Prevention technologies — European prevention conference opens today

What do we know about how research evidence is used in the ‘real world’ of prevention? How can we take advantage of technology to promote the use of evidence in policy and practice? What are some of the biggest implementation challenges in prevention and how do we address these? These are among the questions being addressed this week at the 9th annual conference of the European Society for Prevention Research (EUSPR) (24–26 October). The event, ‘Prevention technologies — improving the use of evidence in prevention practice’, is co-organised in Lisbon by the EUSPR and the EMCDDA.

In many areas of public health, and particularly in the field of prevention, there is frequently a gap between research evidence and the services and interventions delivered in daily practice. This may mean that public resources are wasted or that target groups and communities are unable to receive the interventions or other support that might benefit them most.

At the conference, keynote speakers will explore some of the major issues in implementation and translational science as well as highlight strategies that have been successful in bringing together prevention research, practice and policymaking (1). Looking at the use of new technologies in this process, speakers will address how these might offer fresh opportunities for delivering evidence-based interventions and programmes and provide a platform for better engagement across different sectors.

In addition to looking at what works in prevention, the conference will also pay attention to what does not, via a special session devoted to ‘Embracing failure in prevention science’. This will underline the importance of publishing trial results that show ‘no effects’ or ‘harmful effects’ in order to avoid ‘research waste’ and optimise performance.

The conference will map the obstacles that hinder the uptake and roll-out of effective interventions and local policies in preventing unhealthy behaviours. It will also increase dialogue between practitioners and researchers on how best to overcome them. In order to boost this dialogue, one of the pre-conference events will be a joint exchange activity sponsored by, and held at, the Lisbon City Hall. This will bring together early-career researchers and prevention professionals to discuss common goals and to air views on how evidence should be best presented and used.

The EMCDDA strives to support evidence-based prevention and to promote greater use of interventions which are proven to be effective. However, simply publishing evidence is not enough. This is why the agency proactively promotes training in prevention science and practice. Here, the agency is engaging in the further implementation in Europe of training curricula — such as the European Universal Prevention Curriculum (EUPC) — and is aware that good collaboration with networks of scientists and practitioners, such as the EUSPR, is important to achieve this goal.

In the margins of the meeting, the EMCDDA and the EUSPR will discuss Xchange, the agency’s online registry of evidence-based prevention programmes launched last October in its Best Practice Portal. Through this registry, interested visitors can access empirically proven effective programmes, along with experiences of their adaptation across different countries. The EUSPR is supporting the EMCDDA in expanding this registry to include programmes targeting other risky behaviours such as delinquency and violence.



Update: Report and concluding remarks by President Donald Tusk to the European Parliament on October European Council meetings

Press contacts

Preben Aamann
European Council President Spokesperson
+32 2 281 51 50
+32 476 85 05 43

Introductory remarks

I will start my report from the European Council with Brexit.

Last Wednesday evening, leaders listened to Prime Minister May’s views on the negotiations. Afterwards, the EU27 met in the Article 50 format, with our chief negotiator Michel Barnier, to discuss the state of play. It was made clear by the UK that more time is needed to find a precise solution. Therefore, there is no other way but to continue the talks. Leaders expressed their full trust and support for Michel Barnier.

Since Prime Minister May mentioned the idea of extending the transition period, let me repeat that if the UK decided that such an extension would be helpful to reach a deal, I am sure that the leaders would be ready to consider it positively.

President Juncker also touched upon preparations for a no-deal scenario, an outcome which we hope never to see. And, of course, I stand ready to convene a European Council, if and when the Union negotiator reports that decisive progress has been made. The Brexit talks continue with the aim of reaching a deal.

Turning to migration. In the course of our regular discussions, on Thursday morning we had an exchange on our migration policy in all its aspects. The EU leaders want to strengthen external border control and deepen cooperation with third countries to stop illegal arrivals. The focus last week was also on increasing cooperation with countries in North Africa, and a tougher approach to people-smuggling networks. Leaders noted the Union’s achievement in stemming mass arrivals of irregular migrants over the past three years, even if more remains to be done. We thanked the Austrian presidency for its efforts to reform the Common European Asylum System, and agreed that work should continue with a view to finding an agreement as soon as possible.

