under-standing If schools take on the responsibility of adopting a welcome open attitude to immigrants this will positive-ly influence the attitudes of students and those within the community Helping to ease the integration of immigrants on a wider scale Naturally young people with limited finan-cial capacity and from less advantaged educational back-grounds will acquire a sense of integration and self-determi-nation which will positively impact them throughout life Yes education is definitely the key to success be-cause I am you are we are Youngsters on the Move
Nevertheless hostility towards immigrants may result in a poor attainment preventing learners from acquiring further skills
Thus year after year problems go unsolved Education becomes an opportunity not fully grasped and young pupils risk drop-
ping out of school at the very first chance they getIs education indeed the silver bullet for the next generation
Tiny wobbly baby steps towards Education and Training in Europe 2020
COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AND MONETARY AFFAIRS
A new industrial revolution With the industrial sector forming the backbone of many European economies how can Europe and the different economies of its Member States achieve renewed investment and growth in industry
The future of EU industry system
The establishment of an ldquoIndustrial policy for globalization erardquo is one of the seven 2020 goals Therefore we must re-think the current status of the European industry due to its comparatively low standards of research and development when compared to other super economies and crucial differences within the Union itself Today European industries face challenges that do not allow them to achieve their full potential and will not allow them to achieve the 2020 goals
02
Servitisation is the process of changing the way manufacturing companies see themselves in the market
This process has seen a substantial rise in the past decade Manufacturing firms can now extend their portfolio to offer services creating a boost in the dynamics behind the de-industrialisation we are facing today This shift towards services aims to increase competitiveness at both local and global market level whilst acquiring additional revenues which will become more stable over time Looking at the statistics we can clearly observe the advantages that servitisation has brought to certain manufacturing companies
bull Compared to pure goods producers servitised firms are 35 percent more profitable bull Manufacturing firms in which services account for less than 10 of their production sales are twice the size of pure goods producers
Share of services in industry output
The graphic along with the different markets studied offers clear examples of the influence of services On the one hand the demand for mechanical and electrical equipment has caused an increase in the use of services for installation and maintenance help Yet on the other hand the market for wood paper and printing services has decreased due to the decline in demand for such materials This suggests that each market must be considered individually when figuring out the best approach to making each industry as successful as possible
The European industrial world is changing and itrsquos now time to find new approaches to get the most from the current market Will servitisation have a significant importance in the industrial market future
lsquolsquoMy motto will be ldquoaccelerate and integraterdquo We need to accelerate the implementation of concrete actions to
support a comepetitive industrial economy And we have to better integrate competitiveness in all policy areas at all
levels of governmentrdquo
-Elzbieta Bienkowska European comissioner for the Internal Market
The solution for the dilemma facing the European industry will never be straightforward As is the opinion of the European commissioner for Industry several areas exist which must be reviewed and rethought with the aim of achieving a more competitive industrial economy In her speech the commissioner reminded the industry that they must find new ways of conducting business innovating their system and investing in new technologies whilst bearing in mind climate changes and environmental issues
COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRY TRADE AND ENERGY
Smart cities for smart growth How can innovative urban development meet the challenges of increasing urbanisation and sustainability within and beyond the scope of Europe 2020
Smart cities for 11 billion people Mitchell Joachim at
TEDxBerlin
In this very interesting and captivating speech from the acknowledged innovator in ecological urban design and architecture Mitchell Joachim we learn more about the possibilities of smart cities and their effects on society and citizenrsquos lifestyles In this TEDx talk the expert provides different examples of how innovation starts and how we can begin thinking differently about the way we build our cities in order to successfully combine evolution and ecology
03
A circular economy is an alternative to a traditional linear economy (make use dispose) in which we keep resources in use for as long as possible extract the maximum value from them whilst in use then recover and regenerate products and materials at the end of
each service life
Technology is vital in the development of Smart Cities There are many possible means of incorporating technology into our everyday lives For example the concept of the Internet of Things the network of physical objectsmdashdevices vehicles buildings and other itemsmdashembedded with electronics software sensors and network connectivity that enables these objects to collect and exchange data 1
However therersquos more to smart cities than simply technology From green fea-tures to safety and security there are many more factors that make a city smart
1 httpsenwikipediaorgwikiInternet_of_Things
click on the picture to open in full resolution
Circular economy a key concept
A smart growing city is by definition environmental-ly friendly which makes the circular economy a key concept
This definition can be looked up at the website of the Waste amp Resources Action Programme (WRAP) which is a registered charity that helps communities to achieve a circular economy whilst helping businesses and individuals to reduce waste develop sustainable products and use resources efficiently Effective resource management is crucial to the establishment of a sustainable and green economy The circular economy promotes waste reduction a greater resource productivity increases competitiveness and also reduces the environmental impacts of production and consumption so
urce
http
w
ww
spro
utec
ours
eorg
Game project about energy saving and smart building funded by the European Unionrsquos Seventh Programme for research technological development and demonstration
click on the logo to see the video
Smart Cities in Europe ndash what can we learn from them
1 Copenhagen - 40 of all commuters travel by bike
2 Vienna- Renovated a former 40 hectare slaughterhouse district and turned it into an innovation district focused on media science and technology
3 Stockholm- 40 of its land mass is dedicated to green space
4 London- Londonrsquos Royal Docks emerged from the Olympics plan-ning as a regenerated sustainable commercial and residen-tial area
COMMITTEE ON CIVIL LIBERTIES JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
The future of Schengen How can Europe safeguard its principle of free movement while adequately reacting to the new challenges of the migration and refugee crisis
The Refugue Crisis Fixing Borders Is Not Enough
The article from the Centre of European Reform attempts to find a new strategy in reference to the current refugee crisis Should we use the existing strategy or come up with a totally new one The author states that a large number of immigrants are solely moving countries for economic reasons It is important to see the difference between an economic and lsquogenuinersquo refugee How can we distinguish between the two whilst remaining neutral And who decides how we do this Since poverty alignment should not be an overlooked explanation for immigration
On the other hand is it right to close the boarders to economic refugees Europersquos economy remains far more stable than the majority of countries that refugees are coming from Europe has to realise that 99 of the refugees are living lives full of hardships Such lives as lived by a 13-year-old refugee from Lebanon who started crying in front of the German chancellor Angela Merkel speaking the following words ldquo It is terribly painful to see others really enjoying life when you canrsquot enjoy life yourselfrdquo She is not alone in feeling this way Not in the slightest
04
ldquoWe need a strong European approach on migration And
we need it nowrdquo
Jean-Claude Juncker 23 August 2015
Is the Schengen dream of Europe without borders becoming a thing of
the pastThis article tells a personal story which shows the benefits of the Schengen area for Europeans but also telling the fears of people concerning the ongoing crisis ldquoIt was an ideal that all these countries would unite and be the same and equalrdquo Rainer Maring sighed ldquoBut Europersquos not working right Now all of this is put at risk Wersquore going backwards There are lots of calls to close down the borders Itrsquos all going wrongrdquo How can we ensure that we keep our borders open Nicolas Sarkozy the ex-president of France already declared ldquoSchengen is deadrdquo If we close our borders again will we take a trip back in time or is this a necessary step towards a better future The Greek border is an particular crisis because it is the main entrance into Europe for refugees Will it be enough to close only the Greek borders or will the refugees find alternative entrances to Europe Especially with the most desired destinations for refugees being Germany Sweden and Hungary1
1 Migrant crisis Migration to Europe explained in seven charts [Online] Available at httpwwwbbccomnewsworld-europe-34131911 [Accessed 13 April 2016]
ldquoWe will never erect any fences any wallsrdquo
Aleksander Vucic 26 August 2015
Brussels attacks Can Europe keep its open borders
This article stresses the effect that the terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels had on national security levels Belgium for example rein-troduced boarder controls Furthermore the author highlights that the advantage of open borders is not solely economic Open boarders allow for cultural exchange Do we want to leave all this behind Or should the EU work on a concept that allows open borders and in-stead solves the problems the refugee crisis is causing It is also unsure that we will achieve more effective security by closing our borders
Where are they coming from and where do they go
Seeing all these statistics evokes a range of different emotions From fear to anger to being overwhelmed by the high number of peo-ple who had to leave their whole life behind them in order to be-come ldquoEuropeanrdquo Does their life not have as much worth as ours Do we have the right call a country our territory and deny oth-ers access despite them needing support and acceptance their own homes having been destroyed Is this more of a moral debate
COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AFFAIRS
Investing in a knowledge society How should the EU balance upholding intellectual property rights with the access to knowledge for education culture and research
Intellectual Property Rights protection is involved in everything around us Whether you realise it or not you have certainly encountered it From jokes on Tumblr about Taylor Swift suing everyone to the medicine we take when we have a headache everything involves Intellectual Property protection Naturally it has both a positive and a negative side It is the committeersquos goal to find ways to create a balance between the two
are made on a national level but since the trade market is becoming more and more international with each day there are growing numbers of problems Furthermore considering the fact that a vast amount of big companies are multinational any IPR infringement problems that might occur need to be solved at an international levelPA
TEN
T LA
WS
05
Two sides of the coin
These videos show two different perspectives on the topic The first one being a CEO and Inventor explaining the importance that a strong patent system had in his particular case The second one a TED talk offers the counter view that focuses on the problems that patents create in the medical field by preventing the creation of cheaper versions of the medicines
So which is more important economic growth or access to valuable often lifesaving information If we put it this way it seems obvious that the IPR protection is less important than saving a life However that doesnrsquot mean that the patents copyrights and trademarks should be banned completely as this would increase the unemployment and poverty rates So is there a way to balance the two Are there possible solutions for special cases that IPR effects such as the one described in the medical field
What does the media have to say about this
This article explains the faults that exist in the current patent sys-tem according to the author The author explores the idea of abolishing patenting altogether but having been proven ineffec-tive it also shows what is wrong and how that could be changed
Breakthroughs brought to you by IPR This infographic should give you an idea
of the part that IPR protection systems play in innovation and progress It shows the breakthroughs and the profits gained (shown in the GDP per capita) thanks to the existence of patents and trademarks
What Who Why Ben Wallis answers
In this interview Ben Wallis a Consumers In-ternational Coordinator discusses several as-pects of the topic at hand She speaks of the problems and benefits of patents explains the disadvantages of a strict IP protection sys-tem and shows the interests of consumers and industries in keeping or banishing patents
It might give you a simpler more acces-sible approach to the topic to better help you understand different aspects to it
Why it matters The following graphs show the correlation between the num-ber of Patents and the GDP throughout the years (2000-2014) in the countries of France UK and Germany The lines are continuously parallel showing the positive influ-ence of the Patents on the economy From this we can con-clude the importance that IPR intensive companies have on the economy and the influence their use has on cre-ating employment This supports the argument that the abolishment of Patents and other forms of IP protection would have a significantly large negative impact on the economy
In conclusion there are two main conflicts at stake
bull The conflict between the preservation of intellectual property by the authors and the stagnation of progress and innovation caused by the lack of access to the information that is patented
bull The lack of harmonization of patent legislation across
the EU
Considering all of the information given to you the various perspectives and insights what do you think could be done to solve the existing problems Who should be prioritized the inventors or the consumers or is the possibility to find a com-
promise an achievable solution
COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS
Equal opportunities or equality of result In how far should Europe make an effort to reduce the growing wage and income inequality whilst keeping in mind its aim of lifting 20 million people out of risk of poverty and social exclusion
Income inequality is a significant issue facing todayrsquos society that effects almost every country in the world The staggering difference between the rich and the poor has serious consequences on society and the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion is on the rise This disparity has become more and more apparent In both developed and developing countries the poorest half of a country representing only 10 of its wealth Also it is proven by the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report of 2012 that the richest 300 people on earth have the same amount of money as the total owned by the poorest 3 billion people The same report states that some countries in the world are 80 times richer than others So considering the differences of the economic and political systems between countries what can be done to balance such inequalities
ww
wth
eru
leso
rg
On September 15th 2015 the European Federation of Academies of Sci-ences and Humanities (ALLEA) the European Science Foundation (ESF) and the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) gathered to de-bate the rise of income inequality in EU countries For example a pro-
posed solution discussed in this meeting was the taxation of the richest individuals Af-ter this debate the partici-pants unanimously conclud-ed that this issue is not being properly addressed by the Member Statesrsquo governments If this is the case the prob-lem of income inequality will not be solved and equality will
not be achieved How can we encourage Member States to pay more at-tention to this issue Recent events such as the reports on tax avoid-ance by multinational companies (eg IKEA and Starbucks) and the role of offshore companies concerning the Panama Papers affair have once again underlined that there is far too much room for improvement
ep
th
in
kt
an
k
eu
In 2012 Eurostat released a video explaining that the definition of poverty inside the European Union can differ greatly since all the Member Stateslsquo and its individuals have different perspectives This is due to unavoidable cultural differences in each Member State But is this really as simple as Eurostat makes it seem What do you think is poverty a product of cultural differences Letrsquos take a closer look
06
First off the poor acting of the ldquojournalistldquo and her ldquofriendldquo is completely ridiculous Do we really need a ldquoplotldquo to ex-plain poverty in the European Union This video is far too light-hearted when taking into account the issue they are discussing poverty not exactly material for small-talk It makes poverty look like a joke rather than the real issue it is
The only redeeming quality of this video is the fact that per-ception of poverty is highlighted to be relative to the society in which a person lives in Imagine you live in a neighbourhood where there is no sign of poverty you would see poverty as a pressing issue However if you lived in a less ldquoaffluent part of townrdquo where you witness poverty all around you you would be unavoidably aware of itrsquos presence With only this to commend Eurostatrsquos video on you could say lsquonice tryrsquo and suggest the EU should address this widespread problem appropriately and justly
Taking all of this into account what measures can be tak-en to tackle the lack of serious action regarding this issue What could be done in regards to both nation-al and global taxation policies We are curious what EM-PLrsquos stance on the topic of inequality is looking like
COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY
Sustainable growth on global markets After the agreements of the COP21 Summit in Paris have paved the way for a global climate deal how can Europe push for a global emission trading scheme
bullAim for greenhouse gas emissions to peak as soon as possible bullRapid reductions to achieve a balance between emissions from human activity and the amount that can be retained in the atmosphere
bullDeveloped countries must continue to take the lead in the reduction of greenhouse gases
bullDeveloping nations are encouraged to enhance their efforts and move over time to cut emissions
bull Keep warming ldquowell below 2 degrees celsiusrdquo
bull Continue all efforts to limit the rise in the temperature to 15 degrees celsius
07
The Paris Agreement represents the first step towards a greener planet The Parties agreed on an ambition cycle a set of goals timeframes and commitments designed to ensure that Parties
regularly strengthen their commitments Governments aim to lower global warming to below 2ordmC meanwhile providing finance to poor nations to help them cut emissions and cope
with the effects of extreme weather
MEDIASocial Europe ndash After COP21 The EU Needs to Revise its Climate Policy Targets by Beacutela Galgoacuteczi explains the measures and actions of the governments involved and their long term effect on global warming
Pan European Networks ndash Climate emissions reports may offer ldquofalse hoperdquoAccording to this article the Paris Agreement and the measures taken to avoid an increase in global warming
NUMBERS20 increase in energy from r e n e w a b l e s compared to
1990
Only the first 3 countries have achieved the Europe 2020 target According to these statistics in 2014 EU-28 was only 4 away from reaching the goal
httpeceuropaeu
G r e e n h o u s e gas emissions are 20 low-er than in 1990
Levels of greenhouse gases have been decreasing since 1990 and by now this target is almost achieved
httpeceuropaeu
20 increase in energy efficiency
compared to 1990
Estonia was the only country reach-ing the target as of yet Zero represents the achievement of the goal which means most of the Member-states have a long way until they achieve the necessary increase in en-ergy efficiency by 20
httpeceuropaeu
This video explains in a simplified way all the negotiations that took place in Paris The COP21 Conference in Paris was a major step forwards to ensure a sustainable future The previous conferences did not have the same success Furthermore the COP21 will give several countries the opportunity to work together towards a greener and more sustainable future energy-wise environmentally and economically
Al Gore is an American politician and environmentalist who served as the 45th Vice President of the United States from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton Despite several less optimistic projections for the future Al Gore presents a different perspective on the matter showing that embracing green solutions is becoming cheaper and cheaper as well as more efficient to implement Is the green future closer than we have been imagining
COMMITTEE ON BUDGETARY AFFAIRS
Beyond Europe 2020 What key points should the European Commission propose as targets of a European Strategy package after 2020
The European Parliament is one of the budgetary arms of the EU Together with the Council it establishes the annu-al budget of the European Union Even though the num-bers shown in the video are outdated it accurately por-trays the importance of the EU Budget and its purpose
What is BUDG
This process goes through the Committee on Budgets
httpstwittercomep_budgets
Additional information can be found on this committeersquos twitter account
BUDG was responsible for approving and set-ting the rules of the budget plan for Europe 2020 the ten-year economic programme of the EU
08
smart|sustainable|inclusive
development
EUROPEANSrsquo VIEW ON EUROPE 2020
45 consider that the EU ldquois going in the right direc-tion to exit the crisis and face new global challengesrdquo
25 consider that it is going in the wrong direction23 believe that the EU is going in neither the right nor the wrong direction7 expressed no opinion on Europe2020
Source European Commission Europe2020 Report (Standard Eurobarometer 81 Spring 2014) Pages 13-18
ldquoOn March 5 the European Commission launched the first step in reviewing the Europe 2020 strategy The mid-term review is designed
to take stock of the progress made so far in achieving the goals and targets of Europe 2020 and to set the pace for possible re-enforcement
or adaptation of the strategy As people continue to struggle with the impact of the financial and economic crisis we need the European Union Institutions and member states to honour the
commitments they made in 2010rdquo
With 4 years left until the deadline the objectives the EU set with this programme in nearly all categories still have not been met Reviews such as these are crucial By periodi-cally reviewing its general progress we are facilitating anal-ysis and reflection on the evolution of the measures being taken and therefore promoting improvement However af-ter all the analysis and reflections that have been made we can conclude that failure is imminent A change of measures may be the only chance this programme has to ever prevail
Furthermore the answer lies in the upcoming genera-tions The youth need to step in and demand a different ap-proach How should we prioritize our goals What needs to be reformed How will we prevent Europe2020 from shar-ing the same fate as itsrsquo predecessor The Lisbon Strate-gy And last but not least Where should the budgets go to
HOW CAN WE CREATE A NEW STRATEGY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT IS CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THESE UNMET GOALS
EUROPE 2020 INDICATORS
To find appropriate ways of overcoming the programmersquos difficulties it is necessary to first attend to itsrsquo main issues Only after carefully analysing statistics and numbers we can detect the areas that need to be focused on in order to fill the gaps left between the current situation and the objectives
of Europe2020
Employment Rate age group 20-642008 7032009 6902014 692
Europe 2020 goal 75- The unfavourable effect of the economic crisis on the European labour
market has caused the lack of growth on the employment rate
Research and development Gross Domestic Expenditure on ResearchampDevelopment
2008 185 of GDP2014 203 of GDP
Europe 2020 goal 3 of GDPThe EUrsquos efforts to stimulate economic growth by boosting public expenditure on Research and Development have not significantly increased
its GDP
Education People at risk of poverty or social exclusion2005-2009 114 million
2012 1225 million2013 1215 million
- Between 2011 and 2014 almost 1 in every four people in the EU27 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion The increase has been largely attributed to the economic crisis in 2008 and the following recessions in the majority
of Member States
For more information visit Eurostat
ldquoGood governance democracy the rule of law the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows as well as effective accountable and inclusive institutions are crucial Policy coherence at all levels by all coun-tries should be at the core of our new global partnership All our actions will have to be monitored in a transparent way to keep us on track in implementing this challenging new agenda To ensure this we should aim for one overar-ching monitoring accountability and review framework We have an ambitious programme but ambition is needed if we are to fulfil the noble objective we have set ourselves the end of extreme poverty and a sustainable future for all
Lets start working This is our world our dignity our futurerdquo
Speech by European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica at the plenary session of the Third In-ternational Conference on Financing for Development 14 July 2015
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal
![Page 7: Topic boxes of Évora 2016](https://reader031.fdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020522/579077611a28ab6874bd7647/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
COMMITTEE ON CULTURE AND EDUCATION
Broadening European exchange How can the flagship initiative ldquoYouth on the Moverdquo be made more accessible to young people who have limited financial capaci-ty and who come from less advan-taged educational backgrounds
Some people believe that low literacy is a concern confined to third-world countries However is it Europe has been assumed to be fully literate yet around 55 million people aged between 16 and 65 cannot read and write properly ldquoone in five European 15-year-olds and almost one in five adults lack the literacy skills required to successfully function in a modern societyrdquo
Donrsquot you think we should all know about this
ldquoIf education alone cannot transform
society neither can society change
without itrdquo
- Paulo Reglus Neves Freire
01
How will we promote a culture of lifelong
learning
bull We give people a reason to learn
bull We break down barriers to learning
bull We help people kick start the learning process
Any time is a good time to learn
Every teacher plays a role in the success of young pupils in education
To motivate and provide students with a broad scope of knowledge teachers should have a wider range of specialized content Besides fulfilling educational goals teachers have to encourage pupilsrsquo creativity However if so wouldnrsquot more time be required If we wish to give equal attention to different approaches to learning why not have more teachers in the classroom Every child should have an equal opportunity to education despite economic status special education needs migrant or even ethnic
minority background
ldquoIf education alone cannot transform
society neither can society change
without itrdquo
- Paulo Reglus Neves Freire
ldquoThe refugee crisis has put education systems under extreme pressurerdquo
International migratory flow has accelerated and diversified during the last decades becoming more and more complex How does the share of immigrants in schools affect the classroom performance of non-immigrants Can education help to combat anti-immigration
mentalities by favouring and adopting a process of integration
1) Immigrants are less educated than natives however there is great diversity across countries These differences point to the fact that the policies required to facilitate the integration of immigrants may have
to vary across countries
2) While first generation immigrants will be almost entirely educated in their country of origin and not their host country child immigrants and second generation immigrants typically join the education
system of their host country
Therefore educational institutions play an important role in bridging the gap in the education system
Immigrant integration can be enhanced byUsing free pre-school programs
Recruiting teachers with an immigrant background ndash establishing positive role models
Better educated individuals are generally more open have a stronger preference for cultural diversity and a favourable attitude towards
immigrants
It is crucial to make students experience the joy of under-standing If schools take on the responsibility of adopting a welcome open attitude to immigrants this will positive-ly influence the attitudes of students and those within the community Helping to ease the integration of immigrants on a wider scale Naturally young people with limited finan-cial capacity and from less advantaged educational back-grounds will acquire a sense of integration and self-determi-nation which will positively impact them throughout life Yes education is definitely the key to success be-cause I am you are we are Youngsters on the Move
Nevertheless hostility towards immigrants may result in a poor attainment preventing learners from acquiring further skills
Thus year after year problems go unsolved Education becomes an opportunity not fully grasped and young pupils risk drop-
ping out of school at the very first chance they getIs education indeed the silver bullet for the next generation
Tiny wobbly baby steps towards Education and Training in Europe 2020
COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AND MONETARY AFFAIRS
A new industrial revolution With the industrial sector forming the backbone of many European economies how can Europe and the different economies of its Member States achieve renewed investment and growth in industry
The future of EU industry system
The establishment of an ldquoIndustrial policy for globalization erardquo is one of the seven 2020 goals Therefore we must re-think the current status of the European industry due to its comparatively low standards of research and development when compared to other super economies and crucial differences within the Union itself Today European industries face challenges that do not allow them to achieve their full potential and will not allow them to achieve the 2020 goals
02
Servitisation is the process of changing the way manufacturing companies see themselves in the market
This process has seen a substantial rise in the past decade Manufacturing firms can now extend their portfolio to offer services creating a boost in the dynamics behind the de-industrialisation we are facing today This shift towards services aims to increase competitiveness at both local and global market level whilst acquiring additional revenues which will become more stable over time Looking at the statistics we can clearly observe the advantages that servitisation has brought to certain manufacturing companies
bull Compared to pure goods producers servitised firms are 35 percent more profitable bull Manufacturing firms in which services account for less than 10 of their production sales are twice the size of pure goods producers
Share of services in industry output
The graphic along with the different markets studied offers clear examples of the influence of services On the one hand the demand for mechanical and electrical equipment has caused an increase in the use of services for installation and maintenance help Yet on the other hand the market for wood paper and printing services has decreased due to the decline in demand for such materials This suggests that each market must be considered individually when figuring out the best approach to making each industry as successful as possible
The European industrial world is changing and itrsquos now time to find new approaches to get the most from the current market Will servitisation have a significant importance in the industrial market future
lsquolsquoMy motto will be ldquoaccelerate and integraterdquo We need to accelerate the implementation of concrete actions to
support a comepetitive industrial economy And we have to better integrate competitiveness in all policy areas at all
levels of governmentrdquo
-Elzbieta Bienkowska European comissioner for the Internal Market
The solution for the dilemma facing the European industry will never be straightforward As is the opinion of the European commissioner for Industry several areas exist which must be reviewed and rethought with the aim of achieving a more competitive industrial economy In her speech the commissioner reminded the industry that they must find new ways of conducting business innovating their system and investing in new technologies whilst bearing in mind climate changes and environmental issues
COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRY TRADE AND ENERGY
Smart cities for smart growth How can innovative urban development meet the challenges of increasing urbanisation and sustainability within and beyond the scope of Europe 2020
Smart cities for 11 billion people Mitchell Joachim at
TEDxBerlin
In this very interesting and captivating speech from the acknowledged innovator in ecological urban design and architecture Mitchell Joachim we learn more about the possibilities of smart cities and their effects on society and citizenrsquos lifestyles In this TEDx talk the expert provides different examples of how innovation starts and how we can begin thinking differently about the way we build our cities in order to successfully combine evolution and ecology
03
A circular economy is an alternative to a traditional linear economy (make use dispose) in which we keep resources in use for as long as possible extract the maximum value from them whilst in use then recover and regenerate products and materials at the end of
each service life
Technology is vital in the development of Smart Cities There are many possible means of incorporating technology into our everyday lives For example the concept of the Internet of Things the network of physical objectsmdashdevices vehicles buildings and other itemsmdashembedded with electronics software sensors and network connectivity that enables these objects to collect and exchange data 1
However therersquos more to smart cities than simply technology From green fea-tures to safety and security there are many more factors that make a city smart
1 httpsenwikipediaorgwikiInternet_of_Things
click on the picture to open in full resolution
Circular economy a key concept
A smart growing city is by definition environmental-ly friendly which makes the circular economy a key concept
This definition can be looked up at the website of the Waste amp Resources Action Programme (WRAP) which is a registered charity that helps communities to achieve a circular economy whilst helping businesses and individuals to reduce waste develop sustainable products and use resources efficiently Effective resource management is crucial to the establishment of a sustainable and green economy The circular economy promotes waste reduction a greater resource productivity increases competitiveness and also reduces the environmental impacts of production and consumption so
urce
http
w
ww
spro
utec
ours
eorg
Game project about energy saving and smart building funded by the European Unionrsquos Seventh Programme for research technological development and demonstration
click on the logo to see the video
Smart Cities in Europe ndash what can we learn from them
1 Copenhagen - 40 of all commuters travel by bike
2 Vienna- Renovated a former 40 hectare slaughterhouse district and turned it into an innovation district focused on media science and technology
3 Stockholm- 40 of its land mass is dedicated to green space
4 London- Londonrsquos Royal Docks emerged from the Olympics plan-ning as a regenerated sustainable commercial and residen-tial area
COMMITTEE ON CIVIL LIBERTIES JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
The future of Schengen How can Europe safeguard its principle of free movement while adequately reacting to the new challenges of the migration and refugee crisis
The Refugue Crisis Fixing Borders Is Not Enough
The article from the Centre of European Reform attempts to find a new strategy in reference to the current refugee crisis Should we use the existing strategy or come up with a totally new one The author states that a large number of immigrants are solely moving countries for economic reasons It is important to see the difference between an economic and lsquogenuinersquo refugee How can we distinguish between the two whilst remaining neutral And who decides how we do this Since poverty alignment should not be an overlooked explanation for immigration
On the other hand is it right to close the boarders to economic refugees Europersquos economy remains far more stable than the majority of countries that refugees are coming from Europe has to realise that 99 of the refugees are living lives full of hardships Such lives as lived by a 13-year-old refugee from Lebanon who started crying in front of the German chancellor Angela Merkel speaking the following words ldquo It is terribly painful to see others really enjoying life when you canrsquot enjoy life yourselfrdquo She is not alone in feeling this way Not in the slightest
04
ldquoWe need a strong European approach on migration And
we need it nowrdquo
Jean-Claude Juncker 23 August 2015
Is the Schengen dream of Europe without borders becoming a thing of
the pastThis article tells a personal story which shows the benefits of the Schengen area for Europeans but also telling the fears of people concerning the ongoing crisis ldquoIt was an ideal that all these countries would unite and be the same and equalrdquo Rainer Maring sighed ldquoBut Europersquos not working right Now all of this is put at risk Wersquore going backwards There are lots of calls to close down the borders Itrsquos all going wrongrdquo How can we ensure that we keep our borders open Nicolas Sarkozy the ex-president of France already declared ldquoSchengen is deadrdquo If we close our borders again will we take a trip back in time or is this a necessary step towards a better future The Greek border is an particular crisis because it is the main entrance into Europe for refugees Will it be enough to close only the Greek borders or will the refugees find alternative entrances to Europe Especially with the most desired destinations for refugees being Germany Sweden and Hungary1
1 Migrant crisis Migration to Europe explained in seven charts [Online] Available at httpwwwbbccomnewsworld-europe-34131911 [Accessed 13 April 2016]
ldquoWe will never erect any fences any wallsrdquo
Aleksander Vucic 26 August 2015
Brussels attacks Can Europe keep its open borders
This article stresses the effect that the terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels had on national security levels Belgium for example rein-troduced boarder controls Furthermore the author highlights that the advantage of open borders is not solely economic Open boarders allow for cultural exchange Do we want to leave all this behind Or should the EU work on a concept that allows open borders and in-stead solves the problems the refugee crisis is causing It is also unsure that we will achieve more effective security by closing our borders
Where are they coming from and where do they go
Seeing all these statistics evokes a range of different emotions From fear to anger to being overwhelmed by the high number of peo-ple who had to leave their whole life behind them in order to be-come ldquoEuropeanrdquo Does their life not have as much worth as ours Do we have the right call a country our territory and deny oth-ers access despite them needing support and acceptance their own homes having been destroyed Is this more of a moral debate
COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AFFAIRS
Investing in a knowledge society How should the EU balance upholding intellectual property rights with the access to knowledge for education culture and research
Intellectual Property Rights protection is involved in everything around us Whether you realise it or not you have certainly encountered it From jokes on Tumblr about Taylor Swift suing everyone to the medicine we take when we have a headache everything involves Intellectual Property protection Naturally it has both a positive and a negative side It is the committeersquos goal to find ways to create a balance between the two
are made on a national level but since the trade market is becoming more and more international with each day there are growing numbers of problems Furthermore considering the fact that a vast amount of big companies are multinational any IPR infringement problems that might occur need to be solved at an international levelPA
TEN
T LA
WS
05
Two sides of the coin
These videos show two different perspectives on the topic The first one being a CEO and Inventor explaining the importance that a strong patent system had in his particular case The second one a TED talk offers the counter view that focuses on the problems that patents create in the medical field by preventing the creation of cheaper versions of the medicines
So which is more important economic growth or access to valuable often lifesaving information If we put it this way it seems obvious that the IPR protection is less important than saving a life However that doesnrsquot mean that the patents copyrights and trademarks should be banned completely as this would increase the unemployment and poverty rates So is there a way to balance the two Are there possible solutions for special cases that IPR effects such as the one described in the medical field
What does the media have to say about this
This article explains the faults that exist in the current patent sys-tem according to the author The author explores the idea of abolishing patenting altogether but having been proven ineffec-tive it also shows what is wrong and how that could be changed
Breakthroughs brought to you by IPR This infographic should give you an idea
of the part that IPR protection systems play in innovation and progress It shows the breakthroughs and the profits gained (shown in the GDP per capita) thanks to the existence of patents and trademarks
What Who Why Ben Wallis answers
In this interview Ben Wallis a Consumers In-ternational Coordinator discusses several as-pects of the topic at hand She speaks of the problems and benefits of patents explains the disadvantages of a strict IP protection sys-tem and shows the interests of consumers and industries in keeping or banishing patents
It might give you a simpler more acces-sible approach to the topic to better help you understand different aspects to it
Why it matters The following graphs show the correlation between the num-ber of Patents and the GDP throughout the years (2000-2014) in the countries of France UK and Germany The lines are continuously parallel showing the positive influ-ence of the Patents on the economy From this we can con-clude the importance that IPR intensive companies have on the economy and the influence their use has on cre-ating employment This supports the argument that the abolishment of Patents and other forms of IP protection would have a significantly large negative impact on the economy
In conclusion there are two main conflicts at stake
bull The conflict between the preservation of intellectual property by the authors and the stagnation of progress and innovation caused by the lack of access to the information that is patented
bull The lack of harmonization of patent legislation across
the EU
Considering all of the information given to you the various perspectives and insights what do you think could be done to solve the existing problems Who should be prioritized the inventors or the consumers or is the possibility to find a com-
promise an achievable solution
COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS
Equal opportunities or equality of result In how far should Europe make an effort to reduce the growing wage and income inequality whilst keeping in mind its aim of lifting 20 million people out of risk of poverty and social exclusion
Income inequality is a significant issue facing todayrsquos society that effects almost every country in the world The staggering difference between the rich and the poor has serious consequences on society and the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion is on the rise This disparity has become more and more apparent In both developed and developing countries the poorest half of a country representing only 10 of its wealth Also it is proven by the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report of 2012 that the richest 300 people on earth have the same amount of money as the total owned by the poorest 3 billion people The same report states that some countries in the world are 80 times richer than others So considering the differences of the economic and political systems between countries what can be done to balance such inequalities
ww
wth
eru
leso
rg
On September 15th 2015 the European Federation of Academies of Sci-ences and Humanities (ALLEA) the European Science Foundation (ESF) and the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) gathered to de-bate the rise of income inequality in EU countries For example a pro-
posed solution discussed in this meeting was the taxation of the richest individuals Af-ter this debate the partici-pants unanimously conclud-ed that this issue is not being properly addressed by the Member Statesrsquo governments If this is the case the prob-lem of income inequality will not be solved and equality will
not be achieved How can we encourage Member States to pay more at-tention to this issue Recent events such as the reports on tax avoid-ance by multinational companies (eg IKEA and Starbucks) and the role of offshore companies concerning the Panama Papers affair have once again underlined that there is far too much room for improvement
ep
th
in
kt
an
k
eu
In 2012 Eurostat released a video explaining that the definition of poverty inside the European Union can differ greatly since all the Member Stateslsquo and its individuals have different perspectives This is due to unavoidable cultural differences in each Member State But is this really as simple as Eurostat makes it seem What do you think is poverty a product of cultural differences Letrsquos take a closer look
06
First off the poor acting of the ldquojournalistldquo and her ldquofriendldquo is completely ridiculous Do we really need a ldquoplotldquo to ex-plain poverty in the European Union This video is far too light-hearted when taking into account the issue they are discussing poverty not exactly material for small-talk It makes poverty look like a joke rather than the real issue it is
The only redeeming quality of this video is the fact that per-ception of poverty is highlighted to be relative to the society in which a person lives in Imagine you live in a neighbourhood where there is no sign of poverty you would see poverty as a pressing issue However if you lived in a less ldquoaffluent part of townrdquo where you witness poverty all around you you would be unavoidably aware of itrsquos presence With only this to commend Eurostatrsquos video on you could say lsquonice tryrsquo and suggest the EU should address this widespread problem appropriately and justly
Taking all of this into account what measures can be tak-en to tackle the lack of serious action regarding this issue What could be done in regards to both nation-al and global taxation policies We are curious what EM-PLrsquos stance on the topic of inequality is looking like
COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY
Sustainable growth on global markets After the agreements of the COP21 Summit in Paris have paved the way for a global climate deal how can Europe push for a global emission trading scheme
bullAim for greenhouse gas emissions to peak as soon as possible bullRapid reductions to achieve a balance between emissions from human activity and the amount that can be retained in the atmosphere
bullDeveloped countries must continue to take the lead in the reduction of greenhouse gases
bullDeveloping nations are encouraged to enhance their efforts and move over time to cut emissions
bull Keep warming ldquowell below 2 degrees celsiusrdquo
bull Continue all efforts to limit the rise in the temperature to 15 degrees celsius
07
The Paris Agreement represents the first step towards a greener planet The Parties agreed on an ambition cycle a set of goals timeframes and commitments designed to ensure that Parties
regularly strengthen their commitments Governments aim to lower global warming to below 2ordmC meanwhile providing finance to poor nations to help them cut emissions and cope
with the effects of extreme weather
MEDIASocial Europe ndash After COP21 The EU Needs to Revise its Climate Policy Targets by Beacutela Galgoacuteczi explains the measures and actions of the governments involved and their long term effect on global warming
Pan European Networks ndash Climate emissions reports may offer ldquofalse hoperdquoAccording to this article the Paris Agreement and the measures taken to avoid an increase in global warming
NUMBERS20 increase in energy from r e n e w a b l e s compared to
1990
Only the first 3 countries have achieved the Europe 2020 target According to these statistics in 2014 EU-28 was only 4 away from reaching the goal
httpeceuropaeu
G r e e n h o u s e gas emissions are 20 low-er than in 1990
Levels of greenhouse gases have been decreasing since 1990 and by now this target is almost achieved
httpeceuropaeu
20 increase in energy efficiency
compared to 1990
Estonia was the only country reach-ing the target as of yet Zero represents the achievement of the goal which means most of the Member-states have a long way until they achieve the necessary increase in en-ergy efficiency by 20
httpeceuropaeu
This video explains in a simplified way all the negotiations that took place in Paris The COP21 Conference in Paris was a major step forwards to ensure a sustainable future The previous conferences did not have the same success Furthermore the COP21 will give several countries the opportunity to work together towards a greener and more sustainable future energy-wise environmentally and economically
Al Gore is an American politician and environmentalist who served as the 45th Vice President of the United States from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton Despite several less optimistic projections for the future Al Gore presents a different perspective on the matter showing that embracing green solutions is becoming cheaper and cheaper as well as more efficient to implement Is the green future closer than we have been imagining
COMMITTEE ON BUDGETARY AFFAIRS
Beyond Europe 2020 What key points should the European Commission propose as targets of a European Strategy package after 2020
The European Parliament is one of the budgetary arms of the EU Together with the Council it establishes the annu-al budget of the European Union Even though the num-bers shown in the video are outdated it accurately por-trays the importance of the EU Budget and its purpose
What is BUDG
This process goes through the Committee on Budgets
httpstwittercomep_budgets
Additional information can be found on this committeersquos twitter account
BUDG was responsible for approving and set-ting the rules of the budget plan for Europe 2020 the ten-year economic programme of the EU
08
smart|sustainable|inclusive
development
EUROPEANSrsquo VIEW ON EUROPE 2020
45 consider that the EU ldquois going in the right direc-tion to exit the crisis and face new global challengesrdquo
25 consider that it is going in the wrong direction23 believe that the EU is going in neither the right nor the wrong direction7 expressed no opinion on Europe2020
Source European Commission Europe2020 Report (Standard Eurobarometer 81 Spring 2014) Pages 13-18
ldquoOn March 5 the European Commission launched the first step in reviewing the Europe 2020 strategy The mid-term review is designed
to take stock of the progress made so far in achieving the goals and targets of Europe 2020 and to set the pace for possible re-enforcement
or adaptation of the strategy As people continue to struggle with the impact of the financial and economic crisis we need the European Union Institutions and member states to honour the
commitments they made in 2010rdquo
With 4 years left until the deadline the objectives the EU set with this programme in nearly all categories still have not been met Reviews such as these are crucial By periodi-cally reviewing its general progress we are facilitating anal-ysis and reflection on the evolution of the measures being taken and therefore promoting improvement However af-ter all the analysis and reflections that have been made we can conclude that failure is imminent A change of measures may be the only chance this programme has to ever prevail
Furthermore the answer lies in the upcoming genera-tions The youth need to step in and demand a different ap-proach How should we prioritize our goals What needs to be reformed How will we prevent Europe2020 from shar-ing the same fate as itsrsquo predecessor The Lisbon Strate-gy And last but not least Where should the budgets go to
HOW CAN WE CREATE A NEW STRATEGY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT IS CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THESE UNMET GOALS
EUROPE 2020 INDICATORS
To find appropriate ways of overcoming the programmersquos difficulties it is necessary to first attend to itsrsquo main issues Only after carefully analysing statistics and numbers we can detect the areas that need to be focused on in order to fill the gaps left between the current situation and the objectives
of Europe2020
Employment Rate age group 20-642008 7032009 6902014 692
Europe 2020 goal 75- The unfavourable effect of the economic crisis on the European labour
market has caused the lack of growth on the employment rate
Research and development Gross Domestic Expenditure on ResearchampDevelopment
2008 185 of GDP2014 203 of GDP
Europe 2020 goal 3 of GDPThe EUrsquos efforts to stimulate economic growth by boosting public expenditure on Research and Development have not significantly increased
its GDP
Education People at risk of poverty or social exclusion2005-2009 114 million
2012 1225 million2013 1215 million
- Between 2011 and 2014 almost 1 in every four people in the EU27 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion The increase has been largely attributed to the economic crisis in 2008 and the following recessions in the majority
of Member States
For more information visit Eurostat
ldquoGood governance democracy the rule of law the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows as well as effective accountable and inclusive institutions are crucial Policy coherence at all levels by all coun-tries should be at the core of our new global partnership All our actions will have to be monitored in a transparent way to keep us on track in implementing this challenging new agenda To ensure this we should aim for one overar-ching monitoring accountability and review framework We have an ambitious programme but ambition is needed if we are to fulfil the noble objective we have set ourselves the end of extreme poverty and a sustainable future for all
Lets start working This is our world our dignity our futurerdquo
Speech by European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica at the plenary session of the Third In-ternational Conference on Financing for Development 14 July 2015
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal
![Page 8: Topic boxes of Évora 2016](https://reader031.fdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020522/579077611a28ab6874bd7647/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
01
How will we promote a culture of lifelong
learning
bull We give people a reason to learn
bull We break down barriers to learning
bull We help people kick start the learning process
Any time is a good time to learn
Every teacher plays a role in the success of young pupils in education
To motivate and provide students with a broad scope of knowledge teachers should have a wider range of specialized content Besides fulfilling educational goals teachers have to encourage pupilsrsquo creativity However if so wouldnrsquot more time be required If we wish to give equal attention to different approaches to learning why not have more teachers in the classroom Every child should have an equal opportunity to education despite economic status special education needs migrant or even ethnic
minority background
ldquoIf education alone cannot transform
society neither can society change
without itrdquo
- Paulo Reglus Neves Freire
ldquoThe refugee crisis has put education systems under extreme pressurerdquo
International migratory flow has accelerated and diversified during the last decades becoming more and more complex How does the share of immigrants in schools affect the classroom performance of non-immigrants Can education help to combat anti-immigration
mentalities by favouring and adopting a process of integration
1) Immigrants are less educated than natives however there is great diversity across countries These differences point to the fact that the policies required to facilitate the integration of immigrants may have
to vary across countries
2) While first generation immigrants will be almost entirely educated in their country of origin and not their host country child immigrants and second generation immigrants typically join the education
system of their host country
Therefore educational institutions play an important role in bridging the gap in the education system
Immigrant integration can be enhanced byUsing free pre-school programs
Recruiting teachers with an immigrant background ndash establishing positive role models
Better educated individuals are generally more open have a stronger preference for cultural diversity and a favourable attitude towards
immigrants
It is crucial to make students experience the joy of under-standing If schools take on the responsibility of adopting a welcome open attitude to immigrants this will positive-ly influence the attitudes of students and those within the community Helping to ease the integration of immigrants on a wider scale Naturally young people with limited finan-cial capacity and from less advantaged educational back-grounds will acquire a sense of integration and self-determi-nation which will positively impact them throughout life Yes education is definitely the key to success be-cause I am you are we are Youngsters on the Move
Nevertheless hostility towards immigrants may result in a poor attainment preventing learners from acquiring further skills
Thus year after year problems go unsolved Education becomes an opportunity not fully grasped and young pupils risk drop-
ping out of school at the very first chance they getIs education indeed the silver bullet for the next generation
Tiny wobbly baby steps towards Education and Training in Europe 2020
COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AND MONETARY AFFAIRS
A new industrial revolution With the industrial sector forming the backbone of many European economies how can Europe and the different economies of its Member States achieve renewed investment and growth in industry
The future of EU industry system
The establishment of an ldquoIndustrial policy for globalization erardquo is one of the seven 2020 goals Therefore we must re-think the current status of the European industry due to its comparatively low standards of research and development when compared to other super economies and crucial differences within the Union itself Today European industries face challenges that do not allow them to achieve their full potential and will not allow them to achieve the 2020 goals
02
Servitisation is the process of changing the way manufacturing companies see themselves in the market
This process has seen a substantial rise in the past decade Manufacturing firms can now extend their portfolio to offer services creating a boost in the dynamics behind the de-industrialisation we are facing today This shift towards services aims to increase competitiveness at both local and global market level whilst acquiring additional revenues which will become more stable over time Looking at the statistics we can clearly observe the advantages that servitisation has brought to certain manufacturing companies
bull Compared to pure goods producers servitised firms are 35 percent more profitable bull Manufacturing firms in which services account for less than 10 of their production sales are twice the size of pure goods producers
Share of services in industry output
The graphic along with the different markets studied offers clear examples of the influence of services On the one hand the demand for mechanical and electrical equipment has caused an increase in the use of services for installation and maintenance help Yet on the other hand the market for wood paper and printing services has decreased due to the decline in demand for such materials This suggests that each market must be considered individually when figuring out the best approach to making each industry as successful as possible
The European industrial world is changing and itrsquos now time to find new approaches to get the most from the current market Will servitisation have a significant importance in the industrial market future
lsquolsquoMy motto will be ldquoaccelerate and integraterdquo We need to accelerate the implementation of concrete actions to
support a comepetitive industrial economy And we have to better integrate competitiveness in all policy areas at all
levels of governmentrdquo
-Elzbieta Bienkowska European comissioner for the Internal Market
The solution for the dilemma facing the European industry will never be straightforward As is the opinion of the European commissioner for Industry several areas exist which must be reviewed and rethought with the aim of achieving a more competitive industrial economy In her speech the commissioner reminded the industry that they must find new ways of conducting business innovating their system and investing in new technologies whilst bearing in mind climate changes and environmental issues
COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRY TRADE AND ENERGY
Smart cities for smart growth How can innovative urban development meet the challenges of increasing urbanisation and sustainability within and beyond the scope of Europe 2020
Smart cities for 11 billion people Mitchell Joachim at
TEDxBerlin
In this very interesting and captivating speech from the acknowledged innovator in ecological urban design and architecture Mitchell Joachim we learn more about the possibilities of smart cities and their effects on society and citizenrsquos lifestyles In this TEDx talk the expert provides different examples of how innovation starts and how we can begin thinking differently about the way we build our cities in order to successfully combine evolution and ecology
03
A circular economy is an alternative to a traditional linear economy (make use dispose) in which we keep resources in use for as long as possible extract the maximum value from them whilst in use then recover and regenerate products and materials at the end of
