Ministers' Deputies
CM Documents

CM(2000)93 26 June 2000
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717 Meeting, 13 July 2000
7 Education, culture

7.1 Council for Cultural Co-operation (CDCC)
Abridged report of the meeting of the Bureau (Strasbourg, 24-25 May 2000)

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Table of Contents

Abridged report

APPENDIX I     Agenda

APPENDIX II    List of participants

APPENDIX III CDCC Resolution N° 2 / 2000

APPENDIX IV CDCC Resolution N° 3 / 2000

APPENDIX V    Public access to and freedom of expression in networked information: draft guidelines for a European cultural policy

APPENDIX VI CDCC opinion on CLRAE Recommendation 54 (1999) on local and regional information society

APPENDIX VII CDCC opinion on Parliamentary Assembly Recommendation 1435 (1999) on the role of womenin the field of science and technology

APPENDIX VIII CDCC opinion on Parliamentary Assembly Recommendation 1420 (1999) on UNESCO

APPENDIX IX Renewal of the terms of reference of the ENIC network

APPENDIX X    Proposal to grant ESIB observer status with CC-HER

1. The Bureau of the Council for Cultural Co-operation (CDCC) held its statutory meeting on 24-25 May 2000 in Strasbourg. The agenda and the list of participants appear in Appendices I and II to this document respectively.

2. The CDCC Bureau took note with satisfaction of the budgetary implementation of the CDCC programme financed by the Cultural Fund at 31 December 1999 as it appears in document CDCC-BU (2000) 1 and:

- adopted CDCC Resolution N° 2 / 2000 approving approving the balance-sheet of the Cultural Fund as at 31 December 1999 and the allocation of the financial result (Appendix III);

-     decided to forward the accounts of the Cultural Fund for the financial year 1999, together with the report on these accounts drawn up by the Council of Europe Board of Auditors, to the Committee of Ministers in accordance with Article 6.4 (b) of the Statute of the Cultural Fund.

3. The CDCC Bureau examined and approved the adjustments to the Cultural Fund Programme and Budget for 2000 made necessary by modifications in the estimated receipts and developments in the estimated expenditure and adopted CDCC Resolution N° 3 / 2000 (Appendix IV).

4. In the framework of the management of the Cultural Fund, the CDCC Bureau:

-     decided to merge the special account "Legislative Reform Programme in higher education and research" and the special account "Action Plan Bosnia and Herzegovina" into a single new special account entitled "Partnership for Educational Development" and, according to the modalities indicated in the reference document, instructed the Secretariat to allocate the existing balances among the articles of the new account;

- decided to open a special account to receive voluntary contributions for the Pilot Project for the revitalisation of the town of Rostov Veliky (Russian Federation) carried out under the Technical Co-operation and Consultancy Programme in the field of cultural heritage, thanked the Canadian authorities for their intention to contribute € 246 000, and decided to ask the Committee of Ministers for authorisation to receive this voluntary contribution;

- decided to open a special account to receive the voluntary contributions to implement the STAGE Project (Support for Transition in the Arts and Culture in Greater Europe) and thanked the Swiss authorities for their contribution.

5. Following an exchange of views with the Rapporteur Group on Education, Culture and Sport (GR-C) and an in-depth discussion as a Bureau on the prioritisation of activities and strategic budgetary proposals for 2001, the CDCC Bureau:

-     took note of the state of progress of the restructuring and prioritisation exercise currently being carried out in the Council of Europe by the Secretary General and the Committee of Ministers;

-     welcomed the attention paid by the GR-C of the Committee of Ministers to its concerns, notably in relation to:

* the political appreciation of the contribution of the Education and Culture fields to the missions of the Organisation;

* the announced reduction in the 2001 budget for Education and Culture;

* the contribution of the CDCC to the process of prioritisation concerning European cultural co-operation;

* the possibility of regular contact between the CDCC and the GR-C and also with other bodies of the Committee of Ministers;

-     took note of the proposals following on from the restructuring and prioritisation exercise being finalised by the Committee of Ministers, especially those concerning the CDCC and its specialised committees, as they are presented in the reference documents;

- expressed the wish that a uniform approach be applied concerning the composition and functioning of the specialised committees' Bureaux;

-     decided to draw the attention of all members of the CDCC and its specialised committees to the state of progress of the definition of the programme and budget for 2001 and to this end:

* invited all CDCC delegations to take note of document CDCC-BU (2000) 11 and SG/Inf (2000) 18, both available on Internet;

* asked the Secretariat to inform the CDCC on the calendar for the adoption of the detailed Programme and Budget for 2001, to be prepared on the basis of the general orientations to be adopted by the Committee of Ministers (document SG/Inf (2000) 18);

* asked the Secretariat to inform the CDCC Bureau and the specialised committees on the progress made concerning the detailed preparation of the Programme and Budget for 2001 before its final consideration at the autumn 2000 CDCC Bureau meeting.

6. Concerning the implementation of transversal co-operation between the different programmes, the CDCC Bureau:

-     took note of the written proposals by the CC-ED, CC-HER and CC-PAT and of the oral proposals by the Chair of the CC-CULT on activities which could lend themselves to transversal co-operation;

-     recalled the decision of the CDCC which pointed to the European Year of Languages in 2001 as a priority activity particularly well suited to transversal co-operation and welcomed the proposals by the Chairs of the specialised committees concerning their contribution to the Year;

-     asked the Secretariat to prepare a document on the implementation of this transversal co-operation in the framework of the European Year of Languages and to submit it to the CDCC Bureau meeting in autumn 2000 for finalisation;

- decided to resume consideration of transversal co-operation at its next meeting in autumn 2000, taking into account the preparation of the programme-budget for 2002.

7. The CDCC Bureau:

-     examined the draft Explanatory Report to the European Convention for the Protection of the Audiovisual Heritage elaborated following the comments received;

-     entrusted the Secretariat with the finalisation of the draft and its transmission to the Secretariat of the CDMM for consideration and approval at its next meeting (14 June 2000);

-     requested the CC-CULT to proceed to a final examination, at its meeting on 19-21 September 2000, of the Draft European Convention for the Protection of the Audiovisual Heritage and its Protocol as well as their Explanatory Reports and authorised the transmission of these texts to the Committee of Ministers for adoption and opening for signature of the Convention and the Protocol;

-     for that purpose requested the Committee of Ministers to extend the terms of reference until 31 October 2000.

