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Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions Implementing the Community Lisbon Programme: Fostering entrepreneurial mindsets through education and learning

COM(2006) 33 final

(2006/C 309/23)

On 5 April 2006 the Commission decided to consult the European Economic and Social Committee, under Article 262 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the abovementioned proposal.

The Section for Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 2 June 2006. The rapporteur was Ingrid Jerneck.

At its 428th plenary session, held on 5 and 6 July 2006 (meeting of 6 July 2006), the European Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 122 votes to 16, with 10 abstentions.

Key points of the EESC's position

Entrepreneurship refers to an individual's ability to turn ideas into action. Entrepreneurial training promotes innovation, creativity and self-confidence. To foster entrepreneurial mindsets through education and learning:

1.   Gist of the Commission document

2.   The EESC's general comments

3.   The EESC's specific comments

3.1   Entrepreneurial mindsets in education

3.2   Dissemination of best practice and follow-up

3.3   Dissemination of best practice

3.4   Follow-up

Brussels, 6 July 2006.

The President

of the European Economic and Social Committee

Anne-Marie SIGMUND

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(1)  COM(2005)548 — Proposal for a Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council on key competences for lifelong learning.

(2)  Brussels European Council 23/24 March 2006 — Presidency conclusions.

(3)  EESC opinion on the ‘Green Paper — Entrepreneurship in Europe’ (rapporteur Mr Ben Butters) — OJ C 10, page 58, 14.1.2004.

(4)  EESC opinion on the ‘Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions — Action Plan: The European agenda for Entrepreneurship’ (rapporteur Mr Ben Butters) — OJ C74, page 1, 23.3.2005, and the EESC opinion on the ‘Green Paper — Entrepreneurship in Europe’ (rapporteur Mr Ben Butters) — OJ C10, page 58, 14.1.2004.

(5)  Enterprise 2010 the next generation, survey from Junior Achievement Young Enterprise, September 2005.

(6)  ‘Entrepreneurship, Career Experience and Learning — Developing our Understanding of Entrepreneurship as an Experiential Learning Process’ dissertation by Diamanto Politis 2005, School of Economics and Management, Lund University.

(7)  Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, 2005 Executive report.

(8)  Introduced by the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise.

(9)  EESC opinion on the ‘Green Paper — Entrepreneurship in Europe’ (rapporteur Mr Ben Butters) — OJ C 10, page 58, 14.1.2004.

(10)  See also EESC opinion on the ‘Green Paper — Entrepreneurship in Europe’ (rapporteur Mr Ben Butters) — OJ C10, page 58, 14.1.2004.

(11)  Final report of the Expert Group ‘Education for Entrepreneurship’ — Making progress in promoting entrepreneurial attitudes and skills through Primary and Secondary education, completed in February 2004.

(12)  Brussels European Council 23/24 March 2006- Presidency conclusions.

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APPENDIX 1

The following amendments were rejected, although they did receive at least a quarter of the votes cast:

Key points of the EESC's position, indent 14

Amend as follows:

Voting

For: 48

Against: 62

Abstentions: 15

Point 3.3.4

Amend as follows:

‘Entrepreneurship is important to society as a whole. To promote and raise the awareness of the culture of entrepreneurial thinking, as well as an understanding of the importance of entrepreneurship for a country's overall development the Committee proposes that the year of 2009 be declared European Year of Entrepreneurship ccalls on the Commission to launch appropriate measures. In this context the Committee notes that the mid-term review of several relevant Community programmes will take place in 2010. Positiveto establish positive public attitudes to entrepreneurship. need to be established.The Year would also provide an opportunity to consolidate and reinforce existing exchanges of best practice. A European Year of Entrepreneurship could also play a role in communicating the EU and bring it closer to its citizens.’

Voting

For: 60

Against: 73

Abstentions: 13

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