each service life
Technology is vital in the development of Smart Cities There are many possible means of incorporating technology into our everyday lives For example the concept of the Internet of Things the network of physical objectsmdashdevices vehicles buildings and other itemsmdashembedded with electronics software sensors and network connectivity that enables these objects to collect and exchange data 1
However therersquos more to smart cities than simply technology From green fea-tures to safety and security there are many more factors that make a city smart
1 httpsenwikipediaorgwikiInternet_of_Things
click on the picture to open in full resolution
Circular economy a key concept
A smart growing city is by definition environmental-ly friendly which makes the circular economy a key concept
This definition can be looked up at the website of the Waste amp Resources Action Programme (WRAP) which is a registered charity that helps communities to achieve a circular economy whilst helping businesses and individuals to reduce waste develop sustainable products and use resources efficiently Effective resource management is crucial to the establishment of a sustainable and green economy The circular economy promotes waste reduction a greater resource productivity increases competitiveness and also reduces the environmental impacts of production and consumption so
urce
http
w
ww
spro
utec
ours
eorg
Game project about energy saving and smart building funded by the European Unionrsquos Seventh Programme for research technological development and demonstration
click on the logo to see the video
Smart Cities in Europe ndash what can we learn from them
1 Copenhagen - 40 of all commuters travel by bike
2 Vienna- Renovated a former 40 hectare slaughterhouse district and turned it into an innovation district focused on media science and technology
3 Stockholm- 40 of its land mass is dedicated to green space
4 London- Londonrsquos Royal Docks emerged from the Olympics plan-ning as a regenerated sustainable commercial and residen-tial area
COMMITTEE ON CIVIL LIBERTIES JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
The future of Schengen How can Europe safeguard its principle of free movement while adequately reacting to the new challenges of the migration and refugee crisis
The Refugue Crisis Fixing Borders Is Not Enough
The article from the Centre of European Reform attempts to find a new strategy in reference to the current refugee crisis Should we use the existing strategy or come up with a totally new one The author states that a large number of immigrants are solely moving countries for economic reasons It is important to see the difference between an economic and lsquogenuinersquo refugee How can we distinguish between the two whilst remaining neutral And who decides how we do this Since poverty alignment should not be an overlooked explanation for immigration
On the other hand is it right to close the boarders to economic refugees Europersquos economy remains far more stable than the majority of countries that refugees are coming from Europe has to realise that 99 of the refugees are living lives full of hardships Such lives as lived by a 13-year-old refugee from Lebanon who started crying in front of the German chancellor Angela Merkel speaking the following words ldquo It is terribly painful to see others really enjoying life when you canrsquot enjoy life yourselfrdquo She is not alone in feeling this way Not in the slightest
04
ldquoWe need a strong European approach on migration And
we need it nowrdquo
Jean-Claude Juncker 23 August 2015
Is the Schengen dream of Europe without borders becoming a thing of
the pastThis article tells a personal story which shows the benefits of the Schengen area for Europeans but also telling the fears of people concerning the ongoing crisis ldquoIt was an ideal that all these countries would unite and be the same and equalrdquo Rainer Maring sighed ldquoBut Europersquos not working right Now all of this is put at risk Wersquore going backwards There are lots of calls to close down the borders Itrsquos all going wrongrdquo How can we ensure that we keep our borders open Nicolas Sarkozy the ex-president of France already declared ldquoSchengen is deadrdquo If we close our borders again will we take a trip back in time or is this a necessary step towards a better future The Greek border is an particular crisis because it is the main entrance into Europe for refugees Will it be enough to close only the Greek borders or will the refugees find alternative entrances to Europe Especially with the most desired destinations for refugees being Germany Sweden and Hungary1
1 Migrant crisis Migration to Europe explained in seven charts [Online] Available at httpwwwbbccomnewsworld-europe-34131911 [Accessed 13 April 2016]
ldquoWe will never erect any fences any wallsrdquo
Aleksander Vucic 26 August 2015
Brussels attacks Can Europe keep its open borders
This article stresses the effect that the terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels had on national security levels Belgium for example rein-troduced boarder controls Furthermore the author highlights that the advantage of open borders is not solely economic Open boarders allow for cultural exchange Do we want to leave all this behind Or should the EU work on a concept that allows open borders and in-stead solves the problems the refugee crisis is causing It is also unsure that we will achieve more effective security by closing our borders
Where are they coming from and where do they go
Seeing all these statistics evokes a range of different emotions From fear to anger to being overwhelmed by the high number of peo-ple who had to leave their whole life behind them in order to be-come ldquoEuropeanrdquo Does their life not have as much worth as ours Do we have the right call a country our territory and deny oth-ers access despite them needing support and acceptance their own homes having been destroyed Is this more of a moral debate
COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AFFAIRS
Investing in a knowledge society How should the EU balance upholding intellectual property rights with the access to knowledge for education culture and research
Intellectual Property Rights protection is involved in everything around us Whether you realise it or not you have certainly encountered it From jokes on Tumblr about Taylor Swift suing everyone to the medicine we take when we have a headache everything involves Intellectual Property protection Naturally it has both a positive and a negative side It is the committeersquos goal to find ways to create a balance between the two
are made on a national level but since the trade market is becoming more and more international with each day there are growing numbers of problems Furthermore considering the fact that a vast amount of big companies are multinational any IPR infringement problems that might occur need to be solved at an international levelPA
TEN
T LA
WS
05
Two sides of the coin
These videos show two different perspectives on the topic The first one being a CEO and Inventor explaining the importance that a strong patent system had in his particular case The second one a TED talk offers the counter view that focuses on the problems that patents create in the medical field by preventing the creation of cheaper versions of the medicines
So which is more important economic growth or access to valuable often lifesaving information If we put it this way it seems obvious that the IPR protection is less important than saving a life However that doesnrsquot mean that the patents copyrights and trademarks should be banned completely as this would increase the unemployment and poverty rates So is there a way to balance the two Are there possible solutions for special cases that IPR effects such as the one described in the medical field
What does the media have to say about this
This article explains the faults that exist in the current patent sys-tem according to the author The author explores the idea of abolishing patenting altogether but having been proven ineffec-tive it also shows what is wrong and how that could be changed
Breakthroughs brought to you by IPR This infographic should give you an idea
of the part that IPR protection systems play in innovation and progress It shows the breakthroughs and the profits gained (shown in the GDP per capita) thanks to the existence of patents and trademarks
What Who Why Ben Wallis answers
In this interview Ben Wallis a Consumers In-ternational Coordinator discusses several as-pects of the topic at hand She speaks of the problems and benefits of patents explains the disadvantages of a strict IP protection sys-tem and shows the interests of consumers and industries in keeping or banishing patents
It might give you a simpler more acces-sible approach to the topic to better help you understand different aspects to it
Why it matters The following graphs show the correlation between the num-ber of Patents and the GDP throughout the years (2000-2014) in the countries of France UK and Germany The lines are continuously parallel showing the positive influ-ence of the Patents on the economy From this we can con-clude the importance that IPR intensive companies have on the economy and the influence their use has on cre-ating employment This supports the argument that the abolishment of Patents and other forms of IP protection would have a significantly large negative impact on the economy
In conclusion there are two main conflicts at stake
bull The conflict between the preservation of intellectual property by the authors and the stagnation of progress and innovation caused by the lack of access to the information that is patented
bull The lack of harmonization of patent legislation across
the EU
Considering all of the information given to you the various perspectives and insights what do you think could be done to solve the existing problems Who should be prioritized the inventors or the consumers or is the possibility to find a com-
promise an achievable solution
COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS
Equal opportunities or equality of result In how far should Europe make an effort to reduce the growing wage and income inequality whilst keeping in mind its aim of lifting 20 million people out of risk of poverty and social exclusion
Income inequality is a significant issue facing todayrsquos society that effects almost every country in the world The staggering difference between the rich and the poor has serious consequences on society and the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion is on the rise This disparity has become more and more apparent In both developed and developing countries the poorest half of a country representing only 10 of its wealth Also it is proven by the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report of 2012 that the richest 300 people on earth have the same amount of money as the total owned by the poorest 3 billion people The same report states that some countries in the world are 80 times richer than others So considering the differences of the economic and political systems between countries what can be done to balance such inequalities
ww
wth
eru
leso
rg
On September 15th 2015 the European Federation of Academies of Sci-ences and Humanities (ALLEA) the European Science Foundation (ESF) and the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) gathered to de-bate the rise of income inequality in EU countries For example a pro-
posed solution discussed in this meeting was the taxation of the richest individuals Af-ter this debate the partici-pants unanimously conclud-ed that this issue is not being properly addressed by the Member Statesrsquo governments If this is the case the prob-lem of income inequality will not be solved and equality will
not be achieved How can we encourage Member States to pay more at-tention to this issue Recent events such as the reports on tax avoid-ance by multinational companies (eg IKEA and Starbucks) and the role of offshore companies concerning the Panama Papers affair have once again underlined that there is far too much room for improvement
ep
th
in
kt
an
k
eu
In 2012 Eurostat released a video explaining that the definition of poverty inside the European Union can differ greatly since all the Member Stateslsquo and its individuals have different perspectives This is due to unavoidable cultural differences in each Member State But is this really as simple as Eurostat makes it seem What do you think is poverty a product of cultural differences Letrsquos take a closer look
06
First off the poor acting of the ldquojournalistldquo and her ldquofriendldquo is completely ridiculous Do we really need a ldquoplotldquo to ex-plain poverty in the European Union This video is far too light-hearted when taking into account the issue they are discussing poverty not exactly material for small-talk It makes poverty look like a joke rather than the real issue it is
The only redeeming quality of this video is the fact that per-ception of poverty is highlighted to be relative to the society in which a person lives in Imagine you live in a neighbourhood where there is no sign of poverty you would see poverty as a pressing issue However if you lived in a less ldquoaffluent part of townrdquo where you witness poverty all around you you would be unavoidably aware of itrsquos presence With only this to commend Eurostatrsquos video on you could say lsquonice tryrsquo and suggest the EU should address this widespread problem appropriately and justly
Taking all of this into account what measures can be tak-en to tackle the lack of serious action regarding this issue What could be done in regards to both nation-al and global taxation policies We are curious what EM-PLrsquos stance on the topic of inequality is looking like
COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY
Sustainable growth on global markets After the agreements of the COP21 Summit in Paris have paved the way for a global climate deal how can Europe push for a global emission trading scheme
bullAim for greenhouse gas emissions to peak as soon as possible bullRapid reductions to achieve a balance between emissions from human activity and the amount that can be retained in the atmosphere
bullDeveloped countries must continue to take the lead in the reduction of greenhouse gases
bullDeveloping nations are encouraged to enhance their efforts and move over time to cut emissions
bull Keep warming ldquowell below 2 degrees celsiusrdquo
bull Continue all efforts to limit the rise in the temperature to 15 degrees celsius
07
The Paris Agreement represents the first step towards a greener planet The Parties agreed on an ambition cycle a set of goals timeframes and commitments designed to ensure that Parties
regularly strengthen their commitments Governments aim to lower global warming to below 2ordmC meanwhile providing finance to poor nations to help them cut emissions and cope
with the effects of extreme weather
MEDIASocial Europe ndash After COP21 The EU Needs to Revise its Climate Policy Targets by Beacutela Galgoacuteczi explains the measures and actions of the governments involved and their long term effect on global warming
Pan European Networks ndash Climate emissions reports may offer ldquofalse hoperdquoAccording to this article the Paris Agreement and the measures taken to avoid an increase in global warming
NUMBERS20 increase in energy from r e n e w a b l e s compared to
1990
Only the first 3 countries have achieved the Europe 2020 target According to these statistics in 2014 EU-28 was only 4 away from reaching the goal
httpeceuropaeu
G r e e n h o u s e gas emissions are 20 low-er than in 1990
Levels of greenhouse gases have been decreasing since 1990 and by now this target is almost achieved
httpeceuropaeu
20 increase in energy efficiency
compared to 1990
Estonia was the only country reach-ing the target as of yet Zero represents the achievement of the goal which means most of the Member-states have a long way until they achieve the necessary increase in en-ergy efficiency by 20
httpeceuropaeu
This video explains in a simplified way all the negotiations that took place in Paris The COP21 Conference in Paris was a major step forwards to ensure a sustainable future The previous conferences did not have the same success Furthermore the COP21 will give several countries the opportunity to work together towards a greener and more sustainable future energy-wise environmentally and economically
Al Gore is an American politician and environmentalist who served as the 45th Vice President of the United States from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton Despite several less optimistic projections for the future Al Gore presents a different perspective on the matter showing that embracing green solutions is becoming cheaper and cheaper as well as more efficient to implement Is the green future closer than we have been imagining
COMMITTEE ON BUDGETARY AFFAIRS
Beyond Europe 2020 What key points should the European Commission propose as targets of a European Strategy package after 2020
The European Parliament is one of the budgetary arms of the EU Together with the Council it establishes the annu-al budget of the European Union Even though the num-bers shown in the video are outdated it accurately por-trays the importance of the EU Budget and its purpose
What is BUDG
This process goes through the Committee on Budgets
httpstwittercomep_budgets
Additional information can be found on this committeersquos twitter account
BUDG was responsible for approving and set-ting the rules of the budget plan for Europe 2020 the ten-year economic programme of the EU
08
smart|sustainable|inclusive
development
EUROPEANSrsquo VIEW ON EUROPE 2020
45 consider that the EU ldquois going in the right direc-tion to exit the crisis and face new global challengesrdquo
25 consider that it is going in the wrong direction23 believe that the EU is going in neither the right nor the wrong direction7 expressed no opinion on Europe2020
Source European Commission Europe2020 Report (Standard Eurobarometer 81 Spring 2014) Pages 13-18
ldquoOn March 5 the European Commission launched the first step in reviewing the Europe 2020 strategy The mid-term review is designed
to take stock of the progress made so far in achieving the goals and targets of Europe 2020 and to set the pace for possible re-enforcement
or adaptation of the strategy As people continue to struggle with the impact of the financial and economic crisis we need the European Union Institutions and member states to honour the
commitments they made in 2010rdquo
With 4 years left until the deadline the objectives the EU set with this programme in nearly all categories still have not been met Reviews such as these are crucial By periodi-cally reviewing its general progress we are facilitating anal-ysis and reflection on the evolution of the measures being taken and therefore promoting improvement However af-ter all the analysis and reflections that have been made we can conclude that failure is imminent A change of measures may be the only chance this programme has to ever prevail
Furthermore the answer lies in the upcoming genera-tions The youth need to step in and demand a different ap-proach How should we prioritize our goals What needs to be reformed How will we prevent Europe2020 from shar-ing the same fate as itsrsquo predecessor The Lisbon Strate-gy And last but not least Where should the budgets go to
HOW CAN WE CREATE A NEW STRATEGY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT IS CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THESE UNMET GOALS
EUROPE 2020 INDICATORS
To find appropriate ways of overcoming the programmersquos difficulties it is necessary to first attend to itsrsquo main issues Only after carefully analysing statistics and numbers we can detect the areas that need to be focused on in order to fill the gaps left between the current situation and the objectives
of Europe2020
Employment Rate age group 20-642008 7032009 6902014 692
Europe 2020 goal 75- The unfavourable effect of the economic crisis on the European labour
market has caused the lack of growth on the employment rate
Research and development Gross Domestic Expenditure on ResearchampDevelopment
2008 185 of GDP2014 203 of GDP
Europe 2020 goal 3 of GDPThe EUrsquos efforts to stimulate economic growth by boosting public expenditure on Research and Development have not significantly increased
its GDP
Education People at risk of poverty or social exclusion2005-2009 114 million
2012 1225 million2013 1215 million
- Between 2011 and 2014 almost 1 in every four people in the EU27 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion The increase has been largely attributed to the economic crisis in 2008 and the following recessions in the majority
of Member States
For more information visit Eurostat
ldquoGood governance democracy the rule of law the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows as well as effective accountable and inclusive institutions are crucial Policy coherence at all levels by all coun-tries should be at the core of our new global partnership All our actions will have to be monitored in a transparent way to keep us on track in implementing this challenging new agenda To ensure this we should aim for one overar-ching monitoring accountability and review framework We have an ambitious programme but ambition is needed if we are to fulfil the noble objective we have set ourselves the end of extreme poverty and a sustainable future for all
Lets start working This is our world our dignity our futurerdquo
Speech by European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica at the plenary session of the Third In-ternational Conference on Financing for Development 14 July 2015
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal
![Page 9: Topic boxes of Évora 2016](https://reader031.fdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020522/579077611a28ab6874bd7647/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
ldquoThe refugee crisis has put education systems under extreme pressurerdquo
International migratory flow has accelerated and diversified during the last decades becoming more and more complex How does the share of immigrants in schools affect the classroom performance of non-immigrants Can education help to combat anti-immigration
mentalities by favouring and adopting a process of integration
1) Immigrants are less educated than natives however there is great diversity across countries These differences point to the fact that the policies required to facilitate the integration of immigrants may have
to vary across countries
2) While first generation immigrants will be almost entirely educated in their country of origin and not their host country child immigrants and second generation immigrants typically join the education
system of their host country
Therefore educational institutions play an important role in bridging the gap in the education system
Immigrant integration can be enhanced byUsing free pre-school programs
Recruiting teachers with an immigrant background ndash establishing positive role models
Better educated individuals are generally more open have a stronger preference for cultural diversity and a favourable attitude towards
immigrants
It is crucial to make students experience the joy of under-standing If schools take on the responsibility of adopting a welcome open attitude to immigrants this will positive-ly influence the attitudes of students and those within the community Helping to ease the integration of immigrants on a wider scale Naturally young people with limited finan-cial capacity and from less advantaged educational back-grounds will acquire a sense of integration and self-determi-nation which will positively impact them throughout life Yes education is definitely the key to success be-cause I am you are we are Youngsters on the Move
Nevertheless hostility towards immigrants may result in a poor attainment preventing learners from acquiring further skills
Thus year after year problems go unsolved Education becomes an opportunity not fully grasped and young pupils risk drop-
ping out of school at the very first chance they getIs education indeed the silver bullet for the next generation
Tiny wobbly baby steps towards Education and Training in Europe 2020
COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AND MONETARY AFFAIRS
A new industrial revolution With the industrial sector forming the backbone of many European economies how can Europe and the different economies of its Member States achieve renewed investment and growth in industry
The future of EU industry system
The establishment of an ldquoIndustrial policy for globalization erardquo is one of the seven 2020 goals Therefore we must re-think the current status of the European industry due to its comparatively low standards of research and development when compared to other super economies and crucial differences within the Union itself Today European industries face challenges that do not allow them to achieve their full potential and will not allow them to achieve the 2020 goals
02
Servitisation is the process of changing the way manufacturing companies see themselves in the market
This process has seen a substantial rise in the past decade Manufacturing firms can now extend their portfolio to offer services creating a boost in the dynamics behind the de-industrialisation we are facing today This shift towards services aims to increase competitiveness at both local and global market level whilst acquiring additional revenues which will become more stable over time Looking at the statistics we can clearly observe the advantages that servitisation has brought to certain manufacturing companies
bull Compared to pure goods producers servitised firms are 35 percent more profitable bull Manufacturing firms in which services account for less than 10 of their production sales are twice the size of pure goods producers
Share of services in industry output
The graphic along with the different markets studied offers clear examples of the influence of services On the one hand the demand for mechanical and electrical equipment has caused an increase in the use of services for installation and maintenance help Yet on the other hand the market for wood paper and printing services has decreased due to the decline in demand for such materials This suggests that each market must be considered individually when figuring out the best approach to making each industry as successful as possible
The European industrial world is changing and itrsquos now time to find new approaches to get the most from the current market Will servitisation have a significant importance in the industrial market future
lsquolsquoMy motto will be ldquoaccelerate and integraterdquo We need to accelerate the implementation of concrete actions to
support a comepetitive industrial economy And we have to better integrate competitiveness in all policy areas at all
levels of governmentrdquo
-Elzbieta Bienkowska European comissioner for the Internal Market
The solution for the dilemma facing the European industry will never be straightforward As is the opinion of the European commissioner for Industry several areas exist which must be reviewed and rethought with the aim of achieving a more competitive industrial economy In her speech the commissioner reminded the industry that they must find new ways of conducting business innovating their system and investing in new technologies whilst bearing in mind climate changes and environmental issues
COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRY TRADE AND ENERGY
Smart cities for smart growth How can innovative urban development meet the challenges of increasing urbanisation and sustainability within and beyond the scope of Europe 2020
Smart cities for 11 billion people Mitchell Joachim at
TEDxBerlin
In this very interesting and captivating speech from the acknowledged innovator in ecological urban design and architecture Mitchell Joachim we learn more about the possibilities of smart cities and their effects on society and citizenrsquos lifestyles In this TEDx talk the expert provides different examples of how innovation starts and how we can begin thinking differently about the way we build our cities in order to successfully combine evolution and ecology
03
A circular economy is an alternative to a traditional linear economy (make use dispose) in which we keep resources in use for as long as possible extract the maximum value from them whilst in use then recover and regenerate products and materials at the end of
each service life
Technology is vital in the development of Smart Cities There are many possible means of incorporating technology into our everyday lives For example the concept of the Internet of Things the network of physical objectsmdashdevices vehicles buildings and other itemsmdashembedded with electronics software sensors and network connectivity that enables these objects to collect and exchange data 1
However therersquos more to smart cities than simply technology From green fea-tures to safety and security there are many more factors that make a city smart
1 httpsenwikipediaorgwikiInternet_of_Things
click on the picture to open in full resolution
Circular economy a key concept
A smart growing city is by definition environmental-ly friendly which makes the circular economy a key concept
This definition can be looked up at the website of the Waste amp Resources Action Programme (WRAP) which is a registered charity that helps communities to achieve a circular economy whilst helping businesses and individuals to reduce waste develop sustainable products and use resources efficiently Effective resource management is crucial to the establishment of a sustainable and green economy The circular economy promotes waste reduction a greater resource productivity increases competitiveness and also reduces the environmental impacts of production and consumption so
urce
http
w
ww
spro
utec
ours
eorg
Game project about energy saving and smart building funded by the European Unionrsquos Seventh Programme for research technological development and demonstration
click on the logo to see the video
Smart Cities in Europe ndash what can we learn from them
1 Copenhagen - 40 of all commuters travel by bike
2 Vienna- Renovated a former 40 hectare slaughterhouse district and turned it into an innovation district focused on media science and technology
3 Stockholm- 40 of its land mass is dedicated to green space
4 London- Londonrsquos Royal Docks emerged from the Olympics plan-ning as a regenerated sustainable commercial and residen-tial area
COMMITTEE ON CIVIL LIBERTIES JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
The future of Schengen How can Europe safeguard its principle of free movement while adequately reacting to the new challenges of the migration and refugee crisis
The Refugue Crisis Fixing Borders Is Not Enough
The article from the Centre of European Reform attempts to find a new strategy in reference to the current refugee crisis Should we use the existing strategy or come up with a totally new one The author states that a large number of immigrants are solely moving countries for economic reasons It is important to see the difference between an economic and lsquogenuinersquo refugee How can we distinguish between the two whilst remaining neutral And who decides how we do this Since poverty alignment should not be an overlooked explanation for immigration
On the other hand is it right to close the boarders to economic refugees Europersquos economy remains far more stable than the majority of countries that refugees are coming from Europe has to realise that 99 of the refugees are living lives full of hardships Such lives as lived by a 13-year-old refugee from Lebanon who started crying in front of the German chancellor Angela Merkel speaking the following words ldquo It is terribly painful to see others really enjoying life when you canrsquot enjoy life yourselfrdquo She is not alone in feeling this way Not in the slightest
04
ldquoWe need a strong European approach on migration And
we need it nowrdquo
Jean-Claude Juncker 23 August 2015
Is the Schengen dream of Europe without borders becoming a thing of
the pastThis article tells a personal story which shows the benefits of the Schengen area for Europeans but also telling the fears of people concerning the ongoing crisis ldquoIt was an ideal that all these countries would unite and be the same and equalrdquo Rainer Maring sighed ldquoBut Europersquos not working right Now all of this is put at risk Wersquore going backwards There are lots of calls to close down the borders Itrsquos all going wrongrdquo How can we ensure that we keep our borders open Nicolas Sarkozy the ex-president of France already declared ldquoSchengen is deadrdquo If we close our borders again will we take a trip back in time or is this a necessary step towards a better future The Greek border is an particular crisis because it is the main entrance into Europe for refugees Will it be enough to close only the Greek borders or will the refugees find alternative entrances to Europe Especially with the most desired destinations for refugees being Germany Sweden and Hungary1
1 Migrant crisis Migration to Europe explained in seven charts [Online] Available at httpwwwbbccomnewsworld-europe-34131911 [Accessed 13 April 2016]
ldquoWe will never erect any fences any wallsrdquo
Aleksander Vucic 26 August 2015
Brussels attacks Can Europe keep its open borders
This article stresses the effect that the terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels had on national security levels Belgium for example rein-troduced boarder controls Furthermore the author highlights that the advantage of open borders is not solely economic Open boarders allow for cultural exchange Do we want to leave all this behind Or should the EU work on a concept that allows open borders and in-stead solves the problems the refugee crisis is causing It is also unsure that we will achieve more effective security by closing our borders
Where are they coming from and where do they go
Seeing all these statistics evokes a range of different emotions From fear to anger to being overwhelmed by the high number of peo-ple who had to leave their whole life behind them in order to be-come ldquoEuropeanrdquo Does their life not have as much worth as ours Do we have the right call a country our territory and deny oth-ers access despite them needing support and acceptance their own homes having been destroyed Is this more of a moral debate
COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AFFAIRS
Investing in a knowledge society How should the EU balance upholding intellectual property rights with the access to knowledge for education culture and research
Intellectual Property Rights protection is involved in everything around us Whether you realise it or not you have certainly encountered it From jokes on Tumblr about Taylor Swift suing everyone to the medicine we take when we have a headache everything involves Intellectual Property protection Naturally it has both a positive and a negative side It is the committeersquos goal to find ways to create a balance between the two
are made on a national level but since the trade market is becoming more and more international with each day there are growing numbers of problems Furthermore considering the fact that a vast amount of big companies are multinational any IPR infringement problems that might occur need to be solved at an international levelPA
TEN
T LA
WS
05
Two sides of the coin
These videos show two different perspectives on the topic The first one being a CEO and Inventor explaining the importance that a strong patent system had in his particular case The second one a TED talk offers the counter view that focuses on the problems that patents create in the medical field by preventing the creation of cheaper versions of the medicines
So which is more important economic growth or access to valuable often lifesaving information If we put it this way it seems obvious that the IPR protection is less important than saving a life However that doesnrsquot mean that the patents copyrights and trademarks should be banned completely as this would increase the unemployment and poverty rates So is there a way to balance the two Are there possible solutions for special cases that IPR effects such as the one described in the medical field
What does the media have to say about this
This article explains the faults that exist in the current patent sys-tem according to the author The author explores the idea of abolishing patenting altogether but having been proven ineffec-tive it also shows what is wrong and how that could be changed
Breakthroughs brought to you by IPR This infographic should give you an idea
of the part that IPR protection systems play in innovation and progress It shows the breakthroughs and the profits gained (shown in the GDP per capita) thanks to the existence of patents and trademarks
What Who Why Ben Wallis answers
In this interview Ben Wallis a Consumers In-ternational Coordinator discusses several as-pects of the topic at hand She speaks of the problems and benefits of patents explains the disadvantages of a strict IP protection sys-tem and shows the interests of consumers and industries in keeping or banishing patents
It might give you a simpler more acces-sible approach to the topic to better help you understand different aspects to it
Why it matters The following graphs show the correlation between the num-ber of Patents and the GDP throughout the years (2000-2014) in the countries of France UK and Germany The lines are continuously parallel showing the positive influ-ence of the Patents on the economy From this we can con-clude the importance that IPR intensive companies have on the economy and the influence their use has on cre-ating employment This supports the argument that the abolishment of Patents and other forms of IP protection would have a significantly large negative impact on the economy
In conclusion there are two main conflicts at stake
bull The conflict between the preservation of intellectual property by the authors and the stagnation of progress and innovation caused by the lack of access to the information that is patented
bull The lack of harmonization of patent legislation across
the EU
Considering all of the information given to you the various perspectives and insights what do you think could be done to solve the existing problems Who should be prioritized the inventors or the consumers or is the possibility to find a com-
promise an achievable solution
COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS
Equal opportunities or equality of result In how far should Europe make an effort to reduce the growing wage and income inequality whilst keeping in mind its aim of lifting 20 million people out of risk of poverty and social exclusion
Income inequality is a significant issue facing todayrsquos society that effects almost every country in the world The staggering difference between the rich and the poor has serious consequences on society and the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion is on the rise This disparity has become more and more apparent In both developed and developing countries the poorest half of a country representing only 10 of its wealth Also it is proven by the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report of 2012 that the richest 300 people on earth have the same amount of money as the total owned by the poorest 3 billion people The same report states that some countries in the world are 80 times richer than others So considering the differences of the economic and political systems between countries what can be done to balance such inequalities
ww
wth
eru
leso
rg
On September 15th 2015 the European Federation of Academies of Sci-ences and Humanities (ALLEA) the European Science Foundation (ESF) and the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) gathered to de-bate the rise of income inequality in EU countries For example a pro-
posed solution discussed in this meeting was the taxation of the richest individuals Af-ter this debate the partici-pants unanimously conclud-ed that this issue is not being properly addressed by the Member Statesrsquo governments If this is the case the prob-lem of income inequality will not be solved and equality will
not be achieved How can we encourage Member States to pay more at-tention to this issue Recent events such as the reports on tax avoid-ance by multinational companies (eg IKEA and Starbucks) and the role of offshore companies concerning the Panama Papers affair have once again underlined that there is far too much room for improvement
ep
th
in
kt
an
k
eu
In 2012 Eurostat released a video explaining that the definition of poverty inside the European Union can differ greatly since all the Member Stateslsquo and its individuals have different perspectives This is due to unavoidable cultural differences in each Member State But is this really as simple as Eurostat makes it seem What do you think is poverty a product of cultural differences Letrsquos take a closer look
06
First off the poor acting of the ldquojournalistldquo and her ldquofriendldquo is completely ridiculous Do we really need a ldquoplotldquo to ex-plain poverty in the European Union This video is far too light-hearted when taking into account the issue they are discussing poverty not exactly material for small-talk It makes poverty look like a joke rather than the real issue it is
The only redeeming quality of this video is the fact that per-ception of poverty is highlighted to be relative to the society in which a person lives in Imagine you live in a neighbourhood where there is no sign of poverty you would see poverty as a pressing issue However if you lived in a less ldquoaffluent part of townrdquo where you witness poverty all around you you would be unavoidably aware of itrsquos presence With only this to commend Eurostatrsquos video on you could say lsquonice tryrsquo and suggest the EU should address this widespread problem appropriately and justly
Taking all of this into account what measures can be tak-en to tackle the lack of serious action regarding this issue What could be done in regards to both nation-al and global taxation policies We are curious what EM-PLrsquos stance on the topic of inequality is looking like
COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY
Sustainable growth on global markets After the agreements of the COP21 Summit in Paris have paved the way for a global climate deal how can Europe push for a global emission trading scheme
bullAim for greenhouse gas emissions to peak as soon as possible bullRapid reductions to achieve a balance between emissions from human activity and the amount that can be retained in the atmosphere
bullDeveloped countries must continue to take the lead in the reduction of greenhouse gases
bullDeveloping nations are encouraged to enhance their efforts and move over time to cut emissions
bull Keep warming ldquowell below 2 degrees celsiusrdquo
bull Continue all efforts to limit the rise in the temperature to 15 degrees celsius
07
The Paris Agreement represents the first step towards a greener planet The Parties agreed on an ambition cycle a set of goals timeframes and commitments designed to ensure that Parties
regularly strengthen their commitments Governments aim to lower global warming to below 2ordmC meanwhile providing finance to poor nations to help them cut emissions and cope
with the effects of extreme weather
MEDIASocial Europe ndash After COP21 The EU Needs to Revise its Climate Policy Targets by Beacutela Galgoacuteczi explains the measures and actions of the governments involved and their long term effect on global warming
Pan European Networks ndash Climate emissions reports may offer ldquofalse hoperdquoAccording to this article the Paris Agreement and the measures taken to avoid an increase in global warming
NUMBERS20 increase in energy from r e n e w a b l e s compared to
1990
Only the first 3 countries have achieved the Europe 2020 target According to these statistics in 2014 EU-28 was only 4 away from reaching the goal
httpeceuropaeu
G r e e n h o u s e gas emissions are 20 low-er than in 1990
Levels of greenhouse gases have been decreasing since 1990 and by now this target is almost achieved
httpeceuropaeu
20 increase in energy efficiency
compared to 1990
Estonia was the only country reach-ing the target as of yet Zero represents the achievement of the goal which means most of the Member-states have a long way until they achieve the necessary increase in en-ergy efficiency by 20
httpeceuropaeu
This video explains in a simplified way all the negotiations that took place in Paris The COP21 Conference in Paris was a major step forwards to ensure a sustainable future The previous conferences did not have the same success Furthermore the COP21 will give several countries the opportunity to work together towards a greener and more sustainable future energy-wise environmentally and economically
Al Gore is an American politician and environmentalist who served as the 45th Vice President of the United States from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton Despite several less optimistic projections for the future Al Gore presents a different perspective on the matter showing that embracing green solutions is becoming cheaper and cheaper as well as more efficient to implement Is the green future closer than we have been imagining
COMMITTEE ON BUDGETARY AFFAIRS
Beyond Europe 2020 What key points should the European Commission propose as targets of a European Strategy package after 2020
The European Parliament is one of the budgetary arms of the EU Together with the Council it establishes the annu-al budget of the European Union Even though the num-bers shown in the video are outdated it accurately por-trays the importance of the EU Budget and its purpose
What is BUDG
This process goes through the Committee on Budgets
httpstwittercomep_budgets
Additional information can be found on this committeersquos twitter account
BUDG was responsible for approving and set-ting the rules of the budget plan for Europe 2020 the ten-year economic programme of the EU
08
smart|sustainable|inclusive
development
EUROPEANSrsquo VIEW ON EUROPE 2020
45 consider that the EU ldquois going in the right direc-tion to exit the crisis and face new global challengesrdquo
25 consider that it is going in the wrong direction23 believe that the EU is going in neither the right nor the wrong direction7 expressed no opinion on Europe2020
Source European Commission Europe2020 Report (Standard Eurobarometer 81 Spring 2014) Pages 13-18
ldquoOn March 5 the European Commission launched the first step in reviewing the Europe 2020 strategy The mid-term review is designed
to take stock of the progress made so far in achieving the goals and targets of Europe 2020 and to set the pace for possible re-enforcement
or adaptation of the strategy As people continue to struggle with the impact of the financial and economic crisis we need the European Union Institutions and member states to honour the
commitments they made in 2010rdquo
With 4 years left until the deadline the objectives the EU set with this programme in nearly all categories still have not been met Reviews such as these are crucial By periodi-cally reviewing its general progress we are facilitating anal-ysis and reflection on the evolution of the measures being taken and therefore promoting improvement However af-ter all the analysis and reflections that have been made we can conclude that failure is imminent A change of measures may be the only chance this programme has to ever prevail
Furthermore the answer lies in the upcoming genera-tions The youth need to step in and demand a different ap-proach How should we prioritize our goals What needs to be reformed How will we prevent Europe2020 from shar-ing the same fate as itsrsquo predecessor The Lisbon Strate-gy And last but not least Where should the budgets go to
HOW CAN WE CREATE A NEW STRATEGY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT IS CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THESE UNMET GOALS
EUROPE 2020 INDICATORS
To find appropriate ways of overcoming the programmersquos difficulties it is necessary to first attend to itsrsquo main issues Only after carefully analysing statistics and numbers we can detect the areas that need to be focused on in order to fill the gaps left between the current situation and the objectives
of Europe2020
Employment Rate age group 20-642008 7032009 6902014 692
Europe 2020 goal 75- The unfavourable effect of the economic crisis on the European labour
market has caused the lack of growth on the employment rate
Research and development Gross Domestic Expenditure on ResearchampDevelopment
2008 185 of GDP2014 203 of GDP
Europe 2020 goal 3 of GDPThe EUrsquos efforts to stimulate economic growth by boosting public expenditure on Research and Development have not significantly increased
its GDP
Education People at risk of poverty or social exclusion2005-2009 114 million
2012 1225 million2013 1215 million
- Between 2011 and 2014 almost 1 in every four people in the EU27 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion The increase has been largely attributed to the economic crisis in 2008 and the following recessions in the majority
of Member States
For more information visit Eurostat
ldquoGood governance democracy the rule of law the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows as well as effective accountable and inclusive institutions are crucial Policy coherence at all levels by all coun-tries should be at the core of our new global partnership All our actions will have to be monitored in a transparent way to keep us on track in implementing this challenging new agenda To ensure this we should aim for one overar-ching monitoring accountability and review framework We have an ambitious programme but ambition is needed if we are to fulfil the noble objective we have set ourselves the end of extreme poverty and a sustainable future for all
Lets start working This is our world our dignity our futurerdquo
Speech by European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica at the plenary session of the Third In-ternational Conference on Financing for Development 14 July 2015
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal
![Page 10: Topic boxes of Évora 2016](https://reader031.fdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020522/579077611a28ab6874bd7647/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
It is crucial to make students experience the joy of under-standing If schools take on the responsibility of adopting a welcome open attitude to immigrants this will positive-ly influence the attitudes of students and those within the community Helping to ease the integration of immigrants on a wider scale Naturally young people with limited finan-cial capacity and from less advantaged educational back-grounds will acquire a sense of integration and self-determi-nation which will positively impact them throughout life Yes education is definitely the key to success be-cause I am you are we are Youngsters on the Move
Nevertheless hostility towards immigrants may result in a poor attainment preventing learners from acquiring further skills
Thus year after year problems go unsolved Education becomes an opportunity not fully grasped and young pupils risk drop-
ping out of school at the very first chance they getIs education indeed the silver bullet for the next generation
Tiny wobbly baby steps towards Education and Training in Europe 2020
COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AND MONETARY AFFAIRS
A new industrial revolution With the industrial sector forming the backbone of many European economies how can Europe and the different economies of its Member States achieve renewed investment and growth in industry
The future of EU industry system
The establishment of an ldquoIndustrial policy for globalization erardquo is one of the seven 2020 goals Therefore we must re-think the current status of the European industry due to its comparatively low standards of research and development when compared to other super economies and crucial differences within the Union itself Today European industries face challenges that do not allow them to achieve their full potential and will not allow them to achieve the 2020 goals
02
Servitisation is the process of changing the way manufacturing companies see themselves in the market
This process has seen a substantial rise in the past decade Manufacturing firms can now extend their portfolio to offer services creating a boost in the dynamics behind the de-industrialisation we are facing today This shift towards services aims to increase competitiveness at both local and global market level whilst acquiring additional revenues which will become more stable over time Looking at the statistics we can clearly observe the advantages that servitisation has brought to certain manufacturing companies
bull Compared to pure goods producers servitised firms are 35 percent more profitable bull Manufacturing firms in which services account for less than 10 of their production sales are twice the size of pure goods producers
Share of services in industry output
The graphic along with the different markets studied offers clear examples of the influence of services On the one hand the demand for mechanical and electrical equipment has caused an increase in the use of services for installation and maintenance help Yet on the other hand the market for wood paper and printing services has decreased due to the decline in demand for such materials This suggests that each market must be considered individually when figuring out the best approach to making each industry as successful as possible
The European industrial world is changing and itrsquos now time to find new approaches to get the most from the current market Will servitisation have a significant importance in the industrial market future
lsquolsquoMy motto will be ldquoaccelerate and integraterdquo We need to accelerate the implementation of concrete actions to
support a comepetitive industrial economy And we have to better integrate competitiveness in all policy areas at all
levels of governmentrdquo
-Elzbieta Bienkowska European comissioner for the Internal Market
The solution for the dilemma facing the European industry will never be straightforward As is the opinion of the European commissioner for Industry several areas exist which must be reviewed and rethought with the aim of achieving a more competitive industrial economy In her speech the commissioner reminded the industry that they must find new ways of conducting business innovating their system and investing in new technologies whilst bearing in mind climate changes and environmental issues
COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRY TRADE AND ENERGY
Smart cities for smart growth How can innovative urban development meet the challenges of increasing urbanisation and sustainability within and beyond the scope of Europe 2020
Smart cities for 11 billion people Mitchell Joachim at
TEDxBerlin
In this very interesting and captivating speech from the acknowledged innovator in ecological urban design and architecture Mitchell Joachim we learn more about the possibilities of smart cities and their effects on society and citizenrsquos lifestyles In this TEDx talk the expert provides different examples of how innovation starts and how we can begin thinking differently about the way we build our cities in order to successfully combine evolution and ecology
03
A circular economy is an alternative to a traditional linear economy (make use dispose) in which we keep resources in use for as long as possible extract the maximum value from them whilst in use then recover and regenerate products and materials at the end of
each service life
Technology is vital in the development of Smart Cities There are many possible means of incorporating technology into our everyday lives For example the concept of the Internet of Things the network of physical objectsmdashdevices vehicles buildings and other itemsmdashembedded with electronics software sensors and network connectivity that enables these objects to collect and exchange data 1
However therersquos more to smart cities than simply technology From green fea-tures to safety and security there are many more factors that make a city smart
1 httpsenwikipediaorgwikiInternet_of_Things
click on the picture to open in full resolution
Circular economy a key concept
A smart growing city is by definition environmental-ly friendly which makes the circular economy a key concept
This definition can be looked up at the website of the Waste amp Resources Action Programme (WRAP) which is a registered charity that helps communities to achieve a circular economy whilst helping businesses and individuals to reduce waste develop sustainable products and use resources efficiently Effective resource management is crucial to the establishment of a sustainable and green economy The circular economy promotes waste reduction a greater resource productivity increases competitiveness and also reduces the environmental impacts of production and consumption so
urce
http
w
ww
spro
utec
ours
eorg
Game project about energy saving and smart building funded by the European Unionrsquos Seventh Programme for research technological development and demonstration
click on the logo to see the video
Smart Cities in Europe ndash what can we learn from them
1 Copenhagen - 40 of all commuters travel by bike
2 Vienna- Renovated a former 40 hectare slaughterhouse district and turned it into an innovation district focused on media science and technology
3 Stockholm- 40 of its land mass is dedicated to green space
4 London- Londonrsquos Royal Docks emerged from the Olympics plan-ning as a regenerated sustainable commercial and residen-tial area
COMMITTEE ON CIVIL LIBERTIES JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
The future of Schengen How can Europe safeguard its principle of free movement while adequately reacting to the new challenges of the migration and refugee crisis
The Refugue Crisis Fixing Borders Is Not Enough
The article from the Centre of European Reform attempts to find a new strategy in reference to the current refugee crisis Should we use the existing strategy or come up with a totally new one The author states that a large number of immigrants are solely moving countries for economic reasons It is important to see the difference between an economic and lsquogenuinersquo refugee How can we distinguish between the two whilst remaining neutral And who decides how we do this Since poverty alignment should not be an overlooked explanation for immigration
On the other hand is it right to close the boarders to economic refugees Europersquos economy remains far more stable than the majority of countries that refugees are coming from Europe has to realise that 99 of the refugees are living lives full of hardships Such lives as lived by a 13-year-old refugee from Lebanon who started crying in front of the German chancellor Angela Merkel speaking the following words ldquo It is terribly painful to see others really enjoying life when you canrsquot enjoy life yourselfrdquo She is not alone in feeling this way Not in the slightest
04
ldquoWe need a strong European approach on migration And
we need it nowrdquo
Jean-Claude Juncker 23 August 2015
Is the Schengen dream of Europe without borders becoming a thing of
the pastThis article tells a personal story which shows the benefits of the Schengen area for Europeans but also telling the fears of people concerning the ongoing crisis ldquoIt was an ideal that all these countries would unite and be the same and equalrdquo Rainer Maring sighed ldquoBut Europersquos not working right Now all of this is put at risk Wersquore going backwards There are lots of calls to close down the borders Itrsquos all going wrongrdquo How can we ensure that we keep our borders open Nicolas Sarkozy the ex-president of France already declared ldquoSchengen is deadrdquo If we close our borders again will we take a trip back in time or is this a necessary step towards a better future The Greek border is an particular crisis because it is the main entrance into Europe for refugees Will it be enough to close only the Greek borders or will the refugees find alternative entrances to Europe Especially with the most desired destinations for refugees being Germany Sweden and Hungary1
1 Migrant crisis Migration to Europe explained in seven charts [Online] Available at httpwwwbbccomnewsworld-europe-34131911 [Accessed 13 April 2016]
ldquoWe will never erect any fences any wallsrdquo
Aleksander Vucic 26 August 2015
Brussels attacks Can Europe keep its open borders
This article stresses the effect that the terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels had on national security levels Belgium for example rein-troduced boarder controls Furthermore the author highlights that the advantage of open borders is not solely economic Open boarders allow for cultural exchange Do we want to leave all this behind Or should the EU work on a concept that allows open borders and in-stead solves the problems the refugee crisis is causing It is also unsure that we will achieve more effective security by closing our borders
Where are they coming from and where do they go
Seeing all these statistics evokes a range of different emotions From fear to anger to being overwhelmed by the high number of peo-ple who had to leave their whole life behind them in order to be-come ldquoEuropeanrdquo Does their life not have as much worth as ours Do we have the right call a country our territory and deny oth-ers access despite them needing support and acceptance their own homes having been destroyed Is this more of a moral debate
COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AFFAIRS
Investing in a knowledge society How should the EU balance upholding intellectual property rights with the access to knowledge for education culture and research
Intellectual Property Rights protection is involved in everything around us Whether you realise it or not you have certainly encountered it From jokes on Tumblr about Taylor Swift suing everyone to the medicine we take when we have a headache everything involves Intellectual Property protection Naturally it has both a positive and a negative side It is the committeersquos goal to find ways to create a balance between the two
are made on a national level but since the trade market is becoming more and more international with each day there are growing numbers of problems Furthermore considering the fact that a vast amount of big companies are multinational any IPR infringement problems that might occur need to be solved at an international levelPA
TEN
T LA
WS
05
Two sides of the coin
These videos show two different perspectives on the topic The first one being a CEO and Inventor explaining the importance that a strong patent system had in his particular case The second one a TED talk offers the counter view that focuses on the problems that patents create in the medical field by preventing the creation of cheaper versions of the medicines
So which is more important economic growth or access to valuable often lifesaving information If we put it this way it seems obvious that the IPR protection is less important than saving a life However that doesnrsquot mean that the patents copyrights and trademarks should be banned completely as this would increase the unemployment and poverty rates So is there a way to balance the two Are there possible solutions for special cases that IPR effects such as the one described in the medical field
What does the media have to say about this
This article explains the faults that exist in the current patent sys-tem according to the author The author explores the idea of abolishing patenting altogether but having been proven ineffec-tive it also shows what is wrong and how that could be changed
Breakthroughs brought to you by IPR This infographic should give you an idea
of the part that IPR protection systems play in innovation and progress It shows the breakthroughs and the profits gained (shown in the GDP per capita) thanks to the existence of patents and trademarks
What Who Why Ben Wallis answers
In this interview Ben Wallis a Consumers In-ternational Coordinator discusses several as-pects of the topic at hand She speaks of the problems and benefits of patents explains the disadvantages of a strict IP protection sys-tem and shows the interests of consumers and industries in keeping or banishing patents
It might give you a simpler more acces-sible approach to the topic to better help you understand different aspects to it