8. The CDCC Bureau examined, amended and approved the draft Recommendation on the Social Sciences and the Challenge of Transition as it appears in Addendum I to this document and decided to submit it to the Committee of Ministers for adoption.

9. The CDCC Bureau:

-     approved the draft Recommendation of the Committee of Ministers to member States on a European policy on access to archives, as it appears in Addendum II to this document, including the draft explanatory memorandum;

- took note of the arguments in favour of a rapid adoption of the Recommendation and decided to transmit it to the Committee of Ministers for adoption;

-     asked the Committee of Ministers to authorise the publication of the draft explanatory memorandum.

10. The CDCC Bureau approved the text "Public access to and freedom of expression in networked information: draft guidelines for a European cultural policy", as it appears in Appendix V.

11. The CDCC Bureau:

-     examined document CDCC-BU (2000) 9 and Addendum on cultural policy and international trade and approved the general outline of the document;

- asked the Culture Committee:

(i)    to prepare a document taking into account the basic values of the Council of Europe with a view to elaborating a strategy which would reconcile the concerns of cultural diversity with those of international trade agreements;

(ii)    to take into consideration, when preparing the above-mentioned document, the observations made by delegations of the CC-CULT and the CDCC;

(iii)    to finalise this document in consultation with other Council of Europe steering and / or specialised committees and in contact with other relevant international organisations;

(iv)    to prepare, in consultation with other relevant bodies of the Council of Europe, a draft text for a Declaration on cultural diversity with a view to contributing to international discussions; a joint meeting of representatives of the CDCC and the CDMM shall be envisaged to this end;

(v)    to continue to raise the awareness of member States of the complex relationships between cultural and trade policy measures and objectives, where possible in co-operation with the European Union;

(vi) to submit the drafts of the strategy document and the Declaration on cultural diversity to the next meeting of the CDCC Bureau in October 2000.

12. The CDCC Bureau:

- examined and adopted the following opinions:

* on Recommendation 54 (1999) of the CLRAE on Local and Regional Information Society (Appendix VI);

* on Parliamentary Assembly Recommendation 1435 (1999) on the Role of women in the field of science and technology (Appendix VII);

-     examined, amended and adopted an opinion on Parliamentary Assembly Recommendation 1420 (1999) on UNESCO (Appendix VIII).

13. The CDCC Bureau examined and approved the renewal of the terms of reference of the ENIC network (Joint Council of Europe/UNESCO European Network of National Information Centres on Academic Mobility and Recognition) and decided to transmit them to the Committee of Ministers for adoption (Appendix IX).

14. The CDCC Bureau approved the proposal by the CC-HER that ESIB – the National Unions of Students of Europe – be granted observer status with this committee and decided to submit the proposal to the Committee of Ministers for adoption (Appendix X).

15. The CDCC Bureau decided to hold its next meeting on Thursday 19 and Friday 20 October 2000.

1. Adoption of the agenda

2. Statement by the Director General

3. Programme and Budget of the Cultural Fund for 1999

3.1 Activity Report of the CDCC

3.2 Ratification of the modifications to the budget and approval of the accounts

4. Programme and Budget of the Cultural Fund for 2000

4.1 Meeting report of the CDCC plenary session (68^th session, January 2000)

4.2 Written reports of the Chairs of the specialised committees

4.3 Corrigendum to the Programme and Budget

4.4 Follow-up to the meetings of the specialised committees

4.4.1 Transversal co-operation - proposals by the specialised committees

4.4.2 Draft European Convention for the protection of the audiovisual heritage and the draft explanatory report

4.4.3 Draft Recommendation of the Committee of Ministers to member States on the social sciences and the challenge of transition

4.4.4 Draft Recommendation of the Committee of Ministers to member States on a European policy on access to archives

4.4.5 Public access to and freedom of expression in networked information: Draft guidelines for a European cultural policy

4.4.6 Cultural policy and international trade - an assessment

4.4.7 ENIC Network (Joint Council of Europe/UNESCO European Network of National Information Centres on Academic Mobility and Recognition) - Renewal of the terms of reference

4.4.8 Proposal to grant ESIB (The National Unions of Students of Europe) observer status with the CC-HER

4.5 Special Accounts

4.5.1 Restructuring of special accounts for Education

4.5.2 Opening of a special account for the Pilot Project for the revitalisation of the town of Rostov Veliky (Russian Federation) 1997-2002 (Technical Co-operation and Consultancy Programme for the integrated conservation of the cultural heritage)

4.5.3 Opening of a special account for the STAGE project (Support for Transition in the Arts and culture in Greater Europe)

5. Programme and Budget of the Cultural Fund for 2001

Prioritisation of activities and strategic budgetary proposals for 2001

6. Follow-up to the decisions of the Committee of Ministers concerning the CDCC

6.1 Opinions of the CDCC on:

6.1.1 CLRAE Recommendation 54 (1999) on local and regional information society

6.1.2 Parliamentary Assembly Recommendation 1420 (1999) on UNESCO

6.1.3 Parliamentary Assembly Recommendation 1435 (1999) on the role of women in the field of science and technology

6.2 CLRAE Recommendation 70 (1999) on "Local Law/Special Status"

7. Other business

Relations with the European Union

8. Dates of future meetings

9. Adoption of the decisions

HUNGARY / HONGRIE : Mr Zsolt JÉKELY, Ministry of Cultural Heritage, BUDAPEST

FRANCE : Prof. Suzy HALIMI, Ministère de l'Education Nationale, de la Recherche et de la Technologie, PARIS

GREECE / GRECE : Mme Zoé KAZAZAKI, Ministry of Culture, ATHENS

ICELAND / ISLANDE : Ms Solrun JENSDOTTIR, Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, REYKJAVIK

ITALY / ITALIE : Mme Alessandra MELUCCO VACCARO, Ministero per i Beni e le Attività Culturali, ROMA

NETHERLANDS / PAYS-BAS : Mr Theodoor ADAMS, Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, ZOETERMEER (apologies/excusé)

ROMANIA / ROUMANIE : Mme Maria BERZA, Ministère de la Culture, BUCAREST

UKRAINE : Ms Tetiana IZHEVSKA, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, KIEV

EDUCATION COMMITTEE (CC-ED) / COMITE DE L'EDUCATION (CC-ED) :

