Penguin Papers
Resolutions Issue
CULT
United for innovation Bringing universities and businesses together, aiming towards innovation by Adelaide Di Maggio (IT/PL) though this is a concrete step forward, revolutionising the system takes time and it may further reduce the The problem of unemployment after graduation is motivation of both university and business in engagpresent in the majority of the Member States and the ing in cooperation programmes. EU is trying to introduce new, contemporary ideas into Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Business- In terms of funding, the resolution brilliantly uses the es are aiming to be the main provider of innovation existing EU programmes, like Erasmus +, that may within the EU and the idea of an effective cooperation also improve students’ mobility and increase the quanbetween these two sectors, called University-Business tity of internship projects in the territory. Cooperation (UBC), has already been embraced, even though not fully implemented. This is mainly caused Finally, to facilitate the dialogue between universities by lack of motivation of HEIs and businesses in im- and businesses, the committee calls upon the Europeproving communication, by bureaucracy barriers and an Commission to expand the existing UBC Forum lack of funding, as well as differences between univer- into an interactive platform for communication and sity action plans and businesses expectations. knowledge sharing, including students in the process. This innovative idea may be effective in reaching a The Committee on Culture and Education has been bigger amount of students and private businesses, mainly focusing on three bigger problems: bureaucra- as well as developing new solutions. Furthermore, as cy, funding and proximity. Even though the first issue stated in the resolution, it is important to continuousis evidently the hardest obstacle, it could not have ly encourage HEIs to take into account UBC in their been omitted and there is almost no efficient solution. projects, implementing the latter in the their outreach The resolution calls upon the European Commission plan. to reduce administrative procedures in their projects, mainly related to universities and businesses, but it also focuses on a more efficient cooperation between the private sector and universities at a local level. Even
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AFET
Against Terrorism Protecting the citizens of the European Union by Karl-Joosep Volmerson (EE) tackling media manipulation; this would be obtained Acknowledging the fact that the Islamic State poses a through Internet Service Providers. potential threat towards Europe in many ways, the discussions in the Committee of Foreign Affaire had to In order to prevent and fight terrorism, the committee tackle various aspects of the problem. The individual urges the EU Comission to reconsider Counter Terresponsibility of every Member State gives the Euro- rorism Strategy and to develop it into a legally binding pean Union no legally binding competences in general regulation instead of keeping it as an optional strategy. security questions such as border control, intelligence Even though he idea is theoretically doable, the probsharing or implementation of a strategy. Furthermore, lem occurs when taking into account the individual the media manipulation by the Islamic State attracts interests and opinions of the Member States. people to join the movement, spreading radicalism. Furthermore, the committee proposes to reform FronFirstly, the committee understanded that it is crucial tex since its budget was decreased by 4.8 million euros, for the European Union to fight terrorism. At the same making it less efficient in countering terrorism. Last time, while the institutions are gathering intelligence but not least, the resolution proposes the reassigning to indentify a terrorist, they recognise the importance of the European Corps to Military Border Protection of the right to privacy. Fighting terrorism can be done duty. On the one hand, it is considerable to protect the boosting the cooperatin between the Member States borders with trained soldiers, but on the other hand, by sharing intelligency, but also keeping in mind the the size of a European army would lead to a controissue security in the distribution of information. versial debate, not even mentioning that some Member States are totally against its creation. The committee tackles media manipulation by the Islamic State and the discovery of potential terrorists by In conclusion, the resolution aims at tackling differrecommending the European Comission to increase ent aspects and problems which put the EU citizens the use of the Internet as a tracking tool. Moreover, in danger, considering this issue from its different perblacklisting certain keywords and websites associated spectives. with terrorism is considered to be an effective way of
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EMPL
Circulate your brain Utopia, subtopia, dystopia – the choice is yours by Liza Skorobreshchuk (UA) universities, as fundamental to reduce the brain drain in the EU. These elements, as well as the internships provided, will make graduated student being successful and more competitive on the labour market. Corruption and lack of transparency are also affecting this problem and it is necessary to find out how to provide a better supervision. Mechanisms for cooperation The concept of “brain drain” gained popularity as and verification should be implemented not only in skilled workers migrated abroad, leaving their home the newest Member States, but in the whole EU. country in search of better opportunities. The freedom of movement, which is one of basic rights for the According to the resolution, it is the local governworkers’ mobility through all the EU Member States, ments’ responsibility support start-ups aiming at may also have negative consequences as brain drain avoiding over student mobility and high rates of unand unemployment. employment. This may make ambitious youngsters stay in their home country and develop its economics, As a fundamental right, freedom of movement has therefore preventing brain drain. The committee also also to be preserved. The differences in the living con- suggests making Horizon 2020 grants available for ditions, social backgrounds, salaries and taxes, make both scientific project applicants and the young entrecitizens search for better opportunities outside their preneurs with efficient innovations. own country. No equal basis and social factors as discrimination, which may not guarantee equality and A lot of changes potentially exist, but once agreed tolerance, cause a circulation of university applicants, upon, they should put into practice, supported and making them search for more stable social conditions implemented by all the Member States, while encourthrough the EU. aging active citizenship and keeping balance of brain circulation. The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs considers cooperation, open dialogue and an exchange of experiences at local level, especially in the
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Transparent, safe, compromised
INTA
New perspectives on the Transatlantic Trade negotiation by Natallia Khenkina (BY) ically Modified Organisms (GMOs), not resisting their entrance in the EU market. It simply proposes a range of measures aiming at separating them from the rest of the market’s products to allow consumers to make their choices on their own.