Why it matters The following graphs show the correlation between the num-ber of Patents and the GDP throughout the years (2000-2014) in the countries of France UK and Germany The lines are continuously parallel showing the positive influ-ence of the Patents on the economy From this we can con-clude the importance that IPR intensive companies have on the economy and the influence their use has on cre-ating employment This supports the argument that the abolishment of Patents and other forms of IP protection would have a significantly large negative impact on the economy
In conclusion there are two main conflicts at stake
bull The conflict between the preservation of intellectual property by the authors and the stagnation of progress and innovation caused by the lack of access to the information that is patented
bull The lack of harmonization of patent legislation across
the EU
Considering all of the information given to you the various perspectives and insights what do you think could be done to solve the existing problems Who should be prioritized the inventors or the consumers or is the possibility to find a com-
promise an achievable solution
COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS
Equal opportunities or equality of result In how far should Europe make an effort to reduce the growing wage and income inequality whilst keeping in mind its aim of lifting 20 million people out of risk of poverty and social exclusion
Income inequality is a significant issue facing todayrsquos society that effects almost every country in the world The staggering difference between the rich and the poor has serious consequences on society and the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion is on the rise This disparity has become more and more apparent In both developed and developing countries the poorest half of a country representing only 10 of its wealth Also it is proven by the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report of 2012 that the richest 300 people on earth have the same amount of money as the total owned by the poorest 3 billion people The same report states that some countries in the world are 80 times richer than others So considering the differences of the economic and political systems between countries what can be done to balance such inequalities
ww
wth
eru
leso
rg
On September 15th 2015 the European Federation of Academies of Sci-ences and Humanities (ALLEA) the European Science Foundation (ESF) and the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) gathered to de-bate the rise of income inequality in EU countries For example a pro-
posed solution discussed in this meeting was the taxation of the richest individuals Af-ter this debate the partici-pants unanimously conclud-ed that this issue is not being properly addressed by the Member Statesrsquo governments If this is the case the prob-lem of income inequality will not be solved and equality will
not be achieved How can we encourage Member States to pay more at-tention to this issue Recent events such as the reports on tax avoid-ance by multinational companies (eg IKEA and Starbucks) and the role of offshore companies concerning the Panama Papers affair have once again underlined that there is far too much room for improvement
ep
th
in
kt
an
k
eu
In 2012 Eurostat released a video explaining that the definition of poverty inside the European Union can differ greatly since all the Member Stateslsquo and its individuals have different perspectives This is due to unavoidable cultural differences in each Member State But is this really as simple as Eurostat makes it seem What do you think is poverty a product of cultural differences Letrsquos take a closer look
06
First off the poor acting of the ldquojournalistldquo and her ldquofriendldquo is completely ridiculous Do we really need a ldquoplotldquo to ex-plain poverty in the European Union This video is far too light-hearted when taking into account the issue they are discussing poverty not exactly material for small-talk It makes poverty look like a joke rather than the real issue it is
The only redeeming quality of this video is the fact that per-ception of poverty is highlighted to be relative to the society in which a person lives in Imagine you live in a neighbourhood where there is no sign of poverty you would see poverty as a pressing issue However if you lived in a less ldquoaffluent part of townrdquo where you witness poverty all around you you would be unavoidably aware of itrsquos presence With only this to commend Eurostatrsquos video on you could say lsquonice tryrsquo and suggest the EU should address this widespread problem appropriately and justly
Taking all of this into account what measures can be tak-en to tackle the lack of serious action regarding this issue What could be done in regards to both nation-al and global taxation policies We are curious what EM-PLrsquos stance on the topic of inequality is looking like
COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY
Sustainable growth on global markets After the agreements of the COP21 Summit in Paris have paved the way for a global climate deal how can Europe push for a global emission trading scheme
bullAim for greenhouse gas emissions to peak as soon as possible bullRapid reductions to achieve a balance between emissions from human activity and the amount that can be retained in the atmosphere
bullDeveloped countries must continue to take the lead in the reduction of greenhouse gases
bullDeveloping nations are encouraged to enhance their efforts and move over time to cut emissions
bull Keep warming ldquowell below 2 degrees celsiusrdquo
bull Continue all efforts to limit the rise in the temperature to 15 degrees celsius
07
The Paris Agreement represents the first step towards a greener planet The Parties agreed on an ambition cycle a set of goals timeframes and commitments designed to ensure that Parties
regularly strengthen their commitments Governments aim to lower global warming to below 2ordmC meanwhile providing finance to poor nations to help them cut emissions and cope
with the effects of extreme weather
MEDIASocial Europe ndash After COP21 The EU Needs to Revise its Climate Policy Targets by Beacutela Galgoacuteczi explains the measures and actions of the governments involved and their long term effect on global warming
Pan European Networks ndash Climate emissions reports may offer ldquofalse hoperdquoAccording to this article the Paris Agreement and the measures taken to avoid an increase in global warming
NUMBERS20 increase in energy from r e n e w a b l e s compared to
1990
Only the first 3 countries have achieved the Europe 2020 target According to these statistics in 2014 EU-28 was only 4 away from reaching the goal
httpeceuropaeu
G r e e n h o u s e gas emissions are 20 low-er than in 1990
Levels of greenhouse gases have been decreasing since 1990 and by now this target is almost achieved
httpeceuropaeu
20 increase in energy efficiency
compared to 1990
Estonia was the only country reach-ing the target as of yet Zero represents the achievement of the goal which means most of the Member-states have a long way until they achieve the necessary increase in en-ergy efficiency by 20
httpeceuropaeu
This video explains in a simplified way all the negotiations that took place in Paris The COP21 Conference in Paris was a major step forwards to ensure a sustainable future The previous conferences did not have the same success Furthermore the COP21 will give several countries the opportunity to work together towards a greener and more sustainable future energy-wise environmentally and economically
Al Gore is an American politician and environmentalist who served as the 45th Vice President of the United States from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton Despite several less optimistic projections for the future Al Gore presents a different perspective on the matter showing that embracing green solutions is becoming cheaper and cheaper as well as more efficient to implement Is the green future closer than we have been imagining
COMMITTEE ON BUDGETARY AFFAIRS
Beyond Europe 2020 What key points should the European Commission propose as targets of a European Strategy package after 2020
The European Parliament is one of the budgetary arms of the EU Together with the Council it establishes the annu-al budget of the European Union Even though the num-bers shown in the video are outdated it accurately por-trays the importance of the EU Budget and its purpose
What is BUDG
This process goes through the Committee on Budgets
httpstwittercomep_budgets
Additional information can be found on this committeersquos twitter account
BUDG was responsible for approving and set-ting the rules of the budget plan for Europe 2020 the ten-year economic programme of the EU
08
smart|sustainable|inclusive
development
EUROPEANSrsquo VIEW ON EUROPE 2020
45 consider that the EU ldquois going in the right direc-tion to exit the crisis and face new global challengesrdquo
25 consider that it is going in the wrong direction23 believe that the EU is going in neither the right nor the wrong direction7 expressed no opinion on Europe2020
Source European Commission Europe2020 Report (Standard Eurobarometer 81 Spring 2014) Pages 13-18
ldquoOn March 5 the European Commission launched the first step in reviewing the Europe 2020 strategy The mid-term review is designed
to take stock of the progress made so far in achieving the goals and targets of Europe 2020 and to set the pace for possible re-enforcement
or adaptation of the strategy As people continue to struggle with the impact of the financial and economic crisis we need the European Union Institutions and member states to honour the
commitments they made in 2010rdquo
With 4 years left until the deadline the objectives the EU set with this programme in nearly all categories still have not been met Reviews such as these are crucial By periodi-cally reviewing its general progress we are facilitating anal-ysis and reflection on the evolution of the measures being taken and therefore promoting improvement However af-ter all the analysis and reflections that have been made we can conclude that failure is imminent A change of measures may be the only chance this programme has to ever prevail
Furthermore the answer lies in the upcoming genera-tions The youth need to step in and demand a different ap-proach How should we prioritize our goals What needs to be reformed How will we prevent Europe2020 from shar-ing the same fate as itsrsquo predecessor The Lisbon Strate-gy And last but not least Where should the budgets go to
HOW CAN WE CREATE A NEW STRATEGY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT IS CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THESE UNMET GOALS
EUROPE 2020 INDICATORS
To find appropriate ways of overcoming the programmersquos difficulties it is necessary to first attend to itsrsquo main issues Only after carefully analysing statistics and numbers we can detect the areas that need to be focused on in order to fill the gaps left between the current situation and the objectives
of Europe2020
Employment Rate age group 20-642008 7032009 6902014 692
Europe 2020 goal 75- The unfavourable effect of the economic crisis on the European labour
market has caused the lack of growth on the employment rate
Research and development Gross Domestic Expenditure on ResearchampDevelopment
2008 185 of GDP2014 203 of GDP
Europe 2020 goal 3 of GDPThe EUrsquos efforts to stimulate economic growth by boosting public expenditure on Research and Development have not significantly increased
its GDP
Education People at risk of poverty or social exclusion2005-2009 114 million
2012 1225 million2013 1215 million
- Between 2011 and 2014 almost 1 in every four people in the EU27 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion The increase has been largely attributed to the economic crisis in 2008 and the following recessions in the majority
of Member States
For more information visit Eurostat
ldquoGood governance democracy the rule of law the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows as well as effective accountable and inclusive institutions are crucial Policy coherence at all levels by all coun-tries should be at the core of our new global partnership All our actions will have to be monitored in a transparent way to keep us on track in implementing this challenging new agenda To ensure this we should aim for one overar-ching monitoring accountability and review framework We have an ambitious programme but ambition is needed if we are to fulfil the noble objective we have set ourselves the end of extreme poverty and a sustainable future for all
Lets start working This is our world our dignity our futurerdquo
Speech by European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica at the plenary session of the Third In-ternational Conference on Financing for Development 14 July 2015
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal
![Page 11: Topic boxes of Évora 2016](https://reader031.fdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020522/579077611a28ab6874bd7647/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AND MONETARY AFFAIRS
A new industrial revolution With the industrial sector forming the backbone of many European economies how can Europe and the different economies of its Member States achieve renewed investment and growth in industry
The future of EU industry system
The establishment of an ldquoIndustrial policy for globalization erardquo is one of the seven 2020 goals Therefore we must re-think the current status of the European industry due to its comparatively low standards of research and development when compared to other super economies and crucial differences within the Union itself Today European industries face challenges that do not allow them to achieve their full potential and will not allow them to achieve the 2020 goals
02
Servitisation is the process of changing the way manufacturing companies see themselves in the market
This process has seen a substantial rise in the past decade Manufacturing firms can now extend their portfolio to offer services creating a boost in the dynamics behind the de-industrialisation we are facing today This shift towards services aims to increase competitiveness at both local and global market level whilst acquiring additional revenues which will become more stable over time Looking at the statistics we can clearly observe the advantages that servitisation has brought to certain manufacturing companies
bull Compared to pure goods producers servitised firms are 35 percent more profitable bull Manufacturing firms in which services account for less than 10 of their production sales are twice the size of pure goods producers
Share of services in industry output
The graphic along with the different markets studied offers clear examples of the influence of services On the one hand the demand for mechanical and electrical equipment has caused an increase in the use of services for installation and maintenance help Yet on the other hand the market for wood paper and printing services has decreased due to the decline in demand for such materials This suggests that each market must be considered individually when figuring out the best approach to making each industry as successful as possible
The European industrial world is changing and itrsquos now time to find new approaches to get the most from the current market Will servitisation have a significant importance in the industrial market future
lsquolsquoMy motto will be ldquoaccelerate and integraterdquo We need to accelerate the implementation of concrete actions to
support a comepetitive industrial economy And we have to better integrate competitiveness in all policy areas at all
levels of governmentrdquo
-Elzbieta Bienkowska European comissioner for the Internal Market
The solution for the dilemma facing the European industry will never be straightforward As is the opinion of the European commissioner for Industry several areas exist which must be reviewed and rethought with the aim of achieving a more competitive industrial economy In her speech the commissioner reminded the industry that they must find new ways of conducting business innovating their system and investing in new technologies whilst bearing in mind climate changes and environmental issues
COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRY TRADE AND ENERGY
Smart cities for smart growth How can innovative urban development meet the challenges of increasing urbanisation and sustainability within and beyond the scope of Europe 2020
Smart cities for 11 billion people Mitchell Joachim at
TEDxBerlin
In this very interesting and captivating speech from the acknowledged innovator in ecological urban design and architecture Mitchell Joachim we learn more about the possibilities of smart cities and their effects on society and citizenrsquos lifestyles In this TEDx talk the expert provides different examples of how innovation starts and how we can begin thinking differently about the way we build our cities in order to successfully combine evolution and ecology
03
A circular economy is an alternative to a traditional linear economy (make use dispose) in which we keep resources in use for as long as possible extract the maximum value from them whilst in use then recover and regenerate products and materials at the end of
each service life
Technology is vital in the development of Smart Cities There are many possible means of incorporating technology into our everyday lives For example the concept of the Internet of Things the network of physical objectsmdashdevices vehicles buildings and other itemsmdashembedded with electronics software sensors and network connectivity that enables these objects to collect and exchange data 1
However therersquos more to smart cities than simply technology From green fea-tures to safety and security there are many more factors that make a city smart
1 httpsenwikipediaorgwikiInternet_of_Things
click on the picture to open in full resolution
Circular economy a key concept
A smart growing city is by definition environmental-ly friendly which makes the circular economy a key concept
This definition can be looked up at the website of the Waste amp Resources Action Programme (WRAP) which is a registered charity that helps communities to achieve a circular economy whilst helping businesses and individuals to reduce waste develop sustainable products and use resources efficiently Effective resource management is crucial to the establishment of a sustainable and green economy The circular economy promotes waste reduction a greater resource productivity increases competitiveness and also reduces the environmental impacts of production and consumption so
urce
http
w
ww
spro
utec
ours
eorg
Game project about energy saving and smart building funded by the European Unionrsquos Seventh Programme for research technological development and demonstration
click on the logo to see the video
Smart Cities in Europe ndash what can we learn from them
1 Copenhagen - 40 of all commuters travel by bike
2 Vienna- Renovated a former 40 hectare slaughterhouse district and turned it into an innovation district focused on media science and technology
3 Stockholm- 40 of its land mass is dedicated to green space
4 London- Londonrsquos Royal Docks emerged from the Olympics plan-ning as a regenerated sustainable commercial and residen-tial area
COMMITTEE ON CIVIL LIBERTIES JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
The future of Schengen How can Europe safeguard its principle of free movement while adequately reacting to the new challenges of the migration and refugee crisis
The Refugue Crisis Fixing Borders Is Not Enough
The article from the Centre of European Reform attempts to find a new strategy in reference to the current refugee crisis Should we use the existing strategy or come up with a totally new one The author states that a large number of immigrants are solely moving countries for economic reasons It is important to see the difference between an economic and lsquogenuinersquo refugee How can we distinguish between the two whilst remaining neutral And who decides how we do this Since poverty alignment should not be an overlooked explanation for immigration
On the other hand is it right to close the boarders to economic refugees Europersquos economy remains far more stable than the majority of countries that refugees are coming from Europe has to realise that 99 of the refugees are living lives full of hardships Such lives as lived by a 13-year-old refugee from Lebanon who started crying in front of the German chancellor Angela Merkel speaking the following words ldquo It is terribly painful to see others really enjoying life when you canrsquot enjoy life yourselfrdquo She is not alone in feeling this way Not in the slightest
04
ldquoWe need a strong European approach on migration And
we need it nowrdquo
Jean-Claude Juncker 23 August 2015
Is the Schengen dream of Europe without borders becoming a thing of
the pastThis article tells a personal story which shows the benefits of the Schengen area for Europeans but also telling the fears of people concerning the ongoing crisis ldquoIt was an ideal that all these countries would unite and be the same and equalrdquo Rainer Maring sighed ldquoBut Europersquos not working right Now all of this is put at risk Wersquore going backwards There are lots of calls to close down the borders Itrsquos all going wrongrdquo How can we ensure that we keep our borders open Nicolas Sarkozy the ex-president of France already declared ldquoSchengen is deadrdquo If we close our borders again will we take a trip back in time or is this a necessary step towards a better future The Greek border is an particular crisis because it is the main entrance into Europe for refugees Will it be enough to close only the Greek borders or will the refugees find alternative entrances to Europe Especially with the most desired destinations for refugees being Germany Sweden and Hungary1
1 Migrant crisis Migration to Europe explained in seven charts [Online] Available at httpwwwbbccomnewsworld-europe-34131911 [Accessed 13 April 2016]
ldquoWe will never erect any fences any wallsrdquo
Aleksander Vucic 26 August 2015
Brussels attacks Can Europe keep its open borders
This article stresses the effect that the terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels had on national security levels Belgium for example rein-troduced boarder controls Furthermore the author highlights that the advantage of open borders is not solely economic Open boarders allow for cultural exchange Do we want to leave all this behind Or should the EU work on a concept that allows open borders and in-stead solves the problems the refugee crisis is causing It is also unsure that we will achieve more effective security by closing our borders
Where are they coming from and where do they go
Seeing all these statistics evokes a range of different emotions From fear to anger to being overwhelmed by the high number of peo-ple who had to leave their whole life behind them in order to be-come ldquoEuropeanrdquo Does their life not have as much worth as ours Do we have the right call a country our territory and deny oth-ers access despite them needing support and acceptance their own homes having been destroyed Is this more of a moral debate
COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AFFAIRS
Investing in a knowledge society How should the EU balance upholding intellectual property rights with the access to knowledge for education culture and research
Intellectual Property Rights protection is involved in everything around us Whether you realise it or not you have certainly encountered it From jokes on Tumblr about Taylor Swift suing everyone to the medicine we take when we have a headache everything involves Intellectual Property protection Naturally it has both a positive and a negative side It is the committeersquos goal to find ways to create a balance between the two
are made on a national level but since the trade market is becoming more and more international with each day there are growing numbers of problems Furthermore considering the fact that a vast amount of big companies are multinational any IPR infringement problems that might occur need to be solved at an international levelPA
TEN
T LA
WS
05
Two sides of the coin
These videos show two different perspectives on the topic The first one being a CEO and Inventor explaining the importance that a strong patent system had in his particular case The second one a TED talk offers the counter view that focuses on the problems that patents create in the medical field by preventing the creation of cheaper versions of the medicines
So which is more important economic growth or access to valuable often lifesaving information If we put it this way it seems obvious that the IPR protection is less important than saving a life However that doesnrsquot mean that the patents copyrights and trademarks should be banned completely as this would increase the unemployment and poverty rates So is there a way to balance the two Are there possible solutions for special cases that IPR effects such as the one described in the medical field
What does the media have to say about this
This article explains the faults that exist in the current patent sys-tem according to the author The author explores the idea of abolishing patenting altogether but having been proven ineffec-tive it also shows what is wrong and how that could be changed
Breakthroughs brought to you by IPR This infographic should give you an idea
of the part that IPR protection systems play in innovation and progress It shows the breakthroughs and the profits gained (shown in the GDP per capita) thanks to the existence of patents and trademarks
What Who Why Ben Wallis answers
In this interview Ben Wallis a Consumers In-ternational Coordinator discusses several as-pects of the topic at hand She speaks of the problems and benefits of patents explains the disadvantages of a strict IP protection sys-tem and shows the interests of consumers and industries in keeping or banishing patents
It might give you a simpler more acces-sible approach to the topic to better help you understand different aspects to it
Why it matters The following graphs show the correlation between the num-ber of Patents and the GDP throughout the years (2000-2014) in the countries of France UK and Germany The lines are continuously parallel showing the positive influ-ence of the Patents on the economy From this we can con-clude the importance that IPR intensive companies have on the economy and the influence their use has on cre-ating employment This supports the argument that the abolishment of Patents and other forms of IP protection would have a significantly large negative impact on the economy
In conclusion there are two main conflicts at stake
bull The conflict between the preservation of intellectual property by the authors and the stagnation of progress and innovation caused by the lack of access to the information that is patented
bull The lack of harmonization of patent legislation across
the EU
Considering all of the information given to you the various perspectives and insights what do you think could be done to solve the existing problems Who should be prioritized the inventors or the consumers or is the possibility to find a com-
promise an achievable solution
COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS
Equal opportunities or equality of result In how far should Europe make an effort to reduce the growing wage and income inequality whilst keeping in mind its aim of lifting 20 million people out of risk of poverty and social exclusion
Income inequality is a significant issue facing todayrsquos society that effects almost every country in the world The staggering difference between the rich and the poor has serious consequences on society and the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion is on the rise This disparity has become more and more apparent In both developed and developing countries the poorest half of a country representing only 10 of its wealth Also it is proven by the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report of 2012 that the richest 300 people on earth have the same amount of money as the total owned by the poorest 3 billion people The same report states that some countries in the world are 80 times richer than others So considering the differences of the economic and political systems between countries what can be done to balance such inequalities
ww
wth
eru
leso
rg
On September 15th 2015 the European Federation of Academies of Sci-ences and Humanities (ALLEA) the European Science Foundation (ESF) and the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) gathered to de-bate the rise of income inequality in EU countries For example a pro-
posed solution discussed in this meeting was the taxation of the richest individuals Af-ter this debate the partici-pants unanimously conclud-ed that this issue is not being properly addressed by the Member Statesrsquo governments If this is the case the prob-lem of income inequality will not be solved and equality will
not be achieved How can we encourage Member States to pay more at-tention to this issue Recent events such as the reports on tax avoid-ance by multinational companies (eg IKEA and Starbucks) and the role of offshore companies concerning the Panama Papers affair have once again underlined that there is far too much room for improvement
ep
th
in
kt
an
k
eu
In 2012 Eurostat released a video explaining that the definition of poverty inside the European Union can differ greatly since all the Member Stateslsquo and its individuals have different perspectives This is due to unavoidable cultural differences in each Member State But is this really as simple as Eurostat makes it seem What do you think is poverty a product of cultural differences Letrsquos take a closer look
06
First off the poor acting of the ldquojournalistldquo and her ldquofriendldquo is completely ridiculous Do we really need a ldquoplotldquo to ex-plain poverty in the European Union This video is far too light-hearted when taking into account the issue they are discussing poverty not exactly material for small-talk It makes poverty look like a joke rather than the real issue it is
The only redeeming quality of this video is the fact that per-ception of poverty is highlighted to be relative to the society in which a person lives in Imagine you live in a neighbourhood where there is no sign of poverty you would see poverty as a pressing issue However if you lived in a less ldquoaffluent part of townrdquo where you witness poverty all around you you would be unavoidably aware of itrsquos presence With only this to commend Eurostatrsquos video on you could say lsquonice tryrsquo and suggest the EU should address this widespread problem appropriately and justly
Taking all of this into account what measures can be tak-en to tackle the lack of serious action regarding this issue What could be done in regards to both nation-al and global taxation policies We are curious what EM-PLrsquos stance on the topic of inequality is looking like
COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY
Sustainable growth on global markets After the agreements of the COP21 Summit in Paris have paved the way for a global climate deal how can Europe push for a global emission trading scheme
bullAim for greenhouse gas emissions to peak as soon as possible bullRapid reductions to achieve a balance between emissions from human activity and the amount that can be retained in the atmosphere
bullDeveloped countries must continue to take the lead in the reduction of greenhouse gases
bullDeveloping nations are encouraged to enhance their efforts and move over time to cut emissions
bull Keep warming ldquowell below 2 degrees celsiusrdquo
bull Continue all efforts to limit the rise in the temperature to 15 degrees celsius
07
The Paris Agreement represents the first step towards a greener planet The Parties agreed on an ambition cycle a set of goals timeframes and commitments designed to ensure that Parties
regularly strengthen their commitments Governments aim to lower global warming to below 2ordmC meanwhile providing finance to poor nations to help them cut emissions and cope
with the effects of extreme weather
MEDIASocial Europe ndash After COP21 The EU Needs to Revise its Climate Policy Targets by Beacutela Galgoacuteczi explains the measures and actions of the governments involved and their long term effect on global warming
Pan European Networks ndash Climate emissions reports may offer ldquofalse hoperdquoAccording to this article the Paris Agreement and the measures taken to avoid an increase in global warming
NUMBERS20 increase in energy from r e n e w a b l e s compared to
1990
Only the first 3 countries have achieved the Europe 2020 target According to these statistics in 2014 EU-28 was only 4 away from reaching the goal
httpeceuropaeu
G r e e n h o u s e gas emissions are 20 low-er than in 1990
Levels of greenhouse gases have been decreasing since 1990 and by now this target is almost achieved
httpeceuropaeu
20 increase in energy efficiency
compared to 1990
Estonia was the only country reach-ing the target as of yet Zero represents the achievement of the goal which means most of the Member-states have a long way until they achieve the necessary increase in en-ergy efficiency by 20
httpeceuropaeu
This video explains in a simplified way all the negotiations that took place in Paris The COP21 Conference in Paris was a major step forwards to ensure a sustainable future The previous conferences did not have the same success Furthermore the COP21 will give several countries the opportunity to work together towards a greener and more sustainable future energy-wise environmentally and economically
Al Gore is an American politician and environmentalist who served as the 45th Vice President of the United States from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton Despite several less optimistic projections for the future Al Gore presents a different perspective on the matter showing that embracing green solutions is becoming cheaper and cheaper as well as more efficient to implement Is the green future closer than we have been imagining
COMMITTEE ON BUDGETARY AFFAIRS
Beyond Europe 2020 What key points should the European Commission propose as targets of a European Strategy package after 2020
The European Parliament is one of the budgetary arms of the EU Together with the Council it establishes the annu-al budget of the European Union Even though the num-bers shown in the video are outdated it accurately por-trays the importance of the EU Budget and its purpose
What is BUDG
This process goes through the Committee on Budgets
httpstwittercomep_budgets
Additional information can be found on this committeersquos twitter account
BUDG was responsible for approving and set-ting the rules of the budget plan for Europe 2020 the ten-year economic programme of the EU
08
smart|sustainable|inclusive
development
EUROPEANSrsquo VIEW ON EUROPE 2020
45 consider that the EU ldquois going in the right direc-tion to exit the crisis and face new global challengesrdquo
25 consider that it is going in the wrong direction23 believe that the EU is going in neither the right nor the wrong direction7 expressed no opinion on Europe2020
Source European Commission Europe2020 Report (Standard Eurobarometer 81 Spring 2014) Pages 13-18
ldquoOn March 5 the European Commission launched the first step in reviewing the Europe 2020 strategy The mid-term review is designed
to take stock of the progress made so far in achieving the goals and targets of Europe 2020 and to set the pace for possible re-enforcement
or adaptation of the strategy As people continue to struggle with the impact of the financial and economic crisis we need the European Union Institutions and member states to honour the
commitments they made in 2010rdquo
With 4 years left until the deadline the objectives the EU set with this programme in nearly all categories still have not been met Reviews such as these are crucial By periodi-cally reviewing its general progress we are facilitating anal-ysis and reflection on the evolution of the measures being taken and therefore promoting improvement However af-ter all the analysis and reflections that have been made we can conclude that failure is imminent A change of measures may be the only chance this programme has to ever prevail
Furthermore the answer lies in the upcoming genera-tions The youth need to step in and demand a different ap-proach How should we prioritize our goals What needs to be reformed How will we prevent Europe2020 from shar-ing the same fate as itsrsquo predecessor The Lisbon Strate-gy And last but not least Where should the budgets go to
HOW CAN WE CREATE A NEW STRATEGY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT IS CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THESE UNMET GOALS
EUROPE 2020 INDICATORS
To find appropriate ways of overcoming the programmersquos difficulties it is necessary to first attend to itsrsquo main issues Only after carefully analysing statistics and numbers we can detect the areas that need to be focused on in order to fill the gaps left between the current situation and the objectives
of Europe2020
Employment Rate age group 20-642008 7032009 6902014 692
Europe 2020 goal 75- The unfavourable effect of the economic crisis on the European labour
market has caused the lack of growth on the employment rate
Research and development Gross Domestic Expenditure on ResearchampDevelopment
2008 185 of GDP2014 203 of GDP
Europe 2020 goal 3 of GDPThe EUrsquos efforts to stimulate economic growth by boosting public expenditure on Research and Development have not significantly increased
its GDP
Education People at risk of poverty or social exclusion2005-2009 114 million
2012 1225 million2013 1215 million
- Between 2011 and 2014 almost 1 in every four people in the EU27 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion The increase has been largely attributed to the economic crisis in 2008 and the following recessions in the majority
of Member States
For more information visit Eurostat
ldquoGood governance democracy the rule of law the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows as well as effective accountable and inclusive institutions are crucial Policy coherence at all levels by all coun-tries should be at the core of our new global partnership All our actions will have to be monitored in a transparent way to keep us on track in implementing this challenging new agenda To ensure this we should aim for one overar-ching monitoring accountability and review framework We have an ambitious programme but ambition is needed if we are to fulfil the noble objective we have set ourselves the end of extreme poverty and a sustainable future for all
Lets start working This is our world our dignity our futurerdquo
Speech by European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica at the plenary session of the Third In-ternational Conference on Financing for Development 14 July 2015
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal
![Page 12: Topic boxes of Évora 2016](https://reader031.fdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020522/579077611a28ab6874bd7647/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
02
Servitisation is the process of changing the way manufacturing companies see themselves in the market
This process has seen a substantial rise in the past decade Manufacturing firms can now extend their portfolio to offer services creating a boost in the dynamics behind the de-industrialisation we are facing today This shift towards services aims to increase competitiveness at both local and global market level whilst acquiring additional revenues which will become more stable over time Looking at the statistics we can clearly observe the advantages that servitisation has brought to certain manufacturing companies
bull Compared to pure goods producers servitised firms are 35 percent more profitable bull Manufacturing firms in which services account for less than 10 of their production sales are twice the size of pure goods producers
Share of services in industry output
The graphic along with the different markets studied offers clear examples of the influence of services On the one hand the demand for mechanical and electrical equipment has caused an increase in the use of services for installation and maintenance help Yet on the other hand the market for wood paper and printing services has decreased due to the decline in demand for such materials This suggests that each market must be considered individually when figuring out the best approach to making each industry as successful as possible
The European industrial world is changing and itrsquos now time to find new approaches to get the most from the current market Will servitisation have a significant importance in the industrial market future
lsquolsquoMy motto will be ldquoaccelerate and integraterdquo We need to accelerate the implementation of concrete actions to
support a comepetitive industrial economy And we have to better integrate competitiveness in all policy areas at all
levels of governmentrdquo
-Elzbieta Bienkowska European comissioner for the Internal Market
The solution for the dilemma facing the European industry will never be straightforward As is the opinion of the European commissioner for Industry several areas exist which must be reviewed and rethought with the aim of achieving a more competitive industrial economy In her speech the commissioner reminded the industry that they must find new ways of conducting business innovating their system and investing in new technologies whilst bearing in mind climate changes and environmental issues
COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRY TRADE AND ENERGY
Smart cities for smart growth How can innovative urban development meet the challenges of increasing urbanisation and sustainability within and beyond the scope of Europe 2020
Smart cities for 11 billion people Mitchell Joachim at
TEDxBerlin
In this very interesting and captivating speech from the acknowledged innovator in ecological urban design and architecture Mitchell Joachim we learn more about the possibilities of smart cities and their effects on society and citizenrsquos lifestyles In this TEDx talk the expert provides different examples of how innovation starts and how we can begin thinking differently about the way we build our cities in order to successfully combine evolution and ecology
03
A circular economy is an alternative to a traditional linear economy (make use dispose) in which we keep resources in use for as long as possible extract the maximum value from them whilst in use then recover and regenerate products and materials at the end of
each service life
Technology is vital in the development of Smart Cities There are many possible means of incorporating technology into our everyday lives For example the concept of the Internet of Things the network of physical objectsmdashdevices vehicles buildings and other itemsmdashembedded with electronics software sensors and network connectivity that enables these objects to collect and exchange data 1
However therersquos more to smart cities than simply technology From green fea-tures to safety and security there are many more factors that make a city smart
1 httpsenwikipediaorgwikiInternet_of_Things
click on the picture to open in full resolution
Circular economy a key concept
A smart growing city is by definition environmental-ly friendly which makes the circular economy a key concept
This definition can be looked up at the website of the Waste amp Resources Action Programme (WRAP) which is a registered charity that helps communities to achieve a circular economy whilst helping businesses and individuals to reduce waste develop sustainable products and use resources efficiently Effective resource management is crucial to the establishment of a sustainable and green economy The circular economy promotes waste reduction a greater resource productivity increases competitiveness and also reduces the environmental impacts of production and consumption so
urce
http
w
ww
spro
utec
ours
eorg
Game project about energy saving and smart building funded by the European Unionrsquos Seventh Programme for research technological development and demonstration
click on the logo to see the video
Smart Cities in Europe ndash what can we learn from them
1 Copenhagen - 40 of all commuters travel by bike
2 Vienna- Renovated a former 40 hectare slaughterhouse district and turned it into an innovation district focused on media science and technology
3 Stockholm- 40 of its land mass is dedicated to green space
4 London- Londonrsquos Royal Docks emerged from the Olympics plan-ning as a regenerated sustainable commercial and residen-tial area
COMMITTEE ON CIVIL LIBERTIES JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
The future of Schengen How can Europe safeguard its principle of free movement while adequately reacting to the new challenges of the migration and refugee crisis
The Refugue Crisis Fixing Borders Is Not Enough
The article from the Centre of European Reform attempts to find a new strategy in reference to the current refugee crisis Should we use the existing strategy or come up with a totally new one The author states that a large number of immigrants are solely moving countries for economic reasons It is important to see the difference between an economic and lsquogenuinersquo refugee How can we distinguish between the two whilst remaining neutral And who decides how we do this Since poverty alignment should not be an overlooked explanation for immigration
On the other hand is it right to close the boarders to economic refugees Europersquos economy remains far more stable than the majority of countries that refugees are coming from Europe has to realise that 99 of the refugees are living lives full of hardships Such lives as lived by a 13-year-old refugee from Lebanon who started crying in front of the German chancellor Angela Merkel speaking the following words ldquo It is terribly painful to see others really enjoying life when you canrsquot enjoy life yourselfrdquo She is not alone in feeling this way Not in the slightest
04
ldquoWe need a strong European approach on migration And
we need it nowrdquo
Jean-Claude Juncker 23 August 2015
Is the Schengen dream of Europe without borders becoming a thing of
the pastThis article tells a personal story which shows the benefits of the Schengen area for Europeans but also telling the fears of people concerning the ongoing crisis ldquoIt was an ideal that all these countries would unite and be the same and equalrdquo Rainer Maring sighed ldquoBut Europersquos not working right Now all of this is put at risk Wersquore going backwards There are lots of calls to close down the borders Itrsquos all going wrongrdquo How can we ensure that we keep our borders open Nicolas Sarkozy the ex-president of France already declared ldquoSchengen is deadrdquo If we close our borders again will we take a trip back in time or is this a necessary step towards a better future The Greek border is an particular crisis because it is the main entrance into Europe for refugees Will it be enough to close only the Greek borders or will the refugees find alternative entrances to Europe Especially with the most desired destinations for refugees being Germany Sweden and Hungary1
1 Migrant crisis Migration to Europe explained in seven charts [Online] Available at httpwwwbbccomnewsworld-europe-34131911 [Accessed 13 April 2016]
ldquoWe will never erect any fences any wallsrdquo
Aleksander Vucic 26 August 2015
Brussels attacks Can Europe keep its open borders
This article stresses the effect that the terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels had on national security levels Belgium for example rein-troduced boarder controls Furthermore the author highlights that the advantage of open borders is not solely economic Open boarders allow for cultural exchange Do we want to leave all this behind Or should the EU work on a concept that allows open borders and in-stead solves the problems the refugee crisis is causing It is also unsure that we will achieve more effective security by closing our borders
Where are they coming from and where do they go
Seeing all these statistics evokes a range of different emotions From fear to anger to being overwhelmed by the high number of peo-ple who had to leave their whole life behind them in order to be-come ldquoEuropeanrdquo Does their life not have as much worth as ours Do we have the right call a country our territory and deny oth-ers access despite them needing support and acceptance their own homes having been destroyed Is this more of a moral debate
COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AFFAIRS
Investing in a knowledge society How should the EU balance upholding intellectual property rights with the access to knowledge for education culture and research
Intellectual Property Rights protection is involved in everything around us Whether you realise it or not you have certainly encountered it From jokes on Tumblr about Taylor Swift suing everyone to the medicine we take when we have a headache everything involves Intellectual Property protection Naturally it has both a positive and a negative side It is the committeersquos goal to find ways to create a balance between the two
are made on a national level but since the trade market is becoming more and more international with each day there are growing numbers of problems Furthermore considering the fact that a vast amount of big companies are multinational any IPR infringement problems that might occur need to be solved at an international levelPA
TEN
T LA
WS
05
Two sides of the coin
These videos show two different perspectives on the topic The first one being a CEO and Inventor explaining the importance that a strong patent system had in his particular case The second one a TED talk offers the counter view that focuses on the problems that patents create in the medical field by preventing the creation of cheaper versions of the medicines
So which is more important economic growth or access to valuable often lifesaving information If we put it this way it seems obvious that the IPR protection is less important than saving a life However that doesnrsquot mean that the patents copyrights and trademarks should be banned completely as this would increase the unemployment and poverty rates So is there a way to balance the two Are there possible solutions for special cases that IPR effects such as the one described in the medical field
What does the media have to say about this
This article explains the faults that exist in the current patent sys-tem according to the author The author explores the idea of abolishing patenting altogether but having been proven ineffec-tive it also shows what is wrong and how that could be changed
Breakthroughs brought to you by IPR This infographic should give you an idea
of the part that IPR protection systems play in innovation and progress It shows the breakthroughs and the profits gained (shown in the GDP per capita) thanks to the existence of patents and trademarks
What Who Why Ben Wallis answers
In this interview Ben Wallis a Consumers In-ternational Coordinator discusses several as-pects of the topic at hand She speaks of the problems and benefits of patents explains the disadvantages of a strict IP protection sys-tem and shows the interests of consumers and industries in keeping or banishing patents
It might give you a simpler more acces-sible approach to the topic to better help you understand different aspects to it
Why it matters The following graphs show the correlation between the num-ber of Patents and the GDP throughout the years (2000-2014) in the countries of France UK and Germany The lines are continuously parallel showing the positive influ-ence of the Patents on the economy From this we can con-clude the importance that IPR intensive companies have on the economy and the influence their use has on cre-ating employment This supports the argument that the abolishment of Patents and other forms of IP protection would have a significantly large negative impact on the economy
In conclusion there are two main conflicts at stake
bull The conflict between the preservation of intellectual property by the authors and the stagnation of progress and innovation caused by the lack of access to the information that is patented
bull The lack of harmonization of patent legislation across
the EU
Considering all of the information given to you the various perspectives and insights what do you think could be done to solve the existing problems Who should be prioritized the inventors or the consumers or is the possibility to find a com-
promise an achievable solution
COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS
Equal opportunities or equality of result In how far should Europe make an effort to reduce the growing wage and income inequality whilst keeping in mind its aim of lifting 20 million people out of risk of poverty and social exclusion
Income inequality is a significant issue facing todayrsquos society that effects almost every country in the world The staggering difference between the rich and the poor has serious consequences on society and the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion is on the rise This disparity has become more and more apparent In both developed and developing countries the poorest half of a country representing only 10 of its wealth Also it is proven by the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report of 2012 that the richest 300 people on earth have the same amount of money as the total owned by the poorest 3 billion people The same report states that some countries in the world are 80 times richer than others So considering the differences of the economic and political systems between countries what can be done to balance such inequalities
ww
wth
eru
leso
rg
On September 15th 2015 the European Federation of Academies of Sci-ences and Humanities (ALLEA) the European Science Foundation (ESF) and the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) gathered to de-bate the rise of income inequality in EU countries For example a pro-
posed solution discussed in this meeting was the taxation of the richest individuals Af-ter this debate the partici-pants unanimously conclud-ed that this issue is not being properly addressed by the Member Statesrsquo governments If this is the case the prob-lem of income inequality will not be solved and equality will
not be achieved How can we encourage Member States to pay more at-tention to this issue Recent events such as the reports on tax avoid-ance by multinational companies (eg IKEA and Starbucks) and the role of offshore companies concerning the Panama Papers affair have once again underlined that there is far too much room for improvement
ep
th
in
kt
an
k
eu
In 2012 Eurostat released a video explaining that the definition of poverty inside the European Union can differ greatly since all the Member Stateslsquo and its individuals have different perspectives This is due to unavoidable cultural differences in each Member State But is this really as simple as Eurostat makes it seem What do you think is poverty a product of cultural differences Letrsquos take a closer look
06
First off the poor acting of the ldquojournalistldquo and her ldquofriendldquo is completely ridiculous Do we really need a ldquoplotldquo to ex-plain poverty in the European Union This video is far too light-hearted when taking into account the issue they are discussing poverty not exactly material for small-talk It makes poverty look like a joke rather than the real issue it is
The only redeeming quality of this video is the fact that per-ception of poverty is highlighted to be relative to the society in which a person lives in Imagine you live in a neighbourhood where there is no sign of poverty you would see poverty as a pressing issue However if you lived in a less ldquoaffluent part of townrdquo where you witness poverty all around you you would be unavoidably aware of itrsquos presence With only this to commend Eurostatrsquos video on you could say lsquonice tryrsquo and suggest the EU should address this widespread problem appropriately and justly
Taking all of this into account what measures can be tak-en to tackle the lack of serious action regarding this issue What could be done in regards to both nation-al and global taxation policies We are curious what EM-PLrsquos stance on the topic of inequality is looking like
COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY
Sustainable growth on global markets After the agreements of the COP21 Summit in Paris have paved the way for a global climate deal how can Europe push for a global emission trading scheme
bullAim for greenhouse gas emissions to peak as soon as possible bullRapid reductions to achieve a balance between emissions from human activity and the amount that can be retained in the atmosphere
bullDeveloped countries must continue to take the lead in the reduction of greenhouse gases
bullDeveloping nations are encouraged to enhance their efforts and move over time to cut emissions
bull Keep warming ldquowell below 2 degrees celsiusrdquo
bull Continue all efforts to limit the rise in the temperature to 15 degrees celsius
07
The Paris Agreement represents the first step towards a greener planet The Parties agreed on an ambition cycle a set of goals timeframes and commitments designed to ensure that Parties
regularly strengthen their commitments Governments aim to lower global warming to below 2ordmC meanwhile providing finance to poor nations to help them cut emissions and cope
with the effects of extreme weather
MEDIASocial Europe ndash After COP21 The EU Needs to Revise its Climate Policy Targets by Beacutela Galgoacuteczi explains the measures and actions of the governments involved and their long term effect on global warming
Pan European Networks ndash Climate emissions reports may offer ldquofalse hoperdquoAccording to this article the Paris Agreement and the measures taken to avoid an increase in global warming
NUMBERS20 increase in energy from r e n e w a b l e s compared to
1990
Only the first 3 countries have achieved the Europe 2020 target According to these statistics in 2014 EU-28 was only 4 away from reaching the goal
httpeceuropaeu
G r e e n h o u s e gas emissions are 20 low-er than in 1990
Levels of greenhouse gases have been decreasing since 1990 and by now this target is almost achieved
httpeceuropaeu
20 increase in energy efficiency
compared to 1990
Estonia was the only country reach-ing the target as of yet Zero represents the achievement of the goal which means most of the Member-states have a long way until they achieve the necessary increase in en-ergy efficiency by 20
httpeceuropaeu
This video explains in a simplified way all the negotiations that took place in Paris The COP21 Conference in Paris was a major step forwards to ensure a sustainable future The previous conferences did not have the same success Furthermore the COP21 will give several countries the opportunity to work together towards a greener and more sustainable future energy-wise environmentally and economically
Al Gore is an American politician and environmentalist who served as the 45th Vice President of the United States from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton Despite several less optimistic projections for the future Al Gore presents a different perspective on the matter showing that embracing green solutions is becoming cheaper and cheaper as well as more efficient to implement Is the green future closer than we have been imagining
COMMITTEE ON BUDGETARY AFFAIRS
Beyond Europe 2020 What key points should the European Commission propose as targets of a European Strategy package after 2020
The European Parliament is one of the budgetary arms of the EU Together with the Council it establishes the annu-al budget of the European Union Even though the num-bers shown in the video are outdated it accurately por-trays the importance of the EU Budget and its purpose
What is BUDG
This process goes through the Committee on Budgets
httpstwittercomep_budgets
Additional information can be found on this committeersquos twitter account
BUDG was responsible for approving and set-ting the rules of the budget plan for Europe 2020 the ten-year economic programme of the EU
08
smart|sustainable|inclusive
development
EUROPEANSrsquo VIEW ON EUROPE 2020
45 consider that the EU ldquois going in the right direc-tion to exit the crisis and face new global challengesrdquo
25 consider that it is going in the wrong direction23 believe that the EU is going in neither the right nor the wrong direction7 expressed no opinion on Europe2020
Source European Commission Europe2020 Report (Standard Eurobarometer 81 Spring 2014) Pages 13-18
ldquoOn March 5 the European Commission launched the first step in reviewing the Europe 2020 strategy The mid-term review is designed
to take stock of the progress made so far in achieving the goals and targets of Europe 2020 and to set the pace for possible re-enforcement
or adaptation of the strategy As people continue to struggle with the impact of the financial and economic crisis we need the European Union Institutions and member states to honour the
commitments they made in 2010rdquo
With 4 years left until the deadline the objectives the EU set with this programme in nearly all categories still have not been met Reviews such as these are crucial By periodi-cally reviewing its general progress we are facilitating anal-ysis and reflection on the evolution of the measures being taken and therefore promoting improvement However af-ter all the analysis and reflections that have been made we can conclude that failure is imminent A change of measures may be the only chance this programme has to ever prevail
Furthermore the answer lies in the upcoming genera-tions The youth need to step in and demand a different ap-proach How should we prioritize our goals What needs to be reformed How will we prevent Europe2020 from shar-ing the same fate as itsrsquo predecessor The Lisbon Strate-gy And last but not least Where should the budgets go to
HOW CAN WE CREATE A NEW STRATEGY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT IS CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THESE UNMET GOALS
EUROPE 2020 INDICATORS
To find appropriate ways of overcoming the programmersquos difficulties it is necessary to first attend to itsrsquo main issues Only after carefully analysing statistics and numbers we can detect the areas that need to be focused on in order to fill the gaps left between the current situation and the objectives
of Europe2020
Employment Rate age group 20-642008 7032009 6902014 692
Europe 2020 goal 75- The unfavourable effect of the economic crisis on the European labour
market has caused the lack of growth on the employment rate
Research and development Gross Domestic Expenditure on ResearchampDevelopment
2008 185 of GDP2014 203 of GDP
Europe 2020 goal 3 of GDPThe EUrsquos efforts to stimulate economic growth by boosting public expenditure on Research and Development have not significantly increased
its GDP
Education People at risk of poverty or social exclusion2005-2009 114 million
2012 1225 million2013 1215 million
- Between 2011 and 2014 almost 1 in every four people in the EU27 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion The increase has been largely attributed to the economic crisis in 2008 and the following recessions in the majority
of Member States
For more information visit Eurostat
ldquoGood governance democracy the rule of law the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows as well as effective accountable and inclusive institutions are crucial Policy coherence at all levels by all coun-tries should be at the core of our new global partnership All our actions will have to be monitored in a transparent way to keep us on track in implementing this challenging new agenda To ensure this we should aim for one overar-ching monitoring accountability and review framework We have an ambitious programme but ambition is needed if we are to fulfil the noble objective we have set ourselves the end of extreme poverty and a sustainable future for all
Lets start working This is our world our dignity our futurerdquo
Speech by European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica at the plenary session of the Third In-ternational Conference on Financing for Development 14 July 2015
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal
![Page 13: Topic boxes of Évora 2016](https://reader031.fdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020522/579077611a28ab6874bd7647/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
The graphic along with the different markets studied offers clear examples of the influence of services On the one hand the demand for mechanical and electrical equipment has caused an increase in the use of services for installation and maintenance help Yet on the other hand the market for wood paper and printing services has decreased due to the decline in demand for such materials This suggests that each market must be considered individually when figuring out the best approach to making each industry as successful as possible
