WRITTEN QUESTION E-0433/01 by Hans Karlsson (PSE) to the Commission. Lifelong learning for adults.
Date: 2001-02-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Employment Strategy, access to education, education policy, higher education, in-service training, recognition of vocational training qualifications

C 235 E/204

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.8.2001

The Commission shares the views of the Presidency and Member State Ministers on this subject and has no
reservation in meeting, any shortfalls in such a vital area. To that end the Commission is preparing
a proposal for a Community reproductive rights programme.

(2001/C 235 E/239)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0433/01

by Hans Karlsson (PSE) to the Commission

(16 February 2001)

Subject: Lifelong learning for adults

Lifelong learning has become a widespread concept with broad-based support within the Union as
a method of keeping abreast of developments, enabling people to retain their jobs and equip themselves
to find new jobs.

Lifelong learning is defined in a variety of ways, however. It is not sufficient, in my view, for employees to
receive ongoing, in-service training; it must also be possible, for example, to embark on university studies
many years into working life so as to have a genuine opportunity to acquire the same qualifications as
younger employees.

What measures will the Commission, therefore, take to enable employees with many years of work
experience to enjoy lifelong learning at an advanced level?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(5 April 2001)

The Commission recognises the crucial role of education and training in the economic and social
development of the Community. The Employment Guidelines provide the policy framework for promoting
lifelong learning related to European Employment Strategy objectives. Following the Lisbon European
Council, which stressed the need to adapt the European education and training systems, greater emphasis
is being placed on lifelong learning and on increasing investment in human capital.

Lifelong learning is now seen as a horizontal objective of the Employment Strategy, with more focused
guidelines and more specific commitments for developing comprehensive strategies in an integrated
approach framework and setting new common targets. The strategies should include the development of
tertiary systems and further education and training for adults to improve their employability, adaptability
and skills as well as their participation in the knowledge based society. The recognition of qualifications,
acquired knowledge and skills are specifically addressed by the employment guidelines. Therefore, the
changes proposed in the employment guidelines for 2001 (1) have consequences for new policy measures
and Member States are invited to make specific commitments to develop comprehensive lifelong learning
strategies.

Moreover, this aspect is an important message of the memorandum on lifelong learning (2) and the
Commission expects to come up with some proposals at European level in its Action Plan in the autumn
of this year based on the conclusions of the consultation process for the memorandum on lifelong
learning. In this context, the recognition of professional experience as credit or entrance qualification to
higher education is an issue for policy development in the Community. Some Member States (the United
Kingdom and more recently France) have already introduced recognition of prior professional experience
for those who have not acquired upper secondary level or other entrance qualifications to higher
education. Thus, they also can have access to higher education or even credit for one year in a study
field relevant to the field of their professional experience.

21.8.2001

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 235 E/205

Moreover, one of the joint actions to be launched in the near future deals with the (cid:145)credit for life(cid:146) where
the recognition of prior experience or learning should be one of its pillars. The Leonardo and Socrates/
Grundtvig networks on recognition should also be mentioned as reflection fora and action-oriented
initiatives in this field.

(1) Council Decision 2001/63/EC of 19 January 2001 on Guidelines for Member States(cid:146) employment policies for 2001

(OJ L 22, 24.1.2001).
(cid:145)A Memorandum on Lifelong Learning(cid:146) Commission Staff Working Paper, (SEC(2000) 1832/30-10-2000).

(2)

(2001/C 235 E/240)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0434/01

by Heidi Hautala (Verts/ALE) to the Council

(14 February 2001)

Subject: Treaty of Nice and changes to Article 133 concerning intellectual property and trade in services

In the light of the new provisions of Article 133(5), the (cid:145)commercial aspects of intellectual property(cid:146) as
well as (cid:145)trade in services(cid:146) (subject to the listed derogations) will now fall within the Community(cid:146)s powers
and responsibilities in respect of the common commercial policy. However Article 133(7) has further
to international negotiations and
provisions restricting the extension of
agreements on intellectual property issues not covered by Article 133(5).

those powers with respect

Pursuant
to the existing provisions of Article 133(5),
specifically on the proposed changes to Article 133 of the Treaty.

the European Parliament must be consulted

Will the Council please indicate whether there is a definitive agreement between Member States and the
Commission on precisely which aspects of intellectual property are commercial and which are not? If so,
will it agree to publish it? If not, how and when will this be defined? As a consequence of these new
provisions, will Member States which are signatories to the TRIPs Agreement continue to participate
directly and individually in the current and future negotiations on intellectual property issues at WTO
level, and will national consent be required for the conclusion of any such agreements?

Reply

(14 May 2001)

1.
The questions put by the Honourable Member concern the interpretation of the provisions of Article
133 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, as approved at the Nice Intergovernmental
Conference and as they will apply once the Treaty of Nice has been ratified by the 15 Member States and
has come into force. It is not for the Council to state a position on that interpretation.

2.
The European Parliament would be consulted if the Council were to receive a proposal from the
Commission based on the current Article 133(5) of the Treaty establishing the European Community. The
Council has received no such proposal.

(2001/C 235 E/241)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0435/01

by JosØ PomØs Ruiz (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 February 2001)

Subject: Role of the national parliaments and the European Parliament

Having set up the necessary temporary committee of inquiry, the Spanish Parliament considered the issue
of flax subsidies in Spain and wound up its proceedings with the decision that the Minister of Agriculture
at the time in question, Mrs Loyola de Palacio, should be absolved of all political responsibility. It endorsed