The delicate issue of transatlantic trade, with which the EU is taking the art of compromising to the next level, has been addressed quite thoroughly over the last four days. Compromises or not, the Committee on International Trade (INTA) made it through with quite impressive results; the future of the international Data protection system is addressed from a different point of view, considering it to be impossible to tackle trade is coming closer than ever. on a transatlantic level while it is still not organised While still being a controversial topic, the committee properly in the EU itself. To start it on domestic level believes that the advantages of the deal will outnum- first, the committee proposes to grant the European ber the throwbacks. Taking the Transatlantic Trade Commission with the exclusive competence in the and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations for field of data protection. Such a solution, even though granted and appreciating their progress, the resolution requiring the changes in the Treaty of Functioning of concentrates on what we can improve in the ongoing the European Union, can play a defining role in solvprocess. Among the numerous issues that have arisen ing this complex problem. over that last years, the main ones are still the consumers’ protection, data safety and transparency. Last but not least, it is fundamental to push the transparency of negotiations to the highest possible level, The issue of products’ safety is addresses in a non-ne- improving the current state of things, where only parts gotiable manner; the committee resolves to insist on of the negotiating texts, together with short summazero tolerance when it comes to the precautionary ries, are available. The resolution proposes the creprinciple. European leaders, such as Angela Merkel, ation of special communication systems that would also seem to be strongly in favour of this stating that focus on TTIP information, going in line with the consumers’ protection is – and should be - a top priori- general principles the EU is operating on. ty in these negotiations. At the same time, such a stand is potentially an insurmountable obstacle for TTIP Huge opportunities hold hands with huge decisions to negotiations, since the consumers’ protections policies make. This resolution already expresses its aim; the differ on both sides, it is impossible are too huge to EU should make TTIP become reality and not remain change them. Controversially enough, the committee a mere opportunity. takes a slightly different stand on the matter of Genet-
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LIBE
Helping the minorities inside the EU One more thing we can do to integrate them by Rasmus Kriest (DE) sectors, which leads to unfair balance between different minority languages inside the same country. The The Minority SafePack Initiative started with op- Intergroup for National Minorities has already been timism and political support, but its effectiveness is re-established in 2014 and therefore gives MEPs a currently uncertain and the Committee on Civil Lib- platform to form their opinion and discuss their prierties, Justice and Home Affairs needed to focus on orities. the political and social problems that minorities face. While 100 million people belong to a minority and 50 On the other hand, the committee is confident that million speak a minority language, many Europeans the sole political inclusion does not help the social have limited knowledge about these groups. Unfortu- status of minorities and therefore proposes to raise nately, there is no effective tool to monitor the pro- awareness about minorities throughout Europe. This tection of minorities after the Member States have idea is not limited to advertisement in form of media met the Copenhagen Criteria during the application campaigns and promotional material, but it also inprocess to the EU. This heavily contradicts Article 21 cludes non-formal education through youth organisaof the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU as tions. Eventually, such programmes can shape youngNGOs report practices against minorities in several er generations and increase the knowledge about the countries. According to the committee, the discrim- minorities present in Europe in the long-term. Furination of minorities through, for example, unequal thermore, minority languages are supported through access to public and social services, does not only have the establishment of educational institutions, which a harmful effect on individuals but could also lead to do not only increase the minority members’ options regarding the use of their language, but also ensure political and economic instability. that the latter are kept alive, considering that about While it is important to keep in mind the already ex- 80% of them are currently endangered. isting ideas and solutions, the ratification of the European Charter for Regional or Minorities Language The committee is sure that their ideas support nation(ECRML) by EU Member States cannot be done as al and linguistic minorities in their political and social France has been constitutionally blocked from doing life, tackling the two most extended areas in which the so in respect to the languages of France. Further- topic can be addressed. more, only the languages ratified under Part III of the Charter have comprehensive rules across a number of
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ITRE I