The European industrial world is changing and itrsquos now time to find new approaches to get the most from the current market Will servitisation have a significant importance in the industrial market future
lsquolsquoMy motto will be ldquoaccelerate and integraterdquo We need to accelerate the implementation of concrete actions to
support a comepetitive industrial economy And we have to better integrate competitiveness in all policy areas at all
levels of governmentrdquo
-Elzbieta Bienkowska European comissioner for the Internal Market
The solution for the dilemma facing the European industry will never be straightforward As is the opinion of the European commissioner for Industry several areas exist which must be reviewed and rethought with the aim of achieving a more competitive industrial economy In her speech the commissioner reminded the industry that they must find new ways of conducting business innovating their system and investing in new technologies whilst bearing in mind climate changes and environmental issues
COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRY TRADE AND ENERGY
Smart cities for smart growth How can innovative urban development meet the challenges of increasing urbanisation and sustainability within and beyond the scope of Europe 2020
Smart cities for 11 billion people Mitchell Joachim at
TEDxBerlin
In this very interesting and captivating speech from the acknowledged innovator in ecological urban design and architecture Mitchell Joachim we learn more about the possibilities of smart cities and their effects on society and citizenrsquos lifestyles In this TEDx talk the expert provides different examples of how innovation starts and how we can begin thinking differently about the way we build our cities in order to successfully combine evolution and ecology
03
A circular economy is an alternative to a traditional linear economy (make use dispose) in which we keep resources in use for as long as possible extract the maximum value from them whilst in use then recover and regenerate products and materials at the end of
each service life
Technology is vital in the development of Smart Cities There are many possible means of incorporating technology into our everyday lives For example the concept of the Internet of Things the network of physical objectsmdashdevices vehicles buildings and other itemsmdashembedded with electronics software sensors and network connectivity that enables these objects to collect and exchange data 1
However therersquos more to smart cities than simply technology From green fea-tures to safety and security there are many more factors that make a city smart
1 httpsenwikipediaorgwikiInternet_of_Things
click on the picture to open in full resolution
Circular economy a key concept
A smart growing city is by definition environmental-ly friendly which makes the circular economy a key concept
This definition can be looked up at the website of the Waste amp Resources Action Programme (WRAP) which is a registered charity that helps communities to achieve a circular economy whilst helping businesses and individuals to reduce waste develop sustainable products and use resources efficiently Effective resource management is crucial to the establishment of a sustainable and green economy The circular economy promotes waste reduction a greater resource productivity increases competitiveness and also reduces the environmental impacts of production and consumption so
urce
http
w
ww
spro
utec
ours
eorg
Game project about energy saving and smart building funded by the European Unionrsquos Seventh Programme for research technological development and demonstration
click on the logo to see the video
Smart Cities in Europe ndash what can we learn from them
1 Copenhagen - 40 of all commuters travel by bike
2 Vienna- Renovated a former 40 hectare slaughterhouse district and turned it into an innovation district focused on media science and technology
3 Stockholm- 40 of its land mass is dedicated to green space
4 London- Londonrsquos Royal Docks emerged from the Olympics plan-ning as a regenerated sustainable commercial and residen-tial area
COMMITTEE ON CIVIL LIBERTIES JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
The future of Schengen How can Europe safeguard its principle of free movement while adequately reacting to the new challenges of the migration and refugee crisis
The Refugue Crisis Fixing Borders Is Not Enough
The article from the Centre of European Reform attempts to find a new strategy in reference to the current refugee crisis Should we use the existing strategy or come up with a totally new one The author states that a large number of immigrants are solely moving countries for economic reasons It is important to see the difference between an economic and lsquogenuinersquo refugee How can we distinguish between the two whilst remaining neutral And who decides how we do this Since poverty alignment should not be an overlooked explanation for immigration
On the other hand is it right to close the boarders to economic refugees Europersquos economy remains far more stable than the majority of countries that refugees are coming from Europe has to realise that 99 of the refugees are living lives full of hardships Such lives as lived by a 13-year-old refugee from Lebanon who started crying in front of the German chancellor Angela Merkel speaking the following words ldquo It is terribly painful to see others really enjoying life when you canrsquot enjoy life yourselfrdquo She is not alone in feeling this way Not in the slightest
04
ldquoWe need a strong European approach on migration And
we need it nowrdquo
Jean-Claude Juncker 23 August 2015
Is the Schengen dream of Europe without borders becoming a thing of
the pastThis article tells a personal story which shows the benefits of the Schengen area for Europeans but also telling the fears of people concerning the ongoing crisis ldquoIt was an ideal that all these countries would unite and be the same and equalrdquo Rainer Maring sighed ldquoBut Europersquos not working right Now all of this is put at risk Wersquore going backwards There are lots of calls to close down the borders Itrsquos all going wrongrdquo How can we ensure that we keep our borders open Nicolas Sarkozy the ex-president of France already declared ldquoSchengen is deadrdquo If we close our borders again will we take a trip back in time or is this a necessary step towards a better future The Greek border is an particular crisis because it is the main entrance into Europe for refugees Will it be enough to close only the Greek borders or will the refugees find alternative entrances to Europe Especially with the most desired destinations for refugees being Germany Sweden and Hungary1
1 Migrant crisis Migration to Europe explained in seven charts [Online] Available at httpwwwbbccomnewsworld-europe-34131911 [Accessed 13 April 2016]
ldquoWe will never erect any fences any wallsrdquo
Aleksander Vucic 26 August 2015
Brussels attacks Can Europe keep its open borders
This article stresses the effect that the terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels had on national security levels Belgium for example rein-troduced boarder controls Furthermore the author highlights that the advantage of open borders is not solely economic Open boarders allow for cultural exchange Do we want to leave all this behind Or should the EU work on a concept that allows open borders and in-stead solves the problems the refugee crisis is causing It is also unsure that we will achieve more effective security by closing our borders
Where are they coming from and where do they go
Seeing all these statistics evokes a range of different emotions From fear to anger to being overwhelmed by the high number of peo-ple who had to leave their whole life behind them in order to be-come ldquoEuropeanrdquo Does their life not have as much worth as ours Do we have the right call a country our territory and deny oth-ers access despite them needing support and acceptance their own homes having been destroyed Is this more of a moral debate
COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AFFAIRS
Investing in a knowledge society How should the EU balance upholding intellectual property rights with the access to knowledge for education culture and research
Intellectual Property Rights protection is involved in everything around us Whether you realise it or not you have certainly encountered it From jokes on Tumblr about Taylor Swift suing everyone to the medicine we take when we have a headache everything involves Intellectual Property protection Naturally it has both a positive and a negative side It is the committeersquos goal to find ways to create a balance between the two
are made on a national level but since the trade market is becoming more and more international with each day there are growing numbers of problems Furthermore considering the fact that a vast amount of big companies are multinational any IPR infringement problems that might occur need to be solved at an international levelPA
TEN
T LA
WS
05
Two sides of the coin
These videos show two different perspectives on the topic The first one being a CEO and Inventor explaining the importance that a strong patent system had in his particular case The second one a TED talk offers the counter view that focuses on the problems that patents create in the medical field by preventing the creation of cheaper versions of the medicines
So which is more important economic growth or access to valuable often lifesaving information If we put it this way it seems obvious that the IPR protection is less important than saving a life However that doesnrsquot mean that the patents copyrights and trademarks should be banned completely as this would increase the unemployment and poverty rates So is there a way to balance the two Are there possible solutions for special cases that IPR effects such as the one described in the medical field
What does the media have to say about this
This article explains the faults that exist in the current patent sys-tem according to the author The author explores the idea of abolishing patenting altogether but having been proven ineffec-tive it also shows what is wrong and how that could be changed
Breakthroughs brought to you by IPR This infographic should give you an idea
of the part that IPR protection systems play in innovation and progress It shows the breakthroughs and the profits gained (shown in the GDP per capita) thanks to the existence of patents and trademarks
What Who Why Ben Wallis answers
In this interview Ben Wallis a Consumers In-ternational Coordinator discusses several as-pects of the topic at hand She speaks of the problems and benefits of patents explains the disadvantages of a strict IP protection sys-tem and shows the interests of consumers and industries in keeping or banishing patents
It might give you a simpler more acces-sible approach to the topic to better help you understand different aspects to it
Why it matters The following graphs show the correlation between the num-ber of Patents and the GDP throughout the years (2000-2014) in the countries of France UK and Germany The lines are continuously parallel showing the positive influ-ence of the Patents on the economy From this we can con-clude the importance that IPR intensive companies have on the economy and the influence their use has on cre-ating employment This supports the argument that the abolishment of Patents and other forms of IP protection would have a significantly large negative impact on the economy
In conclusion there are two main conflicts at stake
bull The conflict between the preservation of intellectual property by the authors and the stagnation of progress and innovation caused by the lack of access to the information that is patented
bull The lack of harmonization of patent legislation across
the EU
Considering all of the information given to you the various perspectives and insights what do you think could be done to solve the existing problems Who should be prioritized the inventors or the consumers or is the possibility to find a com-
promise an achievable solution
COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS
Equal opportunities or equality of result In how far should Europe make an effort to reduce the growing wage and income inequality whilst keeping in mind its aim of lifting 20 million people out of risk of poverty and social exclusion
Income inequality is a significant issue facing todayrsquos society that effects almost every country in the world The staggering difference between the rich and the poor has serious consequences on society and the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion is on the rise This disparity has become more and more apparent In both developed and developing countries the poorest half of a country representing only 10 of its wealth Also it is proven by the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report of 2012 that the richest 300 people on earth have the same amount of money as the total owned by the poorest 3 billion people The same report states that some countries in the world are 80 times richer than others So considering the differences of the economic and political systems between countries what can be done to balance such inequalities
ww
wth
eru
leso
rg
On September 15th 2015 the European Federation of Academies of Sci-ences and Humanities (ALLEA) the European Science Foundation (ESF) and the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) gathered to de-bate the rise of income inequality in EU countries For example a pro-
posed solution discussed in this meeting was the taxation of the richest individuals Af-ter this debate the partici-pants unanimously conclud-ed that this issue is not being properly addressed by the Member Statesrsquo governments If this is the case the prob-lem of income inequality will not be solved and equality will
not be achieved How can we encourage Member States to pay more at-tention to this issue Recent events such as the reports on tax avoid-ance by multinational companies (eg IKEA and Starbucks) and the role of offshore companies concerning the Panama Papers affair have once again underlined that there is far too much room for improvement
ep
th
in
kt
an
k
eu
In 2012 Eurostat released a video explaining that the definition of poverty inside the European Union can differ greatly since all the Member Stateslsquo and its individuals have different perspectives This is due to unavoidable cultural differences in each Member State But is this really as simple as Eurostat makes it seem What do you think is poverty a product of cultural differences Letrsquos take a closer look
06
First off the poor acting of the ldquojournalistldquo and her ldquofriendldquo is completely ridiculous Do we really need a ldquoplotldquo to ex-plain poverty in the European Union This video is far too light-hearted when taking into account the issue they are discussing poverty not exactly material for small-talk It makes poverty look like a joke rather than the real issue it is
The only redeeming quality of this video is the fact that per-ception of poverty is highlighted to be relative to the society in which a person lives in Imagine you live in a neighbourhood where there is no sign of poverty you would see poverty as a pressing issue However if you lived in a less ldquoaffluent part of townrdquo where you witness poverty all around you you would be unavoidably aware of itrsquos presence With only this to commend Eurostatrsquos video on you could say lsquonice tryrsquo and suggest the EU should address this widespread problem appropriately and justly
Taking all of this into account what measures can be tak-en to tackle the lack of serious action regarding this issue What could be done in regards to both nation-al and global taxation policies We are curious what EM-PLrsquos stance on the topic of inequality is looking like
COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY
Sustainable growth on global markets After the agreements of the COP21 Summit in Paris have paved the way for a global climate deal how can Europe push for a global emission trading scheme
bullAim for greenhouse gas emissions to peak as soon as possible bullRapid reductions to achieve a balance between emissions from human activity and the amount that can be retained in the atmosphere
bullDeveloped countries must continue to take the lead in the reduction of greenhouse gases
bullDeveloping nations are encouraged to enhance their efforts and move over time to cut emissions
bull Keep warming ldquowell below 2 degrees celsiusrdquo
bull Continue all efforts to limit the rise in the temperature to 15 degrees celsius
07
The Paris Agreement represents the first step towards a greener planet The Parties agreed on an ambition cycle a set of goals timeframes and commitments designed to ensure that Parties
regularly strengthen their commitments Governments aim to lower global warming to below 2ordmC meanwhile providing finance to poor nations to help them cut emissions and cope
with the effects of extreme weather
MEDIASocial Europe ndash After COP21 The EU Needs to Revise its Climate Policy Targets by Beacutela Galgoacuteczi explains the measures and actions of the governments involved and their long term effect on global warming
Pan European Networks ndash Climate emissions reports may offer ldquofalse hoperdquoAccording to this article the Paris Agreement and the measures taken to avoid an increase in global warming
NUMBERS20 increase in energy from r e n e w a b l e s compared to
1990
Only the first 3 countries have achieved the Europe 2020 target According to these statistics in 2014 EU-28 was only 4 away from reaching the goal
httpeceuropaeu
G r e e n h o u s e gas emissions are 20 low-er than in 1990
Levels of greenhouse gases have been decreasing since 1990 and by now this target is almost achieved
httpeceuropaeu
20 increase in energy efficiency
compared to 1990
Estonia was the only country reach-ing the target as of yet Zero represents the achievement of the goal which means most of the Member-states have a long way until they achieve the necessary increase in en-ergy efficiency by 20
httpeceuropaeu
This video explains in a simplified way all the negotiations that took place in Paris The COP21 Conference in Paris was a major step forwards to ensure a sustainable future The previous conferences did not have the same success Furthermore the COP21 will give several countries the opportunity to work together towards a greener and more sustainable future energy-wise environmentally and economically
Al Gore is an American politician and environmentalist who served as the 45th Vice President of the United States from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton Despite several less optimistic projections for the future Al Gore presents a different perspective on the matter showing that embracing green solutions is becoming cheaper and cheaper as well as more efficient to implement Is the green future closer than we have been imagining
COMMITTEE ON BUDGETARY AFFAIRS
Beyond Europe 2020 What key points should the European Commission propose as targets of a European Strategy package after 2020
The European Parliament is one of the budgetary arms of the EU Together with the Council it establishes the annu-al budget of the European Union Even though the num-bers shown in the video are outdated it accurately por-trays the importance of the EU Budget and its purpose
What is BUDG
This process goes through the Committee on Budgets
httpstwittercomep_budgets
Additional information can be found on this committeersquos twitter account
BUDG was responsible for approving and set-ting the rules of the budget plan for Europe 2020 the ten-year economic programme of the EU
08
smart|sustainable|inclusive
development
EUROPEANSrsquo VIEW ON EUROPE 2020
45 consider that the EU ldquois going in the right direc-tion to exit the crisis and face new global challengesrdquo
25 consider that it is going in the wrong direction23 believe that the EU is going in neither the right nor the wrong direction7 expressed no opinion on Europe2020
Source European Commission Europe2020 Report (Standard Eurobarometer 81 Spring 2014) Pages 13-18
ldquoOn March 5 the European Commission launched the first step in reviewing the Europe 2020 strategy The mid-term review is designed
to take stock of the progress made so far in achieving the goals and targets of Europe 2020 and to set the pace for possible re-enforcement
or adaptation of the strategy As people continue to struggle with the impact of the financial and economic crisis we need the European Union Institutions and member states to honour the
commitments they made in 2010rdquo
With 4 years left until the deadline the objectives the EU set with this programme in nearly all categories still have not been met Reviews such as these are crucial By periodi-cally reviewing its general progress we are facilitating anal-ysis and reflection on the evolution of the measures being taken and therefore promoting improvement However af-ter all the analysis and reflections that have been made we can conclude that failure is imminent A change of measures may be the only chance this programme has to ever prevail
Furthermore the answer lies in the upcoming genera-tions The youth need to step in and demand a different ap-proach How should we prioritize our goals What needs to be reformed How will we prevent Europe2020 from shar-ing the same fate as itsrsquo predecessor The Lisbon Strate-gy And last but not least Where should the budgets go to
HOW CAN WE CREATE A NEW STRATEGY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT IS CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THESE UNMET GOALS
EUROPE 2020 INDICATORS
To find appropriate ways of overcoming the programmersquos difficulties it is necessary to first attend to itsrsquo main issues Only after carefully analysing statistics and numbers we can detect the areas that need to be focused on in order to fill the gaps left between the current situation and the objectives
of Europe2020
Employment Rate age group 20-642008 7032009 6902014 692
Europe 2020 goal 75- The unfavourable effect of the economic crisis on the European labour
market has caused the lack of growth on the employment rate
Research and development Gross Domestic Expenditure on ResearchampDevelopment
2008 185 of GDP2014 203 of GDP
Europe 2020 goal 3 of GDPThe EUrsquos efforts to stimulate economic growth by boosting public expenditure on Research and Development have not significantly increased
its GDP
Education People at risk of poverty or social exclusion2005-2009 114 million
2012 1225 million2013 1215 million
- Between 2011 and 2014 almost 1 in every four people in the EU27 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion The increase has been largely attributed to the economic crisis in 2008 and the following recessions in the majority
of Member States
For more information visit Eurostat
ldquoGood governance democracy the rule of law the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows as well as effective accountable and inclusive institutions are crucial Policy coherence at all levels by all coun-tries should be at the core of our new global partnership All our actions will have to be monitored in a transparent way to keep us on track in implementing this challenging new agenda To ensure this we should aim for one overar-ching monitoring accountability and review framework We have an ambitious programme but ambition is needed if we are to fulfil the noble objective we have set ourselves the end of extreme poverty and a sustainable future for all
Lets start working This is our world our dignity our futurerdquo
Speech by European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica at the plenary session of the Third In-ternational Conference on Financing for Development 14 July 2015
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal
![Page 14: Topic boxes of Évora 2016](https://reader031.fdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020522/579077611a28ab6874bd7647/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
The solution for the dilemma facing the European industry will never be straightforward As is the opinion of the European commissioner for Industry several areas exist which must be reviewed and rethought with the aim of achieving a more competitive industrial economy In her speech the commissioner reminded the industry that they must find new ways of conducting business innovating their system and investing in new technologies whilst bearing in mind climate changes and environmental issues
COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRY TRADE AND ENERGY
Smart cities for smart growth How can innovative urban development meet the challenges of increasing urbanisation and sustainability within and beyond the scope of Europe 2020
Smart cities for 11 billion people Mitchell Joachim at
TEDxBerlin
In this very interesting and captivating speech from the acknowledged innovator in ecological urban design and architecture Mitchell Joachim we learn more about the possibilities of smart cities and their effects on society and citizenrsquos lifestyles In this TEDx talk the expert provides different examples of how innovation starts and how we can begin thinking differently about the way we build our cities in order to successfully combine evolution and ecology
03
A circular economy is an alternative to a traditional linear economy (make use dispose) in which we keep resources in use for as long as possible extract the maximum value from them whilst in use then recover and regenerate products and materials at the end of
each service life
Technology is vital in the development of Smart Cities There are many possible means of incorporating technology into our everyday lives For example the concept of the Internet of Things the network of physical objectsmdashdevices vehicles buildings and other itemsmdashembedded with electronics software sensors and network connectivity that enables these objects to collect and exchange data 1
However therersquos more to smart cities than simply technology From green fea-tures to safety and security there are many more factors that make a city smart
1 httpsenwikipediaorgwikiInternet_of_Things
click on the picture to open in full resolution
Circular economy a key concept
A smart growing city is by definition environmental-ly friendly which makes the circular economy a key concept
This definition can be looked up at the website of the Waste amp Resources Action Programme (WRAP) which is a registered charity that helps communities to achieve a circular economy whilst helping businesses and individuals to reduce waste develop sustainable products and use resources efficiently Effective resource management is crucial to the establishment of a sustainable and green economy The circular economy promotes waste reduction a greater resource productivity increases competitiveness and also reduces the environmental impacts of production and consumption so
urce
http
w
ww
spro
utec
ours
eorg
Game project about energy saving and smart building funded by the European Unionrsquos Seventh Programme for research technological development and demonstration
click on the logo to see the video
Smart Cities in Europe ndash what can we learn from them
1 Copenhagen - 40 of all commuters travel by bike
2 Vienna- Renovated a former 40 hectare slaughterhouse district and turned it into an innovation district focused on media science and technology
3 Stockholm- 40 of its land mass is dedicated to green space
4 London- Londonrsquos Royal Docks emerged from the Olympics plan-ning as a regenerated sustainable commercial and residen-tial area
COMMITTEE ON CIVIL LIBERTIES JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
The future of Schengen How can Europe safeguard its principle of free movement while adequately reacting to the new challenges of the migration and refugee crisis
The Refugue Crisis Fixing Borders Is Not Enough
The article from the Centre of European Reform attempts to find a new strategy in reference to the current refugee crisis Should we use the existing strategy or come up with a totally new one The author states that a large number of immigrants are solely moving countries for economic reasons It is important to see the difference between an economic and lsquogenuinersquo refugee How can we distinguish between the two whilst remaining neutral And who decides how we do this Since poverty alignment should not be an overlooked explanation for immigration
On the other hand is it right to close the boarders to economic refugees Europersquos economy remains far more stable than the majority of countries that refugees are coming from Europe has to realise that 99 of the refugees are living lives full of hardships Such lives as lived by a 13-year-old refugee from Lebanon who started crying in front of the German chancellor Angela Merkel speaking the following words ldquo It is terribly painful to see others really enjoying life when you canrsquot enjoy life yourselfrdquo She is not alone in feeling this way Not in the slightest
04
ldquoWe need a strong European approach on migration And
we need it nowrdquo
Jean-Claude Juncker 23 August 2015
Is the Schengen dream of Europe without borders becoming a thing of
the pastThis article tells a personal story which shows the benefits of the Schengen area for Europeans but also telling the fears of people concerning the ongoing crisis ldquoIt was an ideal that all these countries would unite and be the same and equalrdquo Rainer Maring sighed ldquoBut Europersquos not working right Now all of this is put at risk Wersquore going backwards There are lots of calls to close down the borders Itrsquos all going wrongrdquo How can we ensure that we keep our borders open Nicolas Sarkozy the ex-president of France already declared ldquoSchengen is deadrdquo If we close our borders again will we take a trip back in time or is this a necessary step towards a better future The Greek border is an particular crisis because it is the main entrance into Europe for refugees Will it be enough to close only the Greek borders or will the refugees find alternative entrances to Europe Especially with the most desired destinations for refugees being Germany Sweden and Hungary1
1 Migrant crisis Migration to Europe explained in seven charts [Online] Available at httpwwwbbccomnewsworld-europe-34131911 [Accessed 13 April 2016]
ldquoWe will never erect any fences any wallsrdquo
Aleksander Vucic 26 August 2015
Brussels attacks Can Europe keep its open borders
This article stresses the effect that the terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels had on national security levels Belgium for example rein-troduced boarder controls Furthermore the author highlights that the advantage of open borders is not solely economic Open boarders allow for cultural exchange Do we want to leave all this behind Or should the EU work on a concept that allows open borders and in-stead solves the problems the refugee crisis is causing It is also unsure that we will achieve more effective security by closing our borders
Where are they coming from and where do they go
Seeing all these statistics evokes a range of different emotions From fear to anger to being overwhelmed by the high number of peo-ple who had to leave their whole life behind them in order to be-come ldquoEuropeanrdquo Does their life not have as much worth as ours Do we have the right call a country our territory and deny oth-ers access despite them needing support and acceptance their own homes having been destroyed Is this more of a moral debate
COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AFFAIRS
Investing in a knowledge society How should the EU balance upholding intellectual property rights with the access to knowledge for education culture and research
Intellectual Property Rights protection is involved in everything around us Whether you realise it or not you have certainly encountered it From jokes on Tumblr about Taylor Swift suing everyone to the medicine we take when we have a headache everything involves Intellectual Property protection Naturally it has both a positive and a negative side It is the committeersquos goal to find ways to create a balance between the two
are made on a national level but since the trade market is becoming more and more international with each day there are growing numbers of problems Furthermore considering the fact that a vast amount of big companies are multinational any IPR infringement problems that might occur need to be solved at an international levelPA
TEN
T LA
WS
05
Two sides of the coin
These videos show two different perspectives on the topic The first one being a CEO and Inventor explaining the importance that a strong patent system had in his particular case The second one a TED talk offers the counter view that focuses on the problems that patents create in the medical field by preventing the creation of cheaper versions of the medicines
So which is more important economic growth or access to valuable often lifesaving information If we put it this way it seems obvious that the IPR protection is less important than saving a life However that doesnrsquot mean that the patents copyrights and trademarks should be banned completely as this would increase the unemployment and poverty rates So is there a way to balance the two Are there possible solutions for special cases that IPR effects such as the one described in the medical field
What does the media have to say about this
This article explains the faults that exist in the current patent sys-tem according to the author The author explores the idea of abolishing patenting altogether but having been proven ineffec-tive it also shows what is wrong and how that could be changed
Breakthroughs brought to you by IPR This infographic should give you an idea
of the part that IPR protection systems play in innovation and progress It shows the breakthroughs and the profits gained (shown in the GDP per capita) thanks to the existence of patents and trademarks
What Who Why Ben Wallis answers
In this interview Ben Wallis a Consumers In-ternational Coordinator discusses several as-pects of the topic at hand She speaks of the problems and benefits of patents explains the disadvantages of a strict IP protection sys-tem and shows the interests of consumers and industries in keeping or banishing patents
It might give you a simpler more acces-sible approach to the topic to better help you understand different aspects to it
Why it matters The following graphs show the correlation between the num-ber of Patents and the GDP throughout the years (2000-2014) in the countries of France UK and Germany The lines are continuously parallel showing the positive influ-ence of the Patents on the economy From this we can con-clude the importance that IPR intensive companies have on the economy and the influence their use has on cre-ating employment This supports the argument that the abolishment of Patents and other forms of IP protection would have a significantly large negative impact on the economy
In conclusion there are two main conflicts at stake
bull The conflict between the preservation of intellectual property by the authors and the stagnation of progress and innovation caused by the lack of access to the information that is patented
bull The lack of harmonization of patent legislation across
the EU
Considering all of the information given to you the various perspectives and insights what do you think could be done to solve the existing problems Who should be prioritized the inventors or the consumers or is the possibility to find a com-
promise an achievable solution
COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS
Equal opportunities or equality of result In how far should Europe make an effort to reduce the growing wage and income inequality whilst keeping in mind its aim of lifting 20 million people out of risk of poverty and social exclusion
Income inequality is a significant issue facing todayrsquos society that effects almost every country in the world The staggering difference between the rich and the poor has serious consequences on society and the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion is on the rise This disparity has become more and more apparent In both developed and developing countries the poorest half of a country representing only 10 of its wealth Also it is proven by the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report of 2012 that the richest 300 people on earth have the same amount of money as the total owned by the poorest 3 billion people The same report states that some countries in the world are 80 times richer than others So considering the differences of the economic and political systems between countries what can be done to balance such inequalities
ww
wth
eru
leso
rg
On September 15th 2015 the European Federation of Academies of Sci-ences and Humanities (ALLEA) the European Science Foundation (ESF) and the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) gathered to de-bate the rise of income inequality in EU countries For example a pro-
posed solution discussed in this meeting was the taxation of the richest individuals Af-ter this debate the partici-pants unanimously conclud-ed that this issue is not being properly addressed by the Member Statesrsquo governments If this is the case the prob-lem of income inequality will not be solved and equality will
not be achieved How can we encourage Member States to pay more at-tention to this issue Recent events such as the reports on tax avoid-ance by multinational companies (eg IKEA and Starbucks) and the role of offshore companies concerning the Panama Papers affair have once again underlined that there is far too much room for improvement
ep
th
in
kt
an
k
eu
In 2012 Eurostat released a video explaining that the definition of poverty inside the European Union can differ greatly since all the Member Stateslsquo and its individuals have different perspectives This is due to unavoidable cultural differences in each Member State But is this really as simple as Eurostat makes it seem What do you think is poverty a product of cultural differences Letrsquos take a closer look
06
First off the poor acting of the ldquojournalistldquo and her ldquofriendldquo is completely ridiculous Do we really need a ldquoplotldquo to ex-plain poverty in the European Union This video is far too light-hearted when taking into account the issue they are discussing poverty not exactly material for small-talk It makes poverty look like a joke rather than the real issue it is
The only redeeming quality of this video is the fact that per-ception of poverty is highlighted to be relative to the society in which a person lives in Imagine you live in a neighbourhood where there is no sign of poverty you would see poverty as a pressing issue However if you lived in a less ldquoaffluent part of townrdquo where you witness poverty all around you you would be unavoidably aware of itrsquos presence With only this to commend Eurostatrsquos video on you could say lsquonice tryrsquo and suggest the EU should address this widespread problem appropriately and justly
Taking all of this into account what measures can be tak-en to tackle the lack of serious action regarding this issue What could be done in regards to both nation-al and global taxation policies We are curious what EM-PLrsquos stance on the topic of inequality is looking like
COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY
Sustainable growth on global markets After the agreements of the COP21 Summit in Paris have paved the way for a global climate deal how can Europe push for a global emission trading scheme
bullAim for greenhouse gas emissions to peak as soon as possible bullRapid reductions to achieve a balance between emissions from human activity and the amount that can be retained in the atmosphere
bullDeveloped countries must continue to take the lead in the reduction of greenhouse gases
bullDeveloping nations are encouraged to enhance their efforts and move over time to cut emissions
bull Keep warming ldquowell below 2 degrees celsiusrdquo
bull Continue all efforts to limit the rise in the temperature to 15 degrees celsius
07
The Paris Agreement represents the first step towards a greener planet The Parties agreed on an ambition cycle a set of goals timeframes and commitments designed to ensure that Parties
regularly strengthen their commitments Governments aim to lower global warming to below 2ordmC meanwhile providing finance to poor nations to help them cut emissions and cope
with the effects of extreme weather
MEDIASocial Europe ndash After COP21 The EU Needs to Revise its Climate Policy Targets by Beacutela Galgoacuteczi explains the measures and actions of the governments involved and their long term effect on global warming
Pan European Networks ndash Climate emissions reports may offer ldquofalse hoperdquoAccording to this article the Paris Agreement and the measures taken to avoid an increase in global warming
NUMBERS20 increase in energy from r e n e w a b l e s compared to
1990
Only the first 3 countries have achieved the Europe 2020 target According to these statistics in 2014 EU-28 was only 4 away from reaching the goal
httpeceuropaeu
G r e e n h o u s e gas emissions are 20 low-er than in 1990
Levels of greenhouse gases have been decreasing since 1990 and by now this target is almost achieved
httpeceuropaeu
20 increase in energy efficiency
compared to 1990
Estonia was the only country reach-ing the target as of yet Zero represents the achievement of the goal which means most of the Member-states have a long way until they achieve the necessary increase in en-ergy efficiency by 20
httpeceuropaeu
This video explains in a simplified way all the negotiations that took place in Paris The COP21 Conference in Paris was a major step forwards to ensure a sustainable future The previous conferences did not have the same success Furthermore the COP21 will give several countries the opportunity to work together towards a greener and more sustainable future energy-wise environmentally and economically
Al Gore is an American politician and environmentalist who served as the 45th Vice President of the United States from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton Despite several less optimistic projections for the future Al Gore presents a different perspective on the matter showing that embracing green solutions is becoming cheaper and cheaper as well as more efficient to implement Is the green future closer than we have been imagining
COMMITTEE ON BUDGETARY AFFAIRS
Beyond Europe 2020 What key points should the European Commission propose as targets of a European Strategy package after 2020
The European Parliament is one of the budgetary arms of the EU Together with the Council it establishes the annu-al budget of the European Union Even though the num-bers shown in the video are outdated it accurately por-trays the importance of the EU Budget and its purpose
What is BUDG
This process goes through the Committee on Budgets
httpstwittercomep_budgets
Additional information can be found on this committeersquos twitter account
BUDG was responsible for approving and set-ting the rules of the budget plan for Europe 2020 the ten-year economic programme of the EU
08
smart|sustainable|inclusive
development
EUROPEANSrsquo VIEW ON EUROPE 2020
45 consider that the EU ldquois going in the right direc-tion to exit the crisis and face new global challengesrdquo
25 consider that it is going in the wrong direction23 believe that the EU is going in neither the right nor the wrong direction7 expressed no opinion on Europe2020
Source European Commission Europe2020 Report (Standard Eurobarometer 81 Spring 2014) Pages 13-18
ldquoOn March 5 the European Commission launched the first step in reviewing the Europe 2020 strategy The mid-term review is designed
to take stock of the progress made so far in achieving the goals and targets of Europe 2020 and to set the pace for possible re-enforcement
or adaptation of the strategy As people continue to struggle with the impact of the financial and economic crisis we need the European Union Institutions and member states to honour the
commitments they made in 2010rdquo
With 4 years left until the deadline the objectives the EU set with this programme in nearly all categories still have not been met Reviews such as these are crucial By periodi-cally reviewing its general progress we are facilitating anal-ysis and reflection on the evolution of the measures being taken and therefore promoting improvement However af-ter all the analysis and reflections that have been made we can conclude that failure is imminent A change of measures may be the only chance this programme has to ever prevail
Furthermore the answer lies in the upcoming genera-tions The youth need to step in and demand a different ap-proach How should we prioritize our goals What needs to be reformed How will we prevent Europe2020 from shar-ing the same fate as itsrsquo predecessor The Lisbon Strate-gy And last but not least Where should the budgets go to
HOW CAN WE CREATE A NEW STRATEGY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT IS CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THESE UNMET GOALS
EUROPE 2020 INDICATORS
To find appropriate ways of overcoming the programmersquos difficulties it is necessary to first attend to itsrsquo main issues Only after carefully analysing statistics and numbers we can detect the areas that need to be focused on in order to fill the gaps left between the current situation and the objectives
of Europe2020
Employment Rate age group 20-642008 7032009 6902014 692
Europe 2020 goal 75- The unfavourable effect of the economic crisis on the European labour
market has caused the lack of growth on the employment rate
Research and development Gross Domestic Expenditure on ResearchampDevelopment
2008 185 of GDP2014 203 of GDP
Europe 2020 goal 3 of GDPThe EUrsquos efforts to stimulate economic growth by boosting public expenditure on Research and Development have not significantly increased
its GDP
Education People at risk of poverty or social exclusion2005-2009 114 million
2012 1225 million2013 1215 million
- Between 2011 and 2014 almost 1 in every four people in the EU27 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion The increase has been largely attributed to the economic crisis in 2008 and the following recessions in the majority
of Member States
For more information visit Eurostat
ldquoGood governance democracy the rule of law the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows as well as effective accountable and inclusive institutions are crucial Policy coherence at all levels by all coun-tries should be at the core of our new global partnership All our actions will have to be monitored in a transparent way to keep us on track in implementing this challenging new agenda To ensure this we should aim for one overar-ching monitoring accountability and review framework We have an ambitious programme but ambition is needed if we are to fulfil the noble objective we have set ourselves the end of extreme poverty and a sustainable future for all
Lets start working This is our world our dignity our futurerdquo
Speech by European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica at the plenary session of the Third In-ternational Conference on Financing for Development 14 July 2015
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal
![Page 15: Topic boxes of Évora 2016](https://reader031.fdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020522/579077611a28ab6874bd7647/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRY TRADE AND ENERGY
Smart cities for smart growth How can innovative urban development meet the challenges of increasing urbanisation and sustainability within and beyond the scope of Europe 2020
Smart cities for 11 billion people Mitchell Joachim at
TEDxBerlin
In this very interesting and captivating speech from the acknowledged innovator in ecological urban design and architecture Mitchell Joachim we learn more about the possibilities of smart cities and their effects on society and citizenrsquos lifestyles In this TEDx talk the expert provides different examples of how innovation starts and how we can begin thinking differently about the way we build our cities in order to successfully combine evolution and ecology
03
A circular economy is an alternative to a traditional linear economy (make use dispose) in which we keep resources in use for as long as possible extract the maximum value from them whilst in use then recover and regenerate products and materials at the end of
each service life
Technology is vital in the development of Smart Cities There are many possible means of incorporating technology into our everyday lives For example the concept of the Internet of Things the network of physical objectsmdashdevices vehicles buildings and other itemsmdashembedded with electronics software sensors and network connectivity that enables these objects to collect and exchange data 1
However therersquos more to smart cities than simply technology From green fea-tures to safety and security there are many more factors that make a city smart
1 httpsenwikipediaorgwikiInternet_of_Things
click on the picture to open in full resolution
Circular economy a key concept
A smart growing city is by definition environmental-ly friendly which makes the circular economy a key concept
This definition can be looked up at the website of the Waste amp Resources Action Programme (WRAP) which is a registered charity that helps communities to achieve a circular economy whilst helping businesses and individuals to reduce waste develop sustainable products and use resources efficiently Effective resource management is crucial to the establishment of a sustainable and green economy The circular economy promotes waste reduction a greater resource productivity increases competitiveness and also reduces the environmental impacts of production and consumption so
urce
http
w
ww
spro
utec
ours
eorg
Game project about energy saving and smart building funded by the European Unionrsquos Seventh Programme for research technological development and demonstration
click on the logo to see the video
Smart Cities in Europe ndash what can we learn from them
1 Copenhagen - 40 of all commuters travel by bike
2 Vienna- Renovated a former 40 hectare slaughterhouse district and turned it into an innovation district focused on media science and technology
3 Stockholm- 40 of its land mass is dedicated to green space
4 London- Londonrsquos Royal Docks emerged from the Olympics plan-ning as a regenerated sustainable commercial and residen-tial area
COMMITTEE ON CIVIL LIBERTIES JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
The future of Schengen How can Europe safeguard its principle of free movement while adequately reacting to the new challenges of the migration and refugee crisis
The Refugue Crisis Fixing Borders Is Not Enough
The article from the Centre of European Reform attempts to find a new strategy in reference to the current refugee crisis Should we use the existing strategy or come up with a totally new one The author states that a large number of immigrants are solely moving countries for economic reasons It is important to see the difference between an economic and lsquogenuinersquo refugee How can we distinguish between the two whilst remaining neutral And who decides how we do this Since poverty alignment should not be an overlooked explanation for immigration
On the other hand is it right to close the boarders to economic refugees Europersquos economy remains far more stable than the majority of countries that refugees are coming from Europe has to realise that 99 of the refugees are living lives full of hardships Such lives as lived by a 13-year-old refugee from Lebanon who started crying in front of the German chancellor Angela Merkel speaking the following words ldquo It is terribly painful to see others really enjoying life when you canrsquot enjoy life yourselfrdquo She is not alone in feeling this way Not in the slightest
04
ldquoWe need a strong European approach on migration And
we need it nowrdquo
Jean-Claude Juncker 23 August 2015
Is the Schengen dream of Europe without borders becoming a thing of
the pastThis article tells a personal story which shows the benefits of the Schengen area for Europeans but also telling the fears of people concerning the ongoing crisis ldquoIt was an ideal that all these countries would unite and be the same and equalrdquo Rainer Maring sighed ldquoBut Europersquos not working right Now all of this is put at risk Wersquore going backwards There are lots of calls to close down the borders Itrsquos all going wrongrdquo How can we ensure that we keep our borders open Nicolas Sarkozy the ex-president of France already declared ldquoSchengen is deadrdquo If we close our borders again will we take a trip back in time or is this a necessary step towards a better future The Greek border is an particular crisis because it is the main entrance into Europe for refugees Will it be enough to close only the Greek borders or will the refugees find alternative entrances to Europe Especially with the most desired destinations for refugees being Germany Sweden and Hungary1
1 Migrant crisis Migration to Europe explained in seven charts [Online] Available at httpwwwbbccomnewsworld-europe-34131911 [Accessed 13 April 2016]
ldquoWe will never erect any fences any wallsrdquo
Aleksander Vucic 26 August 2015
Brussels attacks Can Europe keep its open borders
This article stresses the effect that the terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels had on national security levels Belgium for example rein-troduced boarder controls Furthermore the author highlights that the advantage of open borders is not solely economic Open boarders allow for cultural exchange Do we want to leave all this behind Or should the EU work on a concept that allows open borders and in-stead solves the problems the refugee crisis is causing It is also unsure that we will achieve more effective security by closing our borders
Where are they coming from and where do they go
Seeing all these statistics evokes a range of different emotions From fear to anger to being overwhelmed by the high number of peo-ple who had to leave their whole life behind them in order to be-come ldquoEuropeanrdquo Does their life not have as much worth as ours Do we have the right call a country our territory and deny oth-ers access despite them needing support and acceptance their own homes having been destroyed Is this more of a moral debate
COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AFFAIRS
Investing in a knowledge society How should the EU balance upholding intellectual property rights with the access to knowledge for education culture and research
Intellectual Property Rights protection is involved in everything around us Whether you realise it or not you have certainly encountered it From jokes on Tumblr about Taylor Swift suing everyone to the medicine we take when we have a headache everything involves Intellectual Property protection Naturally it has both a positive and a negative side It is the committeersquos goal to find ways to create a balance between the two
are made on a national level but since the trade market is becoming more and more international with each day there are growing numbers of problems Furthermore considering the fact that a vast amount of big companies are multinational any IPR infringement problems that might occur need to be solved at an international levelPA
TEN
T LA
WS
05
Two sides of the coin
These videos show two different perspectives on the topic The first one being a CEO and Inventor explaining the importance that a strong patent system had in his particular case The second one a TED talk offers the counter view that focuses on the problems that patents create in the medical field by preventing the creation of cheaper versions of the medicines
So which is more important economic growth or access to valuable often lifesaving information If we put it this way it seems obvious that the IPR protection is less important than saving a life However that doesnrsquot mean that the patents copyrights and trademarks should be banned completely as this would increase the unemployment and poverty rates So is there a way to balance the two Are there possible solutions for special cases that IPR effects such as the one described in the medical field
What does the media have to say about this
This article explains the faults that exist in the current patent sys-tem according to the author The author explores the idea of abolishing patenting altogether but having been proven ineffec-tive it also shows what is wrong and how that could be changed
Breakthroughs brought to you by IPR This infographic should give you an idea
of the part that IPR protection systems play in innovation and progress It shows the breakthroughs and the profits gained (shown in the GDP per capita) thanks to the existence of patents and trademarks
What Who Why Ben Wallis answers
In this interview Ben Wallis a Consumers In-ternational Coordinator discusses several as-pects of the topic at hand She speaks of the problems and benefits of patents explains the disadvantages of a strict IP protection sys-tem and shows the interests of consumers and industries in keeping or banishing patents
It might give you a simpler more acces-sible approach to the topic to better help you understand different aspects to it
Why it matters The following graphs show the correlation between the num-ber of Patents and the GDP throughout the years (2000-2014) in the countries of France UK and Germany The lines are continuously parallel showing the positive influ-ence of the Patents on the economy From this we can con-clude the importance that IPR intensive companies have on the economy and the influence their use has on cre-ating employment This supports the argument that the abolishment of Patents and other forms of IP protection would have a significantly large negative impact on the economy
In conclusion there are two main conflicts at stake
bull The conflict between the preservation of intellectual property by the authors and the stagnation of progress and innovation caused by the lack of access to the information that is patented
bull The lack of harmonization of patent legislation across
the EU
Considering all of the information given to you the various perspectives and insights what do you think could be done to solve the existing problems Who should be prioritized the inventors or the consumers or is the possibility to find a com-
promise an achievable solution
COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS
Equal opportunities or equality of result In how far should Europe make an effort to reduce the growing wage and income inequality whilst keeping in mind its aim of lifting 20 million people out of risk of poverty and social exclusion
Income inequality is a significant issue facing todayrsquos society that effects almost every country in the world The staggering difference between the rich and the poor has serious consequences on society and the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion is on the rise This disparity has become more and more apparent In both developed and developing countries the poorest half of a country representing only 10 of its wealth Also it is proven by the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report of 2012 that the richest 300 people on earth have the same amount of money as the total owned by the poorest 3 billion people The same report states that some countries in the world are 80 times richer than others So considering the differences of the economic and political systems between countries what can be done to balance such inequalities
ww
wth
eru
leso
rg
On September 15th 2015 the European Federation of Academies of Sci-ences and Humanities (ALLEA) the European Science Foundation (ESF) and the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) gathered to de-bate the rise of income inequality in EU countries For example a pro-
posed solution discussed in this meeting was the taxation of the richest individuals Af-ter this debate the partici-pants unanimously conclud-ed that this issue is not being properly addressed by the Member Statesrsquo governments If this is the case the prob-lem of income inequality will not be solved and equality will
not be achieved How can we encourage Member States to pay more at-tention to this issue Recent events such as the reports on tax avoid-ance by multinational companies (eg IKEA and Starbucks) and the role of offshore companies concerning the Panama Papers affair have once again underlined that there is far too much room for improvement
ep
th
in
kt
an
k
eu
In 2012 Eurostat released a video explaining that the definition of poverty inside the European Union can differ greatly since all the Member Stateslsquo and its individuals have different perspectives This is due to unavoidable cultural differences in each Member State But is this really as simple as Eurostat makes it seem What do you think is poverty a product of cultural differences Letrsquos take a closer look
06
First off the poor acting of the ldquojournalistldquo and her ldquofriendldquo is completely ridiculous Do we really need a ldquoplotldquo to ex-plain poverty in the European Union This video is far too light-hearted when taking into account the issue they are discussing poverty not exactly material for small-talk It makes poverty look like a joke rather than the real issue it is
The only redeeming quality of this video is the fact that per-ception of poverty is highlighted to be relative to the society in which a person lives in Imagine you live in a neighbourhood where there is no sign of poverty you would see poverty as a pressing issue However if you lived in a less ldquoaffluent part of townrdquo where you witness poverty all around you you would be unavoidably aware of itrsquos presence With only this to commend Eurostatrsquos video on you could say lsquonice tryrsquo and suggest the EU should address this widespread problem appropriately and justly
Taking all of this into account what measures can be tak-en to tackle the lack of serious action regarding this issue What could be done in regards to both nation-al and global taxation policies We are curious what EM-PLrsquos stance on the topic of inequality is looking like
COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY
Sustainable growth on global markets After the agreements of the COP21 Summit in Paris have paved the way for a global climate deal how can Europe push for a global emission trading scheme
bullAim for greenhouse gas emissions to peak as soon as possible bullRapid reductions to achieve a balance between emissions from human activity and the amount that can be retained in the atmosphere
bullDeveloped countries must continue to take the lead in the reduction of greenhouse gases
bullDeveloping nations are encouraged to enhance their efforts and move over time to cut emissions
bull Keep warming ldquowell below 2 degrees celsiusrdquo
bull Continue all efforts to limit the rise in the temperature to 15 degrees celsius
07
The Paris Agreement represents the first step towards a greener planet The Parties agreed on an ambition cycle a set of goals timeframes and commitments designed to ensure that Parties
regularly strengthen their commitments Governments aim to lower global warming to below 2ordmC meanwhile providing finance to poor nations to help them cut emissions and cope
with the effects of extreme weather
MEDIASocial Europe ndash After COP21 The EU Needs to Revise its Climate Policy Targets by Beacutela Galgoacuteczi explains the measures and actions of the governments involved and their long term effect on global warming
Pan European Networks ndash Climate emissions reports may offer ldquofalse hoperdquoAccording to this article the Paris Agreement and the measures taken to avoid an increase in global warming
NUMBERS20 increase in energy from r e n e w a b l e s compared to
1990
Only the first 3 countries have achieved the Europe 2020 target According to these statistics in 2014 EU-28 was only 4 away from reaching the goal
httpeceuropaeu
G r e e n h o u s e gas emissions are 20 low-er than in 1990
Levels of greenhouse gases have been decreasing since 1990 and by now this target is almost achieved
httpeceuropaeu
20 increase in energy efficiency
compared to 1990
Estonia was the only country reach-ing the target as of yet Zero represents the achievement of the goal which means most of the Member-states have a long way until they achieve the necessary increase in en-ergy efficiency by 20
httpeceuropaeu
This video explains in a simplified way all the negotiations that took place in Paris The COP21 Conference in Paris was a major step forwards to ensure a sustainable future The previous conferences did not have the same success Furthermore the COP21 will give several countries the opportunity to work together towards a greener and more sustainable future energy-wise environmentally and economically