The European Council also adopted a number of decisions on internal security. Some of them should be seen in the context of increased concerns and risks of hybrid, cyber, as well as chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats. One element of particular interest, was the leaders’ call to create a capacity to respond to, and deter, cyber-attacks through EU sanctions. Of course, this is especially important in light of the European elections next year, and the active threat posed by malicious, outside interference in our democracies.

During the Euro Summit, the Eurogroup chair Mario Centeno gave an update on the finance ministers’ work on the ESM reform and the Banking Union while the European Central Bank President Mario Draghi informed leaders on the economic outlook. The objective of the meeting was to keep up the pressure for concrete results in December. EU finance ministers should speed up their work, if we are to achieve our goal, which is strengthening the ESM and the banking union further.

Leaders also held a short debate on external relations, including on the fight against climate change ahead of COP 24 in Katowice. We adopted conclusions on taking our relations with Africa to a new level — an issue of great importance — and in this context agreed to organize a summit with the League of Arab States on the 24-25 February next year.

For many of the issues discussed at the European Council – from migration to security – as well as the need to scale up the Union’s presence as a global actor in many fields, the EU’s budget is key. At technical level, there have been detailed discussions on the next Multiannual Financial Framework. But, in general terms, we are far from reaching any sort of consensus. That is why I will propose a political discussion at the December European Council. I welcome the intention that the consolidated position of the European Parliament is to be known by then.

Let me close with a word on the shocking killing of Saudi journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, in Turkey earlier this month. This was such a horrible crime, that even the slightest trace of hypocrisy would bring shame on us. It is not my role to state who wants to protect whose interests here. But I know one thing: the only European interest is to reveal all the details of this case, regardless of who is behind it. Knowing your sensitivity and determination, I believe that you will not allow for Europe, the Member States or the institutions, to become involved in any ambiguous game. Thank you.

Closing remarks 

On migration:

Almost all of you have expressed your disappointment with the lack of decisions on migration policy that you are expecting from the European Council. I understand your dissatisfaction because I know that the will of the majority in this house was to establish mandatory quotas. In spite of what you are saying the European Council is building the common European solution for migration policy but in the centre of this approach is the strengthening of cooperation with third countries, a fight against human smugglers, external border protection and not mandatory quotas. The real progress in the European Council is that today almost everybody understands that our priority should be stopping the inflow of irregular migrants and not their distribution.

On Brexit:

We want to avoid a hard border in Ireland but there is no guarantee that we can do it. And do you know why Mr Farage? Because Brexit is de facto a political decision to re-establish the border between the Union and the UK. Brexit is a project to separate the UK from the EU. I don’t know what is going to be the result of the negotiations but I know that it is the Brexiteers who are one hundred per cent responsible for bringing back the problem of the Irish border.

Finally, I would like to share with you one remark. Listening to the debate here I get the impression that some of you would like to see a Europe where there are no member states and no governments. Please do not be surprised that I am not on the same line.



2019 EU budget: Council cannot accept EP amendments

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Liis Jaansalu
Press officer
+32 (0)2 281 38 71
+32 (0)470 89 08 50

The Council today informed the European Parliament that it cannot accept all the amendments for the 2019 EU budget adopted by the Parliament. 

This triggers a three-week conciliation period starting on 30 October. The two institutions will have until 19 November to find an agreement on next year’s budget.

The presidency stands ready to engage constructively with the Parliament to reconcile our differences and agree on a budget that is both ambitious and realistic.

Hartwig Löger, Austrian Federal Minister for Finance

The Council and the Parliament share the same priorities for the 2019 EU budget. These include growth, employment and innovation, fighting climate change, tackling security and migration, and a focus on young people. 

