EU news you can use, 2 September 2010

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EU news you can use, 2 September 2010

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Irish want stronger European economic governance: First results for latest Eurobarometer

EU Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva visits Pakistan

Acclaimed filmmakers lend a hand at environmental video workshop

Well known science writer Fred Pearce addresses environmental communication conference

Youth in Action Programme Upcoming Training Courses

News in brief

Agenda

Spotlight on: the EU Young Translator Contest

	Irish want stronger European economic governance: First results for latest Eurobarometer Irish public opinion has shifted sharply in favour of stronger EU economic governance, according to Eurobarometer poll results published last week. Along with the Finns, Ireland showed a 13% rise in those who want stronger European measures and coordination to combat the economic crisis, with a total of 77% in favour. When asked how they felt about the national economic situation, 95% of Irish people polled think things are very or rather bad – as compared to an EU average of 77%. The most pessimistic of all are the Greeks (98%) and the Hungarians (96%). When asked about the national employment situation, 97% of Irish people polled were pessimistic, third most gloomy in the EU, behind the Greeks and the Spanish. The overall EU average was 83%. On the other hand, the Swedes are the least pessimistic about their national economy in the EU, at 26%. Even while remaining bleak about the economy, Irish people polled were becoming more positive about the next 12 months - almost a quarter believe things will improve, a rise of 7 points on the previous Eurobarometer poll. And there was a fall in numbers who thought that things would get worse, down 17 points to 37%. On the more classic Eurobarometer questions regarding support for the EU and its institutions, Ireland continues to show strong support, with 66% believing that EU membership is a good thing, although this is down 6% from autumn 2009. The most positive are Luxembourgers at 70% followed by the Dutch at 69% and then Ireland and Denmark at 66%. The EU average for this question is 49%. See here for further information.
	EU Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva visits Pakistan EU Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva visited Pakistan on 24 and 25 August to witness the destruction wreaked by the flood On her return, the Commissioner warned of water-borne disease spreading quickly among Pakistan flood survivors, posing a threat of epidemics. Commissioner Georgieva met with Pakistani officials, aid workers and flood victims. “I’m very worried about epidemics,” Ms Georgieva told a news conference, referring to the alarming rise in cases of water-borne disease in recent days. EU foreign ministers are set to discuss a response strategy when they meet next week. Record monsoon floods have killed between 1500 and 2000 people, washed away more than a million homes and wiped out about 3.4m hectares of crops. In all, about 17 million people have been affected. EU countries have pledged €230 million in emergency relief - including €70m in EU funding - accounting for more than half the UN’s initial aid target. Pakistan will also need help with reconstruction – but just how much is not yet clear. Islamabad will host a donor conference later this year. See here for further information on EU aid to Pakistan. Read also the Commissioner's blog about her visit.
	Acclaimed filmmakers lend a hand at environmental video workshop On last Saturday, 28 August, a free environmental movie workshop hosted by the Darklight Film Festival, the European Commission Representation in Ireland and Cultivate took place at the European Commission Representation, Dawson Street, Dublin. Some of Ireland's most talented online and offline film makers came together to discuss the power of movies in communicating environment issues. This event was part of the 2010, "My environment, My film", competition which seeks to inspire aspirant film makers to create online movies about pressing ecological issues. Themes can include anything from climate change, loss of biodiversity (that's the theme of the promo video "Night of the living rhododododododendrums"), to protecting our seas. The winner will receive over €1,500 worth of camera equipment from the movie specialists Tyrell:cct. The key criteria for winning videos are: (1) imagination (2) means of promotion (number of hits) (3) exploration of the theme of My Environment - My Film. 75% of the marks for the movie will be given over to creativity and imagination, and 25% for building an audience. The deadline for entry is midnight on 15 October 2010. See here for further information.
