Figel seeks a more determined European effort in developing education and culture ...

Education and culture lie at the heart of the renewed Lisbon Strategy for jobs and growth. This was the main message from Commissioner J�n FIGEL, addressing an assembly of representatives from European and national associations for local and regional authorities at a structural dialogue session hosted by the Committee of the Regions (CoR) on 20 June.

The dialogue, which focused on the role of regions and cities in education and culture policies to help achieve the Lisbon goals, was chaired by the 1st Vice President of the Committee of the Regions, Luc VAN DEN BRANDE. In his opening statement, the Vice President emphasised the importance of 'investing in culture' and stressed the need to strengthen education, training, community building and social capital in order to encourage economic development and make progress in an ever globalising world.

�It is not simply enough to have that sufficient institutional capacity and financial means. We need to invest in �culture� � in the widest meaning of this term - to make it possible to get the appropriate matching of means on one hand and the best use of human capital on the other hand� said Van den Brande. �This will lead to further economic development, competitiveness and will contribute to the achievement of the Lisbon-goals as set out by the European Union� he added.

In his speech to the various European and national representatives present, Commissioner Figel highlighted the value of a Europe that is 'fully aware of its own potential' and eager to work together and embrace the richness of cultural diversity. Echoing sentiments from Margot Wallstr�m at the CoR plenary session that the EU needs to overcome it's �Constitutional blues�, Figel criticised feelings of EU scepticism, and added his own fourth �D� to the Commission's Plan D and White Paper on communication: "We need a Plan D plus. Which means the delivery of deeds, not only words, and determination not scepticism.�

Paying particular attention to the Lifelong Learning Programme for 2007-2013, the Commissioner pointed to the success of previous initiatives such as the Bologna Process and sectoral education programmes such as the Erasmus scheme and the Jean Monnet programme in helping to achieve the Lisbon goals.

�The overall aim is to contribute through lifelong learning to the development of the Community as an advanced knowledge society. This means sustainable economic development, more and better jobs and greater social cohesion.� Speaking on behalf of the Commission he said: �We intend to make this happen by fostering interaction, co-operation and mobility between Europe's education and training systems so that they become a world quality reference.�

Encouraging the use of citizenship programmes to increase the participation and involvement of regions and cities, Figel was keen to promote the role of local and regional authority in implementing EU policy in matters relating to the Lisbon objectives, and applauded the work of the CoR..

�The Committee gives local and regional authorities a voice in the EU and I know that local and regional authorities have a key role in implementing our policies, especially in the domains directly linked to the Lisbon strategy. I commend the efforts of the Committee to build an environment of regular and systematic co-operation with the associations of local and regional authorities.�

The dialogue debate which followed was split into two sections. The first bloc of speakers commented upon lifelong learning, while the second bloc dealt with the issues of culture, youth and citizenship.

Kent JOHANSSON, President of EARLALL � the European Association of Regional and Local Authorities for Lifelong Learning and former President of the CoR's liberal democrat group ALDE, welcomed the opportunity to discuss lifelong learning in a European perspective and commended the Commission's various initiatives to promote life-long learning programmes. He also stressed the importance of the role played by small and medium sized enterprises:

�SMEs are key to future growth, so it is essential to promote education and continuing education initiatives in this sector, so that we can capitalise on its existing growth potential. In the light of the limited access small businesses and their employees have to traditional skills development measures, the need for flexible, custom education solutions becomes clear. This is a common challenge for us all in Europe.�

Rafał DUTKIEWICZ, Mayor of Wrocław and member of the CoR's centre-right political group the EPP, supported the argument for SME's as an essential means of generating growth and promoted the idea of a European Institute of Technology (EIT):

�The huge growth of foreign investment and the dynamic development of SMEs in the region bear witness to this fact. However, although the EIT Plus programme will focus on growth and employment in a knowledge-based society, it will have an important social dimension, too � it will provide a unique chance to carry out at regional level the ambitious vision for Europe's development.�

Hening JENSEN, Mayor of Naestved Municipality and member of the CoR's socialist political group the PES, further emphasised the responsibility of local authorities in helping to implement the Lisbon Strategy and insisted that the close cooperation between the various players at national and European level is the only way to ensure that more young people complete their education or training at this level.

�Seen from a local authority perspective, cooperation, information and coordination among the various players are of vital importance. This can be fostered through the transfer of best practice and through innovative thinking underpinned by pilot projects. It involves exchanges, at national level, between the various different sectors concerned, and, at European level, between the Commission, the individual governments and the local and regional authorities.�

Speakers in the second bloc also voiced their approval of existing Commission initiatives, but urged Commissioner Figel not to neglect the cultural dimension of his portfolio.

Erik SEDIG, member of the board of regional development for the V�sterbotten region in Sweden and speaking on behalf of the Assembly of Regions (AER), emphasised the importance of cultural diversity in Europe's regions and cities.

�It is often forgotten that not only the field of education, but also the cultural sphere contributes significantly to economic competitiveness. It would be a mistake to sacrifice culture and education for a narrow, economy-centred approach alone. Culture is the fundament of our societies and, together with cultural sciences; they are the thriving forces behind cultural industries and cultural heritage, which are both strong economic factors.�

Similarly, Jean BOMBIN, Vice President of Arco Latino, stressed the need to better promote cultural policy in Europe: �Cultural policies, especially at local and regional level, play a fundamental role in the generation of this cultural capital, the benefits of which go beyond the narrow domain of culture to embrace the areas of economic development and social cohesion