Post-2013 financing programmes proposed by the European Commission in the cultural and creative sectors, as well as in the field of research and innovation, will be the main topics for debate at the Committee of the Regions (CoR) commission for Education, Youth, Culture and Research (EDUC) to be held in Brussels on Monday 23 April. EDUC members will also discuss proposed revisions related to EU data protection rules and the use of government-held information.
Two draft opinions on the new "Creative Europe" programme dedicated to the cultural and creative sectors (Rapporteur Gábor Bihary (HU/PES)) and the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation – "Horizon 2020" (Rapporteur: Markku Markkula (FI/EPP)) will be discussed and voted upon.
The "Creative Europe' programme aims at helping the cultural and creative sectors to seize the opportunities offered by the "digital age" and globalisation. In his draft opinion, Mr Bihary points out that creative and cultural industries are often small and medium-sized businesses which require initiative and organization at a local level. This feature of localisation is in his views a positive aspect for regions as it boosts local economies and contributes to retain talents and the corresponding jobs at local level. He therefore calls on the Council and the European Parliament to more strongly emphasise the key role of local and regional authorities in promoting culture and artistic innovation, as well as to enhance the participation of regions and cities in the Programme
The proposed new EU Framework programme for Research and Innovation, "Horizon 2020", is the financial instrument implementing the Europe 2020 flagship initiative "Innovation Union" aimed at securing Europe's global competitiveness. The CoR draft opinion suggests recommendations to increase the regional impact of EU research, development and innovation activities. It also stresses the need for local and regional level to be challenged for active participation to reach the Europe 2020 Strategy targets and calls for regions and cities to include research, development and innovation as an essential part of their core policy agenda.
EDUC members will also exchange views on a working document prepared by Ursula Männle (DE/EPP) on the comprehensive reform of the EU's 1995 data protection rules to strengthen online privacy rights and boost Europe's digital economy. The revision of the legislative framework regulating the use of information held by public sector bodies will also be discussed on the basis of a working document to be presented by Anne Karjalainen (FI/PES).
The meeting will take place at CoR headquarters in Brussels on Monday 23 April, starting at 11.00.
The Committee of the Regions' EDUC commission:
The CoR EDUC commission is competent for issues including education, youth policy, culture, sport, multilinguism, information society, research and technology, audiovisual industry and media. It gathers about 100 regional and local elected representatives from the 27 EU member states, and is chaired by Alin Adrian Nica (RO/ALDE), Mayor of Dudeştii Noi.