Al Gore is an American politician and environmentalist who served as the 45th Vice President of the United States from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton Despite several less optimistic projections for the future Al Gore presents a different perspective on the matter showing that embracing green solutions is becoming cheaper and cheaper as well as more efficient to implement Is the green future closer than we have been imagining
COMMITTEE ON BUDGETARY AFFAIRS
Beyond Europe 2020 What key points should the European Commission propose as targets of a European Strategy package after 2020
The European Parliament is one of the budgetary arms of the EU Together with the Council it establishes the annu-al budget of the European Union Even though the num-bers shown in the video are outdated it accurately por-trays the importance of the EU Budget and its purpose
What is BUDG
This process goes through the Committee on Budgets
httpstwittercomep_budgets
Additional information can be found on this committeersquos twitter account
BUDG was responsible for approving and set-ting the rules of the budget plan for Europe 2020 the ten-year economic programme of the EU
08
smart|sustainable|inclusive
development
EUROPEANSrsquo VIEW ON EUROPE 2020
45 consider that the EU ldquois going in the right direc-tion to exit the crisis and face new global challengesrdquo
25 consider that it is going in the wrong direction23 believe that the EU is going in neither the right nor the wrong direction7 expressed no opinion on Europe2020
Source European Commission Europe2020 Report (Standard Eurobarometer 81 Spring 2014) Pages 13-18
ldquoOn March 5 the European Commission launched the first step in reviewing the Europe 2020 strategy The mid-term review is designed
to take stock of the progress made so far in achieving the goals and targets of Europe 2020 and to set the pace for possible re-enforcement
or adaptation of the strategy As people continue to struggle with the impact of the financial and economic crisis we need the European Union Institutions and member states to honour the
commitments they made in 2010rdquo
With 4 years left until the deadline the objectives the EU set with this programme in nearly all categories still have not been met Reviews such as these are crucial By periodi-cally reviewing its general progress we are facilitating anal-ysis and reflection on the evolution of the measures being taken and therefore promoting improvement However af-ter all the analysis and reflections that have been made we can conclude that failure is imminent A change of measures may be the only chance this programme has to ever prevail
Furthermore the answer lies in the upcoming genera-tions The youth need to step in and demand a different ap-proach How should we prioritize our goals What needs to be reformed How will we prevent Europe2020 from shar-ing the same fate as itsrsquo predecessor The Lisbon Strate-gy And last but not least Where should the budgets go to
HOW CAN WE CREATE A NEW STRATEGY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT IS CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THESE UNMET GOALS
EUROPE 2020 INDICATORS
To find appropriate ways of overcoming the programmersquos difficulties it is necessary to first attend to itsrsquo main issues Only after carefully analysing statistics and numbers we can detect the areas that need to be focused on in order to fill the gaps left between the current situation and the objectives
of Europe2020
Employment Rate age group 20-642008 7032009 6902014 692
Europe 2020 goal 75- The unfavourable effect of the economic crisis on the European labour
market has caused the lack of growth on the employment rate
Research and development Gross Domestic Expenditure on ResearchampDevelopment
2008 185 of GDP2014 203 of GDP
Europe 2020 goal 3 of GDPThe EUrsquos efforts to stimulate economic growth by boosting public expenditure on Research and Development have not significantly increased
its GDP
Education People at risk of poverty or social exclusion2005-2009 114 million
2012 1225 million2013 1215 million
- Between 2011 and 2014 almost 1 in every four people in the EU27 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion The increase has been largely attributed to the economic crisis in 2008 and the following recessions in the majority
of Member States
For more information visit Eurostat
ldquoGood governance democracy the rule of law the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows as well as effective accountable and inclusive institutions are crucial Policy coherence at all levels by all coun-tries should be at the core of our new global partnership All our actions will have to be monitored in a transparent way to keep us on track in implementing this challenging new agenda To ensure this we should aim for one overar-ching monitoring accountability and review framework We have an ambitious programme but ambition is needed if we are to fulfil the noble objective we have set ourselves the end of extreme poverty and a sustainable future for all
Lets start working This is our world our dignity our futurerdquo
Speech by European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica at the plenary session of the Third In-ternational Conference on Financing for Development 14 July 2015
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal
![Page 16: Topic boxes of Évora 2016](https://reader031.fdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020522/579077611a28ab6874bd7647/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
03
A circular economy is an alternative to a traditional linear economy (make use dispose) in which we keep resources in use for as long as possible extract the maximum value from them whilst in use then recover and regenerate products and materials at the end of
each service life
Technology is vital in the development of Smart Cities There are many possible means of incorporating technology into our everyday lives For example the concept of the Internet of Things the network of physical objectsmdashdevices vehicles buildings and other itemsmdashembedded with electronics software sensors and network connectivity that enables these objects to collect and exchange data 1
However therersquos more to smart cities than simply technology From green fea-tures to safety and security there are many more factors that make a city smart
1 httpsenwikipediaorgwikiInternet_of_Things
click on the picture to open in full resolution
Circular economy a key concept
A smart growing city is by definition environmental-ly friendly which makes the circular economy a key concept
This definition can be looked up at the website of the Waste amp Resources Action Programme (WRAP) which is a registered charity that helps communities to achieve a circular economy whilst helping businesses and individuals to reduce waste develop sustainable products and use resources efficiently Effective resource management is crucial to the establishment of a sustainable and green economy The circular economy promotes waste reduction a greater resource productivity increases competitiveness and also reduces the environmental impacts of production and consumption so
urce
http
w
ww
spro
utec
ours
eorg
Game project about energy saving and smart building funded by the European Unionrsquos Seventh Programme for research technological development and demonstration
click on the logo to see the video
Smart Cities in Europe ndash what can we learn from them
1 Copenhagen - 40 of all commuters travel by bike
2 Vienna- Renovated a former 40 hectare slaughterhouse district and turned it into an innovation district focused on media science and technology
3 Stockholm- 40 of its land mass is dedicated to green space
4 London- Londonrsquos Royal Docks emerged from the Olympics plan-ning as a regenerated sustainable commercial and residen-tial area
COMMITTEE ON CIVIL LIBERTIES JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
The future of Schengen How can Europe safeguard its principle of free movement while adequately reacting to the new challenges of the migration and refugee crisis
The Refugue Crisis Fixing Borders Is Not Enough
The article from the Centre of European Reform attempts to find a new strategy in reference to the current refugee crisis Should we use the existing strategy or come up with a totally new one The author states that a large number of immigrants are solely moving countries for economic reasons It is important to see the difference between an economic and lsquogenuinersquo refugee How can we distinguish between the two whilst remaining neutral And who decides how we do this Since poverty alignment should not be an overlooked explanation for immigration
On the other hand is it right to close the boarders to economic refugees Europersquos economy remains far more stable than the majority of countries that refugees are coming from Europe has to realise that 99 of the refugees are living lives full of hardships Such lives as lived by a 13-year-old refugee from Lebanon who started crying in front of the German chancellor Angela Merkel speaking the following words ldquo It is terribly painful to see others really enjoying life when you canrsquot enjoy life yourselfrdquo She is not alone in feeling this way Not in the slightest
04
ldquoWe need a strong European approach on migration And
we need it nowrdquo
Jean-Claude Juncker 23 August 2015
Is the Schengen dream of Europe without borders becoming a thing of
the pastThis article tells a personal story which shows the benefits of the Schengen area for Europeans but also telling the fears of people concerning the ongoing crisis ldquoIt was an ideal that all these countries would unite and be the same and equalrdquo Rainer Maring sighed ldquoBut Europersquos not working right Now all of this is put at risk Wersquore going backwards There are lots of calls to close down the borders Itrsquos all going wrongrdquo How can we ensure that we keep our borders open Nicolas Sarkozy the ex-president of France already declared ldquoSchengen is deadrdquo If we close our borders again will we take a trip back in time or is this a necessary step towards a better future The Greek border is an particular crisis because it is the main entrance into Europe for refugees Will it be enough to close only the Greek borders or will the refugees find alternative entrances to Europe Especially with the most desired destinations for refugees being Germany Sweden and Hungary1
1 Migrant crisis Migration to Europe explained in seven charts [Online] Available at httpwwwbbccomnewsworld-europe-34131911 [Accessed 13 April 2016]
ldquoWe will never erect any fences any wallsrdquo
Aleksander Vucic 26 August 2015
Brussels attacks Can Europe keep its open borders
This article stresses the effect that the terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels had on national security levels Belgium for example rein-troduced boarder controls Furthermore the author highlights that the advantage of open borders is not solely economic Open boarders allow for cultural exchange Do we want to leave all this behind Or should the EU work on a concept that allows open borders and in-stead solves the problems the refugee crisis is causing It is also unsure that we will achieve more effective security by closing our borders
Where are they coming from and where do they go
Seeing all these statistics evokes a range of different emotions From fear to anger to being overwhelmed by the high number of peo-ple who had to leave their whole life behind them in order to be-come ldquoEuropeanrdquo Does their life not have as much worth as ours Do we have the right call a country our territory and deny oth-ers access despite them needing support and acceptance their own homes having been destroyed Is this more of a moral debate
COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AFFAIRS
Investing in a knowledge society How should the EU balance upholding intellectual property rights with the access to knowledge for education culture and research
Intellectual Property Rights protection is involved in everything around us Whether you realise it or not you have certainly encountered it From jokes on Tumblr about Taylor Swift suing everyone to the medicine we take when we have a headache everything involves Intellectual Property protection Naturally it has both a positive and a negative side It is the committeersquos goal to find ways to create a balance between the two
are made on a national level but since the trade market is becoming more and more international with each day there are growing numbers of problems Furthermore considering the fact that a vast amount of big companies are multinational any IPR infringement problems that might occur need to be solved at an international levelPA
TEN
T LA
WS
05
Two sides of the coin
These videos show two different perspectives on the topic The first one being a CEO and Inventor explaining the importance that a strong patent system had in his particular case The second one a TED talk offers the counter view that focuses on the problems that patents create in the medical field by preventing the creation of cheaper versions of the medicines
So which is more important economic growth or access to valuable often lifesaving information If we put it this way it seems obvious that the IPR protection is less important than saving a life However that doesnrsquot mean that the patents copyrights and trademarks should be banned completely as this would increase the unemployment and poverty rates So is there a way to balance the two Are there possible solutions for special cases that IPR effects such as the one described in the medical field
What does the media have to say about this
This article explains the faults that exist in the current patent sys-tem according to the author The author explores the idea of abolishing patenting altogether but having been proven ineffec-tive it also shows what is wrong and how that could be changed
Breakthroughs brought to you by IPR This infographic should give you an idea
of the part that IPR protection systems play in innovation and progress It shows the breakthroughs and the profits gained (shown in the GDP per capita) thanks to the existence of patents and trademarks
What Who Why Ben Wallis answers
In this interview Ben Wallis a Consumers In-ternational Coordinator discusses several as-pects of the topic at hand She speaks of the problems and benefits of patents explains the disadvantages of a strict IP protection sys-tem and shows the interests of consumers and industries in keeping or banishing patents
It might give you a simpler more acces-sible approach to the topic to better help you understand different aspects to it
Why it matters The following graphs show the correlation between the num-ber of Patents and the GDP throughout the years (2000-2014) in the countries of France UK and Germany The lines are continuously parallel showing the positive influ-ence of the Patents on the economy From this we can con-clude the importance that IPR intensive companies have on the economy and the influence their use has on cre-ating employment This supports the argument that the abolishment of Patents and other forms of IP protection would have a significantly large negative impact on the economy
In conclusion there are two main conflicts at stake
bull The conflict between the preservation of intellectual property by the authors and the stagnation of progress and innovation caused by the lack of access to the information that is patented
bull The lack of harmonization of patent legislation across
the EU
Considering all of the information given to you the various perspectives and insights what do you think could be done to solve the existing problems Who should be prioritized the inventors or the consumers or is the possibility to find a com-
promise an achievable solution
COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS
Equal opportunities or equality of result In how far should Europe make an effort to reduce the growing wage and income inequality whilst keeping in mind its aim of lifting 20 million people out of risk of poverty and social exclusion
Income inequality is a significant issue facing todayrsquos society that effects almost every country in the world The staggering difference between the rich and the poor has serious consequences on society and the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion is on the rise This disparity has become more and more apparent In both developed and developing countries the poorest half of a country representing only 10 of its wealth Also it is proven by the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report of 2012 that the richest 300 people on earth have the same amount of money as the total owned by the poorest 3 billion people The same report states that some countries in the world are 80 times richer than others So considering the differences of the economic and political systems between countries what can be done to balance such inequalities
ww
wth
eru
leso
rg
On September 15th 2015 the European Federation of Academies of Sci-ences and Humanities (ALLEA) the European Science Foundation (ESF) and the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) gathered to de-bate the rise of income inequality in EU countries For example a pro-
posed solution discussed in this meeting was the taxation of the richest individuals Af-ter this debate the partici-pants unanimously conclud-ed that this issue is not being properly addressed by the Member Statesrsquo governments If this is the case the prob-lem of income inequality will not be solved and equality will
not be achieved How can we encourage Member States to pay more at-tention to this issue Recent events such as the reports on tax avoid-ance by multinational companies (eg IKEA and Starbucks) and the role of offshore companies concerning the Panama Papers affair have once again underlined that there is far too much room for improvement
ep
th
in
kt
an
k
eu
In 2012 Eurostat released a video explaining that the definition of poverty inside the European Union can differ greatly since all the Member Stateslsquo and its individuals have different perspectives This is due to unavoidable cultural differences in each Member State But is this really as simple as Eurostat makes it seem What do you think is poverty a product of cultural differences Letrsquos take a closer look
06
First off the poor acting of the ldquojournalistldquo and her ldquofriendldquo is completely ridiculous Do we really need a ldquoplotldquo to ex-plain poverty in the European Union This video is far too light-hearted when taking into account the issue they are discussing poverty not exactly material for small-talk It makes poverty look like a joke rather than the real issue it is
The only redeeming quality of this video is the fact that per-ception of poverty is highlighted to be relative to the society in which a person lives in Imagine you live in a neighbourhood where there is no sign of poverty you would see poverty as a pressing issue However if you lived in a less ldquoaffluent part of townrdquo where you witness poverty all around you you would be unavoidably aware of itrsquos presence With only this to commend Eurostatrsquos video on you could say lsquonice tryrsquo and suggest the EU should address this widespread problem appropriately and justly
Taking all of this into account what measures can be tak-en to tackle the lack of serious action regarding this issue What could be done in regards to both nation-al and global taxation policies We are curious what EM-PLrsquos stance on the topic of inequality is looking like
COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY
Sustainable growth on global markets After the agreements of the COP21 Summit in Paris have paved the way for a global climate deal how can Europe push for a global emission trading scheme
bullAim for greenhouse gas emissions to peak as soon as possible bullRapid reductions to achieve a balance between emissions from human activity and the amount that can be retained in the atmosphere
bullDeveloped countries must continue to take the lead in the reduction of greenhouse gases
bullDeveloping nations are encouraged to enhance their efforts and move over time to cut emissions
bull Keep warming ldquowell below 2 degrees celsiusrdquo
bull Continue all efforts to limit the rise in the temperature to 15 degrees celsius
07
The Paris Agreement represents the first step towards a greener planet The Parties agreed on an ambition cycle a set of goals timeframes and commitments designed to ensure that Parties
regularly strengthen their commitments Governments aim to lower global warming to below 2ordmC meanwhile providing finance to poor nations to help them cut emissions and cope
with the effects of extreme weather
MEDIASocial Europe ndash After COP21 The EU Needs to Revise its Climate Policy Targets by Beacutela Galgoacuteczi explains the measures and actions of the governments involved and their long term effect on global warming
Pan European Networks ndash Climate emissions reports may offer ldquofalse hoperdquoAccording to this article the Paris Agreement and the measures taken to avoid an increase in global warming
NUMBERS20 increase in energy from r e n e w a b l e s compared to
1990
Only the first 3 countries have achieved the Europe 2020 target According to these statistics in 2014 EU-28 was only 4 away from reaching the goal
httpeceuropaeu
G r e e n h o u s e gas emissions are 20 low-er than in 1990
Levels of greenhouse gases have been decreasing since 1990 and by now this target is almost achieved
httpeceuropaeu
20 increase in energy efficiency
compared to 1990
Estonia was the only country reach-ing the target as of yet Zero represents the achievement of the goal which means most of the Member-states have a long way until they achieve the necessary increase in en-ergy efficiency by 20
httpeceuropaeu
This video explains in a simplified way all the negotiations that took place in Paris The COP21 Conference in Paris was a major step forwards to ensure a sustainable future The previous conferences did not have the same success Furthermore the COP21 will give several countries the opportunity to work together towards a greener and more sustainable future energy-wise environmentally and economically
Al Gore is an American politician and environmentalist who served as the 45th Vice President of the United States from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton Despite several less optimistic projections for the future Al Gore presents a different perspective on the matter showing that embracing green solutions is becoming cheaper and cheaper as well as more efficient to implement Is the green future closer than we have been imagining
COMMITTEE ON BUDGETARY AFFAIRS
Beyond Europe 2020 What key points should the European Commission propose as targets of a European Strategy package after 2020
The European Parliament is one of the budgetary arms of the EU Together with the Council it establishes the annu-al budget of the European Union Even though the num-bers shown in the video are outdated it accurately por-trays the importance of the EU Budget and its purpose
What is BUDG
This process goes through the Committee on Budgets
httpstwittercomep_budgets
Additional information can be found on this committeersquos twitter account
BUDG was responsible for approving and set-ting the rules of the budget plan for Europe 2020 the ten-year economic programme of the EU
08
smart|sustainable|inclusive
development
EUROPEANSrsquo VIEW ON EUROPE 2020
45 consider that the EU ldquois going in the right direc-tion to exit the crisis and face new global challengesrdquo
25 consider that it is going in the wrong direction23 believe that the EU is going in neither the right nor the wrong direction7 expressed no opinion on Europe2020
Source European Commission Europe2020 Report (Standard Eurobarometer 81 Spring 2014) Pages 13-18
ldquoOn March 5 the European Commission launched the first step in reviewing the Europe 2020 strategy The mid-term review is designed
to take stock of the progress made so far in achieving the goals and targets of Europe 2020 and to set the pace for possible re-enforcement
or adaptation of the strategy As people continue to struggle with the impact of the financial and economic crisis we need the European Union Institutions and member states to honour the
commitments they made in 2010rdquo
With 4 years left until the deadline the objectives the EU set with this programme in nearly all categories still have not been met Reviews such as these are crucial By periodi-cally reviewing its general progress we are facilitating anal-ysis and reflection on the evolution of the measures being taken and therefore promoting improvement However af-ter all the analysis and reflections that have been made we can conclude that failure is imminent A change of measures may be the only chance this programme has to ever prevail
Furthermore the answer lies in the upcoming genera-tions The youth need to step in and demand a different ap-proach How should we prioritize our goals What needs to be reformed How will we prevent Europe2020 from shar-ing the same fate as itsrsquo predecessor The Lisbon Strate-gy And last but not least Where should the budgets go to
HOW CAN WE CREATE A NEW STRATEGY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT IS CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THESE UNMET GOALS
EUROPE 2020 INDICATORS
To find appropriate ways of overcoming the programmersquos difficulties it is necessary to first attend to itsrsquo main issues Only after carefully analysing statistics and numbers we can detect the areas that need to be focused on in order to fill the gaps left between the current situation and the objectives
of Europe2020
Employment Rate age group 20-642008 7032009 6902014 692
Europe 2020 goal 75- The unfavourable effect of the economic crisis on the European labour
market has caused the lack of growth on the employment rate
Research and development Gross Domestic Expenditure on ResearchampDevelopment
2008 185 of GDP2014 203 of GDP
Europe 2020 goal 3 of GDPThe EUrsquos efforts to stimulate economic growth by boosting public expenditure on Research and Development have not significantly increased
its GDP
Education People at risk of poverty or social exclusion2005-2009 114 million
2012 1225 million2013 1215 million
- Between 2011 and 2014 almost 1 in every four people in the EU27 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion The increase has been largely attributed to the economic crisis in 2008 and the following recessions in the majority
of Member States
For more information visit Eurostat
ldquoGood governance democracy the rule of law the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows as well as effective accountable and inclusive institutions are crucial Policy coherence at all levels by all coun-tries should be at the core of our new global partnership All our actions will have to be monitored in a transparent way to keep us on track in implementing this challenging new agenda To ensure this we should aim for one overar-ching monitoring accountability and review framework We have an ambitious programme but ambition is needed if we are to fulfil the noble objective we have set ourselves the end of extreme poverty and a sustainable future for all
Lets start working This is our world our dignity our futurerdquo
Speech by European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica at the plenary session of the Third In-ternational Conference on Financing for Development 14 July 2015
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal
![Page 17: Topic boxes of Évora 2016](https://reader031.fdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020522/579077611a28ab6874bd7647/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
This definition can be looked up at the website of the Waste amp Resources Action Programme (WRAP) which is a registered charity that helps communities to achieve a circular economy whilst helping businesses and individuals to reduce waste develop sustainable products and use resources efficiently Effective resource management is crucial to the establishment of a sustainable and green economy The circular economy promotes waste reduction a greater resource productivity increases competitiveness and also reduces the environmental impacts of production and consumption so
urce
http
w
ww
spro
utec
ours
eorg
Game project about energy saving and smart building funded by the European Unionrsquos Seventh Programme for research technological development and demonstration
click on the logo to see the video
Smart Cities in Europe ndash what can we learn from them
1 Copenhagen - 40 of all commuters travel by bike
2 Vienna- Renovated a former 40 hectare slaughterhouse district and turned it into an innovation district focused on media science and technology
3 Stockholm- 40 of its land mass is dedicated to green space
4 London- Londonrsquos Royal Docks emerged from the Olympics plan-ning as a regenerated sustainable commercial and residen-tial area
COMMITTEE ON CIVIL LIBERTIES JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
The future of Schengen How can Europe safeguard its principle of free movement while adequately reacting to the new challenges of the migration and refugee crisis
The Refugue Crisis Fixing Borders Is Not Enough
The article from the Centre of European Reform attempts to find a new strategy in reference to the current refugee crisis Should we use the existing strategy or come up with a totally new one The author states that a large number of immigrants are solely moving countries for economic reasons It is important to see the difference between an economic and lsquogenuinersquo refugee How can we distinguish between the two whilst remaining neutral And who decides how we do this Since poverty alignment should not be an overlooked explanation for immigration
On the other hand is it right to close the boarders to economic refugees Europersquos economy remains far more stable than the majority of countries that refugees are coming from Europe has to realise that 99 of the refugees are living lives full of hardships Such lives as lived by a 13-year-old refugee from Lebanon who started crying in front of the German chancellor Angela Merkel speaking the following words ldquo It is terribly painful to see others really enjoying life when you canrsquot enjoy life yourselfrdquo She is not alone in feeling this way Not in the slightest
04
ldquoWe need a strong European approach on migration And
we need it nowrdquo
Jean-Claude Juncker 23 August 2015
Is the Schengen dream of Europe without borders becoming a thing of
the pastThis article tells a personal story which shows the benefits of the Schengen area for Europeans but also telling the fears of people concerning the ongoing crisis ldquoIt was an ideal that all these countries would unite and be the same and equalrdquo Rainer Maring sighed ldquoBut Europersquos not working right Now all of this is put at risk Wersquore going backwards There are lots of calls to close down the borders Itrsquos all going wrongrdquo How can we ensure that we keep our borders open Nicolas Sarkozy the ex-president of France already declared ldquoSchengen is deadrdquo If we close our borders again will we take a trip back in time or is this a necessary step towards a better future The Greek border is an particular crisis because it is the main entrance into Europe for refugees Will it be enough to close only the Greek borders or will the refugees find alternative entrances to Europe Especially with the most desired destinations for refugees being Germany Sweden and Hungary1
1 Migrant crisis Migration to Europe explained in seven charts [Online] Available at httpwwwbbccomnewsworld-europe-34131911 [Accessed 13 April 2016]
ldquoWe will never erect any fences any wallsrdquo
Aleksander Vucic 26 August 2015
Brussels attacks Can Europe keep its open borders
This article stresses the effect that the terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels had on national security levels Belgium for example rein-troduced boarder controls Furthermore the author highlights that the advantage of open borders is not solely economic Open boarders allow for cultural exchange Do we want to leave all this behind Or should the EU work on a concept that allows open borders and in-stead solves the problems the refugee crisis is causing It is also unsure that we will achieve more effective security by closing our borders
Where are they coming from and where do they go
Seeing all these statistics evokes a range of different emotions From fear to anger to being overwhelmed by the high number of peo-ple who had to leave their whole life behind them in order to be-come ldquoEuropeanrdquo Does their life not have as much worth as ours Do we have the right call a country our territory and deny oth-ers access despite them needing support and acceptance their own homes having been destroyed Is this more of a moral debate
COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AFFAIRS
Investing in a knowledge society How should the EU balance upholding intellectual property rights with the access to knowledge for education culture and research
Intellectual Property Rights protection is involved in everything around us Whether you realise it or not you have certainly encountered it From jokes on Tumblr about Taylor Swift suing everyone to the medicine we take when we have a headache everything involves Intellectual Property protection Naturally it has both a positive and a negative side It is the committeersquos goal to find ways to create a balance between the two
are made on a national level but since the trade market is becoming more and more international with each day there are growing numbers of problems Furthermore considering the fact that a vast amount of big companies are multinational any IPR infringement problems that might occur need to be solved at an international levelPA
TEN
T LA
WS
05
Two sides of the coin
These videos show two different perspectives on the topic The first one being a CEO and Inventor explaining the importance that a strong patent system had in his particular case The second one a TED talk offers the counter view that focuses on the problems that patents create in the medical field by preventing the creation of cheaper versions of the medicines
So which is more important economic growth or access to valuable often lifesaving information If we put it this way it seems obvious that the IPR protection is less important than saving a life However that doesnrsquot mean that the patents copyrights and trademarks should be banned completely as this would increase the unemployment and poverty rates So is there a way to balance the two Are there possible solutions for special cases that IPR effects such as the one described in the medical field
What does the media have to say about this
This article explains the faults that exist in the current patent sys-tem according to the author The author explores the idea of abolishing patenting altogether but having been proven ineffec-tive it also shows what is wrong and how that could be changed
Breakthroughs brought to you by IPR This infographic should give you an idea
of the part that IPR protection systems play in innovation and progress It shows the breakthroughs and the profits gained (shown in the GDP per capita) thanks to the existence of patents and trademarks
What Who Why Ben Wallis answers
In this interview Ben Wallis a Consumers In-ternational Coordinator discusses several as-pects of the topic at hand She speaks of the problems and benefits of patents explains the disadvantages of a strict IP protection sys-tem and shows the interests of consumers and industries in keeping or banishing patents
It might give you a simpler more acces-sible approach to the topic to better help you understand different aspects to it
Why it matters The following graphs show the correlation between the num-ber of Patents and the GDP throughout the years (2000-2014) in the countries of France UK and Germany The lines are continuously parallel showing the positive influ-ence of the Patents on the economy From this we can con-clude the importance that IPR intensive companies have on the economy and the influence their use has on cre-ating employment This supports the argument that the abolishment of Patents and other forms of IP protection would have a significantly large negative impact on the economy
In conclusion there are two main conflicts at stake
bull The conflict between the preservation of intellectual property by the authors and the stagnation of progress and innovation caused by the lack of access to the information that is patented
bull The lack of harmonization of patent legislation across
the EU
Considering all of the information given to you the various perspectives and insights what do you think could be done to solve the existing problems Who should be prioritized the inventors or the consumers or is the possibility to find a com-
promise an achievable solution
COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS
Equal opportunities or equality of result In how far should Europe make an effort to reduce the growing wage and income inequality whilst keeping in mind its aim of lifting 20 million people out of risk of poverty and social exclusion
Income inequality is a significant issue facing todayrsquos society that effects almost every country in the world The staggering difference between the rich and the poor has serious consequences on society and the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion is on the rise This disparity has become more and more apparent In both developed and developing countries the poorest half of a country representing only 10 of its wealth Also it is proven by the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report of 2012 that the richest 300 people on earth have the same amount of money as the total owned by the poorest 3 billion people The same report states that some countries in the world are 80 times richer than others So considering the differences of the economic and political systems between countries what can be done to balance such inequalities
ww
wth
eru
leso
rg
On September 15th 2015 the European Federation of Academies of Sci-ences and Humanities (ALLEA) the European Science Foundation (ESF) and the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) gathered to de-bate the rise of income inequality in EU countries For example a pro-
posed solution discussed in this meeting was the taxation of the richest individuals Af-ter this debate the partici-pants unanimously conclud-ed that this issue is not being properly addressed by the Member Statesrsquo governments If this is the case the prob-lem of income inequality will not be solved and equality will
not be achieved How can we encourage Member States to pay more at-tention to this issue Recent events such as the reports on tax avoid-ance by multinational companies (eg IKEA and Starbucks) and the role of offshore companies concerning the Panama Papers affair have once again underlined that there is far too much room for improvement
ep
th
in
kt
an
k
eu
In 2012 Eurostat released a video explaining that the definition of poverty inside the European Union can differ greatly since all the Member Stateslsquo and its individuals have different perspectives This is due to unavoidable cultural differences in each Member State But is this really as simple as Eurostat makes it seem What do you think is poverty a product of cultural differences Letrsquos take a closer look
06
First off the poor acting of the ldquojournalistldquo and her ldquofriendldquo is completely ridiculous Do we really need a ldquoplotldquo to ex-plain poverty in the European Union This video is far too light-hearted when taking into account the issue they are discussing poverty not exactly material for small-talk It makes poverty look like a joke rather than the real issue it is
The only redeeming quality of this video is the fact that per-ception of poverty is highlighted to be relative to the society in which a person lives in Imagine you live in a neighbourhood where there is no sign of poverty you would see poverty as a pressing issue However if you lived in a less ldquoaffluent part of townrdquo where you witness poverty all around you you would be unavoidably aware of itrsquos presence With only this to commend Eurostatrsquos video on you could say lsquonice tryrsquo and suggest the EU should address this widespread problem appropriately and justly
Taking all of this into account what measures can be tak-en to tackle the lack of serious action regarding this issue What could be done in regards to both nation-al and global taxation policies We are curious what EM-PLrsquos stance on the topic of inequality is looking like
COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY
Sustainable growth on global markets After the agreements of the COP21 Summit in Paris have paved the way for a global climate deal how can Europe push for a global emission trading scheme
bullAim for greenhouse gas emissions to peak as soon as possible bullRapid reductions to achieve a balance between emissions from human activity and the amount that can be retained in the atmosphere
bullDeveloped countries must continue to take the lead in the reduction of greenhouse gases
bullDeveloping nations are encouraged to enhance their efforts and move over time to cut emissions
bull Keep warming ldquowell below 2 degrees celsiusrdquo
bull Continue all efforts to limit the rise in the temperature to 15 degrees celsius
07
The Paris Agreement represents the first step towards a greener planet The Parties agreed on an ambition cycle a set of goals timeframes and commitments designed to ensure that Parties
regularly strengthen their commitments Governments aim to lower global warming to below 2ordmC meanwhile providing finance to poor nations to help them cut emissions and cope
with the effects of extreme weather
MEDIASocial Europe ndash After COP21 The EU Needs to Revise its Climate Policy Targets by Beacutela Galgoacuteczi explains the measures and actions of the governments involved and their long term effect on global warming
Pan European Networks ndash Climate emissions reports may offer ldquofalse hoperdquoAccording to this article the Paris Agreement and the measures taken to avoid an increase in global warming
NUMBERS20 increase in energy from r e n e w a b l e s compared to
1990
Only the first 3 countries have achieved the Europe 2020 target According to these statistics in 2014 EU-28 was only 4 away from reaching the goal
httpeceuropaeu
G r e e n h o u s e gas emissions are 20 low-er than in 1990
Levels of greenhouse gases have been decreasing since 1990 and by now this target is almost achieved
httpeceuropaeu
20 increase in energy efficiency
compared to 1990
Estonia was the only country reach-ing the target as of yet Zero represents the achievement of the goal which means most of the Member-states have a long way until they achieve the necessary increase in en-ergy efficiency by 20
httpeceuropaeu
This video explains in a simplified way all the negotiations that took place in Paris The COP21 Conference in Paris was a major step forwards to ensure a sustainable future The previous conferences did not have the same success Furthermore the COP21 will give several countries the opportunity to work together towards a greener and more sustainable future energy-wise environmentally and economically
Al Gore is an American politician and environmentalist who served as the 45th Vice President of the United States from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton Despite several less optimistic projections for the future Al Gore presents a different perspective on the matter showing that embracing green solutions is becoming cheaper and cheaper as well as more efficient to implement Is the green future closer than we have been imagining
COMMITTEE ON BUDGETARY AFFAIRS
Beyond Europe 2020 What key points should the European Commission propose as targets of a European Strategy package after 2020
The European Parliament is one of the budgetary arms of the EU Together with the Council it establishes the annu-al budget of the European Union Even though the num-bers shown in the video are outdated it accurately por-trays the importance of the EU Budget and its purpose
What is BUDG
This process goes through the Committee on Budgets
httpstwittercomep_budgets
Additional information can be found on this committeersquos twitter account
BUDG was responsible for approving and set-ting the rules of the budget plan for Europe 2020 the ten-year economic programme of the EU
08
smart|sustainable|inclusive
development
EUROPEANSrsquo VIEW ON EUROPE 2020
45 consider that the EU ldquois going in the right direc-tion to exit the crisis and face new global challengesrdquo
25 consider that it is going in the wrong direction23 believe that the EU is going in neither the right nor the wrong direction7 expressed no opinion on Europe2020
Source European Commission Europe2020 Report (Standard Eurobarometer 81 Spring 2014) Pages 13-18
ldquoOn March 5 the European Commission launched the first step in reviewing the Europe 2020 strategy The mid-term review is designed
to take stock of the progress made so far in achieving the goals and targets of Europe 2020 and to set the pace for possible re-enforcement
or adaptation of the strategy As people continue to struggle with the impact of the financial and economic crisis we need the European Union Institutions and member states to honour the
commitments they made in 2010rdquo
With 4 years left until the deadline the objectives the EU set with this programme in nearly all categories still have not been met Reviews such as these are crucial By periodi-cally reviewing its general progress we are facilitating anal-ysis and reflection on the evolution of the measures being taken and therefore promoting improvement However af-ter all the analysis and reflections that have been made we can conclude that failure is imminent A change of measures may be the only chance this programme has to ever prevail
Furthermore the answer lies in the upcoming genera-tions The youth need to step in and demand a different ap-proach How should we prioritize our goals What needs to be reformed How will we prevent Europe2020 from shar-ing the same fate as itsrsquo predecessor The Lisbon Strate-gy And last but not least Where should the budgets go to
HOW CAN WE CREATE A NEW STRATEGY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT IS CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THESE UNMET GOALS
EUROPE 2020 INDICATORS
To find appropriate ways of overcoming the programmersquos difficulties it is necessary to first attend to itsrsquo main issues Only after carefully analysing statistics and numbers we can detect the areas that need to be focused on in order to fill the gaps left between the current situation and the objectives
of Europe2020
Employment Rate age group 20-642008 7032009 6902014 692
Europe 2020 goal 75- The unfavourable effect of the economic crisis on the European labour
market has caused the lack of growth on the employment rate
Research and development Gross Domestic Expenditure on ResearchampDevelopment
2008 185 of GDP2014 203 of GDP
Europe 2020 goal 3 of GDPThe EUrsquos efforts to stimulate economic growth by boosting public expenditure on Research and Development have not significantly increased
its GDP
Education People at risk of poverty or social exclusion2005-2009 114 million
2012 1225 million2013 1215 million
- Between 2011 and 2014 almost 1 in every four people in the EU27 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion The increase has been largely attributed to the economic crisis in 2008 and the following recessions in the majority
of Member States
For more information visit Eurostat
ldquoGood governance democracy the rule of law the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows as well as effective accountable and inclusive institutions are crucial Policy coherence at all levels by all coun-tries should be at the core of our new global partnership All our actions will have to be monitored in a transparent way to keep us on track in implementing this challenging new agenda To ensure this we should aim for one overar-ching monitoring accountability and review framework We have an ambitious programme but ambition is needed if we are to fulfil the noble objective we have set ourselves the end of extreme poverty and a sustainable future for all
Lets start working This is our world our dignity our futurerdquo
Speech by European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica at the plenary session of the Third In-ternational Conference on Financing for Development 14 July 2015
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal
![Page 18: Topic boxes of Évora 2016](https://reader031.fdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020522/579077611a28ab6874bd7647/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Smart Cities in Europe ndash what can we learn from them
1 Copenhagen - 40 of all commuters travel by bike
2 Vienna- Renovated a former 40 hectare slaughterhouse district and turned it into an innovation district focused on media science and technology
3 Stockholm- 40 of its land mass is dedicated to green space
4 London- Londonrsquos Royal Docks emerged from the Olympics plan-ning as a regenerated sustainable commercial and residen-tial area
COMMITTEE ON CIVIL LIBERTIES JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
The future of Schengen How can Europe safeguard its principle of free movement while adequately reacting to the new challenges of the migration and refugee crisis
The Refugue Crisis Fixing Borders Is Not Enough
The article from the Centre of European Reform attempts to find a new strategy in reference to the current refugee crisis Should we use the existing strategy or come up with a totally new one The author states that a large number of immigrants are solely moving countries for economic reasons It is important to see the difference between an economic and lsquogenuinersquo refugee How can we distinguish between the two whilst remaining neutral And who decides how we do this Since poverty alignment should not be an overlooked explanation for immigration
On the other hand is it right to close the boarders to economic refugees Europersquos economy remains far more stable than the majority of countries that refugees are coming from Europe has to realise that 99 of the refugees are living lives full of hardships Such lives as lived by a 13-year-old refugee from Lebanon who started crying in front of the German chancellor Angela Merkel speaking the following words ldquo It is terribly painful to see others really enjoying life when you canrsquot enjoy life yourselfrdquo She is not alone in feeling this way Not in the slightest
04
ldquoWe need a strong European approach on migration And
we need it nowrdquo
Jean-Claude Juncker 23 August 2015
Is the Schengen dream of Europe without borders becoming a thing of
the pastThis article tells a personal story which shows the benefits of the Schengen area for Europeans but also telling the fears of people concerning the ongoing crisis ldquoIt was an ideal that all these countries would unite and be the same and equalrdquo Rainer Maring sighed ldquoBut Europersquos not working right Now all of this is put at risk Wersquore going backwards There are lots of calls to close down the borders Itrsquos all going wrongrdquo How can we ensure that we keep our borders open Nicolas Sarkozy the ex-president of France already declared ldquoSchengen is deadrdquo If we close our borders again will we take a trip back in time or is this a necessary step towards a better future The Greek border is an particular crisis because it is the main entrance into Europe for refugees Will it be enough to close only the Greek borders or will the refugees find alternative entrances to Europe Especially with the most desired destinations for refugees being Germany Sweden and Hungary1
1 Migrant crisis Migration to Europe explained in seven charts [Online] Available at httpwwwbbccomnewsworld-europe-34131911 [Accessed 13 April 2016]
ldquoWe will never erect any fences any wallsrdquo
Aleksander Vucic 26 August 2015
Brussels attacks Can Europe keep its open borders
This article stresses the effect that the terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels had on national security levels Belgium for example rein-troduced boarder controls Furthermore the author highlights that the advantage of open borders is not solely economic Open boarders allow for cultural exchange Do we want to leave all this behind Or should the EU work on a concept that allows open borders and in-stead solves the problems the refugee crisis is causing It is also unsure that we will achieve more effective security by closing our borders
Where are they coming from and where do they go
Seeing all these statistics evokes a range of different emotions From fear to anger to being overwhelmed by the high number of peo-ple who had to leave their whole life behind them in order to be-come ldquoEuropeanrdquo Does their life not have as much worth as ours Do we have the right call a country our territory and deny oth-ers access despite them needing support and acceptance their own homes having been destroyed Is this more of a moral debate
COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AFFAIRS
Investing in a knowledge society How should the EU balance upholding intellectual property rights with the access to knowledge for education culture and research
Intellectual Property Rights protection is involved in everything around us Whether you realise it or not you have certainly encountered it From jokes on Tumblr about Taylor Swift suing everyone to the medicine we take when we have a headache everything involves Intellectual Property protection Naturally it has both a positive and a negative side It is the committeersquos goal to find ways to create a balance between the two
are made on a national level but since the trade market is becoming more and more international with each day there are growing numbers of problems Furthermore considering the fact that a vast amount of big companies are multinational any IPR infringement problems that might occur need to be solved at an international levelPA
TEN
T LA
WS
05
Two sides of the coin
These videos show two different perspectives on the topic The first one being a CEO and Inventor explaining the importance that a strong patent system had in his particular case The second one a TED talk offers the counter view that focuses on the problems that patents create in the medical field by preventing the creation of cheaper versions of the medicines
So which is more important economic growth or access to valuable often lifesaving information If we put it this way it seems obvious that the IPR protection is less important than saving a life However that doesnrsquot mean that the patents copyrights and trademarks should be banned completely as this would increase the unemployment and poverty rates So is there a way to balance the two Are there possible solutions for special cases that IPR effects such as the one described in the medical field
What does the media have to say about this
This article explains the faults that exist in the current patent sys-tem according to the author The author explores the idea of abolishing patenting altogether but having been proven ineffec-tive it also shows what is wrong and how that could be changed
Breakthroughs brought to you by IPR This infographic should give you an idea
of the part that IPR protection systems play in innovation and progress It shows the breakthroughs and the profits gained (shown in the GDP per capita) thanks to the existence of patents and trademarks
What Who Why Ben Wallis answers
In this interview Ben Wallis a Consumers In-ternational Coordinator discusses several as-pects of the topic at hand She speaks of the problems and benefits of patents explains the disadvantages of a strict IP protection sys-tem and shows the interests of consumers and industries in keeping or banishing patents
It might give you a simpler more acces-sible approach to the topic to better help you understand different aspects to it
Why it matters The following graphs show the correlation between the num-ber of Patents and the GDP throughout the years (2000-2014) in the countries of France UK and Germany The lines are continuously parallel showing the positive influ-ence of the Patents on the economy From this we can con-clude the importance that IPR intensive companies have on the economy and the influence their use has on cre-ating employment This supports the argument that the abolishment of Patents and other forms of IP protection would have a significantly large negative impact on the economy
In conclusion there are two main conflicts at stake
bull The conflict between the preservation of intellectual property by the authors and the stagnation of progress and innovation caused by the lack of access to the information that is patented
bull The lack of harmonization of patent legislation across
the EU
Considering all of the information given to you the various perspectives and insights what do you think could be done to solve the existing problems Who should be prioritized the inventors or the consumers or is the possibility to find a com-
promise an achievable solution
COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS
Equal opportunities or equality of result In how far should Europe make an effort to reduce the growing wage and income inequality whilst keeping in mind its aim of lifting 20 million people out of risk of poverty and social exclusion
Income inequality is a significant issue facing todayrsquos society that effects almost every country in the world The staggering difference between the rich and the poor has serious consequences on society and the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion is on the rise This disparity has become more and more apparent In both developed and developing countries the poorest half of a country representing only 10 of its wealth Also it is proven by the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report of 2012 that the richest 300 people on earth have the same amount of money as the total owned by the poorest 3 billion people The same report states that some countries in the world are 80 times richer than others So considering the differences of the economic and political systems between countries what can be done to balance such inequalities
ww
wth
eru
leso
rg
On September 15th 2015 the European Federation of Academies of Sci-ences and Humanities (ALLEA) the European Science Foundation (ESF) and the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) gathered to de-bate the rise of income inequality in EU countries For example a pro-
posed solution discussed in this meeting was the taxation of the richest individuals Af-ter this debate the partici-pants unanimously conclud-ed that this issue is not being properly addressed by the Member Statesrsquo governments If this is the case the prob-lem of income inequality will not be solved and equality will
not be achieved How can we encourage Member States to pay more at-tention to this issue Recent events such as the reports on tax avoid-ance by multinational companies (eg IKEA and Starbucks) and the role of offshore companies concerning the Panama Papers affair have once again underlined that there is far too much room for improvement
ep
th
in
kt
an
k
eu
In 2012 Eurostat released a video explaining that the definition of poverty inside the European Union can differ greatly since all the Member Stateslsquo and its individuals have different perspectives This is due to unavoidable cultural differences in each Member State But is this really as simple as Eurostat makes it seem What do you think is poverty a product of cultural differences Letrsquos take a closer look
06
First off the poor acting of the ldquojournalistldquo and her ldquofriendldquo is completely ridiculous Do we really need a ldquoplotldquo to ex-plain poverty in the European Union This video is far too light-hearted when taking into account the issue they are discussing poverty not exactly material for small-talk It makes poverty look like a joke rather than the real issue it is
The only redeeming quality of this video is the fact that per-ception of poverty is highlighted to be relative to the society in which a person lives in Imagine you live in a neighbourhood where there is no sign of poverty you would see poverty as a pressing issue However if you lived in a less ldquoaffluent part of townrdquo where you witness poverty all around you you would be unavoidably aware of itrsquos presence With only this to commend Eurostatrsquos video on you could say lsquonice tryrsquo and suggest the EU should address this widespread problem appropriately and justly
Taking all of this into account what measures can be tak-en to tackle the lack of serious action regarding this issue What could be done in regards to both nation-al and global taxation policies We are curious what EM-PLrsquos stance on the topic of inequality is looking like
COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY
Sustainable growth on global markets After the agreements of the COP21 Summit in Paris have paved the way for a global climate deal how can Europe push for a global emission trading scheme
bullAim for greenhouse gas emissions to peak as soon as possible bullRapid reductions to achieve a balance between emissions from human activity and the amount that can be retained in the atmosphere
bullDeveloped countries must continue to take the lead in the reduction of greenhouse gases
bullDeveloping nations are encouraged to enhance their efforts and move over time to cut emissions
bull Keep warming ldquowell below 2 degrees celsiusrdquo
bull Continue all efforts to limit the rise in the temperature to 15 degrees celsius
07
The Paris Agreement represents the first step towards a greener planet The Parties agreed on an ambition cycle a set of goals timeframes and commitments designed to ensure that Parties
regularly strengthen their commitments Governments aim to lower global warming to below 2ordmC meanwhile providing finance to poor nations to help them cut emissions and cope
with the effects of extreme weather
MEDIASocial Europe ndash After COP21 The EU Needs to Revise its Climate Policy Targets by Beacutela Galgoacuteczi explains the measures and actions of the governments involved and their long term effect on global warming
Pan European Networks ndash Climate emissions reports may offer ldquofalse hoperdquoAccording to this article the Paris Agreement and the measures taken to avoid an increase in global warming
NUMBERS20 increase in energy from r e n e w a b l e s compared to
1990
Only the first 3 countries have achieved the Europe 2020 target According to these statistics in 2014 EU-28 was only 4 away from reaching the goal
httpeceuropaeu
G r e e n h o u s e gas emissions are 20 low-er than in 1990
Levels of greenhouse gases have been decreasing since 1990 and by now this target is almost achieved
httpeceuropaeu
20 increase in energy efficiency
compared to 1990
Estonia was the only country reach-ing the target as of yet Zero represents the achievement of the goal which means most of the Member-states have a long way until they achieve the necessary increase in en-ergy efficiency by 20
httpeceuropaeu
This video explains in a simplified way all the negotiations that took place in Paris The COP21 Conference in Paris was a major step forwards to ensure a sustainable future The previous conferences did not have the same success Furthermore the COP21 will give several countries the opportunity to work together towards a greener and more sustainable future energy-wise environmentally and economically
Al Gore is an American politician and environmentalist who served as the 45th Vice President of the United States from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton Despite several less optimistic projections for the future Al Gore presents a different perspective on the matter showing that embracing green solutions is becoming cheaper and cheaper as well as more efficient to implement Is the green future closer than we have been imagining
COMMITTEE ON BUDGETARY AFFAIRS
Beyond Europe 2020 What key points should the European Commission propose as targets of a European Strategy package after 2020
The European Parliament is one of the budgetary arms of the EU Together with the Council it establishes the annu-al budget of the European Union Even though the num-bers shown in the video are outdated it accurately por-trays the importance of the EU Budget and its purpose
What is BUDG
This process goes through the Committee on Budgets