Ms Jurga STRUMSKIENE, Ministry of Education and Science, VILNIUS

HIGHER EDUCATION AND RESEARCH COMMITTEE (CC-HER) /

COMITE DE L'ENSEIGNEMENT SUPERIEUR ET DE LA RECHERCHE

(CC-HER) : Dr. Krzysztof OSTROWSKI, Ministry of National Education, WARSZAWA

CULTURE COMMITTEE (CC-CULT) / COMITE DE LA CULTURE (CC-CULT) :

M. Bernard WICHT, Office fédéral de la culture, BERNE

CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMITTEE (CC-PAT) / COMITE DU PATRIMOINE CULTUREL (CC-PAT) : Mme Bénédicte SELFSLAGH, (Vice-Chair of CC-PAT), Division du Patrimoine de la Région wallone, BRUXELLES

M. Klaus SCHUMANN, Director General / Directeur Général

M. Raymond WEBER, Director of Culture and Cultural Heritage / Directeur de la Culture et du Patrimoine culturel

M. Gabriele MAZZA, Director responsible for School, Out of School and Higher Education / Directeur délégué pour l'Education et l'Enseignement supérieur

M. José-Maria BALLESTER, Head of the Cultural Heritage Department / Chef du Service du Patrimoine Culturel

Mme Vera BOLTHO, Head of the Cultural Policy and Action Department / Chef du Service des Politiques et Actions culturelles

M. Domenico RONCONI, Head of the Central Division, Secretary to the CDCC / Chef de la Division Centrale, Secrétaire du CDCC

Mme Can KAFTANCI, Central Division, Deputy Secretary to the CDCC / Division Centrale, Secrétaire adjoint du CDCC

M. Jean-Pierre TITZ, Secretary to the Education Committee (CC-ED) / Secrétaire du Comité de l'Education (CC-ED)

M. Sjur BERGAN, Secretary to the Higher Education and Research Committee (CC-HER) / Secrétaire du Comité de l'Enseignement supérieur et de la recherche (CC-HER)

Mme Elisabeth ROHMER, Secretary to the Culture Committee (CC-CULT) / Secrétaire du Comité de la Culture (CC-CULT)

M. Wolfdietrich ELBERT, Secretary to the Cultural Heritage Committee (CC-PAT) / Secrétaire du Comité du Patrimoine Culturel (CC-PAT)

The Council for Cultural Co-operation

HAVING REGARD to Article 6 of the Statute of the Cultural Fund;

HAVING REGARD to the accounts of the Cultural Fund for the financial year 1999 (document CDCC-BU (2000) 2);

HAVING REGARD to the Report of the Board of Auditors (CDCC-BU (2000) 2, Appendix);

1. to approve the balance-sheet of the Cultural Fund as at 31 December 1999;

2. to allocate the Cumulative Financial Result at 31 December 1999 as follows:

 

The Bureau of the Council for Cultural Co-operation,

HAVING regard to the major lines of Council of Europe action and to the objectives assigned to cultural co-operation by Resolution (95) 38 of the Committee of Ministers;

HAVING regard to paragraphs 1 and 3 of Article V of the Statute of the Cultural Fund;

HAVING regard to paragraph 3 of Article VI of that Statute;

HAVING regard to its Resolution N° 1 / 2000 approving and financing the programme for 2000 as contained in document CDCC (2000) 1 FIN.;

CONSIDERING that alterations need to be made to the programme subject to available resources (€ 5 007 500);

to adopt the revised programme of activities for 2000, as contained in Corrigendum 1 to CDCC (2000) 1 FIN., to be financed by the Cultural Fund and entailing expenditure totalling € 5 007 500 in accordance with the operational budget tables appended hereto;

the Secretary General to ensure the execution of this programme.

APPENDIX V

Public access to and freedom of expression

in networked information: DRAFT Guidelines

for a European cultural policy

The present Guidelines are intended to provide guidance for policy-makers, politicians and professionals in drawing-up legal instruments and governmental policies concerning public access to and freedom of expression in networked information in cultural institutions. They are not of a binding nature and do not commit governments to apply them; they provide an interpretation of the general principles of freedom of expression and of public access to information that should serve as a basis for the definition of provision of public access points within cultural institutions.

These principles rely on the premises that public access to networked information:

a)    provides, on the one hand, unparalleled opportunities for society, at individual or collective levels:

- to gather and disseminate information,

- to participate in cultural, educational and artistic activities wherever their physical location,

- to develop personal creativity,

- to strengthen linguistic and cultural diversity.

b)    carries, on the other, inherent dangers. In fact, it is recognised that amongst the enormous volume of valuable and significant content available via networks there is content which is either illegal or potentially harmful to both young people and adults.

Consequently, the Guidelines intend to enhance and safeguard the many and increasing benefits of public access to networked information for the whole public. They seek to do this by encouraging provision of public access that offers:

i.    affordability, through a service which is, whenever possible, free of charge at the point of use, but is otherwise provided at minimal cost to the user;

ii.    availability, in the sense of the provision to the public of effective technical means for access;

iii.    usability, by associating public access with the provision of the adequate means for members of the public of all ages to ensure, as far as possible, "electronic literacy".

The context in which this provision should be applied is that of cultural and educational institutions, whether publicly or privately funded, providing the public with access to information and ideas in a wide range of format(s) for both educational and leisure needs.

The Guidelines also suggest that an auto-regulatory process, resulting from a balance between a restrictive and responsible use, should be encouraged to protect and promote public access and freedom of expression while complying with existing regulation on illegal and/or harmful content.

-    Electronic Information Services and Networks: an Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights (1996), American Library Association;

-    European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (1950), Council of Europe, Articles 10 and 14;

-    Declaration on a European policy for new information technologies (1999), Council of Europe;

-    Recommendation on the Protection of Minors ¹ (1998), Council of the European Union;

-    Multiannual Community Action Plan of the European Parliament and the European Commission on Promoting safe use of the Internet (1999);

-    Manifesto for Public Libraries (1994), International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) - UNESCO;

-    Statement on Libraries and Intellectual Freedom (1999), International Federation of Library Associations’ (IFLA) - Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression Committee;

-    Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1945), United Nations, Article 19;

-    Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), United Nations, Articles 13 and 17.

II. Definitions

The following definitions apply to terms which are either used in the present Guidelines or which are currently used in the context of public access to and freedom of expression in networked information:

Systems that will block access to content unless the potential user registers that he/she is over a certain age (usually 18 or 21) often by providing credit card details as surety.

The practice of examining networked content and providing a label assessing the content according to some agreed set of standards and conventions of description. Rating or labelling data is a form of metadata.

