|
-Promoting
diversity in the fields of culture, the media and education and
ensuring that the regional position is considered in European
cultural, educative and audiovisual policies
- Implementing democracy via diversity, in the
form of the promotion of cultural and linguistic diversity as
an asset and the distribution of information to the public
- Promoting the modernisation
|
|
and internationalisation of regional
governance and establishing relations between the activities of the
European Regions and those of their colleagues in other continents
- Improving
the participation of young people by providing them with a
platform for dialogue with politicians on issues which concern
them, and encouraging their political involvement in the AER,
their respective Regions and Europe
|
- Présidente
Mag. Johanna Mikl-Leitner (Niederösterreich - A)
- Vice-Président
Béla Bokor (Baranya
- H)
- Sous-Commission
Culture
- Sous-Commission
Education/Formation
- Sous-Commission
Jeunesse
- Groupe de Travail
"Patrimoine culturel"
- Groupe de Travail
"AGCS & Services"
- Groupe de Travail
"Relations internationales"
- Secrétariat
de la Commission 3
- Policy coordinator : Martin Mühleck
- Assistant Policy coordinator : Doris Materne
- Assistant (Commissions 1 & 3) : Araceli Gómez
competition, demonstrate the constant value of our
work. In addition to the fact that this competition provides an
excellent opportunity to present good practices in participatory
democracy and regional action to promote te role of young people, this
competition was the starting point for the systematic inclusion of
young people in all fields of AER political activity. To give an
example, young people engaged in the AER were recently able to meet the
European Commissioner, Margot Wallström.
What are the new priorities for the period
2007-2012?
Our new priorities will be partially covered by
activities recovered from the former Committee A, i.e. interregional
and international cooperation.
In terms of culture, we are launching two new
networks. The network for cultural heritage targets protection,
restoration and non-intensive use of cultural heritage in view of
regional development and the exchange of know-how, funding information
and methods. A theatres initiative will focus on financing, company exchanges
and the organisation of common projects.
In the field of education, our future conference
of Regional Ministers will consider the relations between education,
innovation and the economic success of the Regions. The group will also
focus on the role of literature, which is currently a dying discipline
in Europe.
We will also carry out a study concerning the use
of Information & Communication
Technologies (ICT) by school children at all
levels. This information will provide a basis for considerations to be
extended at a conference on the role of the Regions and the impact,
challenges and opportunities represented by the media and ICT for young
people.
What changes have been made to the Committee
structure and how will you cover such a wide range of subjects in view
of these priorities?
The current structure of the Sub-Committee and
working groups is entirely representative of topics and appropriate for
current work, in coordination with the Committee secretariat.
Should other requirements arise, the Committee can freely adapt
its internal structures. However, to have a better external
representation, I would propose to increase the number of
Vice-Presidents.
How would you describe your vision of Europe and
"regionality"?
A democratic Europe, open at all levels, where the
Regions act as bridges and legal representatives for the demands and
rights of citizens in terms of cultural diversity, education and
training, employment, etc. This role will be fully recognised by the
European institutions which will involve the Regions in all
decisions concerning them directly. Work remains to achieve
this…
How would you summarise the work of your
Committee?
The Committee faced the challenge of issues with
high stakes: services, State aid, the "Television Without
Frontiers" directive and the UNESCO Convention on the protection
of cultural diversity.
Our action was successful, despite the fact that
not all of our claims were accepted. Our call for culture to not be
considered as an economic good - established at our conferences of
regional Ministers organised by the late Liese Prokop - is reflected in
the current version of the Constitution which stipulates a unanimous
vote when concluding international commercial agreements concerning
cultural services. The adoption of the UNESCO Convention is another
success story.
I would also like to mention our own initiatives
which, to mention only the "Most Youth-friendly European
Region"