httpstwittercomep_budgets
Additional information can be found on this committeersquos twitter account
BUDG was responsible for approving and set-ting the rules of the budget plan for Europe 2020 the ten-year economic programme of the EU
08
smart|sustainable|inclusive
development
EUROPEANSrsquo VIEW ON EUROPE 2020
45 consider that the EU ldquois going in the right direc-tion to exit the crisis and face new global challengesrdquo
25 consider that it is going in the wrong direction23 believe that the EU is going in neither the right nor the wrong direction7 expressed no opinion on Europe2020
Source European Commission Europe2020 Report (Standard Eurobarometer 81 Spring 2014) Pages 13-18
ldquoOn March 5 the European Commission launched the first step in reviewing the Europe 2020 strategy The mid-term review is designed
to take stock of the progress made so far in achieving the goals and targets of Europe 2020 and to set the pace for possible re-enforcement
or adaptation of the strategy As people continue to struggle with the impact of the financial and economic crisis we need the European Union Institutions and member states to honour the
commitments they made in 2010rdquo
With 4 years left until the deadline the objectives the EU set with this programme in nearly all categories still have not been met Reviews such as these are crucial By periodi-cally reviewing its general progress we are facilitating anal-ysis and reflection on the evolution of the measures being taken and therefore promoting improvement However af-ter all the analysis and reflections that have been made we can conclude that failure is imminent A change of measures may be the only chance this programme has to ever prevail
Furthermore the answer lies in the upcoming genera-tions The youth need to step in and demand a different ap-proach How should we prioritize our goals What needs to be reformed How will we prevent Europe2020 from shar-ing the same fate as itsrsquo predecessor The Lisbon Strate-gy And last but not least Where should the budgets go to
HOW CAN WE CREATE A NEW STRATEGY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT IS CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THESE UNMET GOALS
EUROPE 2020 INDICATORS
To find appropriate ways of overcoming the programmersquos difficulties it is necessary to first attend to itsrsquo main issues Only after carefully analysing statistics and numbers we can detect the areas that need to be focused on in order to fill the gaps left between the current situation and the objectives
of Europe2020
Employment Rate age group 20-642008 7032009 6902014 692
Europe 2020 goal 75- The unfavourable effect of the economic crisis on the European labour
market has caused the lack of growth on the employment rate
Research and development Gross Domestic Expenditure on ResearchampDevelopment
2008 185 of GDP2014 203 of GDP
Europe 2020 goal 3 of GDPThe EUrsquos efforts to stimulate economic growth by boosting public expenditure on Research and Development have not significantly increased
its GDP
Education People at risk of poverty or social exclusion2005-2009 114 million
2012 1225 million2013 1215 million
- Between 2011 and 2014 almost 1 in every four people in the EU27 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion The increase has been largely attributed to the economic crisis in 2008 and the following recessions in the majority
of Member States
For more information visit Eurostat
ldquoGood governance democracy the rule of law the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows as well as effective accountable and inclusive institutions are crucial Policy coherence at all levels by all coun-tries should be at the core of our new global partnership All our actions will have to be monitored in a transparent way to keep us on track in implementing this challenging new agenda To ensure this we should aim for one overar-ching monitoring accountability and review framework We have an ambitious programme but ambition is needed if we are to fulfil the noble objective we have set ourselves the end of extreme poverty and a sustainable future for all
Lets start working This is our world our dignity our futurerdquo
Speech by European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica at the plenary session of the Third In-ternational Conference on Financing for Development 14 July 2015
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal
![Page 19: Topic boxes of Évora 2016](https://reader031.fdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020522/579077611a28ab6874bd7647/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
COMMITTEE ON CIVIL LIBERTIES JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
The future of Schengen How can Europe safeguard its principle of free movement while adequately reacting to the new challenges of the migration and refugee crisis
The Refugue Crisis Fixing Borders Is Not Enough
The article from the Centre of European Reform attempts to find a new strategy in reference to the current refugee crisis Should we use the existing strategy or come up with a totally new one The author states that a large number of immigrants are solely moving countries for economic reasons It is important to see the difference between an economic and lsquogenuinersquo refugee How can we distinguish between the two whilst remaining neutral And who decides how we do this Since poverty alignment should not be an overlooked explanation for immigration
On the other hand is it right to close the boarders to economic refugees Europersquos economy remains far more stable than the majority of countries that refugees are coming from Europe has to realise that 99 of the refugees are living lives full of hardships Such lives as lived by a 13-year-old refugee from Lebanon who started crying in front of the German chancellor Angela Merkel speaking the following words ldquo It is terribly painful to see others really enjoying life when you canrsquot enjoy life yourselfrdquo She is not alone in feeling this way Not in the slightest
04
ldquoWe need a strong European approach on migration And
we need it nowrdquo
Jean-Claude Juncker 23 August 2015
Is the Schengen dream of Europe without borders becoming a thing of
the pastThis article tells a personal story which shows the benefits of the Schengen area for Europeans but also telling the fears of people concerning the ongoing crisis ldquoIt was an ideal that all these countries would unite and be the same and equalrdquo Rainer Maring sighed ldquoBut Europersquos not working right Now all of this is put at risk Wersquore going backwards There are lots of calls to close down the borders Itrsquos all going wrongrdquo How can we ensure that we keep our borders open Nicolas Sarkozy the ex-president of France already declared ldquoSchengen is deadrdquo If we close our borders again will we take a trip back in time or is this a necessary step towards a better future The Greek border is an particular crisis because it is the main entrance into Europe for refugees Will it be enough to close only the Greek borders or will the refugees find alternative entrances to Europe Especially with the most desired destinations for refugees being Germany Sweden and Hungary1
1 Migrant crisis Migration to Europe explained in seven charts [Online] Available at httpwwwbbccomnewsworld-europe-34131911 [Accessed 13 April 2016]
ldquoWe will never erect any fences any wallsrdquo
Aleksander Vucic 26 August 2015
Brussels attacks Can Europe keep its open borders
This article stresses the effect that the terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels had on national security levels Belgium for example rein-troduced boarder controls Furthermore the author highlights that the advantage of open borders is not solely economic Open boarders allow for cultural exchange Do we want to leave all this behind Or should the EU work on a concept that allows open borders and in-stead solves the problems the refugee crisis is causing It is also unsure that we will achieve more effective security by closing our borders
Where are they coming from and where do they go
Seeing all these statistics evokes a range of different emotions From fear to anger to being overwhelmed by the high number of peo-ple who had to leave their whole life behind them in order to be-come ldquoEuropeanrdquo Does their life not have as much worth as ours Do we have the right call a country our territory and deny oth-ers access despite them needing support and acceptance their own homes having been destroyed Is this more of a moral debate
COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AFFAIRS
Investing in a knowledge society How should the EU balance upholding intellectual property rights with the access to knowledge for education culture and research
Intellectual Property Rights protection is involved in everything around us Whether you realise it or not you have certainly encountered it From jokes on Tumblr about Taylor Swift suing everyone to the medicine we take when we have a headache everything involves Intellectual Property protection Naturally it has both a positive and a negative side It is the committeersquos goal to find ways to create a balance between the two
are made on a national level but since the trade market is becoming more and more international with each day there are growing numbers of problems Furthermore considering the fact that a vast amount of big companies are multinational any IPR infringement problems that might occur need to be solved at an international levelPA
TEN
T LA
WS
05
Two sides of the coin
These videos show two different perspectives on the topic The first one being a CEO and Inventor explaining the importance that a strong patent system had in his particular case The second one a TED talk offers the counter view that focuses on the problems that patents create in the medical field by preventing the creation of cheaper versions of the medicines
So which is more important economic growth or access to valuable often lifesaving information If we put it this way it seems obvious that the IPR protection is less important than saving a life However that doesnrsquot mean that the patents copyrights and trademarks should be banned completely as this would increase the unemployment and poverty rates So is there a way to balance the two Are there possible solutions for special cases that IPR effects such as the one described in the medical field
What does the media have to say about this
This article explains the faults that exist in the current patent sys-tem according to the author The author explores the idea of abolishing patenting altogether but having been proven ineffec-tive it also shows what is wrong and how that could be changed
Breakthroughs brought to you by IPR This infographic should give you an idea
of the part that IPR protection systems play in innovation and progress It shows the breakthroughs and the profits gained (shown in the GDP per capita) thanks to the existence of patents and trademarks
What Who Why Ben Wallis answers
In this interview Ben Wallis a Consumers In-ternational Coordinator discusses several as-pects of the topic at hand She speaks of the problems and benefits of patents explains the disadvantages of a strict IP protection sys-tem and shows the interests of consumers and industries in keeping or banishing patents
It might give you a simpler more acces-sible approach to the topic to better help you understand different aspects to it
Why it matters The following graphs show the correlation between the num-ber of Patents and the GDP throughout the years (2000-2014) in the countries of France UK and Germany The lines are continuously parallel showing the positive influ-ence of the Patents on the economy From this we can con-clude the importance that IPR intensive companies have on the economy and the influence their use has on cre-ating employment This supports the argument that the abolishment of Patents and other forms of IP protection would have a significantly large negative impact on the economy
In conclusion there are two main conflicts at stake
bull The conflict between the preservation of intellectual property by the authors and the stagnation of progress and innovation caused by the lack of access to the information that is patented
bull The lack of harmonization of patent legislation across
the EU
Considering all of the information given to you the various perspectives and insights what do you think could be done to solve the existing problems Who should be prioritized the inventors or the consumers or is the possibility to find a com-
promise an achievable solution
COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS
Equal opportunities or equality of result In how far should Europe make an effort to reduce the growing wage and income inequality whilst keeping in mind its aim of lifting 20 million people out of risk of poverty and social exclusion
Income inequality is a significant issue facing todayrsquos society that effects almost every country in the world The staggering difference between the rich and the poor has serious consequences on society and the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion is on the rise This disparity has become more and more apparent In both developed and developing countries the poorest half of a country representing only 10 of its wealth Also it is proven by the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report of 2012 that the richest 300 people on earth have the same amount of money as the total owned by the poorest 3 billion people The same report states that some countries in the world are 80 times richer than others So considering the differences of the economic and political systems between countries what can be done to balance such inequalities
ww
wth
eru
leso
rg
On September 15th 2015 the European Federation of Academies of Sci-ences and Humanities (ALLEA) the European Science Foundation (ESF) and the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) gathered to de-bate the rise of income inequality in EU countries For example a pro-
posed solution discussed in this meeting was the taxation of the richest individuals Af-ter this debate the partici-pants unanimously conclud-ed that this issue is not being properly addressed by the Member Statesrsquo governments If this is the case the prob-lem of income inequality will not be solved and equality will
not be achieved How can we encourage Member States to pay more at-tention to this issue Recent events such as the reports on tax avoid-ance by multinational companies (eg IKEA and Starbucks) and the role of offshore companies concerning the Panama Papers affair have once again underlined that there is far too much room for improvement
ep
th
in
kt
an
k
eu
In 2012 Eurostat released a video explaining that the definition of poverty inside the European Union can differ greatly since all the Member Stateslsquo and its individuals have different perspectives This is due to unavoidable cultural differences in each Member State But is this really as simple as Eurostat makes it seem What do you think is poverty a product of cultural differences Letrsquos take a closer look
06
First off the poor acting of the ldquojournalistldquo and her ldquofriendldquo is completely ridiculous Do we really need a ldquoplotldquo to ex-plain poverty in the European Union This video is far too light-hearted when taking into account the issue they are discussing poverty not exactly material for small-talk It makes poverty look like a joke rather than the real issue it is
The only redeeming quality of this video is the fact that per-ception of poverty is highlighted to be relative to the society in which a person lives in Imagine you live in a neighbourhood where there is no sign of poverty you would see poverty as a pressing issue However if you lived in a less ldquoaffluent part of townrdquo where you witness poverty all around you you would be unavoidably aware of itrsquos presence With only this to commend Eurostatrsquos video on you could say lsquonice tryrsquo and suggest the EU should address this widespread problem appropriately and justly
Taking all of this into account what measures can be tak-en to tackle the lack of serious action regarding this issue What could be done in regards to both nation-al and global taxation policies We are curious what EM-PLrsquos stance on the topic of inequality is looking like
COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY
Sustainable growth on global markets After the agreements of the COP21 Summit in Paris have paved the way for a global climate deal how can Europe push for a global emission trading scheme
bullAim for greenhouse gas emissions to peak as soon as possible bullRapid reductions to achieve a balance between emissions from human activity and the amount that can be retained in the atmosphere
bullDeveloped countries must continue to take the lead in the reduction of greenhouse gases
bullDeveloping nations are encouraged to enhance their efforts and move over time to cut emissions
bull Keep warming ldquowell below 2 degrees celsiusrdquo
bull Continue all efforts to limit the rise in the temperature to 15 degrees celsius
07
The Paris Agreement represents the first step towards a greener planet The Parties agreed on an ambition cycle a set of goals timeframes and commitments designed to ensure that Parties
regularly strengthen their commitments Governments aim to lower global warming to below 2ordmC meanwhile providing finance to poor nations to help them cut emissions and cope
with the effects of extreme weather
MEDIASocial Europe ndash After COP21 The EU Needs to Revise its Climate Policy Targets by Beacutela Galgoacuteczi explains the measures and actions of the governments involved and their long term effect on global warming
Pan European Networks ndash Climate emissions reports may offer ldquofalse hoperdquoAccording to this article the Paris Agreement and the measures taken to avoid an increase in global warming
NUMBERS20 increase in energy from r e n e w a b l e s compared to
1990
Only the first 3 countries have achieved the Europe 2020 target According to these statistics in 2014 EU-28 was only 4 away from reaching the goal
httpeceuropaeu
G r e e n h o u s e gas emissions are 20 low-er than in 1990
Levels of greenhouse gases have been decreasing since 1990 and by now this target is almost achieved
httpeceuropaeu
20 increase in energy efficiency
compared to 1990
Estonia was the only country reach-ing the target as of yet Zero represents the achievement of the goal which means most of the Member-states have a long way until they achieve the necessary increase in en-ergy efficiency by 20
httpeceuropaeu
This video explains in a simplified way all the negotiations that took place in Paris The COP21 Conference in Paris was a major step forwards to ensure a sustainable future The previous conferences did not have the same success Furthermore the COP21 will give several countries the opportunity to work together towards a greener and more sustainable future energy-wise environmentally and economically
Al Gore is an American politician and environmentalist who served as the 45th Vice President of the United States from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton Despite several less optimistic projections for the future Al Gore presents a different perspective on the matter showing that embracing green solutions is becoming cheaper and cheaper as well as more efficient to implement Is the green future closer than we have been imagining
COMMITTEE ON BUDGETARY AFFAIRS
Beyond Europe 2020 What key points should the European Commission propose as targets of a European Strategy package after 2020
The European Parliament is one of the budgetary arms of the EU Together with the Council it establishes the annu-al budget of the European Union Even though the num-bers shown in the video are outdated it accurately por-trays the importance of the EU Budget and its purpose
What is BUDG
This process goes through the Committee on Budgets
httpstwittercomep_budgets
Additional information can be found on this committeersquos twitter account
BUDG was responsible for approving and set-ting the rules of the budget plan for Europe 2020 the ten-year economic programme of the EU
08
smart|sustainable|inclusive
development
EUROPEANSrsquo VIEW ON EUROPE 2020
45 consider that the EU ldquois going in the right direc-tion to exit the crisis and face new global challengesrdquo
25 consider that it is going in the wrong direction23 believe that the EU is going in neither the right nor the wrong direction7 expressed no opinion on Europe2020
Source European Commission Europe2020 Report (Standard Eurobarometer 81 Spring 2014) Pages 13-18
ldquoOn March 5 the European Commission launched the first step in reviewing the Europe 2020 strategy The mid-term review is designed
to take stock of the progress made so far in achieving the goals and targets of Europe 2020 and to set the pace for possible re-enforcement
or adaptation of the strategy As people continue to struggle with the impact of the financial and economic crisis we need the European Union Institutions and member states to honour the
commitments they made in 2010rdquo
With 4 years left until the deadline the objectives the EU set with this programme in nearly all categories still have not been met Reviews such as these are crucial By periodi-cally reviewing its general progress we are facilitating anal-ysis and reflection on the evolution of the measures being taken and therefore promoting improvement However af-ter all the analysis and reflections that have been made we can conclude that failure is imminent A change of measures may be the only chance this programme has to ever prevail
Furthermore the answer lies in the upcoming genera-tions The youth need to step in and demand a different ap-proach How should we prioritize our goals What needs to be reformed How will we prevent Europe2020 from shar-ing the same fate as itsrsquo predecessor The Lisbon Strate-gy And last but not least Where should the budgets go to
HOW CAN WE CREATE A NEW STRATEGY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT IS CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THESE UNMET GOALS
EUROPE 2020 INDICATORS
To find appropriate ways of overcoming the programmersquos difficulties it is necessary to first attend to itsrsquo main issues Only after carefully analysing statistics and numbers we can detect the areas that need to be focused on in order to fill the gaps left between the current situation and the objectives
of Europe2020
Employment Rate age group 20-642008 7032009 6902014 692
Europe 2020 goal 75- The unfavourable effect of the economic crisis on the European labour
market has caused the lack of growth on the employment rate
Research and development Gross Domestic Expenditure on ResearchampDevelopment
2008 185 of GDP2014 203 of GDP
Europe 2020 goal 3 of GDPThe EUrsquos efforts to stimulate economic growth by boosting public expenditure on Research and Development have not significantly increased
its GDP
Education People at risk of poverty or social exclusion2005-2009 114 million
2012 1225 million2013 1215 million
- Between 2011 and 2014 almost 1 in every four people in the EU27 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion The increase has been largely attributed to the economic crisis in 2008 and the following recessions in the majority
of Member States
For more information visit Eurostat
ldquoGood governance democracy the rule of law the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows as well as effective accountable and inclusive institutions are crucial Policy coherence at all levels by all coun-tries should be at the core of our new global partnership All our actions will have to be monitored in a transparent way to keep us on track in implementing this challenging new agenda To ensure this we should aim for one overar-ching monitoring accountability and review framework We have an ambitious programme but ambition is needed if we are to fulfil the noble objective we have set ourselves the end of extreme poverty and a sustainable future for all
Lets start working This is our world our dignity our futurerdquo
Speech by European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica at the plenary session of the Third In-ternational Conference on Financing for Development 14 July 2015
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal
![Page 20: Topic boxes of Évora 2016](https://reader031.fdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020522/579077611a28ab6874bd7647/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
04
ldquoWe need a strong European approach on migration And
we need it nowrdquo
Jean-Claude Juncker 23 August 2015
Is the Schengen dream of Europe without borders becoming a thing of
the pastThis article tells a personal story which shows the benefits of the Schengen area for Europeans but also telling the fears of people concerning the ongoing crisis ldquoIt was an ideal that all these countries would unite and be the same and equalrdquo Rainer Maring sighed ldquoBut Europersquos not working right Now all of this is put at risk Wersquore going backwards There are lots of calls to close down the borders Itrsquos all going wrongrdquo How can we ensure that we keep our borders open Nicolas Sarkozy the ex-president of France already declared ldquoSchengen is deadrdquo If we close our borders again will we take a trip back in time or is this a necessary step towards a better future The Greek border is an particular crisis because it is the main entrance into Europe for refugees Will it be enough to close only the Greek borders or will the refugees find alternative entrances to Europe Especially with the most desired destinations for refugees being Germany Sweden and Hungary1
1 Migrant crisis Migration to Europe explained in seven charts [Online] Available at httpwwwbbccomnewsworld-europe-34131911 [Accessed 13 April 2016]
ldquoWe will never erect any fences any wallsrdquo
Aleksander Vucic 26 August 2015
Brussels attacks Can Europe keep its open borders
This article stresses the effect that the terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels had on national security levels Belgium for example rein-troduced boarder controls Furthermore the author highlights that the advantage of open borders is not solely economic Open boarders allow for cultural exchange Do we want to leave all this behind Or should the EU work on a concept that allows open borders and in-stead solves the problems the refugee crisis is causing It is also unsure that we will achieve more effective security by closing our borders
Where are they coming from and where do they go
Seeing all these statistics evokes a range of different emotions From fear to anger to being overwhelmed by the high number of peo-ple who had to leave their whole life behind them in order to be-come ldquoEuropeanrdquo Does their life not have as much worth as ours Do we have the right call a country our territory and deny oth-ers access despite them needing support and acceptance their own homes having been destroyed Is this more of a moral debate
COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AFFAIRS
Investing in a knowledge society How should the EU balance upholding intellectual property rights with the access to knowledge for education culture and research
Intellectual Property Rights protection is involved in everything around us Whether you realise it or not you have certainly encountered it From jokes on Tumblr about Taylor Swift suing everyone to the medicine we take when we have a headache everything involves Intellectual Property protection Naturally it has both a positive and a negative side It is the committeersquos goal to find ways to create a balance between the two
are made on a national level but since the trade market is becoming more and more international with each day there are growing numbers of problems Furthermore considering the fact that a vast amount of big companies are multinational any IPR infringement problems that might occur need to be solved at an international levelPA
TEN
T LA
WS
05
Two sides of the coin
These videos show two different perspectives on the topic The first one being a CEO and Inventor explaining the importance that a strong patent system had in his particular case The second one a TED talk offers the counter view that focuses on the problems that patents create in the medical field by preventing the creation of cheaper versions of the medicines
So which is more important economic growth or access to valuable often lifesaving information If we put it this way it seems obvious that the IPR protection is less important than saving a life However that doesnrsquot mean that the patents copyrights and trademarks should be banned completely as this would increase the unemployment and poverty rates So is there a way to balance the two Are there possible solutions for special cases that IPR effects such as the one described in the medical field
What does the media have to say about this
This article explains the faults that exist in the current patent sys-tem according to the author The author explores the idea of abolishing patenting altogether but having been proven ineffec-tive it also shows what is wrong and how that could be changed
Breakthroughs brought to you by IPR This infographic should give you an idea
of the part that IPR protection systems play in innovation and progress It shows the breakthroughs and the profits gained (shown in the GDP per capita) thanks to the existence of patents and trademarks
What Who Why Ben Wallis answers
In this interview Ben Wallis a Consumers In-ternational Coordinator discusses several as-pects of the topic at hand She speaks of the problems and benefits of patents explains the disadvantages of a strict IP protection sys-tem and shows the interests of consumers and industries in keeping or banishing patents
It might give you a simpler more acces-sible approach to the topic to better help you understand different aspects to it
Why it matters The following graphs show the correlation between the num-ber of Patents and the GDP throughout the years (2000-2014) in the countries of France UK and Germany The lines are continuously parallel showing the positive influ-ence of the Patents on the economy From this we can con-clude the importance that IPR intensive companies have on the economy and the influence their use has on cre-ating employment This supports the argument that the abolishment of Patents and other forms of IP protection would have a significantly large negative impact on the economy
In conclusion there are two main conflicts at stake
bull The conflict between the preservation of intellectual property by the authors and the stagnation of progress and innovation caused by the lack of access to the information that is patented
bull The lack of harmonization of patent legislation across
the EU
Considering all of the information given to you the various perspectives and insights what do you think could be done to solve the existing problems Who should be prioritized the inventors or the consumers or is the possibility to find a com-
promise an achievable solution
COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS
Equal opportunities or equality of result In how far should Europe make an effort to reduce the growing wage and income inequality whilst keeping in mind its aim of lifting 20 million people out of risk of poverty and social exclusion
Income inequality is a significant issue facing todayrsquos society that effects almost every country in the world The staggering difference between the rich and the poor has serious consequences on society and the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion is on the rise This disparity has become more and more apparent In both developed and developing countries the poorest half of a country representing only 10 of its wealth Also it is proven by the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report of 2012 that the richest 300 people on earth have the same amount of money as the total owned by the poorest 3 billion people The same report states that some countries in the world are 80 times richer than others So considering the differences of the economic and political systems between countries what can be done to balance such inequalities
ww
wth
eru
leso
rg
On September 15th 2015 the European Federation of Academies of Sci-ences and Humanities (ALLEA) the European Science Foundation (ESF) and the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) gathered to de-bate the rise of income inequality in EU countries For example a pro-
posed solution discussed in this meeting was the taxation of the richest individuals Af-ter this debate the partici-pants unanimously conclud-ed that this issue is not being properly addressed by the Member Statesrsquo governments If this is the case the prob-lem of income inequality will not be solved and equality will
not be achieved How can we encourage Member States to pay more at-tention to this issue Recent events such as the reports on tax avoid-ance by multinational companies (eg IKEA and Starbucks) and the role of offshore companies concerning the Panama Papers affair have once again underlined that there is far too much room for improvement
ep
th
in
kt
an
k
eu
In 2012 Eurostat released a video explaining that the definition of poverty inside the European Union can differ greatly since all the Member Stateslsquo and its individuals have different perspectives This is due to unavoidable cultural differences in each Member State But is this really as simple as Eurostat makes it seem What do you think is poverty a product of cultural differences Letrsquos take a closer look
06
First off the poor acting of the ldquojournalistldquo and her ldquofriendldquo is completely ridiculous Do we really need a ldquoplotldquo to ex-plain poverty in the European Union This video is far too light-hearted when taking into account the issue they are discussing poverty not exactly material for small-talk It makes poverty look like a joke rather than the real issue it is
The only redeeming quality of this video is the fact that per-ception of poverty is highlighted to be relative to the society in which a person lives in Imagine you live in a neighbourhood where there is no sign of poverty you would see poverty as a pressing issue However if you lived in a less ldquoaffluent part of townrdquo where you witness poverty all around you you would be unavoidably aware of itrsquos presence With only this to commend Eurostatrsquos video on you could say lsquonice tryrsquo and suggest the EU should address this widespread problem appropriately and justly
Taking all of this into account what measures can be tak-en to tackle the lack of serious action regarding this issue What could be done in regards to both nation-al and global taxation policies We are curious what EM-PLrsquos stance on the topic of inequality is looking like
COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY
Sustainable growth on global markets After the agreements of the COP21 Summit in Paris have paved the way for a global climate deal how can Europe push for a global emission trading scheme
bullAim for greenhouse gas emissions to peak as soon as possible bullRapid reductions to achieve a balance between emissions from human activity and the amount that can be retained in the atmosphere
bullDeveloped countries must continue to take the lead in the reduction of greenhouse gases
bullDeveloping nations are encouraged to enhance their efforts and move over time to cut emissions
bull Keep warming ldquowell below 2 degrees celsiusrdquo
bull Continue all efforts to limit the rise in the temperature to 15 degrees celsius
07
The Paris Agreement represents the first step towards a greener planet The Parties agreed on an ambition cycle a set of goals timeframes and commitments designed to ensure that Parties
regularly strengthen their commitments Governments aim to lower global warming to below 2ordmC meanwhile providing finance to poor nations to help them cut emissions and cope
with the effects of extreme weather
MEDIASocial Europe ndash After COP21 The EU Needs to Revise its Climate Policy Targets by Beacutela Galgoacuteczi explains the measures and actions of the governments involved and their long term effect on global warming
Pan European Networks ndash Climate emissions reports may offer ldquofalse hoperdquoAccording to this article the Paris Agreement and the measures taken to avoid an increase in global warming
NUMBERS20 increase in energy from r e n e w a b l e s compared to
1990
Only the first 3 countries have achieved the Europe 2020 target According to these statistics in 2014 EU-28 was only 4 away from reaching the goal
httpeceuropaeu
G r e e n h o u s e gas emissions are 20 low-er than in 1990
Levels of greenhouse gases have been decreasing since 1990 and by now this target is almost achieved
httpeceuropaeu
20 increase in energy efficiency
compared to 1990
Estonia was the only country reach-ing the target as of yet Zero represents the achievement of the goal which means most of the Member-states have a long way until they achieve the necessary increase in en-ergy efficiency by 20
httpeceuropaeu
This video explains in a simplified way all the negotiations that took place in Paris The COP21 Conference in Paris was a major step forwards to ensure a sustainable future The previous conferences did not have the same success Furthermore the COP21 will give several countries the opportunity to work together towards a greener and more sustainable future energy-wise environmentally and economically
Al Gore is an American politician and environmentalist who served as the 45th Vice President of the United States from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton Despite several less optimistic projections for the future Al Gore presents a different perspective on the matter showing that embracing green solutions is becoming cheaper and cheaper as well as more efficient to implement Is the green future closer than we have been imagining
COMMITTEE ON BUDGETARY AFFAIRS
Beyond Europe 2020 What key points should the European Commission propose as targets of a European Strategy package after 2020
The European Parliament is one of the budgetary arms of the EU Together with the Council it establishes the annu-al budget of the European Union Even though the num-bers shown in the video are outdated it accurately por-trays the importance of the EU Budget and its purpose
What is BUDG
This process goes through the Committee on Budgets
httpstwittercomep_budgets
Additional information can be found on this committeersquos twitter account
BUDG was responsible for approving and set-ting the rules of the budget plan for Europe 2020 the ten-year economic programme of the EU
08
smart|sustainable|inclusive
development
EUROPEANSrsquo VIEW ON EUROPE 2020
45 consider that the EU ldquois going in the right direc-tion to exit the crisis and face new global challengesrdquo
25 consider that it is going in the wrong direction23 believe that the EU is going in neither the right nor the wrong direction7 expressed no opinion on Europe2020
Source European Commission Europe2020 Report (Standard Eurobarometer 81 Spring 2014) Pages 13-18
ldquoOn March 5 the European Commission launched the first step in reviewing the Europe 2020 strategy The mid-term review is designed
to take stock of the progress made so far in achieving the goals and targets of Europe 2020 and to set the pace for possible re-enforcement
or adaptation of the strategy As people continue to struggle with the impact of the financial and economic crisis we need the European Union Institutions and member states to honour the
commitments they made in 2010rdquo
With 4 years left until the deadline the objectives the EU set with this programme in nearly all categories still have not been met Reviews such as these are crucial By periodi-cally reviewing its general progress we are facilitating anal-ysis and reflection on the evolution of the measures being taken and therefore promoting improvement However af-ter all the analysis and reflections that have been made we can conclude that failure is imminent A change of measures may be the only chance this programme has to ever prevail
Furthermore the answer lies in the upcoming genera-tions The youth need to step in and demand a different ap-proach How should we prioritize our goals What needs to be reformed How will we prevent Europe2020 from shar-ing the same fate as itsrsquo predecessor The Lisbon Strate-gy And last but not least Where should the budgets go to
HOW CAN WE CREATE A NEW STRATEGY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT IS CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THESE UNMET GOALS
EUROPE 2020 INDICATORS
To find appropriate ways of overcoming the programmersquos difficulties it is necessary to first attend to itsrsquo main issues Only after carefully analysing statistics and numbers we can detect the areas that need to be focused on in order to fill the gaps left between the current situation and the objectives
of Europe2020
Employment Rate age group 20-642008 7032009 6902014 692
Europe 2020 goal 75- The unfavourable effect of the economic crisis on the European labour
market has caused the lack of growth on the employment rate
Research and development Gross Domestic Expenditure on ResearchampDevelopment
2008 185 of GDP2014 203 of GDP
Europe 2020 goal 3 of GDPThe EUrsquos efforts to stimulate economic growth by boosting public expenditure on Research and Development have not significantly increased
its GDP
Education People at risk of poverty or social exclusion2005-2009 114 million
2012 1225 million2013 1215 million
- Between 2011 and 2014 almost 1 in every four people in the EU27 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion The increase has been largely attributed to the economic crisis in 2008 and the following recessions in the majority
of Member States
For more information visit Eurostat
ldquoGood governance democracy the rule of law the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows as well as effective accountable and inclusive institutions are crucial Policy coherence at all levels by all coun-tries should be at the core of our new global partnership All our actions will have to be monitored in a transparent way to keep us on track in implementing this challenging new agenda To ensure this we should aim for one overar-ching monitoring accountability and review framework We have an ambitious programme but ambition is needed if we are to fulfil the noble objective we have set ourselves the end of extreme poverty and a sustainable future for all
Lets start working This is our world our dignity our futurerdquo
Speech by European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica at the plenary session of the Third In-ternational Conference on Financing for Development 14 July 2015
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal
![Page 21: Topic boxes of Évora 2016](https://reader031.fdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020522/579077611a28ab6874bd7647/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
ldquoWe will never erect any fences any wallsrdquo
Aleksander Vucic 26 August 2015
Brussels attacks Can Europe keep its open borders
This article stresses the effect that the terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels had on national security levels Belgium for example rein-troduced boarder controls Furthermore the author highlights that the advantage of open borders is not solely economic Open boarders allow for cultural exchange Do we want to leave all this behind Or should the EU work on a concept that allows open borders and in-stead solves the problems the refugee crisis is causing It is also unsure that we will achieve more effective security by closing our borders
Where are they coming from and where do they go
Seeing all these statistics evokes a range of different emotions From fear to anger to being overwhelmed by the high number of peo-ple who had to leave their whole life behind them in order to be-come ldquoEuropeanrdquo Does their life not have as much worth as ours Do we have the right call a country our territory and deny oth-ers access despite them needing support and acceptance their own homes having been destroyed Is this more of a moral debate
COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AFFAIRS
Investing in a knowledge society How should the EU balance upholding intellectual property rights with the access to knowledge for education culture and research
Intellectual Property Rights protection is involved in everything around us Whether you realise it or not you have certainly encountered it From jokes on Tumblr about Taylor Swift suing everyone to the medicine we take when we have a headache everything involves Intellectual Property protection Naturally it has both a positive and a negative side It is the committeersquos goal to find ways to create a balance between the two
are made on a national level but since the trade market is becoming more and more international with each day there are growing numbers of problems Furthermore considering the fact that a vast amount of big companies are multinational any IPR infringement problems that might occur need to be solved at an international levelPA
TEN
T LA
WS
05
Two sides of the coin
These videos show two different perspectives on the topic The first one being a CEO and Inventor explaining the importance that a strong patent system had in his particular case The second one a TED talk offers the counter view that focuses on the problems that patents create in the medical field by preventing the creation of cheaper versions of the medicines
So which is more important economic growth or access to valuable often lifesaving information If we put it this way it seems obvious that the IPR protection is less important than saving a life However that doesnrsquot mean that the patents copyrights and trademarks should be banned completely as this would increase the unemployment and poverty rates So is there a way to balance the two Are there possible solutions for special cases that IPR effects such as the one described in the medical field
What does the media have to say about this
This article explains the faults that exist in the current patent sys-tem according to the author The author explores the idea of abolishing patenting altogether but having been proven ineffec-tive it also shows what is wrong and how that could be changed
Breakthroughs brought to you by IPR This infographic should give you an idea
of the part that IPR protection systems play in innovation and progress It shows the breakthroughs and the profits gained (shown in the GDP per capita) thanks to the existence of patents and trademarks
What Who Why Ben Wallis answers
In this interview Ben Wallis a Consumers In-ternational Coordinator discusses several as-pects of the topic at hand She speaks of the problems and benefits of patents explains the disadvantages of a strict IP protection sys-tem and shows the interests of consumers and industries in keeping or banishing patents
It might give you a simpler more acces-sible approach to the topic to better help you understand different aspects to it
Why it matters The following graphs show the correlation between the num-ber of Patents and the GDP throughout the years (2000-2014) in the countries of France UK and Germany The lines are continuously parallel showing the positive influ-ence of the Patents on the economy From this we can con-clude the importance that IPR intensive companies have on the economy and the influence their use has on cre-ating employment This supports the argument that the abolishment of Patents and other forms of IP protection would have a significantly large negative impact on the economy
In conclusion there are two main conflicts at stake
bull The conflict between the preservation of intellectual property by the authors and the stagnation of progress and innovation caused by the lack of access to the information that is patented
bull The lack of harmonization of patent legislation across
the EU
Considering all of the information given to you the various perspectives and insights what do you think could be done to solve the existing problems Who should be prioritized the inventors or the consumers or is the possibility to find a com-
promise an achievable solution
COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS
Equal opportunities or equality of result In how far should Europe make an effort to reduce the growing wage and income inequality whilst keeping in mind its aim of lifting 20 million people out of risk of poverty and social exclusion
Income inequality is a significant issue facing todayrsquos society that effects almost every country in the world The staggering difference between the rich and the poor has serious consequences on society and the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion is on the rise This disparity has become more and more apparent In both developed and developing countries the poorest half of a country representing only 10 of its wealth Also it is proven by the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report of 2012 that the richest 300 people on earth have the same amount of money as the total owned by the poorest 3 billion people The same report states that some countries in the world are 80 times richer than others So considering the differences of the economic and political systems between countries what can be done to balance such inequalities
ww
wth
eru
leso
rg
On September 15th 2015 the European Federation of Academies of Sci-ences and Humanities (ALLEA) the European Science Foundation (ESF) and the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) gathered to de-bate the rise of income inequality in EU countries For example a pro-
posed solution discussed in this meeting was the taxation of the richest individuals Af-ter this debate the partici-pants unanimously conclud-ed that this issue is not being properly addressed by the Member Statesrsquo governments If this is the case the prob-lem of income inequality will not be solved and equality will
not be achieved How can we encourage Member States to pay more at-tention to this issue Recent events such as the reports on tax avoid-ance by multinational companies (eg IKEA and Starbucks) and the role of offshore companies concerning the Panama Papers affair have once again underlined that there is far too much room for improvement
ep
th
in
kt
an
k
eu
In 2012 Eurostat released a video explaining that the definition of poverty inside the European Union can differ greatly since all the Member Stateslsquo and its individuals have different perspectives This is due to unavoidable cultural differences in each Member State But is this really as simple as Eurostat makes it seem What do you think is poverty a product of cultural differences Letrsquos take a closer look
06
First off the poor acting of the ldquojournalistldquo and her ldquofriendldquo is completely ridiculous Do we really need a ldquoplotldquo to ex-plain poverty in the European Union This video is far too light-hearted when taking into account the issue they are discussing poverty not exactly material for small-talk It makes poverty look like a joke rather than the real issue it is
The only redeeming quality of this video is the fact that per-ception of poverty is highlighted to be relative to the society in which a person lives in Imagine you live in a neighbourhood where there is no sign of poverty you would see poverty as a pressing issue However if you lived in a less ldquoaffluent part of townrdquo where you witness poverty all around you you would be unavoidably aware of itrsquos presence With only this to commend Eurostatrsquos video on you could say lsquonice tryrsquo and suggest the EU should address this widespread problem appropriately and justly
Taking all of this into account what measures can be tak-en to tackle the lack of serious action regarding this issue What could be done in regards to both nation-al and global taxation policies We are curious what EM-PLrsquos stance on the topic of inequality is looking like
COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY
Sustainable growth on global markets After the agreements of the COP21 Summit in Paris have paved the way for a global climate deal how can Europe push for a global emission trading scheme
bullAim for greenhouse gas emissions to peak as soon as possible bullRapid reductions to achieve a balance between emissions from human activity and the amount that can be retained in the atmosphere
bullDeveloped countries must continue to take the lead in the reduction of greenhouse gases
bullDeveloping nations are encouraged to enhance their efforts and move over time to cut emissions
bull Keep warming ldquowell below 2 degrees celsiusrdquo
bull Continue all efforts to limit the rise in the temperature to 15 degrees celsius
07
The Paris Agreement represents the first step towards a greener planet The Parties agreed on an ambition cycle a set of goals timeframes and commitments designed to ensure that Parties
regularly strengthen their commitments Governments aim to lower global warming to below 2ordmC meanwhile providing finance to poor nations to help them cut emissions and cope
with the effects of extreme weather
MEDIASocial Europe ndash After COP21 The EU Needs to Revise its Climate Policy Targets by Beacutela Galgoacuteczi explains the measures and actions of the governments involved and their long term effect on global warming
Pan European Networks ndash Climate emissions reports may offer ldquofalse hoperdquoAccording to this article the Paris Agreement and the measures taken to avoid an increase in global warming
NUMBERS20 increase in energy from r e n e w a b l e s compared to
1990
Only the first 3 countries have achieved the Europe 2020 target According to these statistics in 2014 EU-28 was only 4 away from reaching the goal
httpeceuropaeu
G r e e n h o u s e gas emissions are 20 low-er than in 1990
Levels of greenhouse gases have been decreasing since 1990 and by now this target is almost achieved
httpeceuropaeu
20 increase in energy efficiency
compared to 1990
Estonia was the only country reach-ing the target as of yet Zero represents the achievement of the goal which means most of the Member-states have a long way until they achieve the necessary increase in en-ergy efficiency by 20
httpeceuropaeu
This video explains in a simplified way all the negotiations that took place in Paris The COP21 Conference in Paris was a major step forwards to ensure a sustainable future The previous conferences did not have the same success Furthermore the COP21 will give several countries the opportunity to work together towards a greener and more sustainable future energy-wise environmentally and economically
Al Gore is an American politician and environmentalist who served as the 45th Vice President of the United States from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton Despite several less optimistic projections for the future Al Gore presents a different perspective on the matter showing that embracing green solutions is becoming cheaper and cheaper as well as more efficient to implement Is the green future closer than we have been imagining
COMMITTEE ON BUDGETARY AFFAIRS
Beyond Europe 2020 What key points should the European Commission propose as targets of a European Strategy package after 2020
The European Parliament is one of the budgetary arms of the EU Together with the Council it establishes the annu-al budget of the European Union Even though the num-bers shown in the video are outdated it accurately por-trays the importance of the EU Budget and its purpose
What is BUDG
This process goes through the Committee on Budgets
httpstwittercomep_budgets
Additional information can be found on this committeersquos twitter account
BUDG was responsible for approving and set-ting the rules of the budget plan for Europe 2020 the ten-year economic programme of the EU
08
smart|sustainable|inclusive
development
EUROPEANSrsquo VIEW ON EUROPE 2020
45 consider that the EU ldquois going in the right direc-tion to exit the crisis and face new global challengesrdquo
25 consider that it is going in the wrong direction23 believe that the EU is going in neither the right nor the wrong direction7 expressed no opinion on Europe2020
Source European Commission Europe2020 Report (Standard Eurobarometer 81 Spring 2014) Pages 13-18
ldquoOn March 5 the European Commission launched the first step in reviewing the Europe 2020 strategy The mid-term review is designed
to take stock of the progress made so far in achieving the goals and targets of Europe 2020 and to set the pace for possible re-enforcement
or adaptation of the strategy As people continue to struggle with the impact of the financial and economic crisis we need the European Union Institutions and member states to honour the
commitments they made in 2010rdquo
With 4 years left until the deadline the objectives the EU set with this programme in nearly all categories still have not been met Reviews such as these are crucial By periodi-cally reviewing its general progress we are facilitating anal-ysis and reflection on the evolution of the measures being taken and therefore promoting improvement However af-ter all the analysis and reflections that have been made we can conclude that failure is imminent A change of measures may be the only chance this programme has to ever prevail
Furthermore the answer lies in the upcoming genera-tions The youth need to step in and demand a different ap-proach How should we prioritize our goals What needs to be reformed How will we prevent Europe2020 from shar-ing the same fate as itsrsquo predecessor The Lisbon Strate-gy And last but not least Where should the budgets go to
HOW CAN WE CREATE A NEW STRATEGY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT IS CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THESE UNMET GOALS
EUROPE 2020 INDICATORS
To find appropriate ways of overcoming the programmersquos difficulties it is necessary to first attend to itsrsquo main issues Only after carefully analysing statistics and numbers we can detect the areas that need to be focused on in order to fill the gaps left between the current situation and the objectives
of Europe2020
Employment Rate age group 20-642008 7032009 6902014 692
Europe 2020 goal 75- The unfavourable effect of the economic crisis on the European labour
market has caused the lack of growth on the employment rate
Research and development Gross Domestic Expenditure on ResearchampDevelopment
2008 185 of GDP2014 203 of GDP
Europe 2020 goal 3 of GDPThe EUrsquos efforts to stimulate economic growth by boosting public expenditure on Research and Development have not significantly increased
its GDP
Education People at risk of poverty or social exclusion2005-2009 114 million
2012 1225 million2013 1215 million
- Between 2011 and 2014 almost 1 in every four people in the EU27 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion The increase has been largely attributed to the economic crisis in 2008 and the following recessions in the majority
of Member States
For more information visit Eurostat
ldquoGood governance democracy the rule of law the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows as well as effective accountable and inclusive institutions are crucial Policy coherence at all levels by all coun-tries should be at the core of our new global partnership All our actions will have to be monitored in a transparent way to keep us on track in implementing this challenging new agenda To ensure this we should aim for one overar-ching monitoring accountability and review framework We have an ambitious programme but ambition is needed if we are to fulfil the noble objective we have set ourselves the end of extreme poverty and a sustainable future for all
Lets start working This is our world our dignity our futurerdquo
Speech by European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica at the plenary session of the Third In-ternational Conference on Financing for Development 14 July 2015
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal
![Page 22: Topic boxes of Évora 2016](https://reader031.fdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020522/579077611a28ab6874bd7647/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AFFAIRS
Investing in a knowledge society How should the EU balance upholding intellectual property rights with the access to knowledge for education culture and research
Intellectual Property Rights protection is involved in everything around us Whether you realise it or not you have certainly encountered it From jokes on Tumblr about Taylor Swift suing everyone to the medicine we take when we have a headache everything involves Intellectual Property protection Naturally it has both a positive and a negative side It is the committeersquos goal to find ways to create a balance between the two
are made on a national level but since the trade market is becoming more and more international with each day there are growing numbers of problems Furthermore considering the fact that a vast amount of big companies are multinational any IPR infringement problems that might occur need to be solved at an international levelPA
TEN
T LA
WS
05
Two sides of the coin
These videos show two different perspectives on the topic The first one being a CEO and Inventor explaining the importance that a strong patent system had in his particular case The second one a TED talk offers the counter view that focuses on the problems that patents create in the medical field by preventing the creation of cheaper versions of the medicines
So which is more important economic growth or access to valuable often lifesaving information If we put it this way it seems obvious that the IPR protection is less important than saving a life However that doesnrsquot mean that the patents copyrights and trademarks should be banned completely as this would increase the unemployment and poverty rates So is there a way to balance the two Are there possible solutions for special cases that IPR effects such as the one described in the medical field
What does the media have to say about this
This article explains the faults that exist in the current patent sys-tem according to the author The author explores the idea of abolishing patenting altogether but having been proven ineffec-tive it also shows what is wrong and how that could be changed
Breakthroughs brought to you by IPR This infographic should give you an idea
of the part that IPR protection systems play in innovation and progress It shows the breakthroughs and the profits gained (shown in the GDP per capita) thanks to the existence of patents and trademarks
What Who Why Ben Wallis answers
In this interview Ben Wallis a Consumers In-ternational Coordinator discusses several as-pects of the topic at hand She speaks of the problems and benefits of patents explains the disadvantages of a strict IP protection sys-tem and shows the interests of consumers and industries in keeping or banishing patents
It might give you a simpler more acces-sible approach to the topic to better help you understand different aspects to it
Why it matters The following graphs show the correlation between the num-ber of Patents and the GDP throughout the years (2000-2014) in the countries of France UK and Germany The lines are continuously parallel showing the positive influ-ence of the Patents on the economy From this we can con-clude the importance that IPR intensive companies have on the economy and the influence their use has on cre-ating employment This supports the argument that the abolishment of Patents and other forms of IP protection would have a significantly large negative impact on the economy
In conclusion there are two main conflicts at stake
bull The conflict between the preservation of intellectual property by the authors and the stagnation of progress and innovation caused by the lack of access to the information that is patented
bull The lack of harmonization of patent legislation across
the EU
Considering all of the information given to you the various perspectives and insights what do you think could be done to solve the existing problems Who should be prioritized the inventors or the consumers or is the possibility to find a com-
promise an achievable solution
COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS
Equal opportunities or equality of result In how far should Europe make an effort to reduce the growing wage and income inequality whilst keeping in mind its aim of lifting 20 million people out of risk of poverty and social exclusion
