Informal meeting of sports ministers
An informal meeting of sports ministers in the European Union was held in Liverpool from 19th 20th September 2005.
The ministers decided to sign the declaration of understanding regarding ratification of the UNESCO convention against doping in sport at the UNESCO General Conference in October. Over and above that, they agreed on the need to revise the principles and composition of the list drawn up by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on banned substances and methods. They also welcomed the proposal of the Chairman to appoint, on a gradual basis, government representatives for management positions in the WADA.
The recommendations to drive forward equal opportunities and cultural diversity in and through sport were widely supported.
The ministers also showed their willingness to use the theme of sport and physical activity to promote public health. They approved the proposal to set up a working group to be given the task of contributing to the exemplary project work in the field and of putting forward ideas and proposals for the EU platform Nutrition, physical exercise and health.
In addition, a request was made to future presidents to resume their discussion on voluntary involvement in the sports sector. This should occur through proposals to support and strengthen unpaid positions.
The EU sports ministers also confirmed their approval of the rolling agenda which was voted on during the Dutch presidency. It was noted that the Commission and some member States would be asking future holders of the office of president, if possible, to include an informal meeting of the EU sports ministers in their planning on the subject of sport. The Austrian presidencys draft plans on the subject of sport were welcomed. In conclusion, a meeting of EU sports directors was scheduled for 29th-30th March 2006 in Vienna.
More funds for Lifelong Learning and Youth in Action.
The European Parliament Culture Committee has unanimously approved the report by MEP Doris Pack on the integrated action programme Lifelong Learning 2007 2013.
This report comprises both the widening of the COMENIUS partnerships and the commencement of the new programme COMENIUS REGIO, aimed at encouraging the movement of teachers across national borders. The planned increase in the share of the funds for COMENIUS is intended to facilitate supranational exchange, particularly of lower secondary school pupils. In addition, in future, student work experience placements are to be financed by the ERASMUS programme rather than, as previously, by the LEONARDO programme.
At the same time, Erasmus grants are to be increased to 300 and the application procedures simplified. Over and above that, participation in these programmes is open not only to the member States but also to third countries such as the western Balkan States for example. The aim is now to convince the Council of the importance of this programme, in order to achieve a sufficient provision of funds.
In addition, the European Parliament Culture Committee dealt with the action programme Youth in action. The new programme period will run from 2007 2013 and is aimed at encouraging active citizenship and mutual understanding among young people in Europe.
In the process, the Culture Committee increased the budget for the action programme from 915 million to 1128 million .
EYES 2004 evaluation report published
The evaluation report for the European Year of Education through Sport 2004 and the corresponding summary is now available in German, English and French, via the Internet. All of the 28 participating countries were included in the analysis, in order to provide information on whether the intended aims were achieved and which initiatives should be continued or restarted after the end of the year.
http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/education_culture/evalreports/index_en.htm#sportHeader