At the same time, the Council is concerned by the increases proposed by the European Parliament, which exceed the level of funding proposed by the Commission in its draft budget, as well as the ceilings of the multiannual financial framework. It insists on taking into account the actual needs and absorption capacities under the different programmes to ensure adequate levels of funding and good value for EU taxpayers’ money. 

Background 

In its draft budget for 2019 the Commission proposed setting the total level of commitments at €165.6 billion and payments at €148.7 billion. 

The Council’s position, adopted on 4 September, sets total commitments at €164.1 billion and total payments at €148.2 billion.  

The Parliament is asking for total commitments to be increased to €166.3 billion and total payments to €149.3 billion. This is €1.1 billion in commitments above the ceilings set by the EU’s multiannual financial framework for 2014-2020.  

Next steps 

The conciliation committee will meet on 7 November and 16 November. On 16 November, an Ecofin/Budget Council will meet to provide the presidency guidance in its talks with the Parliament. If no deal is found by the end of the conciliation period the Commission has to present a new draft budget for 2019.



Daily News 24 / 10 / 2018

Erasmus+: un budget de 3 milliards d’euros devrait être investi dans les jeunes européens et aider à créer des universités européennes en 2019

La Commission a publié aujourd’hui son appel à propositions pour le programme Erasmus+ 2019.  Sur un budget prévu de 3 milliards d’euros pour l’année prochaine, 30 millions d’euros ont été réservés aux Universités européennes. Cette nouvelle initiative a été approuvée par les dirigeants de l’Union européenne lors du sommet social de Göteborg en novembre dernier et s’inscrit dans la volonté de créer un espace européen de l’éducation d’ici 2025. Tibor Navracsics, commissaire chargé de l’éducation, de la culture, de la jeunesse et du sport, a déclaré: “Un an après, la Commission européenne concrétise l’engagement pris auprès des États membres de construire un espace européen de l’éducation d’ici 2025. Nous œuvrons en faveur d’une Europe où l’apprentissage, l’étude et la recherche ne sont pas bloqués par des frontières. Aucun obstacle à l’excellence, à l’innovation et à l’inclusion dans l’éducation. Les universités européennes ont un potentiel réel pour transformer le paysage de l’enseignement supérieur en Europe et je suis fier que nous leur donnions une impulsion forte à travers le programme Erasmus +.” Parallèlement à l’appel à propositions, la Commission a également publié aujourd’hui le guide du programme Erasmus + dans toutes les langues officielles de l’UE, qui fournit aux candidats des informations détaillées sur toutes les opportunités offertes aux étudiants, au personnel, aux stagiaires, aux enseignants et d’autres ressources disponibles dans Erasmus + pour 2019. Un communiqué de presse est disponible avec plus de détails. (Pour plus d’informations: Nathalie Vandystadt – Tél.: +32 229 67083; Joseph Waldstein – Tél.: +32 229 56184)

Black Sea: Commission proposes sustainable fishing opportunities for 2019

Today, the Commission has adopted a proposal on fishing opportunities in 2019 for the most important commercial fish stocks in the Black Sea. The catch limit and quota for the two species, sprat and turbot, are shared between Bulgaria and Romania. The proposal is based on the scientific advice from the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF), and follows the multiannual management plan for turbot fisheries in the Black Sea, approved by the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM). For turbot, the Commission reflects the GFCM multiannual management plan by proposing a catch limit of 114 tonnes, equally distributed between Bulgaria and Romania. Considering the stable stock for sprat, the Commission proposes to maintain a catch limit of 11,475 tonnes, of which 70% will be allocated to Bulgaria and 30% to Romania. Since 2017, the Commission promotes an enhanced multilateral and cooperative approach to fisheries management in the Black Sea, which builds on the Bucharest Declaration and the Malta MedFish4ever Declaration. For the first time, in 2018, management and control measures for turbot are being implemented at regional level, which is attestation of the shared regional interest to ensure sustainable fisheries on which significant jobs and industries depend. Their effective application is enforced through an international joint control and inspection pilot project. Established with the assistance of the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA), it contributes to the fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing in the basin. The Commission’s proposal will be examined by the Member States at the December Council on Agriculture and Fisheries (17-18 December). More information is available here. (For more information: Enrico Brivio – Tel.: + 32 229 56172; Daniela Stoycheva – Tel.: +32 229 53664)

