Cypriot Presidency puts forward its Priorities for Education and Youth
On the 10th of July 2012 George Demosthenous, the Cypriot Education and Culture minister presented, among others, the Cypriot Presideny’s priorities for education and youth before the European parliament. The Cypriot team aims to put citizens at the heart of European Union policies by focusing on a social dimension and inclusive welfare. With this, the Presidency sees education as an ideal investment in times of crisis.
// Top Story
Analysis on the Background of Youth Unemployment shows Varying Rates
The recent report “Youth Unemployment in Europe: Theoretical Considerations and Empirical Findings” goes into the background of the challenges faced by young people on the labour market. The empirical study is based on the group of young people under 25 and explores next to the different causes, possible areas in which the problem of youth unemployment can be tackled. The results of the study illustrate the heterogeneity across Europe and calls for an assessment of the situation in the different member states in order to adopt well grounded policy measures
The findings made by Dr.
// Employment & Social Affairs
The European Parliament sets Fight against Youth Unemployment as a Priority
On the 10th July 2012, the European Parliament Committee on Employment (EMPL) adopted amendments on the EU’s Programme for Social Change and Innovation (PSCI). The programme was proposed at the beginning of the year by the European Commission in order to implement the Europe 2020 Strategy for Jobs and Growth. The Committee criticised the lack of measures in the programme focussing on the problems Europe’s youth are facing on the labour market.
// Employment & Social Affairs
Action against Youth Unemployment in North Africa
On the 16th of July 2012 a conference was held in Tunis on the topic of youth unemployment in North Africa. The meeting was organised by both the Development Centre of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the African Development Bank (AfDB), with the purpose of tackling the obstacles the young generation are confronted with on the labour market. The challenges faced have been researched and described in the 2012 edition of the African Economic Outlook for North Africa.
// Employment & Social Affairs
European Commission calls for Improved Conditions for Disabled Students
A recent report on “"Education and Disability / Special Needs - policies and practices in education, training and employment for students with disabilities and special educational needs in the EU", analyses the conditions that students with special needs have to face in Europe’s schools. Results show that many disabled individuals do not receive sufficient support in mainstream education. Moreover many disabled students are placed in specialised institutions, a situation that further prevents full inclusion.
// Education
European Commission launches Renewed Dialogue on Higher Education with Mediterranean Neighbours
As a reaction to the Arab spring, the European Commission has committed itself to a support a roadmap to ensure democracy and progress in the region. One of the key domains in which the European Union cooperates with its Mediterranean neighbours is that of higher education. Since the discontentment of youth was an important factor behind the socio-political turmoil in the spring of 2011, young people are seen as a crucial focus group.
// Education
Universities pledge to ensure Gender Equality in Research Positions
In a recent report, the League of European Research Universities (LERU), an alliance of 21 European universities, focused on the position of women in universities. The paper brings forward results showing a problematic gender disparity in research positions and a lack of diversity in the academic workplace. In order to ensure women’s participation in Europe’s research efforts, the League has committed itself to tackle the problem through promoting a series of priorities.
// Human Rights
The Council of Europe sets out to investigate Xenophobic Violence by Extreme Right Parties
Right wing extremism across Europe is on the move. Examples of this phenomenon can be observed, among others, in Greece, France, the Netherlands and Germany. The most recent examples are in the electoral successes of the far right Greek Golden Dawn Party. As such extreme nationalism is becoming a more common sight across Europe. While right wing extremist parties in Western and Southern Europe are linked with the issue of mass migration, in Central and Middle Europe on the other hand migration is less of an issue. Instead, the nationalist discourse targets national minorities.
// Human Rights
New Online Platform sets out to protect European Endangered Languages
The Endangered Languages Project, initiated by Google, has been set up in order to protect languages on the verge of extinction. By making use of an online platform where multimedia such as audio, photos and video can be uploaded, the initiators hope to contribute to the protection of endangered languages. Likewise, the online space is set up for native speakers and all those eager to preserve them. As such, an effort is made to pass on the knowledge to the next generation.
Languages are part of cultures; if they would be lost it means that cultural heritage disappears with them.
// Human Rights
