European Union News - Social Affairs

The European Commission, within the Europe 2020 flagship Innovation Union, has presented three new Innovation Partnerships which have as main aim to address weaknesses, bottlenecks and obstacles in the European research and innovation system that prevent or slow down good ideas being developed and brought to market. In particular, new proposals will work on raw materials, agriculture and healthy ageing.

The 2012 Campaign "European Professional Football against Hunger", organised by the European Commission, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the Association for European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL) intends to raise awareness about the urgent need to assist the victims of hunger and to put them back on the path to self-sufficiency. In addition, the funds for the most deprived in the EU has increased by €500 million in 2012.

The Foreign Affairs Council meeting held on 27 of February adopted its conclusions on the EU priorities at the UN Human Rights Council. The EU reaffirms its strong support to the Human Rights Council and states its intention to present a resolution on the situation of human rights in Burma/Myanmar.

e-Inclusion Awards 2012 are now open for entries. This year’s the awards are intended for individuals as well as organisations, business and civil society sectors, working at the local level, rewarding those championing the way forward and exploiting the potential of technology in dealing with today’s challenges.

The Committee of the Regions adopted an opinion in which highlight the key contribution of local authorities to the framing and implementation of integration policies. It also calls for a strategic partnership between the European Commission and European networks of cities and regions.

The Council held a discussion based on the Annual Growth Survey (AGS) in which ministers pointed out that fiscal consolidation efforts should be accompanied by enhanced employment and social policies. In addition, the great majority of ministers expressed concerns about the sharp rise of youth unemployment and therefore, tackling youth unemployment is a top priority.

The European Parliament adopted a resolution in which it calls on the Council and Commission to support a binding international treaty to make possible the access to books and other published works in special formats to blind people. The resolution says that to make it possible it is required a targeted exception to copyright rules.