European Globalisation Adjustment Fund: Commission welcomes support for dismissed workers in the clothing sector in Portugal

The Commission welcomes that the European Parliament and the Council approved €4.7 million from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) to help 730 displaced workers in the Portuguese clothing sector of Portuguese regions Centro, Norte and Lisbon to find new jobs. The Commission proposed this financial support provide the dismissed workers with various possibilities to improve their skills, including through vocational training, and help those who want to start a business. Portugal makes also use of the possibility to boost the job prospects of additional 730 young people who are not in employment, education or training. The total cost of this package is about €7.7 million, of which the EU will provide 60 %. Marianne Thyssen, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility, said: “These workers in Portugal lost their previous employment due to increased international competition. The support from the Globalisation Adjustment Fund is a concrete expression of European solidarity with them and with the young persons living in areas of high youth unemployment. The Fund has proven its value again and again in recent years. With the new long-term EU budget 2021-2027 we will be able to support even more workers that were made redundant thanks to simpler and more efficient rules.” The Commission will make the funding available within the coming weeks. (For more information: Christian Wigand– Tel.: +32 229 62253; Sara Soumillion – Tel.: + 32 229 67094)

Publication of latest agri-food trade figures: EU exports are stable

The latest monthly agri-food trade report published today shows stable EU exports compared with last year’s high performance, at a value of €136.6 billion for the 12-months period of September 2017 to August 2018. Major gains in annual values have been achieved in agri-food exports to Japan, Ukraine, Russia, Singapore and Turkey. The USA remains one of the most important sources for EU agri-food imports, with notably a significant increase in imports of US soybeans in the month of August 2018. Over the past 12 months (Sept. 2017-August 2018), wine sugar and spirits and liqueurs have been performing well in term of exports, joined in this positive trend by pasta and pastry, infant food, pet food, waters and soft drinks. Exports decreased on the other hand for wheat, milk powder and pork meat. The monthly report provides a table presenting the trade balance and its development by product category from June 2016 to August 2018. (For more information: Daniel Rosario – Tel.: +32 229 56185; Clémence Robin – Tel: +32 229 52509)

Final agreement reached on strengthening EU support for reforms in Member States 

The European Commission welcomes yesterday’s signature between the European Parliament and the Council, sealing an agreement on increasing the budget of the Structural Reform Support Programme. It will enable the EU to respond to higher-than-expected demand from Member States and allow targeted support to Member States wishing to adopt the euro. The signature comes at a time when the Commission’s Structural Reform Support Service reaches an important milestone – 3 years since its establishment. Over this period, the service has successfully provided support, through the Structural Support Programme and other sources, for almost 500 reform projects in 25 EU Member States. Valdis Dombrovskis, Vice-President for the Euro and Social Dialogue, also in charge of Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union, said: “Our economic destinies are bound together by the internal market and the euro. Reforms have therefore become a matter of common concern. EU support for reforms in Member States has proven effective – in the first three years since the establishment of our Structural Reform Support Service, we have engaged in almost 500 reform projects in 25 Member States. Today’s final agreement on the strengthening of the Structural Reform Support Programme is a major step towards enabling us to step up our support, and further help modernise European economies and boost their competitiveness, growth potential and capacity to adjust to changing times.” The proposal to strengthen the Structural Reform Support Programme is part of European Commission’s package of proposals of 6 December 2017 to deepen Europe’s Economic and Monetary Union. The Structural Reform Support Programme entered into force in May 2017 with a budget of €142.8 million for the years 2017-2020. The Programme is available to all EU Member States upon their request and provides tailor-made expertise on the practical aspects of reforms. With today’s agreement, the budget will increase to €222.8 million until 2020 and also provide targeted support for reforms in Member States wishing to adopt the euro. The report on the 3 years of the SRSS is available here. (For more information: Christian Spahr – Tel.: +32 229 50055; Annikky Lamp – Tel.: +32 229 56151)