Institutions which provide the public with access to information and ideas in a wide range of format(s), including printed text, electronic text, sound, graphics, hypermedia, oral delivery, and performance, for both educational and leisure needs. Institutions include cultural and arts centres, museums, libraries, archives, information and documentation centres, and other cognate institutions, whether funded by government, local government, or non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The notion can be extended, in certain cases and to certain extents, to include schools, colleges, universities, institutions offering professional training and education, whether publicly or privately funded.

The capability of obtaining information and communication from a workstation in the home, for which access to a network such as the Internet has been obtained via an information service provider.

Generally used to indicate software systems used to examine networked content, identify certain categories and block access to them. However, more correctly this should include recommender systems that follow the same process to recommend content.

Access to information and communication which

1. is subject to no restrictions other than those recognised as acceptable by the international conventions cited in Introduction (References) to these Guidelines, and

2. is preferably provided free of charge or, if not possible, at minimal cost.

Content in categories specifically forbidden by the laws in force in the relevant jurisdiction, such as those on obscenity, threats to public security, privacy, or confidentiality.

Documentalists, librarians, archivists, information and knowledge managers, and others who mediate between the originators of content, information service providers, information users and information technologies.

Those who provide information services and information content for networked access by members of the public.

In this context, information describing networked content, equivalent to the cataloguing data and abstracts applied to printed documents.

A network facility whereby metadata can be applied to content, and the user will be able to access that metadata before accessing the content itself. The Platform for Internet Content Selection (PICS) is the most relevant.

Codes of behaviour developed by network users to regulate communication and information use online.

The exchange of messages and data between computers remote from each other, using networks such as the Internet.

Information resources available on computer systems open for public access from remote computers, particularly by the use of the World-Wide Web.

Resources of networked computer workstations intended for use by the public for the full range of possible cultural, leisure, educational, or professional purposes. Such Public Access Points are to be found in publicly funded institutions such as libraries, cultural centres, and information bureaux, but many of the principles which apply to their management also apply to privately owned access points provided for public use, such as cybercafes and kiosks of various kinds. Specialised institutions such as museums, archives and other specialised cultural and information centres also provide

Public Access Points. Although these specialised institutions may apply limitations to the subject which is the scope of access, many of the principles for the management of full access also apply to this category.

Multipurpose technology centres providing telephones, fax, computers, software, access for Internet use, and other similar facilities to allow users to work, learn and obtain information at a distance from, or independently of employers, educational establishments or other affiliations. Although in the matter of public access they share many characteristics with cultural institutions, their prime purposes are economic rather than cultural.

Material attached to networked content carrying statements to alert potential users to features that may offend or stress them. Many pornographic sites carry such pages.

1. Principles of Public Access

1.1 Cultural institutions providing public access to networked information and communication should do so for all, without regard to race, nationality, religion, culture, political affiliation, physical or learning impairment, gender or sexual orientation.

1.2 It is the responsibility of individuals using Public Access Points to decide for themselves what they should, or should not, access.

1.3 Those providing Public Access Points should respect the privacy of users and treat knowledge of what they have accessed or wish to access as confidential.

1.4 So as to enable users to make the fullest and most independent use possible of networked information and communication, those providing Public Access Points should provide assistance for everyone to acquire the skills required to use such services.

1.5 In the interests of an informed citizenry and a healthy democratic process, access to information content generated by local, regional and national public authorities should be promoted at all Public Access Points.

 

2.1 Children choosing to use those Public Access Points that are provided for whole community use should, as far as possible, be able to do so under the same conditions as other users. Nevertheless, in order to avoid access to harmful and/or illegal content, filtering systems requesting the use of personal age codes should be provided at Public Access Points.

2.2 Children have a right to expect that Public Access Points will provide instruction and assistance in developing those skills which will enable them to become confident and capable users.

2.3 Although it is the responsibility of parents to advise their children about choices in the use of networked information and communication, the staff of Public Access Points should provide guidance for children.

2.4 Because networks offer real time communication as well as access to stored information, parents should take particular trouble to advise their children about the potential risks of online contacts made with strangers. Parental warnings about online contact with strangers should be reinforced as part of the education and training processes.

2.5 Access points provided specifically for children should provide them with high levels of guidance and assistance in locating content appropriate to their needs.

3.1 Specialised institutions such as museums, archives and subject-oriented information centres have a particular responsibility to promote access to content in their fields by developing new information resources and programmes to digitise relevant existing resources.

3.2 Unlike cultural institutions which are set up to serve the whole community with a full range of information, it may be necessary for specialised institutions to develop a policy which confines the permitted range of access to that which is relevant to the institution’s aims and objectives. Additionally, institutions operating intranets and closed access internets, will need to restrict access to material such as that, in the case of archives, relating to certain aspects of official administration and personal data. Users should be made aware of any such restrictions by the public display of the relevant policy statements.

3.3 Specialised institutions should not, however, impose limitations beyond the extent needed to ensure resources are committed to their primary purposes.

4.1 A Public Access Point is more than a group of workstations with network connection: a properly managed environment with suitable levels and quality of staffing is also required.

4.2 Those responsible for the education and training of information professionals should ensure that the programmes they provide contain elements designed to produce well-prepared managers and staff for Public Access Points.

4.3 It is the responsibility of management and staff of Public Access Points to facilitate public access to networked information and communication so that individual users have the necessary skills and a suitable environment in which to make their choices of information sources and services freely and confidently.

4.4 The staff of Public Access Points should be pro-active in identifying and facilitating access to quality networked information content, particularly for young people. It is appropriate for information professionals to create gateway pages for this purpose.

5.1 It is the responsibility of the managers and staff of Public Access Points to provide a positive and encouraging atmosphere for the use of networked information and communication. This may, in turn, require them to deal with instances of access to content by one user that disrupts the work of others.

5.2 Staff should not be required to exercise general supervision of usage with the express intention of identifying the use of illegal or otherwise distasteful content. However, if such use is drawn to their attention, they have an obligation to request the cessation of illegal use and to encourage more discreet use of other disturbing content.

5.3 Cases in which it proves necessary to request a user to discontinue access to particular content should be handled according to a pre-established and transparent process.

5.4 In such cases the action taken should be reviewed immediately to establish whether it was appropriate and what further action, including restoring the user’s right of access, might be required.

5.5 The layout and equipment of Public Access Points should be designed so as to minimise disturbance from images and sounds retrieved by other users.

