NORTH SEA COMMISSION

Meeting of the Education and Research Group (ERG)

Suffolk County Council, Ipswich

31^st March 2005

Present: Tony Lewis, Céline Quester, Fiona Jurk, Hans Meves, David Silbergh, Beate Bjørge, Judith Robinson, Bernard Godding, Kjell Arnestad, Lillemor Björsell Hedendahl, David Barlow, Noel Lees, Ann Brown, