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Breaking the glass ceiling for women and girls in science

Europe's World - Fri, 10/02/2017 - 09:32

Excellent science and innovation require the talents of both women and men. But there are still too few female scientists occupying top positions in scientific decision-making.

According to She Figures 2015, a compilation of gender-disaggregated science statistics published by the European Commission, “men are more than two times as likely to choose engineering, manufacturing and construction” at degree level. The figures also lead the Commission to argue that “despite progress, the under‑representation of women continues to be a problem in all narrow fields of science and engineering, except life science”, with the case of computing also being problematic.

But efforts are under way to buck this trend.

Since 1998 the Commission has supported many actions through reports and project funding. The European Parliament has produced several recommendations similar to the one passed on 9 September 2015 onwomen’s careers in science and universities, and glass ceilings encountered’. These actions have led to increased awareness across Europe, but much remains to be done.

“To compete globally, Europe must step up its game in science, technology, engineering and mathematics”

The aim of European Platform of Women Scientists (EPWS), an international non-profit organisation for female scientists in Europe and beyond, is to represent the interests of 12,000 women scientists at all stages of their careers, and to engage in discussions with national, European and international institutions.

To compete globally, Europe must step up its game in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Special action is needed to target teenagers before they choose their higher education discipline. The place of women in science is directly related to girls choosing to study these disciplines.

So the EPWS and its members are taking action. Several EPWS member associations in Europe are running original initiatives for young people, and especially for girls. Women scientists address both girls and boys in classes, but their testimonies hit home with girls, for whom the scientists can become role models.

In Portugal, Amonet members are introducing the experimental study of science and technology in pre-schools and primary education and even in the family. In the United Kingdom, the Women in Physics Group of the Institute of Physics has launched Physicists in Primary Schools, an initiative to interest children in physics, with demonstrations and hands-on activities. In France, the associations Femmes & Sciences, femmes et mathématiques and Femmes Ingénieurs are jointly acting as role models in classes.

But how can we improve the situation of women scientists overall?

First, women need to be given a voice in the EU research policy. To achieve this EPWS organises conferences and debates. Several EPWS members have been and are participants in or coordinators of EU gender-related projects, and the EPWS encourages its members to shape the EU research agenda.

“The world of science needs to become accessible for everyone – women and girls included”

Second, sex and gender analysis in research needs to be highlighted. There are recommendations at national and European levels but these might have not led to action. This integration of gender dimension in science and research requires dialogue between gender studies and science decision-makers, creating a link between knowledge and action.

Third, networking is crucial. The EPWS offers its member networks and individual members a channel for successful communication.

Last, information-sharing and public relations play important roles.  By being aware of good practices concerning women scientists in other EU countries, EPWS members can make suggestions to decision-makers in their home countries.

Through numerous practical actions and initiatives, the EPWS and its members are working for the improvement of the situation of women and girls in science. Initiatives such as the European Science Week and the United Nations International Day of Women and Girls in Science – observed annually on 11 February – are warmly welcomed.

Promoting gender equality, the understanding and integration of the gender dimension in science and research is essential so that the world of science becomes accessible for everyone – women and girls included.

IMAGE CREDIT: CC/Flickr – IFPRI

The post Breaking the glass ceiling for women and girls in science appeared first on Europe’s World.

Categories: European Union

Choosing Brexit Day

FT / Brussels Blog - Fri, 10/02/2017 - 07:51

Britain’s Article 50 notification could be less than a month away. Theresa May has outfoxed her opponents in the first parliamentary skirmishes. Unexpected delays are always possible in the Lords. But it looks like Downing Street may meet its March 9 target for notifying Brexit, just in time for the European Council summit that day.

Britain’s prime minister will have the chance to explain herself in person (rather than just break up by fax/letter/email or text message). And the EU-27 will take their cue. Diplomats are already preparing a special EU-27 summit in early April to set “guidelines” for Brexit talks.

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Categories: European Union

Article - Emissions scandal: “The key is to make the rules as robust as possible”

European Parliament (News) - Thu, 09/02/2017 - 16:02
General : The Volkswagen scandal - involving the manipulation of emission tests - exposed the weakness of the current EU car certification system. On Thursday the internal market committee adopted proposals aimed at making this more difficult, including checks on cars already in circulation. The proposals will now need to be approved by all MEPs during an upcoming plenary session. We talked to UK ECR member Daniel Dalton, the MEP in charge of steering these plans through Parliament.

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP
Categories: European Union

Article - Emissions scandal: “The key is to make the rules as robust as possible”

European Parliament - Thu, 09/02/2017 - 16:02
General : The Volkswagen scandal - involving the manipulation of emission tests - exposed the weakness of the current EU car certification system. On Thursday the internal market committee adopted proposals aimed at making this more difficult, including checks on cars already in circulation. The proposals will now need to be approved by all MEPs during an upcoming plenary session. We talked to UK ECR member Daniel Dalton, the MEP in charge of steering these plans through Parliament.

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP
Categories: European Union

Brexit and IUU Fishing

Ideas on Europe Blog - Thu, 09/02/2017 - 15:03

Introduction

The Government of the United Kingdom (UK) has announced that it will trigger the procedure for withdrawal from the European Union (EU or Union) in March this year. As part of this process, the UK is likely to leave the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), reclaim its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and resume international activity as a single State for the purposes of exercising rights and responsibilities as a flag, coastal, port and market State. Consequently, it will take its own decisions in international fisheries fora and bilateral negotiations, including for the purposes of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing control. This blog post discusses what the UK’s withdrawal from the EU may mean for the fight against IUU fishing, and related fisheries control policies that have so far been shared between the UK and the other States in the Union.[1]

Background to the Legislation for IUU Fishing Control in the European Union

Council Regulation (EC) 1005/2008 (the IUU Regulation) was adopted by the European Council on 29 Sept 2008, and came into force in January 2010, alongside implementing Commission Regulation 1010/2009.[2] The IUU Regulation and its complementing legislation establish a legal and institutional framework for cooperation in the fight against IUU fishing. They articulated a set of administrative and operational controls across the Member States of the EU, through which non-EU States with regulatory authority over fishing activities are engaged in respect of detected IUU fishing activity.

Axiomatic to the regulatory framework of the IUU Regulation is State compliance with all applicable international fishery conservation laws, and regional conservation and management measures. The IUU Regulation primarily concerns IUU controls on imports of non-excluded seafood products from outside the EU,[3] as well as re-exports. Failure to observe international obligations in respect of flag, coastal or market State responsibilities may prompt warnings,[4] and under certain circumstances also trade suspensions. The IUU Regulation is based on the premise of mutuality in cooperation among Member States as well as third countries, which is underpinned by information exchange and verification processes.[5]

The IUU Regulation and the UK

As a member State of the European Union, the UK responded to the adoption of the IUU Regulation by adapting its domestic legal, operational and administrative framework in support of the shared regulatory objective to control IUU trade. DEFRA contributed to the development of operational systems, regulatory structures, training and the strengthening of communications with the Commission and with the other Member States of the Union. DEFRA and SeaFish published information on the main provisions of the Regulation, and its implementation in the United Kingdom. Regulatory adjustments were made under the powers conferred by section 2(2) of, and paragraph 1A(f) of Schedule 2 to, the European Communities Act 1972, and section 30(2) of the Fisheries Act 1981 for the implementation of the Regulations by way of the Sea Fishing (Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing) Order 2009.[6] UK businesses, particularly importers and retailers, have invested considerable effort in adapting to the requirements of the IUU Regulation, and arguably have an interest in the maintenance of IUU controls as a domestic policy.

UK Withdrawal from the EU and IUU fishing control

Given its full integration in the regulatory arrangements that underpin IUU control in the Union, and the high rate of importations recorded by UK authorities, the withdrawal of the UK from the EU will not be consequence-free. Some of the effects of its withdrawal are likely to be potentially damaging for both parties, and detrimental to the objectives of the IUU Regulation.

Among the regulatory processes that appear less vulnerable to the impact of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU are catch certification arrangements. The flexibility of the regime is evidenced by existing agreements between the EU and non-member States, including New Zealand, the United States and Norway. These arrangements recognise the similarity of domestic regulatory approaches for the purposes of certification, agency interaction, and record keeping.[7] The UK’s integration in the regulatory fabric of the EU in all aspects of IUU fishing control to date suggests that certification arrangements are likely to be perpetuated. There may, however, be loss of coherence between the arrangements if there is no parallel reflection of planned future improvements.

Other cooperative arrangements under the IUU Regulation may be more vulnerable to the negative consequences of the UK’s exit. Among these, the removal of the UK from the internal administrative web of cooperation that supports the operational dimension of the IUU Regulation. This includes intelligence-sharing arrangements concerning IUU risk and verification data under Chapter IV of the IUU Regulation, which establishes the Community Alert System. The sharing of methodologies is essential to avoid misreporting and discourage port-hopping, one of the most important factors in the perpetuation of IUU fishing practices. Inter-agency cooperation and risk assessment systems are key for controls to be effective, and for enabling learning and adaptive growth and resilience against the highly dynamic nature of IUU fishing capture and ensuing transport and processing practices.

Responses to Confirmed IUU Fishing Activity 

The European Commission has adopted a high profile policy of warning third countries that it suspects as being non-cooperating for the purposes of IUU fishing control. The yellow and red carding system follows a formal process of approval that may culminate in the adoption of restrictive measures, including the possibility of trade suspensions, under Article 38 of the IUU Regulation. Once the UK leaves the EU, it will no longer engage in the participatory processes whereby carding decisions are taken, and resulting restrictions will not involve the UK market. This is likely to weaken the reach of some of the measures, as these commonly depend on scale and homogeneity for effectiveness, such as  restrictions in the provision of services to third country IUU listed vessels.[8]  Although there is likely to be loss of coherence in sanctioning approaches, some vessel black lists should persist, insofar as they concern regional fishery organisations of which the UK becomes a party. Lastly, the risk of deregulation in the UK, if ultimately realised, would accentuate discrepancies in market controls.

The IUU Regulation and Shared Stock Management

Upon exit, UK exports to the EU will be subject to the controls and conditions of the IUU Regulation.[9] Regular EU importation processes have been built on a certification strategy that is currently shared by the UK, and should not need major adjustment. International legal obligations exist for both parties in respect of the conservation and cooperative management of shared and straddling stocks under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the 1995 Fish Stocks Agreement, and other applicable global and regional treaties. Potential breaches are in principle relevant for the operationalisation of the IUU Regulation, although only in respect of stock intended for exportation to the EU.

Conclusion

The UK’s departure from the Union has the potential to be detrimental to IUU fishing control policies, given the UK’s prominence as an import market. The overall loss of EU market size, impoverishment of intelligence-sharing mechanisms, and loss of integrity in the articulation of responses to IUU fishing, may erode the efficiency of the system, and cause it to lose global impact in some cases. For the UK, there may be a loss of resilience and opportunity for adaptation to IUU threats, resulting from the withdrawal from EU cooperation, data-sharing and training networks. In order to minimise negative impacts, and given that currently there are no fundamental differences in the IUU control mechanisms in place in the UK and the rest of the Union, the perpetuation of harmonised administrative and operational arrangements should, where possible, be maintained.

There is a risk that the current success of the EU’s approach to IUU fishing control may be unnecessarily damaged, especially if there is loss of good will as a consequence of frictions in shared or straddling stock management negotiations. The IUU Regulation is a flagship tool in the EU’s continuing external fisheries policy, and one of which the UK has been a strong supporter. Maximising the integrity and resilience of the processes it has helped create is essential for the success of IUU fishing control worldwide. The continuing observance of applicable international conservation and cooperation commitments by both parties will be essential to ensure the perpetuation of its success.

Mercedes Rosello, February 2017.

[1] This blog post is a considered opinion by the author only, and has not been written or published for the provision of legal advice.

[2] Later additions include Regulation 86/2010, updating the list of excluded products.

[3] Article 8.2 of the IUU Regulation states: ‘fishery products’ mean any products which fall under Chapter 03 and Tariff headings 1604 and 1605 of the Combined Nomenclature established by Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 of 23 July 1987 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and on the Common Customs Tariff (1), with the exception of the products listed in Annex I (…).

[4] Article 31.3 of the IUU Regulation.

[5] See Preamble paragraph 38, and Article 12.4 of the IUU Regulation.

[6] http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2009/3391/pdfs/uksi_20093391_en.pdf. The Order implemented sanctions under Regulation 2847/93, later repealed by Regulation 1224/2009 (the Control Regulation). In Scotland, similar arrangements were made through the Sea Fishing (Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing) (Scotland) Order 2013.

[7] Specimen catch certificates and provision for the development of assistance and data exchange processes are set out in Regulation 86/2010.

[8] See Articles 4.2, 5.2 and 6.1(b) of the IUU Regulation.

[9] Article 31.4(a) of the IUU Regulation.

The post Brexit and IUU Fishing appeared first on Ideas on Europe.

Categories: European Union

Video of a committee meeting - Thursday, 9 February 2017 - 09:47 - Committee on Foreign Affairs

Length of video : 95'
You may manually download this video in WMV (1Gb) format

Disclaimer : The interpretation of debates serves to facilitate communication and does not constitute an authentic record of proceedings. Only the original speech or the revised written translation is authentic.
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP
Categories: European Union

Video of a committee meeting - Thursday, 9 February 2017 - 09:06 - Subcommittee on Security and Defence - Committee on Constitutional Affairs - Committee on Foreign Affairs

Length of video : 35'
You may manually download this video in WMV (432Mb) format

Disclaimer : The interpretation of debates serves to facilitate communication and does not constitute an authentic record of proceedings. Only the original speech or the revised written translation is authentic.
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Video of a committee meeting - Thursday, 9 February 2017 - 09:06 - Subcommittee on Security and Defence - Committee on Constitutional Affairs - Committee on Foreign Affairs

Length of video : 35'
You may manually download this video in WMV (432Mb) format

Disclaimer : The interpretation of debates serves to facilitate communication and does not constitute an authentic record of proceedings. Only the original speech or the revised written translation is authentic.
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP
Categories: European Union

Press release - MEPs overhaul EU rules on car approvals to prevent further emissions scandals - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

European Parliament (News) - Thu, 09/02/2017 - 12:16
In a drive to prevent a recurrence of the VW emissions scandal, Internal Market Committee MEPs amended EU car “type approval” rules on Thursday, to make environmental and safety testing more independent and strengthen national and EU oversight of cars already on the road.
Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP
Categories: European Union

Press release - MEPs overhaul EU rules on car approvals to prevent further emissions scandals - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

European Parliament - Thu, 09/02/2017 - 12:16
In a drive to prevent a recurrence of the VW emissions scandal, Internal Market Committee MEPs amended EU car “type approval” rules on Thursday, to make environmental and safety testing more independent and strengthen national and EU oversight of cars already on the road.
Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP
Categories: European Union

Press release - Defence: MEPs urge member states to show political will and join forces - Subcommittee on Security and Defence - Committee on Constitutional Affairs - Committee on Foreign Affairs

Defence cooperation in the EU is now more dependent on political will than on legal considerations, say the Foreign Affairs and Constitutional Affairs committees in a joint resolution passed on Thursday.
Subcommittee on Security and Defence
Committee on Constitutional Affairs
Committee on Foreign Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Press release - Defence: MEPs urge member states to show political will and join forces - Subcommittee on Security and Defence - Committee on Constitutional Affairs - Committee on Foreign Affairs