Income inequality is a significant issue facing todayrsquos society that effects almost every country in the world The staggering difference between the rich and the poor has serious consequences on society and the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion is on the rise This disparity has become more and more apparent In both developed and developing countries the poorest half of a country representing only 10 of its wealth Also it is proven by the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report of 2012 that the richest 300 people on earth have the same amount of money as the total owned by the poorest 3 billion people The same report states that some countries in the world are 80 times richer than others So considering the differences of the economic and political systems between countries what can be done to balance such inequalities
ww
wth
eru
leso
rg
On September 15th 2015 the European Federation of Academies of Sci-ences and Humanities (ALLEA) the European Science Foundation (ESF) and the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) gathered to de-bate the rise of income inequality in EU countries For example a pro-
posed solution discussed in this meeting was the taxation of the richest individuals Af-ter this debate the partici-pants unanimously conclud-ed that this issue is not being properly addressed by the Member Statesrsquo governments If this is the case the prob-lem of income inequality will not be solved and equality will
not be achieved How can we encourage Member States to pay more at-tention to this issue Recent events such as the reports on tax avoid-ance by multinational companies (eg IKEA and Starbucks) and the role of offshore companies concerning the Panama Papers affair have once again underlined that there is far too much room for improvement
ep
th
in
kt
an
k
eu
In 2012 Eurostat released a video explaining that the definition of poverty inside the European Union can differ greatly since all the Member Stateslsquo and its individuals have different perspectives This is due to unavoidable cultural differences in each Member State But is this really as simple as Eurostat makes it seem What do you think is poverty a product of cultural differences Letrsquos take a closer look
06
First off the poor acting of the ldquojournalistldquo and her ldquofriendldquo is completely ridiculous Do we really need a ldquoplotldquo to ex-plain poverty in the European Union This video is far too light-hearted when taking into account the issue they are discussing poverty not exactly material for small-talk It makes poverty look like a joke rather than the real issue it is
The only redeeming quality of this video is the fact that per-ception of poverty is highlighted to be relative to the society in which a person lives in Imagine you live in a neighbourhood where there is no sign of poverty you would see poverty as a pressing issue However if you lived in a less ldquoaffluent part of townrdquo where you witness poverty all around you you would be unavoidably aware of itrsquos presence With only this to commend Eurostatrsquos video on you could say lsquonice tryrsquo and suggest the EU should address this widespread problem appropriately and justly
Taking all of this into account what measures can be tak-en to tackle the lack of serious action regarding this issue What could be done in regards to both nation-al and global taxation policies We are curious what EM-PLrsquos stance on the topic of inequality is looking like
COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY
Sustainable growth on global markets After the agreements of the COP21 Summit in Paris have paved the way for a global climate deal how can Europe push for a global emission trading scheme
bullAim for greenhouse gas emissions to peak as soon as possible bullRapid reductions to achieve a balance between emissions from human activity and the amount that can be retained in the atmosphere
bullDeveloped countries must continue to take the lead in the reduction of greenhouse gases
bullDeveloping nations are encouraged to enhance their efforts and move over time to cut emissions
bull Keep warming ldquowell below 2 degrees celsiusrdquo
bull Continue all efforts to limit the rise in the temperature to 15 degrees celsius
07
The Paris Agreement represents the first step towards a greener planet The Parties agreed on an ambition cycle a set of goals timeframes and commitments designed to ensure that Parties
regularly strengthen their commitments Governments aim to lower global warming to below 2ordmC meanwhile providing finance to poor nations to help them cut emissions and cope
with the effects of extreme weather
MEDIASocial Europe ndash After COP21 The EU Needs to Revise its Climate Policy Targets by Beacutela Galgoacuteczi explains the measures and actions of the governments involved and their long term effect on global warming
Pan European Networks ndash Climate emissions reports may offer ldquofalse hoperdquoAccording to this article the Paris Agreement and the measures taken to avoid an increase in global warming
NUMBERS20 increase in energy from r e n e w a b l e s compared to
1990
Only the first 3 countries have achieved the Europe 2020 target According to these statistics in 2014 EU-28 was only 4 away from reaching the goal
httpeceuropaeu
G r e e n h o u s e gas emissions are 20 low-er than in 1990
Levels of greenhouse gases have been decreasing since 1990 and by now this target is almost achieved
httpeceuropaeu
20 increase in energy efficiency
compared to 1990
Estonia was the only country reach-ing the target as of yet Zero represents the achievement of the goal which means most of the Member-states have a long way until they achieve the necessary increase in en-ergy efficiency by 20
httpeceuropaeu
This video explains in a simplified way all the negotiations that took place in Paris The COP21 Conference in Paris was a major step forwards to ensure a sustainable future The previous conferences did not have the same success Furthermore the COP21 will give several countries the opportunity to work together towards a greener and more sustainable future energy-wise environmentally and economically
Al Gore is an American politician and environmentalist who served as the 45th Vice President of the United States from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton Despite several less optimistic projections for the future Al Gore presents a different perspective on the matter showing that embracing green solutions is becoming cheaper and cheaper as well as more efficient to implement Is the green future closer than we have been imagining
COMMITTEE ON BUDGETARY AFFAIRS
Beyond Europe 2020 What key points should the European Commission propose as targets of a European Strategy package after 2020
The European Parliament is one of the budgetary arms of the EU Together with the Council it establishes the annu-al budget of the European Union Even though the num-bers shown in the video are outdated it accurately por-trays the importance of the EU Budget and its purpose
What is BUDG
This process goes through the Committee on Budgets
httpstwittercomep_budgets
Additional information can be found on this committeersquos twitter account
BUDG was responsible for approving and set-ting the rules of the budget plan for Europe 2020 the ten-year economic programme of the EU
08
smart|sustainable|inclusive
development
EUROPEANSrsquo VIEW ON EUROPE 2020
45 consider that the EU ldquois going in the right direc-tion to exit the crisis and face new global challengesrdquo
25 consider that it is going in the wrong direction23 believe that the EU is going in neither the right nor the wrong direction7 expressed no opinion on Europe2020
Source European Commission Europe2020 Report (Standard Eurobarometer 81 Spring 2014) Pages 13-18
ldquoOn March 5 the European Commission launched the first step in reviewing the Europe 2020 strategy The mid-term review is designed
to take stock of the progress made so far in achieving the goals and targets of Europe 2020 and to set the pace for possible re-enforcement
or adaptation of the strategy As people continue to struggle with the impact of the financial and economic crisis we need the European Union Institutions and member states to honour the
commitments they made in 2010rdquo
With 4 years left until the deadline the objectives the EU set with this programme in nearly all categories still have not been met Reviews such as these are crucial By periodi-cally reviewing its general progress we are facilitating anal-ysis and reflection on the evolution of the measures being taken and therefore promoting improvement However af-ter all the analysis and reflections that have been made we can conclude that failure is imminent A change of measures may be the only chance this programme has to ever prevail
Furthermore the answer lies in the upcoming genera-tions The youth need to step in and demand a different ap-proach How should we prioritize our goals What needs to be reformed How will we prevent Europe2020 from shar-ing the same fate as itsrsquo predecessor The Lisbon Strate-gy And last but not least Where should the budgets go to
HOW CAN WE CREATE A NEW STRATEGY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT IS CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THESE UNMET GOALS
EUROPE 2020 INDICATORS
To find appropriate ways of overcoming the programmersquos difficulties it is necessary to first attend to itsrsquo main issues Only after carefully analysing statistics and numbers we can detect the areas that need to be focused on in order to fill the gaps left between the current situation and the objectives
of Europe2020
Employment Rate age group 20-642008 7032009 6902014 692
Europe 2020 goal 75- The unfavourable effect of the economic crisis on the European labour
market has caused the lack of growth on the employment rate
Research and development Gross Domestic Expenditure on ResearchampDevelopment
2008 185 of GDP2014 203 of GDP
Europe 2020 goal 3 of GDPThe EUrsquos efforts to stimulate economic growth by boosting public expenditure on Research and Development have not significantly increased
its GDP
Education People at risk of poverty or social exclusion2005-2009 114 million
2012 1225 million2013 1215 million
- Between 2011 and 2014 almost 1 in every four people in the EU27 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion The increase has been largely attributed to the economic crisis in 2008 and the following recessions in the majority
of Member States
For more information visit Eurostat
ldquoGood governance democracy the rule of law the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows as well as effective accountable and inclusive institutions are crucial Policy coherence at all levels by all coun-tries should be at the core of our new global partnership All our actions will have to be monitored in a transparent way to keep us on track in implementing this challenging new agenda To ensure this we should aim for one overar-ching monitoring accountability and review framework We have an ambitious programme but ambition is needed if we are to fulfil the noble objective we have set ourselves the end of extreme poverty and a sustainable future for all
Lets start working This is our world our dignity our futurerdquo
Speech by European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica at the plenary session of the Third In-ternational Conference on Financing for Development 14 July 2015
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal
![Page 23: Topic boxes of Évora 2016](https://reader031.fdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020522/579077611a28ab6874bd7647/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
05
Two sides of the coin
These videos show two different perspectives on the topic The first one being a CEO and Inventor explaining the importance that a strong patent system had in his particular case The second one a TED talk offers the counter view that focuses on the problems that patents create in the medical field by preventing the creation of cheaper versions of the medicines
So which is more important economic growth or access to valuable often lifesaving information If we put it this way it seems obvious that the IPR protection is less important than saving a life However that doesnrsquot mean that the patents copyrights and trademarks should be banned completely as this would increase the unemployment and poverty rates So is there a way to balance the two Are there possible solutions for special cases that IPR effects such as the one described in the medical field
What does the media have to say about this
This article explains the faults that exist in the current patent sys-tem according to the author The author explores the idea of abolishing patenting altogether but having been proven ineffec-tive it also shows what is wrong and how that could be changed
Breakthroughs brought to you by IPR This infographic should give you an idea
of the part that IPR protection systems play in innovation and progress It shows the breakthroughs and the profits gained (shown in the GDP per capita) thanks to the existence of patents and trademarks
What Who Why Ben Wallis answers
In this interview Ben Wallis a Consumers In-ternational Coordinator discusses several as-pects of the topic at hand She speaks of the problems and benefits of patents explains the disadvantages of a strict IP protection sys-tem and shows the interests of consumers and industries in keeping or banishing patents
It might give you a simpler more acces-sible approach to the topic to better help you understand different aspects to it
Why it matters The following graphs show the correlation between the num-ber of Patents and the GDP throughout the years (2000-2014) in the countries of France UK and Germany The lines are continuously parallel showing the positive influ-ence of the Patents on the economy From this we can con-clude the importance that IPR intensive companies have on the economy and the influence their use has on cre-ating employment This supports the argument that the abolishment of Patents and other forms of IP protection would have a significantly large negative impact on the economy
In conclusion there are two main conflicts at stake
bull The conflict between the preservation of intellectual property by the authors and the stagnation of progress and innovation caused by the lack of access to the information that is patented
bull The lack of harmonization of patent legislation across
the EU
Considering all of the information given to you the various perspectives and insights what do you think could be done to solve the existing problems Who should be prioritized the inventors or the consumers or is the possibility to find a com-
promise an achievable solution
COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS
Equal opportunities or equality of result In how far should Europe make an effort to reduce the growing wage and income inequality whilst keeping in mind its aim of lifting 20 million people out of risk of poverty and social exclusion
Income inequality is a significant issue facing todayrsquos society that effects almost every country in the world The staggering difference between the rich and the poor has serious consequences on society and the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion is on the rise This disparity has become more and more apparent In both developed and developing countries the poorest half of a country representing only 10 of its wealth Also it is proven by the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report of 2012 that the richest 300 people on earth have the same amount of money as the total owned by the poorest 3 billion people The same report states that some countries in the world are 80 times richer than others So considering the differences of the economic and political systems between countries what can be done to balance such inequalities
ww
wth
eru
leso
rg
On September 15th 2015 the European Federation of Academies of Sci-ences and Humanities (ALLEA) the European Science Foundation (ESF) and the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) gathered to de-bate the rise of income inequality in EU countries For example a pro-
posed solution discussed in this meeting was the taxation of the richest individuals Af-ter this debate the partici-pants unanimously conclud-ed that this issue is not being properly addressed by the Member Statesrsquo governments If this is the case the prob-lem of income inequality will not be solved and equality will
not be achieved How can we encourage Member States to pay more at-tention to this issue Recent events such as the reports on tax avoid-ance by multinational companies (eg IKEA and Starbucks) and the role of offshore companies concerning the Panama Papers affair have once again underlined that there is far too much room for improvement
ep
th
in
kt
an
k
eu
In 2012 Eurostat released a video explaining that the definition of poverty inside the European Union can differ greatly since all the Member Stateslsquo and its individuals have different perspectives This is due to unavoidable cultural differences in each Member State But is this really as simple as Eurostat makes it seem What do you think is poverty a product of cultural differences Letrsquos take a closer look
06
First off the poor acting of the ldquojournalistldquo and her ldquofriendldquo is completely ridiculous Do we really need a ldquoplotldquo to ex-plain poverty in the European Union This video is far too light-hearted when taking into account the issue they are discussing poverty not exactly material for small-talk It makes poverty look like a joke rather than the real issue it is
The only redeeming quality of this video is the fact that per-ception of poverty is highlighted to be relative to the society in which a person lives in Imagine you live in a neighbourhood where there is no sign of poverty you would see poverty as a pressing issue However if you lived in a less ldquoaffluent part of townrdquo where you witness poverty all around you you would be unavoidably aware of itrsquos presence With only this to commend Eurostatrsquos video on you could say lsquonice tryrsquo and suggest the EU should address this widespread problem appropriately and justly
Taking all of this into account what measures can be tak-en to tackle the lack of serious action regarding this issue What could be done in regards to both nation-al and global taxation policies We are curious what EM-PLrsquos stance on the topic of inequality is looking like
COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY
Sustainable growth on global markets After the agreements of the COP21 Summit in Paris have paved the way for a global climate deal how can Europe push for a global emission trading scheme
bullAim for greenhouse gas emissions to peak as soon as possible bullRapid reductions to achieve a balance between emissions from human activity and the amount that can be retained in the atmosphere
bullDeveloped countries must continue to take the lead in the reduction of greenhouse gases
bullDeveloping nations are encouraged to enhance their efforts and move over time to cut emissions
bull Keep warming ldquowell below 2 degrees celsiusrdquo
bull Continue all efforts to limit the rise in the temperature to 15 degrees celsius
07
The Paris Agreement represents the first step towards a greener planet The Parties agreed on an ambition cycle a set of goals timeframes and commitments designed to ensure that Parties
regularly strengthen their commitments Governments aim to lower global warming to below 2ordmC meanwhile providing finance to poor nations to help them cut emissions and cope
with the effects of extreme weather
MEDIASocial Europe ndash After COP21 The EU Needs to Revise its Climate Policy Targets by Beacutela Galgoacuteczi explains the measures and actions of the governments involved and their long term effect on global warming
Pan European Networks ndash Climate emissions reports may offer ldquofalse hoperdquoAccording to this article the Paris Agreement and the measures taken to avoid an increase in global warming
NUMBERS20 increase in energy from r e n e w a b l e s compared to
1990
Only the first 3 countries have achieved the Europe 2020 target According to these statistics in 2014 EU-28 was only 4 away from reaching the goal
httpeceuropaeu
G r e e n h o u s e gas emissions are 20 low-er than in 1990
Levels of greenhouse gases have been decreasing since 1990 and by now this target is almost achieved
httpeceuropaeu
20 increase in energy efficiency
compared to 1990
Estonia was the only country reach-ing the target as of yet Zero represents the achievement of the goal which means most of the Member-states have a long way until they achieve the necessary increase in en-ergy efficiency by 20
httpeceuropaeu
This video explains in a simplified way all the negotiations that took place in Paris The COP21 Conference in Paris was a major step forwards to ensure a sustainable future The previous conferences did not have the same success Furthermore the COP21 will give several countries the opportunity to work together towards a greener and more sustainable future energy-wise environmentally and economically
Al Gore is an American politician and environmentalist who served as the 45th Vice President of the United States from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton Despite several less optimistic projections for the future Al Gore presents a different perspective on the matter showing that embracing green solutions is becoming cheaper and cheaper as well as more efficient to implement Is the green future closer than we have been imagining
COMMITTEE ON BUDGETARY AFFAIRS
Beyond Europe 2020 What key points should the European Commission propose as targets of a European Strategy package after 2020
The European Parliament is one of the budgetary arms of the EU Together with the Council it establishes the annu-al budget of the European Union Even though the num-bers shown in the video are outdated it accurately por-trays the importance of the EU Budget and its purpose
What is BUDG
This process goes through the Committee on Budgets
httpstwittercomep_budgets
Additional information can be found on this committeersquos twitter account
BUDG was responsible for approving and set-ting the rules of the budget plan for Europe 2020 the ten-year economic programme of the EU
08
smart|sustainable|inclusive
development
EUROPEANSrsquo VIEW ON EUROPE 2020
45 consider that the EU ldquois going in the right direc-tion to exit the crisis and face new global challengesrdquo
25 consider that it is going in the wrong direction23 believe that the EU is going in neither the right nor the wrong direction7 expressed no opinion on Europe2020
Source European Commission Europe2020 Report (Standard Eurobarometer 81 Spring 2014) Pages 13-18
ldquoOn March 5 the European Commission launched the first step in reviewing the Europe 2020 strategy The mid-term review is designed
to take stock of the progress made so far in achieving the goals and targets of Europe 2020 and to set the pace for possible re-enforcement
or adaptation of the strategy As people continue to struggle with the impact of the financial and economic crisis we need the European Union Institutions and member states to honour the
commitments they made in 2010rdquo
With 4 years left until the deadline the objectives the EU set with this programme in nearly all categories still have not been met Reviews such as these are crucial By periodi-cally reviewing its general progress we are facilitating anal-ysis and reflection on the evolution of the measures being taken and therefore promoting improvement However af-ter all the analysis and reflections that have been made we can conclude that failure is imminent A change of measures may be the only chance this programme has to ever prevail
Furthermore the answer lies in the upcoming genera-tions The youth need to step in and demand a different ap-proach How should we prioritize our goals What needs to be reformed How will we prevent Europe2020 from shar-ing the same fate as itsrsquo predecessor The Lisbon Strate-gy And last but not least Where should the budgets go to
HOW CAN WE CREATE A NEW STRATEGY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT IS CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THESE UNMET GOALS
EUROPE 2020 INDICATORS
To find appropriate ways of overcoming the programmersquos difficulties it is necessary to first attend to itsrsquo main issues Only after carefully analysing statistics and numbers we can detect the areas that need to be focused on in order to fill the gaps left between the current situation and the objectives
of Europe2020
Employment Rate age group 20-642008 7032009 6902014 692
Europe 2020 goal 75- The unfavourable effect of the economic crisis on the European labour
market has caused the lack of growth on the employment rate
Research and development Gross Domestic Expenditure on ResearchampDevelopment
2008 185 of GDP2014 203 of GDP
Europe 2020 goal 3 of GDPThe EUrsquos efforts to stimulate economic growth by boosting public expenditure on Research and Development have not significantly increased
its GDP
Education People at risk of poverty or social exclusion2005-2009 114 million
2012 1225 million2013 1215 million
- Between 2011 and 2014 almost 1 in every four people in the EU27 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion The increase has been largely attributed to the economic crisis in 2008 and the following recessions in the majority
of Member States
For more information visit Eurostat
ldquoGood governance democracy the rule of law the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows as well as effective accountable and inclusive institutions are crucial Policy coherence at all levels by all coun-tries should be at the core of our new global partnership All our actions will have to be monitored in a transparent way to keep us on track in implementing this challenging new agenda To ensure this we should aim for one overar-ching monitoring accountability and review framework We have an ambitious programme but ambition is needed if we are to fulfil the noble objective we have set ourselves the end of extreme poverty and a sustainable future for all
Lets start working This is our world our dignity our futurerdquo
Speech by European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica at the plenary session of the Third In-ternational Conference on Financing for Development 14 July 2015
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal
![Page 24: Topic boxes of Évora 2016](https://reader031.fdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020522/579077611a28ab6874bd7647/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
Breakthroughs brought to you by IPR This infographic should give you an idea
of the part that IPR protection systems play in innovation and progress It shows the breakthroughs and the profits gained (shown in the GDP per capita) thanks to the existence of patents and trademarks
What Who Why Ben Wallis answers
In this interview Ben Wallis a Consumers In-ternational Coordinator discusses several as-pects of the topic at hand She speaks of the problems and benefits of patents explains the disadvantages of a strict IP protection sys-tem and shows the interests of consumers and industries in keeping or banishing patents
It might give you a simpler more acces-sible approach to the topic to better help you understand different aspects to it
Why it matters The following graphs show the correlation between the num-ber of Patents and the GDP throughout the years (2000-2014) in the countries of France UK and Germany The lines are continuously parallel showing the positive influ-ence of the Patents on the economy From this we can con-clude the importance that IPR intensive companies have on the economy and the influence their use has on cre-ating employment This supports the argument that the abolishment of Patents and other forms of IP protection would have a significantly large negative impact on the economy
In conclusion there are two main conflicts at stake
bull The conflict between the preservation of intellectual property by the authors and the stagnation of progress and innovation caused by the lack of access to the information that is patented
bull The lack of harmonization of patent legislation across
the EU
Considering all of the information given to you the various perspectives and insights what do you think could be done to solve the existing problems Who should be prioritized the inventors or the consumers or is the possibility to find a com-
promise an achievable solution
COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS
Equal opportunities or equality of result In how far should Europe make an effort to reduce the growing wage and income inequality whilst keeping in mind its aim of lifting 20 million people out of risk of poverty and social exclusion
Income inequality is a significant issue facing todayrsquos society that effects almost every country in the world The staggering difference between the rich and the poor has serious consequences on society and the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion is on the rise This disparity has become more and more apparent In both developed and developing countries the poorest half of a country representing only 10 of its wealth Also it is proven by the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report of 2012 that the richest 300 people on earth have the same amount of money as the total owned by the poorest 3 billion people The same report states that some countries in the world are 80 times richer than others So considering the differences of the economic and political systems between countries what can be done to balance such inequalities
ww
wth
eru
leso
rg
On September 15th 2015 the European Federation of Academies of Sci-ences and Humanities (ALLEA) the European Science Foundation (ESF) and the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) gathered to de-bate the rise of income inequality in EU countries For example a pro-
posed solution discussed in this meeting was the taxation of the richest individuals Af-ter this debate the partici-pants unanimously conclud-ed that this issue is not being properly addressed by the Member Statesrsquo governments If this is the case the prob-lem of income inequality will not be solved and equality will
not be achieved How can we encourage Member States to pay more at-tention to this issue Recent events such as the reports on tax avoid-ance by multinational companies (eg IKEA and Starbucks) and the role of offshore companies concerning the Panama Papers affair have once again underlined that there is far too much room for improvement
ep
th
in
kt
an
k
eu
In 2012 Eurostat released a video explaining that the definition of poverty inside the European Union can differ greatly since all the Member Stateslsquo and its individuals have different perspectives This is due to unavoidable cultural differences in each Member State But is this really as simple as Eurostat makes it seem What do you think is poverty a product of cultural differences Letrsquos take a closer look
06
First off the poor acting of the ldquojournalistldquo and her ldquofriendldquo is completely ridiculous Do we really need a ldquoplotldquo to ex-plain poverty in the European Union This video is far too light-hearted when taking into account the issue they are discussing poverty not exactly material for small-talk It makes poverty look like a joke rather than the real issue it is
The only redeeming quality of this video is the fact that per-ception of poverty is highlighted to be relative to the society in which a person lives in Imagine you live in a neighbourhood where there is no sign of poverty you would see poverty as a pressing issue However if you lived in a less ldquoaffluent part of townrdquo where you witness poverty all around you you would be unavoidably aware of itrsquos presence With only this to commend Eurostatrsquos video on you could say lsquonice tryrsquo and suggest the EU should address this widespread problem appropriately and justly
Taking all of this into account what measures can be tak-en to tackle the lack of serious action regarding this issue What could be done in regards to both nation-al and global taxation policies We are curious what EM-PLrsquos stance on the topic of inequality is looking like
COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY
Sustainable growth on global markets After the agreements of the COP21 Summit in Paris have paved the way for a global climate deal how can Europe push for a global emission trading scheme
bullAim for greenhouse gas emissions to peak as soon as possible bullRapid reductions to achieve a balance between emissions from human activity and the amount that can be retained in the atmosphere
bullDeveloped countries must continue to take the lead in the reduction of greenhouse gases
bullDeveloping nations are encouraged to enhance their efforts and move over time to cut emissions
bull Keep warming ldquowell below 2 degrees celsiusrdquo
bull Continue all efforts to limit the rise in the temperature to 15 degrees celsius
07
The Paris Agreement represents the first step towards a greener planet The Parties agreed on an ambition cycle a set of goals timeframes and commitments designed to ensure that Parties
regularly strengthen their commitments Governments aim to lower global warming to below 2ordmC meanwhile providing finance to poor nations to help them cut emissions and cope
with the effects of extreme weather
MEDIASocial Europe ndash After COP21 The EU Needs to Revise its Climate Policy Targets by Beacutela Galgoacuteczi explains the measures and actions of the governments involved and their long term effect on global warming
Pan European Networks ndash Climate emissions reports may offer ldquofalse hoperdquoAccording to this article the Paris Agreement and the measures taken to avoid an increase in global warming
NUMBERS20 increase in energy from r e n e w a b l e s compared to
1990
Only the first 3 countries have achieved the Europe 2020 target According to these statistics in 2014 EU-28 was only 4 away from reaching the goal
httpeceuropaeu
G r e e n h o u s e gas emissions are 20 low-er than in 1990
Levels of greenhouse gases have been decreasing since 1990 and by now this target is almost achieved
httpeceuropaeu
20 increase in energy efficiency
compared to 1990
Estonia was the only country reach-ing the target as of yet Zero represents the achievement of the goal which means most of the Member-states have a long way until they achieve the necessary increase in en-ergy efficiency by 20
httpeceuropaeu
This video explains in a simplified way all the negotiations that took place in Paris The COP21 Conference in Paris was a major step forwards to ensure a sustainable future The previous conferences did not have the same success Furthermore the COP21 will give several countries the opportunity to work together towards a greener and more sustainable future energy-wise environmentally and economically
Al Gore is an American politician and environmentalist who served as the 45th Vice President of the United States from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton Despite several less optimistic projections for the future Al Gore presents a different perspective on the matter showing that embracing green solutions is becoming cheaper and cheaper as well as more efficient to implement Is the green future closer than we have been imagining
COMMITTEE ON BUDGETARY AFFAIRS
Beyond Europe 2020 What key points should the European Commission propose as targets of a European Strategy package after 2020
The European Parliament is one of the budgetary arms of the EU Together with the Council it establishes the annu-al budget of the European Union Even though the num-bers shown in the video are outdated it accurately por-trays the importance of the EU Budget and its purpose
What is BUDG
This process goes through the Committee on Budgets
httpstwittercomep_budgets
Additional information can be found on this committeersquos twitter account
BUDG was responsible for approving and set-ting the rules of the budget plan for Europe 2020 the ten-year economic programme of the EU
08
smart|sustainable|inclusive
development
EUROPEANSrsquo VIEW ON EUROPE 2020
45 consider that the EU ldquois going in the right direc-tion to exit the crisis and face new global challengesrdquo
25 consider that it is going in the wrong direction23 believe that the EU is going in neither the right nor the wrong direction7 expressed no opinion on Europe2020
Source European Commission Europe2020 Report (Standard Eurobarometer 81 Spring 2014) Pages 13-18
ldquoOn March 5 the European Commission launched the first step in reviewing the Europe 2020 strategy The mid-term review is designed
to take stock of the progress made so far in achieving the goals and targets of Europe 2020 and to set the pace for possible re-enforcement
or adaptation of the strategy As people continue to struggle with the impact of the financial and economic crisis we need the European Union Institutions and member states to honour the
commitments they made in 2010rdquo
With 4 years left until the deadline the objectives the EU set with this programme in nearly all categories still have not been met Reviews such as these are crucial By periodi-cally reviewing its general progress we are facilitating anal-ysis and reflection on the evolution of the measures being taken and therefore promoting improvement However af-ter all the analysis and reflections that have been made we can conclude that failure is imminent A change of measures may be the only chance this programme has to ever prevail
Furthermore the answer lies in the upcoming genera-tions The youth need to step in and demand a different ap-proach How should we prioritize our goals What needs to be reformed How will we prevent Europe2020 from shar-ing the same fate as itsrsquo predecessor The Lisbon Strate-gy And last but not least Where should the budgets go to
HOW CAN WE CREATE A NEW STRATEGY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT IS CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THESE UNMET GOALS
EUROPE 2020 INDICATORS
To find appropriate ways of overcoming the programmersquos difficulties it is necessary to first attend to itsrsquo main issues Only after carefully analysing statistics and numbers we can detect the areas that need to be focused on in order to fill the gaps left between the current situation and the objectives
of Europe2020
Employment Rate age group 20-642008 7032009 6902014 692
Europe 2020 goal 75- The unfavourable effect of the economic crisis on the European labour
market has caused the lack of growth on the employment rate
Research and development Gross Domestic Expenditure on ResearchampDevelopment
2008 185 of GDP2014 203 of GDP
Europe 2020 goal 3 of GDPThe EUrsquos efforts to stimulate economic growth by boosting public expenditure on Research and Development have not significantly increased
its GDP
Education People at risk of poverty or social exclusion2005-2009 114 million
2012 1225 million2013 1215 million
- Between 2011 and 2014 almost 1 in every four people in the EU27 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion The increase has been largely attributed to the economic crisis in 2008 and the following recessions in the majority
of Member States
For more information visit Eurostat
ldquoGood governance democracy the rule of law the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows as well as effective accountable and inclusive institutions are crucial Policy coherence at all levels by all coun-tries should be at the core of our new global partnership All our actions will have to be monitored in a transparent way to keep us on track in implementing this challenging new agenda To ensure this we should aim for one overar-ching monitoring accountability and review framework We have an ambitious programme but ambition is needed if we are to fulfil the noble objective we have set ourselves the end of extreme poverty and a sustainable future for all
Lets start working This is our world our dignity our futurerdquo
Speech by European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica at the plenary session of the Third In-ternational Conference on Financing for Development 14 July 2015
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal
![Page 25: Topic boxes of Évora 2016](https://reader031.fdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020522/579077611a28ab6874bd7647/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
Why it matters The following graphs show the correlation between the num-ber of Patents and the GDP throughout the years (2000-2014) in the countries of France UK and Germany The lines are continuously parallel showing the positive influ-ence of the Patents on the economy From this we can con-clude the importance that IPR intensive companies have on the economy and the influence their use has on cre-ating employment This supports the argument that the abolishment of Patents and other forms of IP protection would have a significantly large negative impact on the economy
In conclusion there are two main conflicts at stake
bull The conflict between the preservation of intellectual property by the authors and the stagnation of progress and innovation caused by the lack of access to the information that is patented
bull The lack of harmonization of patent legislation across
the EU
Considering all of the information given to you the various perspectives and insights what do you think could be done to solve the existing problems Who should be prioritized the inventors or the consumers or is the possibility to find a com-
promise an achievable solution
COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS
Equal opportunities or equality of result In how far should Europe make an effort to reduce the growing wage and income inequality whilst keeping in mind its aim of lifting 20 million people out of risk of poverty and social exclusion
Income inequality is a significant issue facing todayrsquos society that effects almost every country in the world The staggering difference between the rich and the poor has serious consequences on society and the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion is on the rise This disparity has become more and more apparent In both developed and developing countries the poorest half of a country representing only 10 of its wealth Also it is proven by the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report of 2012 that the richest 300 people on earth have the same amount of money as the total owned by the poorest 3 billion people The same report states that some countries in the world are 80 times richer than others So considering the differences of the economic and political systems between countries what can be done to balance such inequalities
ww
wth
eru
leso
rg
On September 15th 2015 the European Federation of Academies of Sci-ences and Humanities (ALLEA) the European Science Foundation (ESF) and the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) gathered to de-bate the rise of income inequality in EU countries For example a pro-
posed solution discussed in this meeting was the taxation of the richest individuals Af-ter this debate the partici-pants unanimously conclud-ed that this issue is not being properly addressed by the Member Statesrsquo governments If this is the case the prob-lem of income inequality will not be solved and equality will
not be achieved How can we encourage Member States to pay more at-tention to this issue Recent events such as the reports on tax avoid-ance by multinational companies (eg IKEA and Starbucks) and the role of offshore companies concerning the Panama Papers affair have once again underlined that there is far too much room for improvement
ep
th
in
kt
an
k
eu
In 2012 Eurostat released a video explaining that the definition of poverty inside the European Union can differ greatly since all the Member Stateslsquo and its individuals have different perspectives This is due to unavoidable cultural differences in each Member State But is this really as simple as Eurostat makes it seem What do you think is poverty a product of cultural differences Letrsquos take a closer look
06
First off the poor acting of the ldquojournalistldquo and her ldquofriendldquo is completely ridiculous Do we really need a ldquoplotldquo to ex-plain poverty in the European Union This video is far too light-hearted when taking into account the issue they are discussing poverty not exactly material for small-talk It makes poverty look like a joke rather than the real issue it is
The only redeeming quality of this video is the fact that per-ception of poverty is highlighted to be relative to the society in which a person lives in Imagine you live in a neighbourhood where there is no sign of poverty you would see poverty as a pressing issue However if you lived in a less ldquoaffluent part of townrdquo where you witness poverty all around you you would be unavoidably aware of itrsquos presence With only this to commend Eurostatrsquos video on you could say lsquonice tryrsquo and suggest the EU should address this widespread problem appropriately and justly
Taking all of this into account what measures can be tak-en to tackle the lack of serious action regarding this issue What could be done in regards to both nation-al and global taxation policies We are curious what EM-PLrsquos stance on the topic of inequality is looking like
COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY
Sustainable growth on global markets After the agreements of the COP21 Summit in Paris have paved the way for a global climate deal how can Europe push for a global emission trading scheme
bullAim for greenhouse gas emissions to peak as soon as possible bullRapid reductions to achieve a balance between emissions from human activity and the amount that can be retained in the atmosphere
bullDeveloped countries must continue to take the lead in the reduction of greenhouse gases
bullDeveloping nations are encouraged to enhance their efforts and move over time to cut emissions
bull Keep warming ldquowell below 2 degrees celsiusrdquo
bull Continue all efforts to limit the rise in the temperature to 15 degrees celsius
07
The Paris Agreement represents the first step towards a greener planet The Parties agreed on an ambition cycle a set of goals timeframes and commitments designed to ensure that Parties
regularly strengthen their commitments Governments aim to lower global warming to below 2ordmC meanwhile providing finance to poor nations to help them cut emissions and cope
with the effects of extreme weather
MEDIASocial Europe ndash After COP21 The EU Needs to Revise its Climate Policy Targets by Beacutela Galgoacuteczi explains the measures and actions of the governments involved and their long term effect on global warming
Pan European Networks ndash Climate emissions reports may offer ldquofalse hoperdquoAccording to this article the Paris Agreement and the measures taken to avoid an increase in global warming
NUMBERS20 increase in energy from r e n e w a b l e s compared to
1990
Only the first 3 countries have achieved the Europe 2020 target According to these statistics in 2014 EU-28 was only 4 away from reaching the goal
httpeceuropaeu
G r e e n h o u s e gas emissions are 20 low-er than in 1990
Levels of greenhouse gases have been decreasing since 1990 and by now this target is almost achieved
httpeceuropaeu
20 increase in energy efficiency
compared to 1990
Estonia was the only country reach-ing the target as of yet Zero represents the achievement of the goal which means most of the Member-states have a long way until they achieve the necessary increase in en-ergy efficiency by 20
httpeceuropaeu
This video explains in a simplified way all the negotiations that took place in Paris The COP21 Conference in Paris was a major step forwards to ensure a sustainable future The previous conferences did not have the same success Furthermore the COP21 will give several countries the opportunity to work together towards a greener and more sustainable future energy-wise environmentally and economically
Al Gore is an American politician and environmentalist who served as the 45th Vice President of the United States from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton Despite several less optimistic projections for the future Al Gore presents a different perspective on the matter showing that embracing green solutions is becoming cheaper and cheaper as well as more efficient to implement Is the green future closer than we have been imagining
COMMITTEE ON BUDGETARY AFFAIRS
Beyond Europe 2020 What key points should the European Commission propose as targets of a European Strategy package after 2020
The European Parliament is one of the budgetary arms of the EU Together with the Council it establishes the annu-al budget of the European Union Even though the num-bers shown in the video are outdated it accurately por-trays the importance of the EU Budget and its purpose
What is BUDG
This process goes through the Committee on Budgets
httpstwittercomep_budgets
Additional information can be found on this committeersquos twitter account
BUDG was responsible for approving and set-ting the rules of the budget plan for Europe 2020 the ten-year economic programme of the EU
08
smart|sustainable|inclusive
development
EUROPEANSrsquo VIEW ON EUROPE 2020
45 consider that the EU ldquois going in the right direc-tion to exit the crisis and face new global challengesrdquo
25 consider that it is going in the wrong direction23 believe that the EU is going in neither the right nor the wrong direction7 expressed no opinion on Europe2020
Source European Commission Europe2020 Report (Standard Eurobarometer 81 Spring 2014) Pages 13-18
ldquoOn March 5 the European Commission launched the first step in reviewing the Europe 2020 strategy The mid-term review is designed
to take stock of the progress made so far in achieving the goals and targets of Europe 2020 and to set the pace for possible re-enforcement
or adaptation of the strategy As people continue to struggle with the impact of the financial and economic crisis we need the European Union Institutions and member states to honour the
commitments they made in 2010rdquo
With 4 years left until the deadline the objectives the EU set with this programme in nearly all categories still have not been met Reviews such as these are crucial By periodi-cally reviewing its general progress we are facilitating anal-ysis and reflection on the evolution of the measures being taken and therefore promoting improvement However af-ter all the analysis and reflections that have been made we can conclude that failure is imminent A change of measures may be the only chance this programme has to ever prevail
Furthermore the answer lies in the upcoming genera-tions The youth need to step in and demand a different ap-proach How should we prioritize our goals What needs to be reformed How will we prevent Europe2020 from shar-ing the same fate as itsrsquo predecessor The Lisbon Strate-gy And last but not least Where should the budgets go to
HOW CAN WE CREATE A NEW STRATEGY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT IS CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THESE UNMET GOALS
EUROPE 2020 INDICATORS
To find appropriate ways of overcoming the programmersquos difficulties it is necessary to first attend to itsrsquo main issues Only after carefully analysing statistics and numbers we can detect the areas that need to be focused on in order to fill the gaps left between the current situation and the objectives
of Europe2020
Employment Rate age group 20-642008 7032009 6902014 692
Europe 2020 goal 75- The unfavourable effect of the economic crisis on the European labour
market has caused the lack of growth on the employment rate
Research and development Gross Domestic Expenditure on ResearchampDevelopment
2008 185 of GDP2014 203 of GDP
Europe 2020 goal 3 of GDPThe EUrsquos efforts to stimulate economic growth by boosting public expenditure on Research and Development have not significantly increased
its GDP
Education People at risk of poverty or social exclusion2005-2009 114 million
2012 1225 million2013 1215 million
- Between 2011 and 2014 almost 1 in every four people in the EU27 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion The increase has been largely attributed to the economic crisis in 2008 and the following recessions in the majority
of Member States
For more information visit Eurostat
ldquoGood governance democracy the rule of law the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows as well as effective accountable and inclusive institutions are crucial Policy coherence at all levels by all coun-tries should be at the core of our new global partnership All our actions will have to be monitored in a transparent way to keep us on track in implementing this challenging new agenda To ensure this we should aim for one overar-ching monitoring accountability and review framework We have an ambitious programme but ambition is needed if we are to fulfil the noble objective we have set ourselves the end of extreme poverty and a sustainable future for all
Lets start working This is our world our dignity our futurerdquo
Speech by European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica at the plenary session of the Third In-ternational Conference on Financing for Development 14 July 2015
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal
![Page 26: Topic boxes of Évora 2016](https://reader031.fdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020522/579077611a28ab6874bd7647/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS
Equal opportunities or equality of result In how far should Europe make an effort to reduce the growing wage and income inequality whilst keeping in mind its aim of lifting 20 million people out of risk of poverty and social exclusion
Income inequality is a significant issue facing todayrsquos society that effects almost every country in the world The staggering difference between the rich and the poor has serious consequences on society and the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion is on the rise This disparity has become more and more apparent In both developed and developing countries the poorest half of a country representing only 10 of its wealth Also it is proven by the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report of 2012 that the richest 300 people on earth have the same amount of money as the total owned by the poorest 3 billion people The same report states that some countries in the world are 80 times richer than others So considering the differences of the economic and political systems between countries what can be done to balance such inequalities
ww
wth
eru
leso
rg
On September 15th 2015 the European Federation of Academies of Sci-ences and Humanities (ALLEA) the European Science Foundation (ESF) and the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) gathered to de-bate the rise of income inequality in EU countries For example a pro-
posed solution discussed in this meeting was the taxation of the richest individuals Af-ter this debate the partici-pants unanimously conclud-ed that this issue is not being properly addressed by the Member Statesrsquo governments If this is the case the prob-lem of income inequality will not be solved and equality will
not be achieved How can we encourage Member States to pay more at-tention to this issue Recent events such as the reports on tax avoid-ance by multinational companies (eg IKEA and Starbucks) and the role of offshore companies concerning the Panama Papers affair have once again underlined that there is far too much room for improvement
ep
th
in
kt
an
k
eu
In 2012 Eurostat released a video explaining that the definition of poverty inside the European Union can differ greatly since all the Member Stateslsquo and its individuals have different perspectives This is due to unavoidable cultural differences in each Member State But is this really as simple as Eurostat makes it seem What do you think is poverty a product of cultural differences Letrsquos take a closer look
06
First off the poor acting of the ldquojournalistldquo and her ldquofriendldquo is completely ridiculous Do we really need a ldquoplotldquo to ex-plain poverty in the European Union This video is far too light-hearted when taking into account the issue they are discussing poverty not exactly material for small-talk It makes poverty look like a joke rather than the real issue it is
The only redeeming quality of this video is the fact that per-ception of poverty is highlighted to be relative to the society in which a person lives in Imagine you live in a neighbourhood where there is no sign of poverty you would see poverty as a pressing issue However if you lived in a less ldquoaffluent part of townrdquo where you witness poverty all around you you would be unavoidably aware of itrsquos presence With only this to commend Eurostatrsquos video on you could say lsquonice tryrsquo and suggest the EU should address this widespread problem appropriately and justly
Taking all of this into account what measures can be tak-en to tackle the lack of serious action regarding this issue What could be done in regards to both nation-al and global taxation policies We are curious what EM-PLrsquos stance on the topic of inequality is looking like
COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY
Sustainable growth on global markets After the agreements of the COP21 Summit in Paris have paved the way for a global climate deal how can Europe push for a global emission trading scheme
bullAim for greenhouse gas emissions to peak as soon as possible bullRapid reductions to achieve a balance between emissions from human activity and the amount that can be retained in the atmosphere
bullDeveloped countries must continue to take the lead in the reduction of greenhouse gases
bullDeveloping nations are encouraged to enhance their efforts and move over time to cut emissions
bull Keep warming ldquowell below 2 degrees celsiusrdquo
bull Continue all efforts to limit the rise in the temperature to 15 degrees celsius
07
The Paris Agreement represents the first step towards a greener planet The Parties agreed on an ambition cycle a set of goals timeframes and commitments designed to ensure that Parties
regularly strengthen their commitments Governments aim to lower global warming to below 2ordmC meanwhile providing finance to poor nations to help them cut emissions and cope
with the effects of extreme weather
MEDIASocial Europe ndash After COP21 The EU Needs to Revise its Climate Policy Targets by Beacutela Galgoacuteczi explains the measures and actions of the governments involved and their long term effect on global warming
Pan European Networks ndash Climate emissions reports may offer ldquofalse hoperdquoAccording to this article the Paris Agreement and the measures taken to avoid an increase in global warming
NUMBERS20 increase in energy from r e n e w a b l e s compared to
1990
Only the first 3 countries have achieved the Europe 2020 target According to these statistics in 2014 EU-28 was only 4 away from reaching the goal
httpeceuropaeu
G r e e n h o u s e gas emissions are 20 low-er than in 1990
Levels of greenhouse gases have been decreasing since 1990 and by now this target is almost achieved
httpeceuropaeu
20 increase in energy efficiency
compared to 1990
Estonia was the only country reach-ing the target as of yet Zero represents the achievement of the goal which means most of the Member-states have a long way until they achieve the necessary increase in en-ergy efficiency by 20
httpeceuropaeu
This video explains in a simplified way all the negotiations that took place in Paris The COP21 Conference in Paris was a major step forwards to ensure a sustainable future The previous conferences did not have the same success Furthermore the COP21 will give several countries the opportunity to work together towards a greener and more sustainable future energy-wise environmentally and economically
Al Gore is an American politician and environmentalist who served as the 45th Vice President of the United States from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton Despite several less optimistic projections for the future Al Gore presents a different perspective on the matter showing that embracing green solutions is becoming cheaper and cheaper as well as more efficient to implement Is the green future closer than we have been imagining
COMMITTEE ON BUDGETARY AFFAIRS
Beyond Europe 2020 What key points should the European Commission propose as targets of a European Strategy package after 2020
The European Parliament is one of the budgetary arms of the EU Together with the Council it establishes the annu-al budget of the European Union Even though the num-bers shown in the video are outdated it accurately por-trays the importance of the EU Budget and its purpose
What is BUDG
This process goes through the Committee on Budgets
httpstwittercomep_budgets
Additional information can be found on this committeersquos twitter account
BUDG was responsible for approving and set-ting the rules of the budget plan for Europe 2020 the ten-year economic programme of the EU
08
smart|sustainable|inclusive
development
EUROPEANSrsquo VIEW ON EUROPE 2020
45 consider that the EU ldquois going in the right direc-tion to exit the crisis and face new global challengesrdquo
25 consider that it is going in the wrong direction23 believe that the EU is going in neither the right nor the wrong direction7 expressed no opinion on Europe2020
Source European Commission Europe2020 Report (Standard Eurobarometer 81 Spring 2014) Pages 13-18
ldquoOn March 5 the European Commission launched the first step in reviewing the Europe 2020 strategy The mid-term review is designed
to take stock of the progress made so far in achieving the goals and targets of Europe 2020 and to set the pace for possible re-enforcement
or adaptation of the strategy As people continue to struggle with the impact of the financial and economic crisis we need the European Union Institutions and member states to honour the
commitments they made in 2010rdquo
With 4 years left until the deadline the objectives the EU set with this programme in nearly all categories still have not been met Reviews such as these are crucial By periodi-cally reviewing its general progress we are facilitating anal-ysis and reflection on the evolution of the measures being taken and therefore promoting improvement However af-ter all the analysis and reflections that have been made we can conclude that failure is imminent A change of measures may be the only chance this programme has to ever prevail
Furthermore the answer lies in the upcoming genera-tions The youth need to step in and demand a different ap-proach How should we prioritize our goals What needs to be reformed How will we prevent Europe2020 from shar-ing the same fate as itsrsquo predecessor The Lisbon Strate-gy And last but not least Where should the budgets go to
HOW CAN WE CREATE A NEW STRATEGY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT IS CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THESE UNMET GOALS
EUROPE 2020 INDICATORS
To find appropriate ways of overcoming the programmersquos difficulties it is necessary to first attend to itsrsquo main issues Only after carefully analysing statistics and numbers we can detect the areas that need to be focused on in order to fill the gaps left between the current situation and the objectives
of Europe2020
Employment Rate age group 20-642008 7032009 6902014 692
Europe 2020 goal 75- The unfavourable effect of the economic crisis on the European labour
market has caused the lack of growth on the employment rate
Research and development Gross Domestic Expenditure on ResearchampDevelopment
2008 185 of GDP2014 203 of GDP
Europe 2020 goal 3 of GDPThe EUrsquos efforts to stimulate economic growth by boosting public expenditure on Research and Development have not significantly increased
its GDP
Education People at risk of poverty or social exclusion2005-2009 114 million
2012 1225 million2013 1215 million
- Between 2011 and 2014 almost 1 in every four people in the EU27 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion The increase has been largely attributed to the economic crisis in 2008 and the following recessions in the majority
of Member States
For more information visit Eurostat
ldquoGood governance democracy the rule of law the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows as well as effective accountable and inclusive institutions are crucial Policy coherence at all levels by all coun-tries should be at the core of our new global partnership All our actions will have to be monitored in a transparent way to keep us on track in implementing this challenging new agenda To ensure this we should aim for one overar-ching monitoring accountability and review framework We have an ambitious programme but ambition is needed if we are to fulfil the noble objective we have set ourselves the end of extreme poverty and a sustainable future for all
Lets start working This is our world our dignity our futurerdquo
Speech by European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica at the plenary session of the Third In-ternational Conference on Financing for Development 14 July 2015
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal
![Page 27: Topic boxes of Évora 2016](https://reader031.fdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020522/579077611a28ab6874bd7647/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
On September 15th 2015 the European Federation of Academies of Sci-ences and Humanities (ALLEA) the European Science Foundation (ESF) and the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) gathered to de-bate the rise of income inequality in EU countries For example a pro-
posed solution discussed in this meeting was the taxation of the richest individuals Af-ter this debate the partici-pants unanimously conclud-ed that this issue is not being properly addressed by the Member Statesrsquo governments If this is the case the prob-lem of income inequality will not be solved and equality will
not be achieved How can we encourage Member States to pay more at-tention to this issue Recent events such as the reports on tax avoid-ance by multinational companies (eg IKEA and Starbucks) and the role of offshore companies concerning the Panama Papers affair have once again underlined that there is far too much room for improvement
ep
th
in
kt
an
k
eu
In 2012 Eurostat released a video explaining that the definition of poverty inside the European Union can differ greatly since all the Member Stateslsquo and its individuals have different perspectives This is due to unavoidable cultural differences in each Member State But is this really as simple as Eurostat makes it seem What do you think is poverty a product of cultural differences Letrsquos take a closer look
06
First off the poor acting of the ldquojournalistldquo and her ldquofriendldquo is completely ridiculous Do we really need a ldquoplotldquo to ex-plain poverty in the European Union This video is far too light-hearted when taking into account the issue they are discussing poverty not exactly material for small-talk It makes poverty look like a joke rather than the real issue it is
The only redeeming quality of this video is the fact that per-ception of poverty is highlighted to be relative to the society in which a person lives in Imagine you live in a neighbourhood where there is no sign of poverty you would see poverty as a pressing issue However if you lived in a less ldquoaffluent part of townrdquo where you witness poverty all around you you would be unavoidably aware of itrsquos presence With only this to commend Eurostatrsquos video on you could say lsquonice tryrsquo and suggest the EU should address this widespread problem appropriately and justly
Taking all of this into account what measures can be tak-en to tackle the lack of serious action regarding this issue What could be done in regards to both nation-al and global taxation policies We are curious what EM-PLrsquos stance on the topic of inequality is looking like
COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY
Sustainable growth on global markets After the agreements of the COP21 Summit in Paris have paved the way for a global climate deal how can Europe push for a global emission trading scheme
bullAim for greenhouse gas emissions to peak as soon as possible bullRapid reductions to achieve a balance between emissions from human activity and the amount that can be retained in the atmosphere
bullDeveloped countries must continue to take the lead in the reduction of greenhouse gases
bullDeveloping nations are encouraged to enhance their efforts and move over time to cut emissions
bull Keep warming ldquowell below 2 degrees celsiusrdquo
bull Continue all efforts to limit the rise in the temperature to 15 degrees celsius
07
The Paris Agreement represents the first step towards a greener planet The Parties agreed on an ambition cycle a set of goals timeframes and commitments designed to ensure that Parties
regularly strengthen their commitments Governments aim to lower global warming to below 2ordmC meanwhile providing finance to poor nations to help them cut emissions and cope
with the effects of extreme weather
MEDIASocial Europe ndash After COP21 The EU Needs to Revise its Climate Policy Targets by Beacutela Galgoacuteczi explains the measures and actions of the governments involved and their long term effect on global warming
Pan European Networks ndash Climate emissions reports may offer ldquofalse hoperdquoAccording to this article the Paris Agreement and the measures taken to avoid an increase in global warming
NUMBERS20 increase in energy from r e n e w a b l e s compared to
1990
Only the first 3 countries have achieved the Europe 2020 target According to these statistics in 2014 EU-28 was only 4 away from reaching the goal
httpeceuropaeu
G r e e n h o u s e gas emissions are 20 low-er than in 1990
Levels of greenhouse gases have been decreasing since 1990 and by now this target is almost achieved
httpeceuropaeu
20 increase in energy efficiency
compared to 1990
Estonia was the only country reach-ing the target as of yet Zero represents the achievement of the goal which means most of the Member-states have a long way until they achieve the necessary increase in en-ergy efficiency by 20
httpeceuropaeu
This video explains in a simplified way all the negotiations that took place in Paris The COP21 Conference in Paris was a major step forwards to ensure a sustainable future The previous conferences did not have the same success Furthermore the COP21 will give several countries the opportunity to work together towards a greener and more sustainable future energy-wise environmentally and economically
Al Gore is an American politician and environmentalist who served as the 45th Vice President of the United States from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton Despite several less optimistic projections for the future Al Gore presents a different perspective on the matter showing that embracing green solutions is becoming cheaper and cheaper as well as more efficient to implement Is the green future closer than we have been imagining
COMMITTEE ON BUDGETARY AFFAIRS
Beyond Europe 2020 What key points should the European Commission propose as targets of a European Strategy package after 2020
The European Parliament is one of the budgetary arms of the EU Together with the Council it establishes the annu-al budget of the European Union Even though the num-bers shown in the video are outdated it accurately por-trays the importance of the EU Budget and its purpose
What is BUDG
This process goes through the Committee on Budgets
httpstwittercomep_budgets
Additional information can be found on this committeersquos twitter account
BUDG was responsible for approving and set-ting the rules of the budget plan for Europe 2020 the ten-year economic programme of the EU
08
smart|sustainable|inclusive
development
EUROPEANSrsquo VIEW ON EUROPE 2020
45 consider that the EU ldquois going in the right direc-tion to exit the crisis and face new global challengesrdquo
25 consider that it is going in the wrong direction23 believe that the EU is going in neither the right nor the wrong direction7 expressed no opinion on Europe2020
Source European Commission Europe2020 Report (Standard Eurobarometer 81 Spring 2014) Pages 13-18
ldquoOn March 5 the European Commission launched the first step in reviewing the Europe 2020 strategy The mid-term review is designed
to take stock of the progress made so far in achieving the goals and targets of Europe 2020 and to set the pace for possible re-enforcement
or adaptation of the strategy As people continue to struggle with the impact of the financial and economic crisis we need the European Union Institutions and member states to honour the
commitments they made in 2010rdquo
With 4 years left until the deadline the objectives the EU set with this programme in nearly all categories still have not been met Reviews such as these are crucial By periodi-cally reviewing its general progress we are facilitating anal-ysis and reflection on the evolution of the measures being taken and therefore promoting improvement However af-ter all the analysis and reflections that have been made we can conclude that failure is imminent A change of measures may be the only chance this programme has to ever prevail
Furthermore the answer lies in the upcoming genera-tions The youth need to step in and demand a different ap-proach How should we prioritize our goals What needs to be reformed How will we prevent Europe2020 from shar-ing the same fate as itsrsquo predecessor The Lisbon Strate-gy And last but not least Where should the budgets go to
HOW CAN WE CREATE A NEW STRATEGY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT IS CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THESE UNMET GOALS
EUROPE 2020 INDICATORS
To find appropriate ways of overcoming the programmersquos difficulties it is necessary to first attend to itsrsquo main issues Only after carefully analysing statistics and numbers we can detect the areas that need to be focused on in order to fill the gaps left between the current situation and the objectives
of Europe2020
Employment Rate age group 20-642008 7032009 6902014 692
Europe 2020 goal 75- The unfavourable effect of the economic crisis on the European labour
market has caused the lack of growth on the employment rate
Research and development Gross Domestic Expenditure on ResearchampDevelopment
2008 185 of GDP2014 203 of GDP
Europe 2020 goal 3 of GDPThe EUrsquos efforts to stimulate economic growth by boosting public expenditure on Research and Development have not significantly increased
its GDP
Education People at risk of poverty or social exclusion2005-2009 114 million
2012 1225 million2013 1215 million
- Between 2011 and 2014 almost 1 in every four people in the EU27 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion The increase has been largely attributed to the economic crisis in 2008 and the following recessions in the majority
of Member States
For more information visit Eurostat
ldquoGood governance democracy the rule of law the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows as well as effective accountable and inclusive institutions are crucial Policy coherence at all levels by all coun-tries should be at the core of our new global partnership All our actions will have to be monitored in a transparent way to keep us on track in implementing this challenging new agenda To ensure this we should aim for one overar-ching monitoring accountability and review framework We have an ambitious programme but ambition is needed if we are to fulfil the noble objective we have set ourselves the end of extreme poverty and a sustainable future for all
Lets start working This is our world our dignity our futurerdquo
Speech by European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica at the plenary session of the Third In-ternational Conference on Financing for Development 14 July 2015
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal
![Page 28: Topic boxes of Évora 2016](https://reader031.fdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020522/579077611a28ab6874bd7647/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
First off the poor acting of the ldquojournalistldquo and her ldquofriendldquo is completely ridiculous Do we really need a ldquoplotldquo to ex-plain poverty in the European Union This video is far too light-hearted when taking into account the issue they are discussing poverty not exactly material for small-talk It makes poverty look like a joke rather than the real issue it is
The only redeeming quality of this video is the fact that per-ception of poverty is highlighted to be relative to the society in which a person lives in Imagine you live in a neighbourhood where there is no sign of poverty you would see poverty as a pressing issue However if you lived in a less ldquoaffluent part of townrdquo where you witness poverty all around you you would be unavoidably aware of itrsquos presence With only this to commend Eurostatrsquos video on you could say lsquonice tryrsquo and suggest the EU should address this widespread problem appropriately and justly
Taking all of this into account what measures can be tak-en to tackle the lack of serious action regarding this issue What could be done in regards to both nation-al and global taxation policies We are curious what EM-PLrsquos stance on the topic of inequality is looking like
COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY
Sustainable growth on global markets After the agreements of the COP21 Summit in Paris have paved the way for a global climate deal how can Europe push for a global emission trading scheme
bullAim for greenhouse gas emissions to peak as soon as possible bullRapid reductions to achieve a balance between emissions from human activity and the amount that can be retained in the atmosphere
bullDeveloped countries must continue to take the lead in the reduction of greenhouse gases
bullDeveloping nations are encouraged to enhance their efforts and move over time to cut emissions
bull Keep warming ldquowell below 2 degrees celsiusrdquo
bull Continue all efforts to limit the rise in the temperature to 15 degrees celsius
07
The Paris Agreement represents the first step towards a greener planet The Parties agreed on an ambition cycle a set of goals timeframes and commitments designed to ensure that Parties
regularly strengthen their commitments Governments aim to lower global warming to below 2ordmC meanwhile providing finance to poor nations to help them cut emissions and cope
with the effects of extreme weather
MEDIASocial Europe ndash After COP21 The EU Needs to Revise its Climate Policy Targets by Beacutela Galgoacuteczi explains the measures and actions of the governments involved and their long term effect on global warming
Pan European Networks ndash Climate emissions reports may offer ldquofalse hoperdquoAccording to this article the Paris Agreement and the measures taken to avoid an increase in global warming
NUMBERS20 increase in energy from r e n e w a b l e s compared to
1990
Only the first 3 countries have achieved the Europe 2020 target According to these statistics in 2014 EU-28 was only 4 away from reaching the goal
httpeceuropaeu
G r e e n h o u s e gas emissions are 20 low-er than in 1990
Levels of greenhouse gases have been decreasing since 1990 and by now this target is almost achieved
httpeceuropaeu
20 increase in energy efficiency
compared to 1990
Estonia was the only country reach-ing the target as of yet Zero represents the achievement of the goal which means most of the Member-states have a long way until they achieve the necessary increase in en-ergy efficiency by 20
httpeceuropaeu
This video explains in a simplified way all the negotiations that took place in Paris The COP21 Conference in Paris was a major step forwards to ensure a sustainable future The previous conferences did not have the same success Furthermore the COP21 will give several countries the opportunity to work together towards a greener and more sustainable future energy-wise environmentally and economically
Al Gore is an American politician and environmentalist who served as the 45th Vice President of the United States from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton Despite several less optimistic projections for the future Al Gore presents a different perspective on the matter showing that embracing green solutions is becoming cheaper and cheaper as well as more efficient to implement Is the green future closer than we have been imagining
COMMITTEE ON BUDGETARY AFFAIRS
Beyond Europe 2020 What key points should the European Commission propose as targets of a European Strategy package after 2020
The European Parliament is one of the budgetary arms of the EU Together with the Council it establishes the annu-al budget of the European Union Even though the num-bers shown in the video are outdated it accurately por-trays the importance of the EU Budget and its purpose
What is BUDG
This process goes through the Committee on Budgets
httpstwittercomep_budgets
Additional information can be found on this committeersquos twitter account
BUDG was responsible for approving and set-ting the rules of the budget plan for Europe 2020 the ten-year economic programme of the EU
08
smart|sustainable|inclusive
development
EUROPEANSrsquo VIEW ON EUROPE 2020
45 consider that the EU ldquois going in the right direc-tion to exit the crisis and face new global challengesrdquo
25 consider that it is going in the wrong direction23 believe that the EU is going in neither the right nor the wrong direction7 expressed no opinion on Europe2020
Source European Commission Europe2020 Report (Standard Eurobarometer 81 Spring 2014) Pages 13-18
ldquoOn March 5 the European Commission launched the first step in reviewing the Europe 2020 strategy The mid-term review is designed
to take stock of the progress made so far in achieving the goals and targets of Europe 2020 and to set the pace for possible re-enforcement
or adaptation of the strategy As people continue to struggle with the impact of the financial and economic crisis we need the European Union Institutions and member states to honour the
commitments they made in 2010rdquo
With 4 years left until the deadline the objectives the EU set with this programme in nearly all categories still have not been met Reviews such as these are crucial By periodi-cally reviewing its general progress we are facilitating anal-ysis and reflection on the evolution of the measures being taken and therefore promoting improvement However af-ter all the analysis and reflections that have been made we can conclude that failure is imminent A change of measures may be the only chance this programme has to ever prevail
Furthermore the answer lies in the upcoming genera-tions The youth need to step in and demand a different ap-proach How should we prioritize our goals What needs to be reformed How will we prevent Europe2020 from shar-ing the same fate as itsrsquo predecessor The Lisbon Strate-gy And last but not least Where should the budgets go to
HOW CAN WE CREATE A NEW STRATEGY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT IS CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THESE UNMET GOALS
EUROPE 2020 INDICATORS
To find appropriate ways of overcoming the programmersquos difficulties it is necessary to first attend to itsrsquo main issues Only after carefully analysing statistics and numbers we can detect the areas that need to be focused on in order to fill the gaps left between the current situation and the objectives
of Europe2020
Employment Rate age group 20-642008 7032009 6902014 692
Europe 2020 goal 75- The unfavourable effect of the economic crisis on the European labour
market has caused the lack of growth on the employment rate
Research and development Gross Domestic Expenditure on ResearchampDevelopment
2008 185 of GDP2014 203 of GDP
Europe 2020 goal 3 of GDPThe EUrsquos efforts to stimulate economic growth by boosting public expenditure on Research and Development have not significantly increased
its GDP
Education People at risk of poverty or social exclusion2005-2009 114 million
2012 1225 million2013 1215 million
- Between 2011 and 2014 almost 1 in every four people in the EU27 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion The increase has been largely attributed to the economic crisis in 2008 and the following recessions in the majority
of Member States
For more information visit Eurostat
ldquoGood governance democracy the rule of law the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows as well as effective accountable and inclusive institutions are crucial Policy coherence at all levels by all coun-tries should be at the core of our new global partnership All our actions will have to be monitored in a transparent way to keep us on track in implementing this challenging new agenda To ensure this we should aim for one overar-ching monitoring accountability and review framework We have an ambitious programme but ambition is needed if we are to fulfil the noble objective we have set ourselves the end of extreme poverty and a sustainable future for all
Lets start working This is our world our dignity our futurerdquo
Speech by European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica at the plenary session of the Third In-ternational Conference on Financing for Development 14 July 2015
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal
![Page 29: Topic boxes of Évora 2016](https://reader031.fdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020522/579077611a28ab6874bd7647/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY
Sustainable growth on global markets After the agreements of the COP21 Summit in Paris have paved the way for a global climate deal how can Europe push for a global emission trading scheme
bullAim for greenhouse gas emissions to peak as soon as possible bullRapid reductions to achieve a balance between emissions from human activity and the amount that can be retained in the atmosphere
bullDeveloped countries must continue to take the lead in the reduction of greenhouse gases
bullDeveloping nations are encouraged to enhance their efforts and move over time to cut emissions
bull Keep warming ldquowell below 2 degrees celsiusrdquo
bull Continue all efforts to limit the rise in the temperature to 15 degrees celsius
07
The Paris Agreement represents the first step towards a greener planet The Parties agreed on an ambition cycle a set of goals timeframes and commitments designed to ensure that Parties
regularly strengthen their commitments Governments aim to lower global warming to below 2ordmC meanwhile providing finance to poor nations to help them cut emissions and cope
with the effects of extreme weather
MEDIASocial Europe ndash After COP21 The EU Needs to Revise its Climate Policy Targets by Beacutela Galgoacuteczi explains the measures and actions of the governments involved and their long term effect on global warming
Pan European Networks ndash Climate emissions reports may offer ldquofalse hoperdquoAccording to this article the Paris Agreement and the measures taken to avoid an increase in global warming
NUMBERS20 increase in energy from r e n e w a b l e s compared to
1990
Only the first 3 countries have achieved the Europe 2020 target According to these statistics in 2014 EU-28 was only 4 away from reaching the goal
httpeceuropaeu
G r e e n h o u s e gas emissions are 20 low-er than in 1990
Levels of greenhouse gases have been decreasing since 1990 and by now this target is almost achieved
httpeceuropaeu
20 increase in energy efficiency
compared to 1990
Estonia was the only country reach-ing the target as of yet Zero represents the achievement of the goal which means most of the Member-states have a long way until they achieve the necessary increase in en-ergy efficiency by 20
httpeceuropaeu
This video explains in a simplified way all the negotiations that took place in Paris The COP21 Conference in Paris was a major step forwards to ensure a sustainable future The previous conferences did not have the same success Furthermore the COP21 will give several countries the opportunity to work together towards a greener and more sustainable future energy-wise environmentally and economically
Al Gore is an American politician and environmentalist who served as the 45th Vice President of the United States from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton Despite several less optimistic projections for the future Al Gore presents a different perspective on the matter showing that embracing green solutions is becoming cheaper and cheaper as well as more efficient to implement Is the green future closer than we have been imagining
COMMITTEE ON BUDGETARY AFFAIRS
Beyond Europe 2020 What key points should the European Commission propose as targets of a European Strategy package after 2020
The European Parliament is one of the budgetary arms of the EU Together with the Council it establishes the annu-al budget of the European Union Even though the num-bers shown in the video are outdated it accurately por-trays the importance of the EU Budget and its purpose
What is BUDG
This process goes through the Committee on Budgets
httpstwittercomep_budgets
Additional information can be found on this committeersquos twitter account
BUDG was responsible for approving and set-ting the rules of the budget plan for Europe 2020 the ten-year economic programme of the EU
08
smart|sustainable|inclusive
development
EUROPEANSrsquo VIEW ON EUROPE 2020
45 consider that the EU ldquois going in the right direc-tion to exit the crisis and face new global challengesrdquo
25 consider that it is going in the wrong direction23 believe that the EU is going in neither the right nor the wrong direction7 expressed no opinion on Europe2020
Source European Commission Europe2020 Report (Standard Eurobarometer 81 Spring 2014) Pages 13-18
ldquoOn March 5 the European Commission launched the first step in reviewing the Europe 2020 strategy The mid-term review is designed
to take stock of the progress made so far in achieving the goals and targets of Europe 2020 and to set the pace for possible re-enforcement
or adaptation of the strategy As people continue to struggle with the impact of the financial and economic crisis we need the European Union Institutions and member states to honour the
commitments they made in 2010rdquo
With 4 years left until the deadline the objectives the EU set with this programme in nearly all categories still have not been met Reviews such as these are crucial By periodi-cally reviewing its general progress we are facilitating anal-ysis and reflection on the evolution of the measures being taken and therefore promoting improvement However af-ter all the analysis and reflections that have been made we can conclude that failure is imminent A change of measures may be the only chance this programme has to ever prevail
Furthermore the answer lies in the upcoming genera-tions The youth need to step in and demand a different ap-proach How should we prioritize our goals What needs to be reformed How will we prevent Europe2020 from shar-ing the same fate as itsrsquo predecessor The Lisbon Strate-gy And last but not least Where should the budgets go to
HOW CAN WE CREATE A NEW STRATEGY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT IS CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THESE UNMET GOALS
EUROPE 2020 INDICATORS
To find appropriate ways of overcoming the programmersquos difficulties it is necessary to first attend to itsrsquo main issues Only after carefully analysing statistics and numbers we can detect the areas that need to be focused on in order to fill the gaps left between the current situation and the objectives
of Europe2020
Employment Rate age group 20-642008 7032009 6902014 692
Europe 2020 goal 75- The unfavourable effect of the economic crisis on the European labour
market has caused the lack of growth on the employment rate
Research and development Gross Domestic Expenditure on ResearchampDevelopment
2008 185 of GDP2014 203 of GDP
Europe 2020 goal 3 of GDPThe EUrsquos efforts to stimulate economic growth by boosting public expenditure on Research and Development have not significantly increased
its GDP
Education People at risk of poverty or social exclusion2005-2009 114 million
2012 1225 million2013 1215 million
- Between 2011 and 2014 almost 1 in every four people in the EU27 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion The increase has been largely attributed to the economic crisis in 2008 and the following recessions in the majority
of Member States
For more information visit Eurostat
ldquoGood governance democracy the rule of law the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows as well as effective accountable and inclusive institutions are crucial Policy coherence at all levels by all coun-tries should be at the core of our new global partnership All our actions will have to be monitored in a transparent way to keep us on track in implementing this challenging new agenda To ensure this we should aim for one overar-ching monitoring accountability and review framework We have an ambitious programme but ambition is needed if we are to fulfil the noble objective we have set ourselves the end of extreme poverty and a sustainable future for all
Lets start working This is our world our dignity our futurerdquo
Speech by European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica at the plenary session of the Third In-ternational Conference on Financing for Development 14 July 2015
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal
![Page 30: Topic boxes of Évora 2016](https://reader031.fdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020522/579077611a28ab6874bd7647/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
07
The Paris Agreement represents the first step towards a greener planet The Parties agreed on an ambition cycle a set of goals timeframes and commitments designed to ensure that Parties
regularly strengthen their commitments Governments aim to lower global warming to below 2ordmC meanwhile providing finance to poor nations to help them cut emissions and cope
with the effects of extreme weather
MEDIASocial Europe ndash After COP21 The EU Needs to Revise its Climate Policy Targets by Beacutela Galgoacuteczi explains the measures and actions of the governments involved and their long term effect on global warming
Pan European Networks ndash Climate emissions reports may offer ldquofalse hoperdquoAccording to this article the Paris Agreement and the measures taken to avoid an increase in global warming
NUMBERS20 increase in energy from r e n e w a b l e s compared to
1990
Only the first 3 countries have achieved the Europe 2020 target According to these statistics in 2014 EU-28 was only 4 away from reaching the goal
httpeceuropaeu
G r e e n h o u s e gas emissions are 20 low-er than in 1990
Levels of greenhouse gases have been decreasing since 1990 and by now this target is almost achieved
httpeceuropaeu
20 increase in energy efficiency
compared to 1990
Estonia was the only country reach-ing the target as of yet Zero represents the achievement of the goal which means most of the Member-states have a long way until they achieve the necessary increase in en-ergy efficiency by 20
httpeceuropaeu
This video explains in a simplified way all the negotiations that took place in Paris The COP21 Conference in Paris was a major step forwards to ensure a sustainable future The previous conferences did not have the same success Furthermore the COP21 will give several countries the opportunity to work together towards a greener and more sustainable future energy-wise environmentally and economically
Al Gore is an American politician and environmentalist who served as the 45th Vice President of the United States from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton Despite several less optimistic projections for the future Al Gore presents a different perspective on the matter showing that embracing green solutions is becoming cheaper and cheaper as well as more efficient to implement Is the green future closer than we have been imagining
COMMITTEE ON BUDGETARY AFFAIRS
Beyond Europe 2020 What key points should the European Commission propose as targets of a European Strategy package after 2020
The European Parliament is one of the budgetary arms of the EU Together with the Council it establishes the annu-al budget of the European Union Even though the num-bers shown in the video are outdated it accurately por-trays the importance of the EU Budget and its purpose
What is BUDG
This process goes through the Committee on Budgets
httpstwittercomep_budgets
Additional information can be found on this committeersquos twitter account
BUDG was responsible for approving and set-ting the rules of the budget plan for Europe 2020 the ten-year economic programme of the EU
08
smart|sustainable|inclusive
development
EUROPEANSrsquo VIEW ON EUROPE 2020
45 consider that the EU ldquois going in the right direc-tion to exit the crisis and face new global challengesrdquo
25 consider that it is going in the wrong direction23 believe that the EU is going in neither the right nor the wrong direction7 expressed no opinion on Europe2020
Source European Commission Europe2020 Report (Standard Eurobarometer 81 Spring 2014) Pages 13-18
ldquoOn March 5 the European Commission launched the first step in reviewing the Europe 2020 strategy The mid-term review is designed
to take stock of the progress made so far in achieving the goals and targets of Europe 2020 and to set the pace for possible re-enforcement
or adaptation of the strategy As people continue to struggle with the impact of the financial and economic crisis we need the European Union Institutions and member states to honour the
commitments they made in 2010rdquo
With 4 years left until the deadline the objectives the EU set with this programme in nearly all categories still have not been met Reviews such as these are crucial By periodi-cally reviewing its general progress we are facilitating anal-ysis and reflection on the evolution of the measures being taken and therefore promoting improvement However af-ter all the analysis and reflections that have been made we can conclude that failure is imminent A change of measures may be the only chance this programme has to ever prevail
Furthermore the answer lies in the upcoming genera-tions The youth need to step in and demand a different ap-proach How should we prioritize our goals What needs to be reformed How will we prevent Europe2020 from shar-ing the same fate as itsrsquo predecessor The Lisbon Strate-gy And last but not least Where should the budgets go to
HOW CAN WE CREATE A NEW STRATEGY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT IS CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THESE UNMET GOALS
EUROPE 2020 INDICATORS
To find appropriate ways of overcoming the programmersquos difficulties it is necessary to first attend to itsrsquo main issues Only after carefully analysing statistics and numbers we can detect the areas that need to be focused on in order to fill the gaps left between the current situation and the objectives
of Europe2020
Employment Rate age group 20-642008 7032009 6902014 692
Europe 2020 goal 75- The unfavourable effect of the economic crisis on the European labour
market has caused the lack of growth on the employment rate
Research and development Gross Domestic Expenditure on ResearchampDevelopment
2008 185 of GDP2014 203 of GDP
Europe 2020 goal 3 of GDPThe EUrsquos efforts to stimulate economic growth by boosting public expenditure on Research and Development have not significantly increased
its GDP
Education People at risk of poverty or social exclusion2005-2009 114 million
2012 1225 million2013 1215 million
- Between 2011 and 2014 almost 1 in every four people in the EU27 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion The increase has been largely attributed to the economic crisis in 2008 and the following recessions in the majority
of Member States
For more information visit Eurostat
ldquoGood governance democracy the rule of law the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows as well as effective accountable and inclusive institutions are crucial Policy coherence at all levels by all coun-tries should be at the core of our new global partnership All our actions will have to be monitored in a transparent way to keep us on track in implementing this challenging new agenda To ensure this we should aim for one overar-ching monitoring accountability and review framework We have an ambitious programme but ambition is needed if we are to fulfil the noble objective we have set ourselves the end of extreme poverty and a sustainable future for all
Lets start working This is our world our dignity our futurerdquo
Speech by European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica at the plenary session of the Third In-ternational Conference on Financing for Development 14 July 2015
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal
![Page 31: Topic boxes of Évora 2016](https://reader031.fdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020522/579077611a28ab6874bd7647/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
G r e e n h o u s e gas emissions are 20 low-er than in 1990
Levels of greenhouse gases have been decreasing since 1990 and by now this target is almost achieved
httpeceuropaeu
20 increase in energy efficiency
compared to 1990
Estonia was the only country reach-ing the target as of yet Zero represents the achievement of the goal which means most of the Member-states have a long way until they achieve the necessary increase in en-ergy efficiency by 20
httpeceuropaeu
This video explains in a simplified way all the negotiations that took place in Paris The COP21 Conference in Paris was a major step forwards to ensure a sustainable future The previous conferences did not have the same success Furthermore the COP21 will give several countries the opportunity to work together towards a greener and more sustainable future energy-wise environmentally and economically
Al Gore is an American politician and environmentalist who served as the 45th Vice President of the United States from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton Despite several less optimistic projections for the future Al Gore presents a different perspective on the matter showing that embracing green solutions is becoming cheaper and cheaper as well as more efficient to implement Is the green future closer than we have been imagining
COMMITTEE ON BUDGETARY AFFAIRS
Beyond Europe 2020 What key points should the European Commission propose as targets of a European Strategy package after 2020
The European Parliament is one of the budgetary arms of the EU Together with the Council it establishes the annu-al budget of the European Union Even though the num-bers shown in the video are outdated it accurately por-trays the importance of the EU Budget and its purpose
What is BUDG
This process goes through the Committee on Budgets
httpstwittercomep_budgets
Additional information can be found on this committeersquos twitter account
BUDG was responsible for approving and set-ting the rules of the budget plan for Europe 2020 the ten-year economic programme of the EU
08
smart|sustainable|inclusive
development
EUROPEANSrsquo VIEW ON EUROPE 2020
45 consider that the EU ldquois going in the right direc-tion to exit the crisis and face new global challengesrdquo
25 consider that it is going in the wrong direction23 believe that the EU is going in neither the right nor the wrong direction7 expressed no opinion on Europe2020
Source European Commission Europe2020 Report (Standard Eurobarometer 81 Spring 2014) Pages 13-18
ldquoOn March 5 the European Commission launched the first step in reviewing the Europe 2020 strategy The mid-term review is designed
to take stock of the progress made so far in achieving the goals and targets of Europe 2020 and to set the pace for possible re-enforcement
or adaptation of the strategy As people continue to struggle with the impact of the financial and economic crisis we need the European Union Institutions and member states to honour the
commitments they made in 2010rdquo
With 4 years left until the deadline the objectives the EU set with this programme in nearly all categories still have not been met Reviews such as these are crucial By periodi-cally reviewing its general progress we are facilitating anal-ysis and reflection on the evolution of the measures being taken and therefore promoting improvement However af-ter all the analysis and reflections that have been made we can conclude that failure is imminent A change of measures may be the only chance this programme has to ever prevail
Furthermore the answer lies in the upcoming genera-tions The youth need to step in and demand a different ap-proach How should we prioritize our goals What needs to be reformed How will we prevent Europe2020 from shar-ing the same fate as itsrsquo predecessor The Lisbon Strate-gy And last but not least Where should the budgets go to
HOW CAN WE CREATE A NEW STRATEGY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT IS CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THESE UNMET GOALS
EUROPE 2020 INDICATORS
To find appropriate ways of overcoming the programmersquos difficulties it is necessary to first attend to itsrsquo main issues Only after carefully analysing statistics and numbers we can detect the areas that need to be focused on in order to fill the gaps left between the current situation and the objectives
of Europe2020
Employment Rate age group 20-642008 7032009 6902014 692
Europe 2020 goal 75- The unfavourable effect of the economic crisis on the European labour
market has caused the lack of growth on the employment rate
Research and development Gross Domestic Expenditure on ResearchampDevelopment
2008 185 of GDP2014 203 of GDP
Europe 2020 goal 3 of GDPThe EUrsquos efforts to stimulate economic growth by boosting public expenditure on Research and Development have not significantly increased
its GDP
Education People at risk of poverty or social exclusion2005-2009 114 million
2012 1225 million2013 1215 million
- Between 2011 and 2014 almost 1 in every four people in the EU27 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion The increase has been largely attributed to the economic crisis in 2008 and the following recessions in the majority
of Member States
For more information visit Eurostat
ldquoGood governance democracy the rule of law the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows as well as effective accountable and inclusive institutions are crucial Policy coherence at all levels by all coun-tries should be at the core of our new global partnership All our actions will have to be monitored in a transparent way to keep us on track in implementing this challenging new agenda To ensure this we should aim for one overar-ching monitoring accountability and review framework We have an ambitious programme but ambition is needed if we are to fulfil the noble objective we have set ourselves the end of extreme poverty and a sustainable future for all
Lets start working This is our world our dignity our futurerdquo
Speech by European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica at the plenary session of the Third In-ternational Conference on Financing for Development 14 July 2015
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal
![Page 32: Topic boxes of Évora 2016](https://reader031.fdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020522/579077611a28ab6874bd7647/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
This video explains in a simplified way all the negotiations that took place in Paris The COP21 Conference in Paris was a major step forwards to ensure a sustainable future The previous conferences did not have the same success Furthermore the COP21 will give several countries the opportunity to work together towards a greener and more sustainable future energy-wise environmentally and economically
Al Gore is an American politician and environmentalist who served as the 45th Vice President of the United States from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton Despite several less optimistic projections for the future Al Gore presents a different perspective on the matter showing that embracing green solutions is becoming cheaper and cheaper as well as more efficient to implement Is the green future closer than we have been imagining
COMMITTEE ON BUDGETARY AFFAIRS
Beyond Europe 2020 What key points should the European Commission propose as targets of a European Strategy package after 2020
The European Parliament is one of the budgetary arms of the EU Together with the Council it establishes the annu-al budget of the European Union Even though the num-bers shown in the video are outdated it accurately por-trays the importance of the EU Budget and its purpose
What is BUDG
This process goes through the Committee on Budgets
httpstwittercomep_budgets
Additional information can be found on this committeersquos twitter account
BUDG was responsible for approving and set-ting the rules of the budget plan for Europe 2020 the ten-year economic programme of the EU
08
smart|sustainable|inclusive
development
EUROPEANSrsquo VIEW ON EUROPE 2020
45 consider that the EU ldquois going in the right direc-tion to exit the crisis and face new global challengesrdquo
25 consider that it is going in the wrong direction23 believe that the EU is going in neither the right nor the wrong direction7 expressed no opinion on Europe2020
Source European Commission Europe2020 Report (Standard Eurobarometer 81 Spring 2014) Pages 13-18
ldquoOn March 5 the European Commission launched the first step in reviewing the Europe 2020 strategy The mid-term review is designed
to take stock of the progress made so far in achieving the goals and targets of Europe 2020 and to set the pace for possible re-enforcement
or adaptation of the strategy As people continue to struggle with the impact of the financial and economic crisis we need the European Union Institutions and member states to honour the
commitments they made in 2010rdquo
With 4 years left until the deadline the objectives the EU set with this programme in nearly all categories still have not been met Reviews such as these are crucial By periodi-cally reviewing its general progress we are facilitating anal-ysis and reflection on the evolution of the measures being taken and therefore promoting improvement However af-ter all the analysis and reflections that have been made we can conclude that failure is imminent A change of measures may be the only chance this programme has to ever prevail
Furthermore the answer lies in the upcoming genera-tions The youth need to step in and demand a different ap-proach How should we prioritize our goals What needs to be reformed How will we prevent Europe2020 from shar-ing the same fate as itsrsquo predecessor The Lisbon Strate-gy And last but not least Where should the budgets go to
HOW CAN WE CREATE A NEW STRATEGY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT IS CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THESE UNMET GOALS
EUROPE 2020 INDICATORS
To find appropriate ways of overcoming the programmersquos difficulties it is necessary to first attend to itsrsquo main issues Only after carefully analysing statistics and numbers we can detect the areas that need to be focused on in order to fill the gaps left between the current situation and the objectives
of Europe2020
Employment Rate age group 20-642008 7032009 6902014 692
Europe 2020 goal 75- The unfavourable effect of the economic crisis on the European labour
market has caused the lack of growth on the employment rate
Research and development Gross Domestic Expenditure on ResearchampDevelopment
2008 185 of GDP2014 203 of GDP
Europe 2020 goal 3 of GDPThe EUrsquos efforts to stimulate economic growth by boosting public expenditure on Research and Development have not significantly increased
its GDP
Education People at risk of poverty or social exclusion2005-2009 114 million
2012 1225 million2013 1215 million
- Between 2011 and 2014 almost 1 in every four people in the EU27 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion The increase has been largely attributed to the economic crisis in 2008 and the following recessions in the majority
of Member States
For more information visit Eurostat
ldquoGood governance democracy the rule of law the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows as well as effective accountable and inclusive institutions are crucial Policy coherence at all levels by all coun-tries should be at the core of our new global partnership All our actions will have to be monitored in a transparent way to keep us on track in implementing this challenging new agenda To ensure this we should aim for one overar-ching monitoring accountability and review framework We have an ambitious programme but ambition is needed if we are to fulfil the noble objective we have set ourselves the end of extreme poverty and a sustainable future for all
Lets start working This is our world our dignity our futurerdquo
Speech by European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica at the plenary session of the Third In-ternational Conference on Financing for Development 14 July 2015
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal
![Page 33: Topic boxes of Évora 2016](https://reader031.fdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020522/579077611a28ab6874bd7647/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
COMMITTEE ON BUDGETARY AFFAIRS
Beyond Europe 2020 What key points should the European Commission propose as targets of a European Strategy package after 2020
The European Parliament is one of the budgetary arms of the EU Together with the Council it establishes the annu-al budget of the European Union Even though the num-bers shown in the video are outdated it accurately por-trays the importance of the EU Budget and its purpose
What is BUDG
This process goes through the Committee on Budgets
httpstwittercomep_budgets
Additional information can be found on this committeersquos twitter account
BUDG was responsible for approving and set-ting the rules of the budget plan for Europe 2020 the ten-year economic programme of the EU
08
smart|sustainable|inclusive
development
EUROPEANSrsquo VIEW ON EUROPE 2020
45 consider that the EU ldquois going in the right direc-tion to exit the crisis and face new global challengesrdquo
25 consider that it is going in the wrong direction23 believe that the EU is going in neither the right nor the wrong direction7 expressed no opinion on Europe2020
Source European Commission Europe2020 Report (Standard Eurobarometer 81 Spring 2014) Pages 13-18
ldquoOn March 5 the European Commission launched the first step in reviewing the Europe 2020 strategy The mid-term review is designed
to take stock of the progress made so far in achieving the goals and targets of Europe 2020 and to set the pace for possible re-enforcement
or adaptation of the strategy As people continue to struggle with the impact of the financial and economic crisis we need the European Union Institutions and member states to honour the
commitments they made in 2010rdquo
With 4 years left until the deadline the objectives the EU set with this programme in nearly all categories still have not been met Reviews such as these are crucial By periodi-cally reviewing its general progress we are facilitating anal-ysis and reflection on the evolution of the measures being taken and therefore promoting improvement However af-ter all the analysis and reflections that have been made we can conclude that failure is imminent A change of measures may be the only chance this programme has to ever prevail
Furthermore the answer lies in the upcoming genera-tions The youth need to step in and demand a different ap-proach How should we prioritize our goals What needs to be reformed How will we prevent Europe2020 from shar-ing the same fate as itsrsquo predecessor The Lisbon Strate-gy And last but not least Where should the budgets go to
HOW CAN WE CREATE A NEW STRATEGY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT IS CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THESE UNMET GOALS
EUROPE 2020 INDICATORS
To find appropriate ways of overcoming the programmersquos difficulties it is necessary to first attend to itsrsquo main issues Only after carefully analysing statistics and numbers we can detect the areas that need to be focused on in order to fill the gaps left between the current situation and the objectives
of Europe2020
Employment Rate age group 20-642008 7032009 6902014 692
Europe 2020 goal 75- The unfavourable effect of the economic crisis on the European labour
market has caused the lack of growth on the employment rate
Research and development Gross Domestic Expenditure on ResearchampDevelopment
2008 185 of GDP2014 203 of GDP
Europe 2020 goal 3 of GDPThe EUrsquos efforts to stimulate economic growth by boosting public expenditure on Research and Development have not significantly increased
its GDP
Education People at risk of poverty or social exclusion2005-2009 114 million
2012 1225 million2013 1215 million
- Between 2011 and 2014 almost 1 in every four people in the EU27 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion The increase has been largely attributed to the economic crisis in 2008 and the following recessions in the majority
of Member States
For more information visit Eurostat
ldquoGood governance democracy the rule of law the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows as well as effective accountable and inclusive institutions are crucial Policy coherence at all levels by all coun-tries should be at the core of our new global partnership All our actions will have to be monitored in a transparent way to keep us on track in implementing this challenging new agenda To ensure this we should aim for one overar-ching monitoring accountability and review framework We have an ambitious programme but ambition is needed if we are to fulfil the noble objective we have set ourselves the end of extreme poverty and a sustainable future for all
Lets start working This is our world our dignity our futurerdquo
Speech by European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica at the plenary session of the Third In-ternational Conference on Financing for Development 14 July 2015
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal
![Page 34: Topic boxes of Évora 2016](https://reader031.fdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020522/579077611a28ab6874bd7647/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
08
smart|sustainable|inclusive
development
EUROPEANSrsquo VIEW ON EUROPE 2020
45 consider that the EU ldquois going in the right direc-tion to exit the crisis and face new global challengesrdquo
25 consider that it is going in the wrong direction23 believe that the EU is going in neither the right nor the wrong direction7 expressed no opinion on Europe2020
Source European Commission Europe2020 Report (Standard Eurobarometer 81 Spring 2014) Pages 13-18
ldquoOn March 5 the European Commission launched the first step in reviewing the Europe 2020 strategy The mid-term review is designed
to take stock of the progress made so far in achieving the goals and targets of Europe 2020 and to set the pace for possible re-enforcement
or adaptation of the strategy As people continue to struggle with the impact of the financial and economic crisis we need the European Union Institutions and member states to honour the
commitments they made in 2010rdquo
With 4 years left until the deadline the objectives the EU set with this programme in nearly all categories still have not been met Reviews such as these are crucial By periodi-cally reviewing its general progress we are facilitating anal-ysis and reflection on the evolution of the measures being taken and therefore promoting improvement However af-ter all the analysis and reflections that have been made we can conclude that failure is imminent A change of measures may be the only chance this programme has to ever prevail
Furthermore the answer lies in the upcoming genera-tions The youth need to step in and demand a different ap-proach How should we prioritize our goals What needs to be reformed How will we prevent Europe2020 from shar-ing the same fate as itsrsquo predecessor The Lisbon Strate-gy And last but not least Where should the budgets go to
HOW CAN WE CREATE A NEW STRATEGY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT IS CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THESE UNMET GOALS
EUROPE 2020 INDICATORS
To find appropriate ways of overcoming the programmersquos difficulties it is necessary to first attend to itsrsquo main issues Only after carefully analysing statistics and numbers we can detect the areas that need to be focused on in order to fill the gaps left between the current situation and the objectives
of Europe2020
Employment Rate age group 20-642008 7032009 6902014 692
Europe 2020 goal 75- The unfavourable effect of the economic crisis on the European labour
market has caused the lack of growth on the employment rate
Research and development Gross Domestic Expenditure on ResearchampDevelopment
2008 185 of GDP2014 203 of GDP
Europe 2020 goal 3 of GDPThe EUrsquos efforts to stimulate economic growth by boosting public expenditure on Research and Development have not significantly increased
its GDP
Education People at risk of poverty or social exclusion2005-2009 114 million
2012 1225 million2013 1215 million
- Between 2011 and 2014 almost 1 in every four people in the EU27 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion The increase has been largely attributed to the economic crisis in 2008 and the following recessions in the majority
of Member States
For more information visit Eurostat
ldquoGood governance democracy the rule of law the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows as well as effective accountable and inclusive institutions are crucial Policy coherence at all levels by all coun-tries should be at the core of our new global partnership All our actions will have to be monitored in a transparent way to keep us on track in implementing this challenging new agenda To ensure this we should aim for one overar-ching monitoring accountability and review framework We have an ambitious programme but ambition is needed if we are to fulfil the noble objective we have set ourselves the end of extreme poverty and a sustainable future for all
Lets start working This is our world our dignity our futurerdquo
Speech by European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica at the plenary session of the Third In-ternational Conference on Financing for Development 14 July 2015
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal
![Page 35: Topic boxes of Évora 2016](https://reader031.fdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020522/579077611a28ab6874bd7647/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
With 4 years left until the deadline the objectives the EU set with this programme in nearly all categories still have not been met Reviews such as these are crucial By periodi-cally reviewing its general progress we are facilitating anal-ysis and reflection on the evolution of the measures being taken and therefore promoting improvement However af-ter all the analysis and reflections that have been made we can conclude that failure is imminent A change of measures may be the only chance this programme has to ever prevail
Furthermore the answer lies in the upcoming genera-tions The youth need to step in and demand a different ap-proach How should we prioritize our goals What needs to be reformed How will we prevent Europe2020 from shar-ing the same fate as itsrsquo predecessor The Lisbon Strate-gy And last but not least Where should the budgets go to
HOW CAN WE CREATE A NEW STRATEGY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT IS CAPABLE OF FULFILLING THESE UNMET GOALS
EUROPE 2020 INDICATORS
To find appropriate ways of overcoming the programmersquos difficulties it is necessary to first attend to itsrsquo main issues Only after carefully analysing statistics and numbers we can detect the areas that need to be focused on in order to fill the gaps left between the current situation and the objectives
of Europe2020
Employment Rate age group 20-642008 7032009 6902014 692
Europe 2020 goal 75- The unfavourable effect of the economic crisis on the European labour
market has caused the lack of growth on the employment rate
Research and development Gross Domestic Expenditure on ResearchampDevelopment
2008 185 of GDP2014 203 of GDP
Europe 2020 goal 3 of GDPThe EUrsquos efforts to stimulate economic growth by boosting public expenditure on Research and Development have not significantly increased
its GDP
Education People at risk of poverty or social exclusion2005-2009 114 million
2012 1225 million2013 1215 million
- Between 2011 and 2014 almost 1 in every four people in the EU27 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion The increase has been largely attributed to the economic crisis in 2008 and the following recessions in the majority
of Member States
For more information visit Eurostat
ldquoGood governance democracy the rule of law the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows as well as effective accountable and inclusive institutions are crucial Policy coherence at all levels by all coun-tries should be at the core of our new global partnership All our actions will have to be monitored in a transparent way to keep us on track in implementing this challenging new agenda To ensure this we should aim for one overar-ching monitoring accountability and review framework We have an ambitious programme but ambition is needed if we are to fulfil the noble objective we have set ourselves the end of extreme poverty and a sustainable future for all
Lets start working This is our world our dignity our futurerdquo
Speech by European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica at the plenary session of the Third In-ternational Conference on Financing for Development 14 July 2015
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal
![Page 36: Topic boxes of Évora 2016](https://reader031.fdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020522/579077611a28ab6874bd7647/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
EUROPE 2020 INDICATORS
To find appropriate ways of overcoming the programmersquos difficulties it is necessary to first attend to itsrsquo main issues Only after carefully analysing statistics and numbers we can detect the areas that need to be focused on in order to fill the gaps left between the current situation and the objectives
of Europe2020
Employment Rate age group 20-642008 7032009 6902014 692
Europe 2020 goal 75- The unfavourable effect of the economic crisis on the European labour
market has caused the lack of growth on the employment rate
Research and development Gross Domestic Expenditure on ResearchampDevelopment
2008 185 of GDP2014 203 of GDP
Europe 2020 goal 3 of GDPThe EUrsquos efforts to stimulate economic growth by boosting public expenditure on Research and Development have not significantly increased
its GDP
Education People at risk of poverty or social exclusion2005-2009 114 million
2012 1225 million2013 1215 million
- Between 2011 and 2014 almost 1 in every four people in the EU27 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion The increase has been largely attributed to the economic crisis in 2008 and the following recessions in the majority
of Member States
For more information visit Eurostat
ldquoGood governance democracy the rule of law the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows as well as effective accountable and inclusive institutions are crucial Policy coherence at all levels by all coun-tries should be at the core of our new global partnership All our actions will have to be monitored in a transparent way to keep us on track in implementing this challenging new agenda To ensure this we should aim for one overar-ching monitoring accountability and review framework We have an ambitious programme but ambition is needed if we are to fulfil the noble objective we have set ourselves the end of extreme poverty and a sustainable future for all
Lets start working This is our world our dignity our futurerdquo
Speech by European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica at the plenary session of the Third In-ternational Conference on Financing for Development 14 July 2015
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal
![Page 37: Topic boxes of Évora 2016](https://reader031.fdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020522/579077611a28ab6874bd7647/html5/thumbnails/37.jpg)
ldquoGood governance democracy the rule of law the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows as well as effective accountable and inclusive institutions are crucial Policy coherence at all levels by all coun-tries should be at the core of our new global partnership All our actions will have to be monitored in a transparent way to keep us on track in implementing this challenging new agenda To ensure this we should aim for one overar-ching monitoring accountability and review framework We have an ambitious programme but ambition is needed if we are to fulfil the noble objective we have set ourselves the end of extreme poverty and a sustainable future for all
Lets start working This is our world our dignity our futurerdquo
Speech by European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica at the plenary session of the Third In-ternational Conference on Financing for Development 14 July 2015
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal
![Page 38: Topic boxes of Évora 2016](https://reader031.fdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020522/579077611a28ab6874bd7647/html5/thumbnails/38.jpg)
PartnersUnder the patronage of Instituto Portuguecircs do Desporto e da Juventude and the Municipality of Eacutevora
With the support of Universidade de Eacutevora Associaccedilatildeo Acadeacutemica da Universidade de Eacutevora and Gabinete de Informaccedilatildeo do Parlamento Europeu em Portugal