6.1 The use by the managers of Public Access Points of software filtering systems to block access to certain content is an unwarranted interference with the individual’s freedom of access to information. If filtering and blocking systems are to be made available, it should only be as an option that individuals can choose and calibrate at their own preferred levels.

6.2 The use of software products (known as recommender systems, intelligent agents, content management systems, etc.) to filter networked content for positive recommendations is potentially an important contribution to effective network use and the availability of such products at Public Access Points is to be encouraged.

6.3 Metadata attached to content, which might include rating or labelling, can be used to help users make selections, and it can also facilitate recommendation of content by suitable software on grounds of quality and relevance.

6.4 Rating data which is applied to a site, whether by the information providers themselves or by independent third party agencies, should conform to standards created by independent bodies recognised by information providers as competent to perform this task. An appropriate metadata platform should be used for such purposes.

6.5 When assisting users, the staff of Public Access Points should be prepared to draw their attention to the warning pages attached to many sites that contain controversial content, but should also make it clear that not all such sites carry warning pages.

6.6 The age verification systems attached to some sites with controversial content also warn users that they might wish to avoid such content, but users should be made aware of the risks associated with supplying personal data to such systems if they are not operated by reputable organisations.

7. Internet Use Policies

7.1 A Public Access Point should be operated within a clearly articulated and publicly available policy, consistent with the principles of this text, and expressing the balance of responsibilities between staff and users.

7.2 The management of Public Access Points should involve relevant bodies from civil society (professional associations, network management boards, trades associations, local community groups, library advisory boards, school parent/teacher associations, etc.) when discussing policy on access and developing Internet Use Policy documents for public distribution and display.

7.3 Guidance in the formation of policy should be sought from the large numbers of existing Internet Use Policies, acceptable use policies, parental guidelines, and codifications of ‘netiquette’.

7.4 The application of policy in practice should be subject to constant review and consultation so that the aims and objectives of the service continue to be achieved.

 

 

APPENDIX VI

OPINION BY THE CDCC ON RECOMMENDATION 54 (1999) OF THE CONGRESS OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL AUTHORITIES OF EUROPE ON LOCAL AND REGIONAL INFORMATION SOCIETY

1. The CDCC welcomes Recommendation 54 (1999) of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe on local and regional information society.

2. With regard to the specific request by the Committee of Ministers concerning the proposal to elaborate a European information technology charter (paragraph 18 of the Recommendation), the CDCC believes that it is inherent in the global nature of internet technology that regional agreements on such matters cannot be effective enough. The CDCC would encourage the development, item by item, of a common European position in any international negotiations. Such positions should take due account of the need to establish a framework which will secure protection for minors as well as the need to fight against the use of new technologies for the propagation of ultra-nationalist, xenophobic, racist and anti-Semitic messages.

3. As concerns the other issues raised in the Recommendation, the CDCC would like to make the following observations.

4. The CDCC, through its specialised committees, has carried out numerous activities on the structures of education system in general, with an emphasis on decentralisation of the education system and the clear division of responsibilities between the various system levels (local, regional and national). The guiding principle behind these activities has been to identify the optimum form of decentralisation to ensure that developments in local and regional needs can be quickly taken into account and that schools are in a position to become more closely connected with their immediate social, cultural, economic and political environment.

5. The Recommendation also ties in with current discussions within the Education and Higher Education and Research Committees on developments in the education system in response to the communication society. These deliberations should in principle result in the launch in 2001 of a project on learning and teaching in the communication society to be carried out jointly by the CC-ED and CC-HER.

6. Accordingly, the CDCC believes that the subject matter of the Congress recommendation raises a number of questions which should be addressed in its future programmes on educational facilities and new technologies.

7. The CDCC endorses the appeal launched by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe to member countries "to elaborate national plans and strategies for the transition to the information society in each of their countries…". It feels it is important to point out that such plans should include education and lifelong training programmes designed for and open to all members of the population. The CDCC believes that if the information society is to become a democratic and pluralist society no one should be excluded. Appropriate training is as important a precondition as access to technical resources.

8. The CDCC believes that all policies for the application of new information technologies should encourage access and participation, competence and empowerment, creativity and diversity, while ensuring the protection of the individual’s rights and freedoms.

9. The CDCC agrees with the CLRAE, which, while acknowledging the positive aspects of the development of new information technologies, recommends adopting an interdisciplinary approach so as to increase public awareness and understanding of the opportunities, benefits and possible risks of the development of new technologies.

10. Thought must also be given to the implications of the development of the information society for local and regional management of the education system. The initial activities carried out in this field show that the new communication technologies, above and beyond their direct impact on teaching, should lead to a much more flexible and dynamic functioning of educational facilities (more rational and responsive management, closer involvement between the education system and its environment, transparent and rational educational strategies, etc).

11. As regards the teaching and methodological dimension of introducing new communication technologies in the education system, it is generally held that this should represent a factor for change in traditional school practices as regards curricula, the relationship to knowledge, pupil-teacher relationships, the cross-curricular approach, and even operational structures (architecture, classroom function, role of schools, etc).

12. In this context, the problem of training citizens (not only pupils but also teachers, administrators, parents and all partners involved in developing education at local and regional level) is a major factor in any educational policy designed with lifelong education in mind. It is a question of providing not only the means to use new systems but also the means to master their development and use from the angle of democratic citizenship.

13. Recommendation R (99) 2 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on secondary education highlights the fact that the key competences to be developed in the new curricula should include new technologies, an understanding of their applications, advantages and dangers and the ability to make critical judgements about the information carried on the new communication technologies.

14. The declaration on a European policy for new information technologies adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 7 May 1999 in Budapest for the 50^th anniversary of the Council of Europe underscores the importance of mastering new information technologies, particularly in respect of formal, non-formal and lifelong education.

15. In this context, the CDCC can endorse the recommendations contained in paragraph 12 of Recommendation 54 concerning awareness-raising, education and lifelong training in new communication technologies.

16. The same is true for paragraph 14 on the need for education and training systems to have at their disposal sufficient resources for optimum use of the new possibilities offered by the new communication society.

 

APPENDIX VII

OPINION BY THE CDCC ON PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY RECOMMENDATION 1435 (1999) ON THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN THE FIELD OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. The CDCC finds that the question of improving the participation of women in science and especially technology is strongly related to general attitudes in society as a whole. The role of women in the field of science and technology has to be treated in a more comprehensive way than what is reflected in Parliamentary Assembly Recommendation 1435 (1999). This requires proper statistics, changes in curricula, pedagogics and didactics in the complete school system and underlining gender equality and equal opportunity issues in society.