State aid: Commission approves €45 million extension of biogas support scheme in Luxembourg

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, the extension of an aid scheme to support biogas production in Luxembourg for six years. The objective of the measure is to ensure a stable remuneration for biogas plants, which produce biogas from biomass and inject it in the natural gas network. The Commission assessed the prolongation of the scheme approved today under EU State aid rules, and in particular the 2014 Guidelines on State aid for environmental protection and energy, which allow Member States to support the production of electricity from renewable energy sources, subject to certain conditions. The Commission concluded that the prolongation of the scheme will help Luxembourg boost the share of electricity produced from renewable energy sources to meet its climate targets, in line with the environmental objectives of the EU, without unduly distorting competition. The extended scheme, which will cover the period from January 2017 to December 2022, has an estimated budget of €45 million. The measure was initially approved by the Commission in 2011 and subsequently modified in 2015. More information will be available on the Commission’s competition website, in the public case register under the case number SA.51971. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344)

 

State aid: Commission approves €70 million public support to promote shift of freight traffic from road to rail and inland waterways in Belgium

The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules a €70 million aid scheme to encourage the shift of freight traffic from road to rail and inland waterways in Belgium. The scheme, which will run until the end of October 2023, provides aid to (i) rail operators and (ii) consolidation terminals for barges that engage in the bundling of freight volumes transported to and from Flemish seaports in Belgium. The aid takes the form of a subsidy (per train or per container), designed to cover the additional costs incurred by rail operators and consolidation terminals for barges for efficiently combining freight volumes transported to and from Flemish seaports. This bundling of freight volumes will make rail and inland waterways more time-efficient, less costly and therefore more attractive and competitive for shippers compared to transport by road. The Commission found that the measure is necessary to provide the right incentives to shippers to opt for less polluting modes of transport (rail or inland waterways), while at the same time reducing road congestion. The measure will therefore be beneficial both for the environment and for mobility. On this basis, the Commission concluded that the measure is compatible with EU State aid rules, in particular Article 93 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union regarding transport coordination and the Commission Guidelines on State aid for railway undertakings. More information will be available on the Commission’s competition’s website in the public case register under the case number SA.50584 once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Vice-President Ansip in New Delhi, India, for the India Mobile Congress

Today until Friday, Andrus Ansip, Vice-President for the Digital Single Market will be in New Delhi, India for the India Mobile Congress, gathering thought leaders from across the world to discuss current trends and the future outlook for the telecommunications, media, information and communication technology sectors. Today, Vice-President Ansip will meet with India’s Communications minister Manoj Sinha. Tomorrow morning, he will visit the exhibition of the congress, along with Prime Minister Narenda Modi, who will then inaugurate the congress. In the afternoon, Ansip will deliver a keynote speech in plenary session on the evolving regulatory landscape in the new digital ecosystem. On Friday, hewill attend a luncheon meeting hosted by the European Business Group (EBG) Telecom Sector Committee, and will meet with industrial leaders. Ahead of this year’s Congress, Vice-President Ansip stressed “We see India as an important partner in agreeing on global standards and spectrum for emerging communication technologies like 5G. At the same time, keeping data safe and secure is another condition for stable and competitive global commercial flows. EU’s data landscape changed dramatically in May when the GDPR came into full effect. I am pleased to see India’s progress in drafting a national data protection law. This could hopefully pave the way for greater data flows between EU and India” The Vice-President’s speech will be online tomorrow. (For more information: Nathalie Vandystadt – Tel.: +32 229 67083; Joseph Waldstein – Tel.: +32 229 56184)

 