	Well known science writer Fred Pearce addresses environmental communication conference Internationally-acclaimed author and science writer Fred Pearce (New Scientist and Guardian) will deliver the keynote address on "Climate Gate and the role of new media" this Saturday at European Union House, 18 Dawson Street, Dublin 2. The conference itself starts at 10 a.m. and is expected to run until about 6 p.m. This unique conference is being organised by the European Commission Representation in Ireland and DCU's Celsius Group and will look at ways the web can be used to communicate environmental issues. Described as one of the finest science writers, Fred Pearce has reported on the environment, popular science and development issues from 64 countries over the past 20 years. He specialises in global environmental issues, including water and climate change and frequently takes heretic and counter-intuitive views. The conference will analyse the need to communicate, via the web, the need for change across a broad range of environmental areas including bio-diversity, natural resources and climate change. It will bring together journalists, academics, politicians, business people, leaders from the environmental NGO sector and social media practitioners to discuss how web-based technologies can be used to communicate complex issues. The conference is now fully booked; however, the day's proceedings will be web-streamed live from: *www.euireland.ie/euenvironment*
	Youth in Action Programme Upcoming Training Courses The Youth in Action Programme team at Léargas are organising a series of training sessions from September to December, both in Ireland and elsewhere in Europe, aimed at youth organisations and those working with young people. See below a list of six upcoming training opportunities 15 September - Regional Information Day, Maldron Midway Hotel, Portlaoise. Deadline to apply: 3 September 21 September - Youthpass for Youth Initiatives, Hilton Kilmainham Hotel, Dublin. Deadline to apply: 17 September 23-24 September - Youth Democracy Projects Training Course, Hilton Kilmainham Hotel, Dublin. Deadline to apply: 16 September 29-31 October - Youth Initiative Projects, Residential Training Course, Emmaus Centre, Swords, Co. Dublin. Deadline to apply: 1 October 29 November-4 December - 'Get Involved' Training Course, Latvia. Deadline to apply: 15 October 6-10 December - 'Appetiser' Turkey. Deadline to apply: 26 September Youth in Action is the Programme the European Union has set up for young people (aged 13 to 30) and aims to inspire a sense of active European citizenship, solidarity and tolerance among young Europeans and to involve them in shaping the Union's future. It promotes mobility within and beyond the EU's borders, non-formal learning and intercultural dialogue, and encourages the inclusion of all young people, regardless of their educational, social and cultural background. Click here for further information.
	News in brief The EU allocates EUR 47 million to support peace-keeping operations in Somalia The European Commission has confirmed its support to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) by providing an additional €47 million to the African Union, bringing the EU allocation to AMISOM to a total of €142 million funded under the African Peace Facility (APF) since 2007. Announcing the initiative, Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Commission Vice-President said: "AMISOM remains crucial to prevent a severe further downfall in the security of Somalia and has proven to be key to the creation of minimum security pre-conditions for dialogue and reconciliation in Somalia." See here for further information. Europe's seas: Commission sets out criteria for good environmental status The European Commission has adopted a decision outlining the criteria necessary to achieve good environmental status for Europe's seas. This will help Member States to develop coordinated marine strategies within each regional sea, ensuring consistency and allowing progress to be compared between regions. The definition of the criteria is a requirement under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive which aims to achieve good environmental status in all EU marine waters by 2020. Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik announced this policy by saying: "We want our seas to be healthy and productive. Today's decision is a starting point in establishing precise objectives for the achievement of good environmental status. The adoption of the decision on criteria for good environmental status during the International Year of Biodiversity marks a further step in the development of the post-2010 EU biodiversity strategy." See here for further information. When is champagne really champagne A new agreement governing the wine trade between Australia and the European Union entered into force yesterday (1 September 2010). The new agreement safeguards the EU's wine labelling regime, gives full protection to EU geographical indications, including for wines intended for export to third countries, and includes a clear Australian commitment to protect EU traditional expressions. It also provides for the phasing out of the use of a number of important EU names such as Champagne and Port on Australian wines within a year of the agreement coming into force. See here for further information. Euro area unemployment rate stable at 10.0% in July The euro area seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 10.0% in July 2010, unchanged compared with June. The EU27 unemployment rate was 9.6% in July 2010, unchanged compared with June. Among the Member States, the lowest unemployment rates were recorded in Austria (3.8%) and the Netherlands (4.4% in June 2010), and the highest rates in Spain (20.3%), Latvia (20.1% in the first quarter of 2010) and Estonia (18.6% in the second quarter of 2010). Compared with a year ago, three Member States recorded a fall in their unemployment rate, two remained stable and twenty-two showed an increase. The falls were observed in Austria (5.1% to 3.8%), Malta (7.3% to 6.5%) and Germany (7.6% to 6.9%). The highest increases were registered in Latvia (13.5% to 20.1% between the first quarters of 2009 and 2010) and Lithuania (11.2% to 17.3% between the first quarters of 2009 and 2010). The unemployment rate for Ireland was 13.6% in July 2010, a rise of 1.3% from 12.3% in July 2009. In July 2010, the youth unemployment rate (under-25s) was 19.6% in the euro area and 20.2% in the EU27. The lowest rate was observed in the Netherlands (8.1% in June 2010), and the highest rates in Spain (41.5%), Latvia (39.5% in the first quarter of 2010) and Estonia (37.2% in the second quarter of 2010). Youth unemployment in Ireland at 28.9% in July 2010 was well above the EU average. It has also risen significantly compared to July 2009, when it was 24.8%. Young men are worse affected, at 17.4%, than young women at 8.8%. Unemployment among young men has also risen at a faster rate (rise of 2% from July of last year when it was15.4%), than young women (a .5% rise from 8.3% in July of last year). See here for further information.
	Agenda Details of all EU-related events happening in Ireland, or of interest to Ireland but happening elsewhere, as well as European institutional events and other EU-agenda activities can be found on www.eurodiary.ie Saturday 4 September: Conference - Communicating environmental issues through the web - What can the internet deliver? A one-day conference hosted by the European Commission Representation in Ireland and in association with the Celsius research group, Dublin City University, will be held at European Union House, 18 Dawson Street, Dublin 2 on this Saturday, 4 September. This one-day conference seeks to explore how the internet is being used to convey the complex issues and challenges associated with the environment. See here for further information. Monday 6 September 2010, Launch of Ireland and Europe brochure by Minister for the Environment John Gormley T.D. On Monday 6 September the Minister for the Environment, John Gormley T.D. will launch a brochure entitled "Ireland & Europe – The European Union at Local and Regional Level in Ireland" at European Union House, 18 Dawson Street, Dublin 2. This publication has been produced by the Irish Regions Office in Brussels and the European Commission Representation in Ireland and explains in a clear way the role of the Regional Authorities in managing EU funding. Copies of the brochure can be requested from the European Commission Representation, 18 Dawson Street, Dublin 2, tel: 01-634 1111, email: eu-ie-info-request@ec.europa.eu Monday, 6 September: Informal Energy Council, Brussels Monday, 6 September – Thursday, 9 September: European Parliament Plenary Session, Strasbourg Tuesday, 7 September: ECOFIN, Brussels Friday, 10 September – Saturday, 11 September: Informal Meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers, Gymnich, Begium Monday, 13 September: Foreign Affairs Council, Brussels Monday, 13 September: General Affairs Council, Brussels Thursday, 16 September: European Council, Brussels Tuesday 21 to Thursday 23 September: European Commission Stand at the National Ploughing Championships, Athy, Co. Kildare The European Union’s stand at the National Ploughing Championships will focus on agriculture in the EU and will also present a range of rural development projects co-financed under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), Special Events include: Tuesday 21st September - afternoon – Bioenergy & Biomass: Beneficiaries of EU funding will share their experiences and how they obtained funding, their work and successes Wednesday 22nd September - afternoon – Food Demonstrations: Demonstrations of food projects with free sampling of products Thursday 23rd September - all day - Organic Farming: Round table discussion on converting to organic farming, with practical demonstrations of meat and dairy projects In addition there will be lots of fun games and quizzes to test your knowledge of agriculture and the environment, with great prizes to be won. Experts will also be available to answer technical questions from farmers, the agricultural industry and anybody interested in EU matters. There will also be a wide range of publications available on current EU agricultural topics and the EU in general. Friday 24 September: Culture Night As part of Culture Night on Friday, 24 September, the European Commission will present two photography exhibitions, one from the Austrian Embassy and the other from the Czech Embassy at European Union House, 18 Dawson Street, Dublin 2. See below for details of the exhibitions. Music in the early evening will be provided by Karin Leitner on flute and Teresa O'Donnell on Harp. Further musical entertainment suitable for all the family will continue throughout the evening. Friday 24 September to Wednesday 29 September 2010: Pet-Art exhibition In cooperation with the European Commission Representation, the Czech Embassy in Ireland will present a photography exhibition entitled "PET-Art" from Friday 