2. The CDCC is fully aware of the necessity to ensure equity and social cohesion through a better gender balance in all sectors of society, and particularly in science and technology, by providing equal opportunities for both genders, not only for access to education and training but also for adequate positions and career prospects.

3. The CDCC and its specialised committees have already expressed their position through a number of their projects. In the recently adopted Recommendation R (98) 3 by the Committee of Ministers to member states on Access to Higher Education, governments and higher education institutions are invited to implement adequate measures providing equal opportunities for higher education studies to different under-represented groups of students, including women. The CDCC would like to underline the importance of monitoring the implementation of this recommendation. In this context, it would like to point to the need for educational statistics to be gender specific. Recommendation R (2000) 8 of the Committee of Ministers on the Research Mission of the University also raises the issue of the role of women in research. The CC-HER's project on "Lifelong learning for equity and social cohesion: a new challenge to higher education" is intended to promote women's participation in all forms of education and training in a lifelong learning perspective.

4. In the context of the work of the CC-ED on a European policy on new information technologies undertaken after the Strasbourg Summit, and particularly at the symposium on "Information technologies in schools: reasons and strategies for investment" in Jurmala (Latvia, July 1999), it was noted that the rise of the new information technologies might, contrary to hopes, lead in some cases to greater inequality between men and women, particularly in education.

5. The CDCC shares the Parliamentary Assembly’s views regarding the importance of education in this field. Equal access to, and equal use of, the new technologies in schools constitute part of the preparatory work for a new project on

"Learning and teaching in the communication society", which is to be run jointly with the Education Committee and the Higher and Education and Research Committee, and may be launched in 2001.

6. This question will also be dealt by the CC-ED and the CC-HER at the seminar on "A new social contract between women and men: the role of education", which is to be organised jointly with the Steering Committee for Equality between women and men (CDEG) in Strasbourg in autumn 2000. The seminar’s main aim will be to take stock of recent changes in the situation of women and men in the education system as a whole in states party to the European Cultural Convention. Recommendations on equality in the education system, with special reference to participation in the fields of science and technology, will be drawn up on the basis of the outcome of these activities.

7. As regards paragraph 5.i. of the Recommendation, the CDCC refers to the current obstacles that line the academic and professional route of many women in Europe and in particular in Central and Eastern Europe. It would endorse a study in particular on the possible professional redeployment of women (formerly employed in the field of science and technology) who are often victims of unfair dismissal because of their gender. The countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) encounter important structural problems and that help should be given to women who are, with ethnic minorities, the first victims of the general impoverishment of society.

8. The CDCC fully agrees that changes in the position of women in all sectors of society, and particularly in science and technology, would require changes in traditional thinking and mentalities, which could only be brought about by a coherent and comprehensive action carried out at all levels of the educational process.

9. In this context, the CC-HER underlined that it is sensitive to the proposal made in paragraph 5.iii of the Recommendation that it carry out a study on measures to be taken to provide the same opportunities for women and men who have chosen to study science and technology at university. The CC-HER is in principle in favour of this proposal. However, a serious study must be supported by an activity. In the current budget situation, the CC-HER finds it would be difficult to include such an activity in the programme budget.

10. If such activities could after all be undertaken, they should be carried out in close co-operation with all the Committees concerned. Moreover as the theme is of great importance to society in general, co-operation and partnerships should be sought with other national and international organisations working in the area as well as local authorities, NGOs, professional networks, women’s associations, funding bodies, etc.

 

APPENDIX VIII

DRAFT OPINION BY THE CDCC ON PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY
RECOMMENDATION 1420 (1999) ON UNESCO

 

1. The CDCC welcomes Parliamentary Assembly Recommendation 1420 (1999) on UNESCO and finds it encouraging to see the importance of such cooperation between intergovernmental organisations explicitly recognised at political level.

2. The CDCC has for a number of years been carrying out a very close co-operation with UNESCO, in particular through its Higher Education and Research and Education Committees.

3. Some of the CC-HER activities with UNESCO extend beyond traditional cooperation to the running of a joint programme. The Council of Europe and UNESCO have elaborated a joint Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region (the Lisbon Recognition Convention, adopted in April 1997 and in force from February 1999). The two Organisations are now carrying out a joint programme for the implementation of this Convention, through a joint Secretariat for the Lisbon Recognition Convention Committee and the ENIC Network ² . This is one of the rare examples known to the CDCC of a truly joint work programme by two international organisations.

4. Research policy is a part of the CC-HER mandate, and the Committee has elaborated a Recommendation on the research mission of the university, adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 30 March 2000 as Recommendation R (2000) 8. However, it seems difficult to fully develop a research policy role for the CC-HER within the confines of its present staff and programme resources. The CC-HER would see a closer cooperation with UNESCO as a possibility to develop its research policy activities.

5. Co-operation with UNESCO in South East Europe is particularly prominent in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the field of higher education, including the establishment of a Higher Education Council which is intended to include all higher education institutions in the country. The CDCC will endeavour to include UNESCO more strongly in other parts of its activities in South East Europe. In Kosovo, UNESCO, as a part of the UN system, could play a particularly useful role in the assistance the Council of Europe and the CRE (Association of European Universities) have offered in establishing an inclusive higher education system under UNMIK auspices.

6. Co-operation with UNESCO in the area of education for citizenship has been ongoing ever since the "Education for Democratic Citizenship" project was set up under the Education Committee’s programme of work. UNESCO participates in the project group as well as all the conferences and hearings organised in this context.

7. As regards secondary education, UNESCO has been closely involved in the "A secondary education for Europe" project and, more recently, was represented at the symposium on "Information technologies in schools: reasons and strategies for investment". The Council of Europe also works together with UNESCO in the group on the reform of secondary education set up in June 1999 by UNESCO’s Division for the Renovation of Secondary and Vocational Education.

8. UNESCO was invited to participate in the European co-ordination group responsible for preparing the European Year of Languages (2001) and takes an active part in meetings of the group.

9. Following the enlargement of the CDCC’s membership, UNESCO no longer holds ministerial conferences of its "Europe" region given that it is now more closely involved in preparations for the Standing Conference of European Ministers of Education of the Council of Europe.