European Parliament (News) - Thu, 09/02/2017 - 12:03
Defence cooperation in the EU is now more dependent on political will than on legal considerations, say the Foreign Affairs and Constitutional Affairs committees in a joint resolution passed on Thursday.
Subcommittee on Security and Defence
Committee on Constitutional Affairs
Committee on Foreign Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP
Categories: European Union

Press release - Defence: MEPs urge member states to show political will and join forces - Subcommittee on Security and Defence - Committee on Constitutional Affairs - Committee on Foreign Affairs

European Parliament - Thu, 09/02/2017 - 12:03
Defence cooperation in the EU is now more dependent on political will than on legal considerations, say the Foreign Affairs and Constitutional Affairs committees in a joint resolution passed on Thursday.
Subcommittee on Security and Defence
Committee on Constitutional Affairs
Committee on Foreign Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP
Categories: European Union

Press release - Defence: MEPs urge member states to show political will and join forces - Subcommittee on Security and Defence - Committee on Constitutional Affairs - Committee on Foreign Affairs

Defence cooperation in the EU is now more dependent on political will than on legal considerations, say the Foreign Affairs and Constitutional Affairs committees in a joint resolution passed on Thursday.
Subcommittee on Security and Defence
Committee on Constitutional Affairs
Committee on Foreign Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP
Categories: European Union

Luxembourg: the centre of it all

FT / Brussels Blog - Thu, 09/02/2017 - 11:03

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Something is stirring in Luxembourg. In the space of a few months, the European Court of Justice could turn the EU’s refugee policy on its head, fundamentally reshape the way Muslims are treated in Europe and set the parameters for any post-Brexit trade deal. Through this handful of cases, the court will demonstrate its extraordinary and growing influence.

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Categories: European Union

EU-US

Council lTV - Thu, 09/02/2017 - 10:40
https://tvnewsroom.consilium.europa.eu/uploads/council-images/thumbs/uploads/council-images/remote/http_c96321.r21.cf3.rackcdn.com/15524_169_full_129_97shar_c1.jpg

Together, the EU and the USA have the largest bilateral trade and investment relationship in the world, roughly 31% of the world trade and over 49% of the world GDP. In keeping with the evolving political and legal personality of the EU, there is active cooperation across a host of sectors: cooperation in justice and home affairs, energy and energy security, environment, science & technology, education & training. On 14 June 2013, the Council of the European Union adopted negotiating directives  for a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) with the US.

Download this video here.

Categories: European Union

Press release - EU job-search aid: €1.8m for 800 former retail workers in the Netherlands - Committee on Budgets

European Parliament (News) - Thu, 09/02/2017 - 09:42
EU job search aid worth €1,818,750 for 800 former retail workers in the Netherlands was approved by the Budgets Committee in a vote on Thursday. The workers were made redundant by six retail trade companies which recently went bankrupt in the Drenthe and Overijssel regions. The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) aid still needs to be approved by Parliament as a whole, on 14 February and by the Council of Ministers, on 17 February.
Committee on Budgets

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP
Categories: European Union

Press release - EU job-search aid: €1.8m for 800 former retail workers in the Netherlands - Committee on Budgets

European Parliament - Thu, 09/02/2017 - 09:42
EU job search aid worth €1,818,750 for 800 former retail workers in the Netherlands was approved by the Budgets Committee in a vote on Thursday. The workers were made redundant by six retail trade companies which recently went bankrupt in the Drenthe and Overijssel regions. The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) aid still needs to be approved by Parliament as a whole, on 14 February and by the Council of Ministers, on 17 February.
Committee on Budgets

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP
Categories: European Union

Press release - Deal on voluntary EU help scheme for growth-enhancing reforms - Committee on Regional Development

European Parliament (News) - Wed, 08/02/2017 - 18:24
An EU scheme offering member states technical help – such as expertise, studies, and working visits - with structural reforms needed to boost growth and jobs was informally agreed upon by MEPs and Council negotiators on Wednesday. The €142.8 million Structural Reform Support Programme would run until 2020. The deal still needs to be endorsed by Parliament as a whole.
Committee on Regional Development

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP
Categories: European Union

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