REPORT on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the European Year of Creativity and Innovation (2009)

18.7.2008 - (COM(2008)0159 – C6‑0151/2008 – 2008/0064(COD)) - ***I

Committee on Culture and Education
Rapporteur: Katerina Batzeli

DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the European Year of Creativity and Innovation (2009)

(COM(2008)0159 – C6‑0151/2008 – 2008/0064(COD))

(Codecision procedure: first reading)

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to the Commission proposal to the European Parliament and the Council (COM(2008)0159),

–   having regard to Article 251 and Articles 149 and 150 of the EC Treaty, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C6‑0151/2008),

–   having regard to Rule 51 of its Rules of Procedure,

–   having regard to the report of the Committee on Culture and Education (A6‑0319/2008),

1.  Approves the Commission proposal as amended;

2.  Calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it intends to amend the proposal substantially or replace it with another text;

3.  Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and Commission.

Amendment  1 Proposal for a decision Recital 8
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(8). As the promotion of creativity and of a capacity for innovation through lifelong learning falls within the objectives of existing programmes, in particular the Lifelong Learning Programme, such a Year can be implemented by using that programme within the existing margins which it provides for setting funding priorities on an annual or multiannual basis; programmes and policies in other fields, such as enterprise, cohesion, rural development, research and the information society, also contribute to promoting creativity and a capacity for innovation and may support the initiative within their respective legal frameworks.	(8). As the promotion of creativity and of a capacity for innovation through lifelong learning falls within the objectives of existing Community programmes, such a Year can be implemented by using those programmes within the existing margins which they provide for setting funding priorities on an annual or multiannual basis; programmes and policies in other fields, such as culture, communication, enterprise, cohesion, rural development, research and the information society, also contribute to promoting creativity and a capacity for innovation and may support the initiative within their respective legal frameworks.
Amendment  2 Proposal for a decision Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point a
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(a) providing an environment which is favourable to innovation, flexibility and adaptability in a rapidly changing world and creative management of diversity; all forms of innovation, including social and entrepreneurial innovation, should be taken into account;	(a) providing an environment which is favourable to innovation and adaptability in a rapidly changing world; all forms of innovation, including social and entrepreneurial innovation, should be taken into account;
Amendment  3 Proposal for a decision Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point a a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(aa) highlighting openness to cultural diversity as a means of fostering intercultural communication and promoting closer links between the arts, as well as with schools and universities;
Amendment  4 Proposal for a decision Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point b
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(b) stimulating aesthetic sensitivity, emotional development, lateral thinking and intuition and fostering creativity in all children from the earliest stages of development, including pre-school care;	(b) stimulating aesthetic sensitivity, emotional development, creative thinking and intuition in all children from the earliest stages of development, including pre-school care;
Amendment  5 Proposal for a decision Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point c
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(c) raising awareness of the importance of creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship for personal development, as well as for economic growth and employment; and fostering entrepreneurial mindsets, particularly among young people;	(c) raising awareness of the importance of creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship for personal development, as well as for economic growth and employment; and fostering entrepreneurial mindsets, particularly among young people, through cooperation with the business world;
Amendment  6 Proposal for a decision Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point f
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(f) broadening access, and reducing disparities in access, to a variety of creative forms of self-expression, throughout formal education, and particularly during young people’s most formative years, so that the personal development of some is not hindered;	(f) broadening access to a variety of creative forms of self-expression both throughout formal education and by means of non-formal and informal youth activities;
Amendment  7 Proposal for a decision Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point g
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(g) raising awareness among people that creativity, knowledge and flexibility are important in a time of rapid technological changes and global integration for a prosperous and fulfilling life; and equipping people to improve their career opportunities in all areas where creativity and a capacity for innovation play an important role;	(g) raising awareness among people, whether inside or outside the labour market, that creativity, knowledge and flexibility are important in a time of rapid technological changes and global integration for a prosperous and fulfilling life; and equipping people to improve their career opportunities in all areas where creativity and a capacity for innovation play an important role;
Amendment  8 Proposal for a decision Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point h
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(h) promoting closer links between arts, business and schools and universities;	deleted
Amendment  9 Proposal for a decision Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point i
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(i) developing creativity and innovative capacity through non-formal and informal youth activities;	deleted
Amendment  10 Proposal for a decision Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point j
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(j) encouraging those who are not on the labour market to develop their creative potential for personal fulfilment and those who seek employment to enhance their attractiveness on the labour market;	deleted
Amendment  11 Proposal for a decision Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point l
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(l) highlighting openness to cultural diversity as a means of fostering intercultural communication and artistic cross-fertilisation; and	deleted
Amendment  12 Proposal for a decision Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point m
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(m) developing creativity and innovative capacity in private and public organisations through training, and encouraging organisations to make better use of the creative capacities of individuals, employees as well as of customers or users.	(m) developing creativity and innovative capacity in private and public organisations through training, and encouraging them to make better use of the creative capacities of both employees and clients.
Amendment  13 Proposal for a decision Article 4
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Each Member State shall appoint a national coordinator responsible for organising its participation in the European Year of Creativity and Innovation where the national Lisbon Coordinator cannot usefully take over this role. The coordinator shall ensure the coordination at national level of activities relating to the European Year of Creativity and Innovation.	Each Member State shall appoint a national coordinator responsible for organising its participation in the European Year of Creativity and Innovation. The coordinator shall ensure the coordination at national level of activities relating to the European Year of Creativity and Innovation.
Amendment  14 Proposal for a decision Article 6
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Without prejudice to the support that may be given to the Year by programmes and policies in other fields such as enterprise, cohesion, research and the information society, cofinancing at European level of activities within the framework of the Year shall be in accordance with the priorities and rules applying to existing programmes in the field of education and training, and in particular the Lifelong Learning Programme.	Cofinancing at European level of activities within the framework of the Year shall be in accordance with the priorities and rules applying, on an annual or multiannual basis, to existing programmes, particularly in the field of education and training. Where appropriate, programmes and policies in other fields, such as culture, communication, enterprise, cohesion, rural development, research and the information society, may support the Year.