10. The CDCC takes note of the Parliamentary Assembly’s assessment concerning the co-operation carried out by the two Organisations on the occasion of the Stockholm Conference (World Report on Culture), and calls for further cooperation with UNESCO in the field of culture in general, and cultural policy in particular, including book policy. It underlines the importance of giving particular attention to cultural diversity and the role of culture in conflict prevention.

11. The CDCC underlines the importance of stepping up cooperation between UNESCO and the Council of Europe in the field of cultural heritage, in particular through its Cultural Heritage Committee. It believes that this co-operation should concern mainly the protection of cultural heritage in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the other regions of South-East Europe, the implementation of the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1972), landscapes and the pooling of information on European heritage policies.

12. The CDCC also welcomes the reference to the UNESCO International Year (2000) and Decade (2001 – 2010) of the Culture of Peace (paragraph 14.ii). The CDCC will seek to contribute to these activities, in particular through the new activity of the CC-HER on the University as a Site of Citizenship.

13. As pointed out in paragraph 2 of the Recommendation, the Council of Europe and the Europe Region of UNESCO now cover approximately the same area, especially if the permanent observers to the Council of Europe and the non-member states party to the European Cultural Convention are included. This underlines the importance of the two organisations trying to establish joint action in as many areas as possible, to the benefit of both individual member states and the two Organisations. To the Council of Europe, UNESCO also represents an important channel to valuable work carried out in other regions of the world, while to UNESCO, the experience of the Council of Europe is of relevance to its activities in other regions.

14. In spite of much good will by representatives of both Organisations, cooperation is nonetheless hampered by differences in organisational culture and rules. The elaboration of a new agreement of cooperation to replace the current agreement dating from 1952 is therefore essential, and the CDCC supports the suggestions made in paragraphs 2 and 14.1 of the Recommendation. The new agreement must commit both Organisations to showing considerable flexibility with regard to their own rules and regulations in order to establish efficient joint action.

15. On the basis of the experience of the CC-HER with a joint work programme with UNESCO in one specific area, the CDCC would very willingly contribute to the elaboration of a new agreement.

16. The CDCC also supports the proposal made in paragraph 14.iii for a closer cooperation at national level between Council of Europe governmental experts and the National Commissions for UNESCO. It considers the UNESCO National Commissions as very valuable bodies at national level and would welcome an opportunity for the Council to make use of the Commissions as well as to contribute to their activities. It is unrealistic for the Council to try to establish parallel bodies for its own purposes, and this would also not be efficient use of scarce resources. However, where Council of Europe information centres have been established, a closer cooperation between these and the UNESCO National Commissions may be considered.

 

APPENDIX IX

RENEWAL OF THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE ENIC NETWORK

TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE JOINT COUNCIL OF EUROPE/UNESCO EUROPEAN NETWORK OF NATIONAL INFORMATION CENTRES ON ACADEMIC MOBILITY AND RECOGNITION (ENIC NETWORK)

1. Title: Joint Council of Europe/UNESCO European Network of National Information Centres on Academic Mobility and Recognition (ENICs)

2.    Source of terms of reference:

Council of Europe: Committee of Ministers

UNESCO: Regional Committee in charge of the application of the UNESCO Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees concerning Higher Education in the States belonging to the Europe Region (hereafter referred to as the Regional Committee)

3. Duration: 2 years renewable (1 July 2000 – 30 June 2002)

4. Terms of Reference:

 

I. OBJECTIVES

I.1 The joint Council of Europe/UNESCO European Network of National Information Centres on Academic Mobility and Recognition (the ENIC Network) is set up under the authority of the Committee of Ministers (Council of Europe) and the Regional Committee (UNESCO) with a view to facilitating cooperation between national information centres on academic mobility and recognition in Europe.

I.2 In its composition restricted to national information centres of the Parties to the Council of Europe/UNESCO Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region (Lisbon Recognition Convention), the ENIC Network shall uphold and assist the practical implementation of the Convention by the competent national authorities ³ . In this composition, the ENIC Network shall give advice to the Lisbon Recognition Convention Committee on draft recommendations, declarations, protocols and models of good practice which may be submitted to the Convention Committee for adoption ⁴ .

I.3 The objectives of the network shall be to:

(i) promote the exchange of relevant information among its member Centres;

(ii)    serve as a forum for the exchange of views on salient issues in academic mobility and recognition in the European Region;

(iii)    provide a forum for the development – on a voluntary basis – of recognition policies among the Parties to the Lisbon Recognition Convention;

(iv) further practical cooperation among its member Centres;

(v) support the development of the services offered by its members to the higher education community, such as publications and other information services.

I.4 The ENIC Network shall seek to cooperate closely with the NARIC Network of the Commission of the European Communities.

I.5 The ENIC Network shall draw up proposals for its activities and submit them to the CDCC and UNESCO-CEPES as the Secretariat of the Regional Committee (UNESCO) to be taken into consideration in their respective activities.

 

II. MEMBERSHIP OF THE NETWORK

II.1 Each State party to either the European Cultural Convention of the Council of Europe or to the UNESCO Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees concerning Higher Education in the States belonging to the Europe Region, or having signed the latter, shall be entitled to appoint one National Information Centre as a member of the Network. Where national policies and structures make this desirable, a State shall be entitled to appoint a second ENIC as a member of the ENIC Network.

II.2 The Commission of the European Communities, the Nordic Council of Ministers and the European Free Trade Association shall be invited to participate in the Network without the right to vote. Representatives of other UNESCO Regional Committees having expressed an interest for this may also be invited to participate in the meetings of the ENIC Network.

II.3 Organisations with a European mission active in academic recognition and mobility, may be invited as observers to a particular meeting.

II.4 The Chair of the CC-HER (Council of Europe) or his/her representative and the President of the Regional Committee (UNESCO) or his/her representative shall have the right to participate in meetings of the ENIC Network without the right to vote.

II.5 In its functions with regard to the Lisbon Recognition Convention, the ENIC Network shall be composed of the national information centres of Parties to the Convention. When the ENIC Network fulfils its functions with regard to the Lisbon Recognition Convention, the ENICs of states which are not party to this Convention shall be invited to participate in the Network without the right to vote. Observers referred to in paragraphs II.2 – II.4 of the present terms of reference may also participate as observers in the deliberations of the ENIC Network when it fulfils its functions with regard to the Lisbon Recognition Convention.

 

III. MEETINGS

III.1 The ENIC Network shall hold an annual session. Joint sessions may, as agreed, be held with the NARIC Network of the European Communities or with observer organizations. Such a joint session may replace the annual session of the ENIC Network.