Commissioner Navracsics in Warsaw, Poland, tomorrow for series of events

Tomorrow, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, Tibor Navracsics, will be in Warsaw to address the annual eTwinning conference alongside Polish Minister of National Education, Anna Zalewska. Funded by Erasmus+, eTwinning is the world’s largest teachers’ network. It enables teachers to communicate, share ideas and run online collaborative projects with classes in other countries through a free and safe web-based platform. To mark the 2018 European Year of Cultural Heritage, the theme of this year’s conference is ‘eTwinning and our heritage: where the past meets the future’. Before the conference, the Commissioner and the Minister will visit the Klementyna Hoffmanowa High School where the Commissioner will launch the new SELFIE (Self-reflection on Effective Learning by Fostering the use of Innovative Educational Technologies) tool. Developed by the Commission, it will support all schools in the EU, Russia, Georgia and Serbia in assessing how they use digital technologies for teaching and learning. In the EU, SELFIE will be offered to 76.7 million students and teachers in 250,000 schools on a voluntary basis. It is being launched in 24 EU languages with more language versions to follow. During his visit to Warsaw, the Commissioner will also have a working lunch with Witold Bańka, Polish Minister of Sport and Tourism. The Commissioner’s final engagement will be the College of Europe, Natolin Campus, where he will meet Vice-Rector Ewa Osniecka-Tamecka before delivering a speech to students, academic staff, and Poland’s diplomatic corps, as he speaks at the opening ceremony of the academic year 2018-19. A full press release and factsheet with more information on how SELFIE works will be available tomorrow here. (For more information: Nathalie Vandystadt – Tel.: +32 229 67083; Joseph Waldstein – Tel.: +32 229 56184)

Upcoming events of the European Commission (ex-Top News)



Erasmus+: an expected budget of €3 billion to be invested in young Europeans and to help create European Universities in 2019

Today, the Commission published its 2019 call for proposals for the Erasmus+ programme. From an expected budget of €3 billion for next year, €30 million has been set aside for dedicated European Universities. This is a new initiative that was endorsed by European Union leaders at the Gothenburg Social Summit last November, and part of the push towards establishing a European Education Area by 2025.

Tibor Navracsics, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, said: “One year on, the European Commission is delivering on the commitment made to Member States to build a European Education Area by 2025. We are working towards a Europe where learning, studying and carrying out research are not blocked by borders. No walls hampering excellence, innovation and inclusiveness in education. European Universities have a real potential to transform the higher education landscape in Europe, and I am proud that we are giving them a strong push through the Erasmus+ programme.“

The 2019 call for proposals under the Erasmus+ programme

Any public or private body active in the fields of education, training, youth and sport may apply for funding under the 2019 call for proposals for the Erasmus+ Programme. In addition, groups of young people who are active in youth work, but who do not form a youth organisation, may apply for funding.

Together with the call for proposals, today the Commission also published the Erasmus+ Programme Guide in all official EU languages, which provides applicants with details on all opportunities for students, staff, trainees, teachers and more available in Erasmus+ for 2019.

€30 million for European Universities

As part of the creation of a European Education Area by 2025, the Commission proposed the set-up European Universities in the European Union.

As part of the 2019 call for proposals, the Commission will launch a pilot programme which will support six European University alliances, each consisting of a minimum of 3 higher education institutions from 3 countries to promote a strengthened European identity, while also boosting excellence and helping to make European higher education institutions more competitive. Applicants have to submit their grant applications to the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency by 28 February 2019 for alliances starting between 1 September and 1 December in the same year.

A second pilot call should follow next year with a full roll out of the initiative envisaged under the next long-term EU budget as from 2021. The aim is to build some twenty European Universities by 2024.

Background

At the Gothenburg Social Summit in November 2017, European Union leaders outlined a vision for Europe to harness the full potential of education and culture to create a resilient workforce, social fairness, active citizenship and an experience of European identity in all its diversity.

Supporting the creation of of European Universities will contribute to this objective, by bringing together a new generation of Europeans, who are able to cooperate and work within different European and global cultures, in different languages, and across borders, sectors and academic disciplines.



For More information

Erasmus+ Call for proposals

Erasmus+ Programme Guide

Erasmus+