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

The Commission proposal

The Commission proposal should be seen in the context of the various European themes to which successive years have been devoted, 2006 having been the European Year of Workers' Mobility, 2007 the European Year of Equal Opportunities and 2008 the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue.

As indicated by the Commission, the overall objective of the European Year 2009 is to promote creativity for all as a driver for innovation and as a key factor for the development of personal, occupational, entrepreneurial and social competences through lifelong learning. The proposed measures to promote creativity and a capacity for innovation will be tailored to all stages of lifelong learning from various forms of education and training through working life to the post-retirement phase.

As for previous European Years, the proposed measures will include information and promotion campaigns, events and initiatives at European, national, regional and local level to convey key messages and disseminate information about examples of good practice.

The Commission is not seeking special funding for the year in question. This will be provided under existing Community programmes and administrative budgets.

Observations

The Commission's proposal contains many sound ideas and initiatives. The rapporteur shares the Commission's view regarding the need for Europe to highlight its creative and innovative capacities for both social and economic reasons and to step up Europe's potential to rise to the challenges and opportunities of globalisation.

The rapporteur observes that the practice of designating a European year devoted to a particular theme is a means of heightening public awareness, disseminating information concerning good practices, stimulating political debate and exchanges and activating the public. However, in order to avoid European years becoming a mere public relations exercise, efforts should be made to consolidate their objectives and results in the context of specific policies, programmes and other initiatives across the board, while at the same time providing an impetus for new actions and policies.

For this reason, a set of measures should be launched each year which continue beyond the end of the year and dovetail with other objectives, actions and policies.

The rapporteur considers that at the end of each year, a report should be submitted by the Commission on the results achieved in terms of added value at national and European level and specific benefits for the people.

Agreement by Council and European Parliament concluding codecision procedure

The rapporteur welcomes the Commission's decision to submit its proposal under the codecision procedure, ensuring full involvement of the legislative authority, the European Parliament and the Council, in designating the Year.

The rapporteur also welcomes the constructive and open-minded interinstitutional cooperation taking place with regard to the Commission proposal under consideration.

She notes that the draft report reflects the conclusions of the discussions with the Council and Commission under the codecision procedure and also observes that it is necessary to conclude the procedure with a view to finalising preparations and designating the year in question within the specified deadlines.

PROCEDURE

Title	European Year of Creativity and Innovation (2009)
References	COM(2008)0159 – C6-0151/2008 – 2008/0064(COD)
Date submitted to Parliament	28.3.2008
Committee responsible        Date announced in plenary	CULT 10.4.2008
Committee(s) asked for opinion(s)        Date announced in plenary	EMPL 10.4.2008		ITRE 10.4.2008
Not delivering opinions        Date of decision	EMPL 6.5.2008		ITRE 6.5.2008
Rapporteur(s)        Date appointed	Katerina Batzeli 5.5.2008
Discussed in committee	23.6.2008
Date adopted	14.7.2008
Result of final vote	+: –: 0:	23 1 0
Members present for the final vote	Katerina Batzeli, Ivo Belet, Marie-Hélène Descamps, Věra Flasarová, Milan Gaľa, Vasco Graça Moura, Christopher Heaton-Harris, Luis Herrero-Tejedor, Ruth Hieronymi, Mikel Irujo Amezaga, Manolis Mavrommatis, Ljudmila Novak, Dumitru Oprea, Doris Pack, Zdzisław Zbigniew Podkański, Christa Prets, Karin Resetarits, Hannu Takkula, Helga Trüpel, Thomas Wise, Tomáš Zatloukal
Substitute(s) present for the final vote	Rolf Berend, Gyula Hegyi, Ewa Tomaszewska