III.2 As far as possible, the annual session shall be held in the home country of a member Centre at the invitation of that Centre. If there is no invitation from a member Centre, the annual meeting shall be held at the Headquarters of one of the Secretariats. A joint meeting with the European Communities or an observer organization may be held at the Headquarters of the institution or organization in question.

III.3 With the exception of the election of its Bureau, the Network shall not be empowered to make binding decisions. It can make recommendations to the CDCC (Council of Europe) and the Regional Committee (UNESCO) on issues referred to it by either organization with the tacit consent of the other, or on academic mobility and recognition issues it chooses to raise on its own initiative. The Network shall submit an annual report to the CDCC and the Regional Committee. It can also propose to the Secretariats of the Network the setting up of specific Working Parties.

III.4 Decisions may be made by consensus, declared by the President, or by votes. Each Member Centre shall have two votes. Where there are two Centres in a given member State, each of these shall have one vote.

 

IV. BUREAU

IV.1 At its annual business session, the Network shall elect its Bureau consisting of a President and two Vice Presidents. The President and the two Vice Presidents shall be active members of a National Information Centre.

IV.2 The President shall conduct the meetings of the Network and sum up the conclusions whenever he/she thinks necessary. He/she may call to order a speaker who departs from the subject under discussion or from the Network's terms of reference. He/she shall retain the right to speak and to vote in his capacity as a member of the Network. With the Secretariats, the President may represent the Network between the annual business sessions.

IV.3 The Bureau shall:

- conduct the business of the network;

- supervise the preparation of meetings at the network's request, and;

- ensure continuity between meetings as necessary.

IV.4 The term of office of the President and the two Vice Presidents shall be one year, and shall be renewable once. This rule shall not prejudice the election of a Vice President as President of the Network. The terms of office shall run from the end of the annual session at which the officers are elected until the end of the following session.

IV.5 If there is more than one candidate for each office, the President and Vice Presidents shall be elected by secret, separate ballot. The election shall require a two thirds majority of the votes cast on the first ballot and a simple majority on the second ballot. If no candidate obtains a simple majority in the second ballot, a third ballot shall be held between the two candidates having obtained the largest number of votes in the second ballot. Ties shall be decided by drawing lots.

 

V. WORKING PARTIES

V.1 The Network may set up ad hoc working parties and select their members, including their Chair, subject to the agreement of the Council of Europe and UNESCO to support a specific activity or specific activities undertaken by a particular working party. In such cases, funds for ad hoc working parties may be included in the work programme of the CC-HER (Council of Europe) and the Programme and Budget of UNESCO.

V.2 Ad hoc working parties shall have a clearly defined mandate and duration. They shall report to the annual sessions of the Network. The ENIC Network may submit the conclusions and recommendations of ad hoc working parties to the CDCC (Council of Europe) and the Regional Committee (UNESCO).

V.3 The task of providing the secretariat for ad hoc working parties shall be shared between the Secretariats. Both Secretariats shall, however, participate in the meetings of all working parties. The Commission of the European Communities shall be invited to participate in and contribute to the working parties.

 

VI. SECRETARIATS

VI.1 Administrative service of the Network shall be provided jointly by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, represented by the Director General of the DG IV, and the Director General of UNESCO, represented by the Director of UNESCO-CEPES. The Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall appoint a Co-Secretary of the Network on behalf of the Council of Europe. The Director of UNESCO-CEPES shall designate a staff member of CEPES as Co-Secretary. The Co-Secretaries shall consult as required to ensure the efficient serving of the Network.

VI.2 The Co-Secretaries shall assist the President of the Network in drawing up the agenda of Network meetings and meetings of working parties, circulating all documents relevant for the meetings of the Networks, and for drawing up meeting reports.

 

VII. FINANCE

VII.1 In principle, the activities of the Network shall be financed jointly by the Council of Europe and UNESCO. Member Centres may, however, be required to cover the cost of their participation in the annual sessions.

VII.2 Each organisation shall seek to finance the ad hoc working parties for which it provides the Secretariat (cf. V.3) with the exception of the costs of participation of the representative(s) of the other organization and of observers.

 

APPENDIX X

PROPOSAL TO GRANT ESIB

(THE NATIONAL UNIONS OF STUDENTS OF EUROPE)

OBSERVER STATUS WITH THE CC-HER

 

BACKGROUND

At its plenary session on 28 – 30 March 2000, the CC-HER decided to propose that ESIB – the National Unions of Students of Europe – be granted observer status with the Committee.

ESIB assembles a majority of national unions of students. With 35 member organizations in 29 countries, ESIB currently represents some 6 million students. ESIB has been involved in specific activities of the CC-HER over a number of years, and cooperation has been considerably intensified over the past two or three years. Currently, ESIB participates actively in the CC-HER projects on:

-    Lifelong Learning for Equity and Social Cohesion;

-    The University as a Site of Citizenship, as a member of the Working Party for this activity;

-    South East Europe, in particular as a member of the Prishtina Working Group.

ESIB has further conducted a project preparing for democratic elections to the student union at the University in Prishtina, with support from the University as a Site of Citizenship project. It is likely to be involved with the new CC-HER/CC-ED project on Teaching and Learning in the Communication Society.

In proposing to grant ESIB observer status, the CC-HER took account of ESIB’s active contribution to the Council of Europe’s higher education programme (as well as activities in the youth field).

The CC-HER also considered it valuable to have an observer organization representing students in the specialized committee responsible for higher education. The CRE (Association of European Universities) and the Confederation of Rectors’ Conferences of the European Union have been active observers with the CC-HER for a number of years and contribute substantively to the Committee’s programme. The CC-HER considered it important also to give the other important partner in higher education – the students – a recognized institutional status with the Committee.

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1 Recommendation of 24 September 1998 by Council of the European Union on the development of the competitiveness of the European audiovisual and information services industry by promoting national frameworks aimed at achieving a comparable and effective level of protection of minors and human dignity, published in the Official Journal L 270 of 07.10.1998, p.48.

2 European Network of National Information Centres on academic recognition and mobility, established in 1994 by a merger of the previously separate networks of the Council of Europe and UNESCO.  The ENIC network co-operates very closely with the NARIC Network of the European Union, inter alia through joint annual meetings and joint meetings of the ENIC Bureau and the NARIC Advisory Board.

3 Cf. Article X.3 of the Lisbon Recognition Convention.

4 Cf. Article X.2.5 of the Lisbon Recognition Convention.