24 September to Wednesday 29 September 2010 at European Union House, 18 Dawson Street, Dublin 2. PET-Art is an exhibition of photographs by Michal Cihlar, depicting the colourful sculptures of Czech artist, Veronika Richterova. Since 2004, Ms Richterova has been finding new life for used plastic (PET) bottles, creating an outstanding new branch of art. The exhibition will be open to the public on weekdays from 24 to 29 September from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free Friday 24 September to Thursday 7 October: Exhibition - UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the South East of Europe In cooperation with the European Commission Representation and the Embassy of Austria, Culture Matters will present an exhibition on UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the South East of Europe from Friday 24 September to Thursday 7 October 2010 at European Union House, 18 Dawson Street, Dublin 2. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. Eighteen properties from different countries of South Eastern Europe forming part of the cultural heritage that the World Heritage Committee considers as having outstanding universal value are shown in this exhibition. The cultural heritage sites presented here belong to all peoples of the region, Europe, world, irrespective of the territory on which they are located. The exhibition will be open to the public Monday to Friday from 24 September to 7 October from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Monday 11 October to Friday 29 October: Exhibition: "Ukraine through the eyes of Irish artists, Ireland through the eyes of Ukrainian artists" In cooperation with the Embassy of Ukraine in Ireland, the European Commission Representation in Ireland will host the exhibition "Ukraine through the eyes of Irish artists; Ireland through the eyes of Ukrainian artists" at European Union House, 18 Dawson Street, Dublin from Monday 11 to Friday 29 October. The exhibition will feature paintings by members of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine, Mrs. Tetyana Tsaryk and Mr. Andriy Ozernyy and Irish artist, Mr. John Murray. The exhibition will be open to the public from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday from 11 to 29 October 2010. Tuesday 16 to Monday 29 November: Coillte Exhibition - “Healthy Forests, Healthy People” The European Commission Representation will host the Coillte Exhibition "Healthy Forests, Healthy People" from Tuesday 16 to Monday 29 November at European Union House, 18 Dawson Street, Dublin 2. Coillte own approximately 445,000 hectares (1,000,000 acres) of land in Ireland. This exhibition show-cases the best of the environmental and social benefits of Coillte’s forests. See here for more about the exhibition.
	Spotlight on: the EU Young Translator Contest Secondary schools wishing to enter pupils for the 2010 EU Young Translator Contest can register from 1 September, at http://ec.europa.eu/translatores. The registration period for the contest, known as ‘Juvenes Translatores’ (Latin for 'young translators’), runs until 20 October. The competition, which is open to pupils born in 1993, will be held on 23 November, at the same time in all selected schools. ‘The contest is designed to promote the use and learning of foreign languages in Europe, as well as the specific art of translation,’ explained Androulla Vassiliou, the European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth. ‘Language skills are a huge asset for today’s young people, who travel more than previous generations and are more likely to look abroad for a job. Knowledge of languages can take you further in your life and broaden your horizons,' she added. The total number of schools that can participate is being increased this year from 690 to more than 750, in response to strong demand since the launch of the contest in 2007. The number of schools selected from each Member State will mirror the number of seats each country will have in the European Parliament in 2014. In Ireland, 12 schools are participating. The competition is open to anyone born in 1993 and the selected schools will be invited to enter up to five pupils. Pupils of any nationality are eligible, provided that they are enrolled at a school located in an EU Member State. They are free to translate from and into any of the EU’s 23 official languages. The contest will be held at the same time in all selected schools, under the school’s supervision. Contestants will have two hours to translate a text, which the Commission will send to the schools shortly before the competition starts. Dictionaries can be used, but not electronic devices. After the contest, the translations will be evaluated by Commission translators and the winners invited to Brussels in the spring of 2011 for an award ceremony hosted by Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou. During the trip the winners will also meet EU staff translators. Rachel McNamara of Laurel Hill Secondary School, Limerick, was the Irish national winner in 2009 for her translation from Irish into English. Rachel, along with the national winners from 26 other Member States, travelled to Brussels in March of this year to receive a prize from the European Commissioner responsible for multilingualism, Androulla Vassiliou.