Advancing the Future Research and Development: unite and be united by Natallia Khenkina (BY) the future of the research in more developed areas remains quite undefined. At the same time, the cooperation between the regions is strongly favoured. The creation of strong and active programmes like Erasmus + allows the knowledge sharing to become way The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy I easier than it would be otherwise, making it possible has dealt with the future of Research and Develop- to connect people and institutions all around Europe ment (R&D), in Europe, as well as the opportunities and beyond. and advantages that are at stake. Another huge issue at hand is the gap between the reOne of the main issues is the inequality in the devel- search facilities and the practical implementations of opment level of the different Member States, which is their products, also considering the enormous amount wide enough to create obstacles even in the coherent of time, bureaucracy and complications involved in field of R&D. Realising the spreading gap between the the process of transition from R&D departments to different areas of Europe, the committee has concen- the market. The research itself is useless if not it does trated their efforts on helping these underdeveloped not have a practical application, especially if it cannot regions through a variety of measures that include reach the market. To bring the research facilities, uniloans, funds, and knowledge-sharing. One of the quite versities and market closer, the committee proposes a innovative suggestions is also to increase the European series of educational measures, such as promoting inStrategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) ternships and informing the students on the principles involvement into Eastern and Southern countries. of entrepreneurism. ESFRI is an instrument designed to help the creation of research facilities with the help of local funding. The pace the world is moving with is breathtaking, However, for the underdeveloped regions, the resolu- but, perhaps, still not fast enough. In 1989’s Back to tion proposes a more extended implementation of the the Future II movie the idea of 2015 included flying proposition outlined in Horizon 2020, which is sup- cars and self-closing jackets, and here we are, still using posed to make funding easier and R&D progress more our roads purposefully and closing the jackets manueven throughout the EU. This additional help is cover- ally. Something should and could probably be done to ing quite comprehensively the support these countries facilitate the process and, in this case, this resolution might need. might just have the answers the EU needs. With the main focus being moved to these sides of the Eastern and Southern regions of the European map,
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DROI
Human Rights and their performance The real human rights violations inside the EU by KryĹĄtof Stupka (CZ)
curred is that there is no clear line, or legally binding law, which would show when the speech can be considered hate speech. In this way some politicians around Europe can still have such speeches, embarrassing not only their relatives, but sometimes even entire countries. While everywhere else people are celebrating the international day against homophobia, transphobia and biphobia, the Committee on Human Rights (DROI) is still trying to tackle the complete question of discrimination and hate. How should the European Union ensure peaceful religious diversity, freedom of thought and freedom from discrimination?
The committee argues that once we can apply a clear definition of hate speech, we will have a possibility to do an open, free debate across the European society without any form of discrimination.
When reading this resolution, we need to take into account the difficulty of considering all the differences in stances and limitations implied in every country’s The committee has mainly focused on hate speech be- legislation. cause, even though it freedom of expression is one of the main values of democracy, they have been already exempted from it under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. It imposes restrictions to the freedom of speech, but the main problem oc-
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ITRE II
The EU and its Energy dependence What should we do when ecology, economy and security are being questioned? by KryĹĄtof Stupka (CZ) The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy II (ITRE II) worked on providing the European Union with more secure, affordable and sustainable energy. Many fruitful debates have been held in this committee and the outcome is resolution, which is going to influence every each citizen of the European Union and its neighbouring countries.
have is just overwhelming. However, there are still some controversial points in the resolution that can eventually be questioned. One of them regards the necessity of nuclear power plants in today’s Europe. At this crucial moment we need nuclear power plants, but on the other hand there is no need for supporting it in any way. Besides the independence that nuclear energy can provide to the Member States, the EU also needs to find an energy source big enough to cover the energy consumption of the EU in the transmission process, such as coal. Moreover, technicalities wise, the nuclear fission is not as fast as other sources of energy production.
From the beginning the committee was facing almost unsolvable problems concerning the current EU energy situation. However, they have faced them putting faith in solidarity and unity in Europe as well as in its technological development. Taking into consideration the rest of the resolution, the committee has based everything on wide research The biggest problem is now the European high de- and all the points are well connected with the others. pendency rate on other countries, especially when it The need of solidarity in the EU and protection of counts to Russia. The committee is aware of the fact Member States whose energy is not secure enough are that this is caused mainly because of the lack of co- two fundamental points of this resolution. Moreover, operation between the Member States and also by the committee expresses the appreciation towards the the lack of willingness for creating a common strat- effort of the European Commission to lower the inefegy. From the technical point of view, the committee ficient use of energy in houses and businesses and it is mainly concerned about insufficient capacity of en- supports the project by encouraging the implementaergy transmission within the EU and the instability of tion of smart grids and small storage units. the renewable energy, which now accounts more than one fifth of the total primary energy production. This resolution seems to tackle the need of making the EU less energy dependent and it aims at designing a The committee put a huge amount of effort into find- better future for all European citizens. ing as many solutions as possible and the quality they
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EESTI