JADE SPRING MEETING 2009 HOSTED BY MARIE PANAYOTOPOULOS CASSIOTOU MEP

05/03/2009: JADE (Junior Associations for the Development of Europe) held its 2009 Spring Conference at the European Parliament on Thursday 5 March 2009. The event was organised in cooperation with the EPP-ED Group of the European Parliament and JADE's partners, and was hosted by Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou MEP. This year's theme concentrated on 'Innovation and Creativity in youth entrepreneurship education of the XXIst century'.

JADE unites and supports 20,000 students in 280 Junior Enterprises across 15 European countries and contributes to making Europe an entrepreneurial and knowledge-based economy. During the past 16 years, JADE has represented higher education students committed to fostering their entrepreneurial spirit and that of generations to come, by founding and managing Junior Enterprises selling consulting reports and other services to companies, non-profit organisations and governments. Every year, SME-like functioning non-profit organisations reinvest their earnings in the students, while providing them with valuable entrepreneurial experience and confidence in making their future projects come true.

In her opening speech, Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou underlined the importance of entrepreneurship and the development of new skills in fostering employability of young people, especially this year, 2009, which has been declared the European Year of Creativity and Innovation. She reminded that the European Parliament stands by young entrepreneurs and has undertaken actions in view of reducing the high pessimism and insecurity of young persons in the 'transition phase' from education to employment, such as the Written Declaration 33/2008 on devoting more attention to youth empowerment in EU policies.

"It goes without saying that all social actors should work closely together in order to reinforce employability, mobility and professional training of young people. It is our duty as politicians not to fail them in their hopes and yearnings by increasing their efforts", noted the Greek MEP.

European Commissioner, Ján Figel' responsible for Education, Training, Culture and Youth, stressed the importance of entrepreneurship in society, but also of innovation and creativity, lifelong learning and education and transfer of knowledge. Mr Figel' recalled the EU's contribution to these efforts by mobilising and promoting the value of knowledge. "Youth is our future and present. Youth is a gift and we should deal with responsibility and care for the next generation. In time of difficulties, like the crisis we are now facing, we must encourage initiative", declared Commissioner Figel'. He also announced the creation of an Erasmus Programme for young entrepreneurs.

The round tables of the conference dealt with 'junior enterprises developing Europe's competitiveness' and 'the benefits of businesses/university cooperation'.

"It is highly important for the EU's future that young persons take further initiatives and participate in economic and social life by combining theory and practice", stated Marie Panayotopoulos - Cassiotou.

For further information:
Tel: +32-2-2847447 - Fax: +32-2-2849447
E-mail: marie.panayotopoulos-cassiotou@europarl.europa.eu

THE PROMOTION OF TOY SAFETY BY THE EUROPEAN UNION

05/09/2008: The Intergroup on Family and Protection of Childhood of the European Parliament, under the Presidency of Greek MEP Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou, with the active collaboration of the Vice-Chairman José Ribeiro e Castro MEP, and the friendly support of the Intergroup on SMEs, convened during the plenary session in Brussels, on Thursday 4 September 2008, in order to discuss the revision of the Directive 88/378/CEE concerning bringing together Member States' laws relating to the safety of toys.

Among the speakers, Mrs Van Rijn, General-Secretary of ORNES (the Dutch Toys Supplier Organisation) and the Foundation 'SpeelGoed' (Netherlands) underlined the importance of play in the education of the child, offering a pedagogical vision to the meeting. Playing allows the child to develop its behaviour, its skills and to forge its personality. It is thus essential that toys are safe and well secure so that the child uses them with a maximum of protection.

Maureen Logghe, Policy Officer for 'Toys Safety Legislation' within the DG Entreprise of the European Commission, presented the Commission's proposal which reinforces not only the safety requirements of the toys but also the obligation to monitor the markets, the manufacturers and the suppliers. It is thus within this framework that a draft report was tabled by the Belgian MEP Marianne Thyssen within the Interior Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO) of the EP.
From his side, Daryl Srivens, member of the 'Toys Industries of Europe', presented the view of the industry relating to toy safety, approving the Commission's approach with regards to dangerous substances, while explaining the increasing constraints which this sector faces.

The debate which followed emphasised the position of the Members of the IMCO Committee as well as the vision of the family and consumer protection organisations. Critics arose against the CE marking, which is obligatory and must be visible on packing but often leads to confusion because it is not provided by an independent organisation but by the manufacturers themselves. Moreover, the question of the manufacturer's responsibility was raised in case of accident caused by a toy, thus leaving the problem of census of children's accidents within the European Union outstanding.

In conclusion, Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou declared: "Considering the fact that toys represent an important part of the child's education and contribute to a smooth evolution of their behaviour and character, it is essential that the existing security standards are respected in order to guarantee children's protection". The deputy wished that the European Toy Market, including imported toys, will give an example of security standards on a worldwide scale.

THE POSITION OF YOUTH IN EU POLICIES: WRITTEN DECLARATION

23/04/2008: In her intervention during the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou MEP underlined the importance of an integrated and inclusive approach of the policies towards young people. The Greek MEP asked her colleagues to sign the Written Declaration (33/2208) on devoting more attention to youth empowerment in EU policies, mainly through the right implementation of the Lisbon Strategy in aspects that influence them directly, such as education, access to the labour market, and social integration.

The European Commission has already proposed in a relevant Communication, the incorporation of young people's concerns into European policies. Hence, with their Declaration, MEPs are requesting the consideration of the impact of all legislative proposals on youth and ask the Member States to focus on young people in their national reforms. A structured dialogue with them will help the planning of effective measures concerning education and lifelong learning, occupation and social inclusion, health and prevention, the facilitation of autonomy and mobility.

"With this process, we will be able to hope for a better future for this generation of youth which is shrinking due to the demographic problem", the MEP highlighted.

It should be noted that the Written Declaration was tabled by MEPs belonging to the largest political groups of the EP such as Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou, Marie-Hélène Descamps (ERP), R.N. Manescu (ALDE/RO), C. Prets (PES/AT), B. Staes (Greens/EFA/BE).

For further information:
Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou MEP
Tel: +32-2-2847447, Fax: +32-2-2849447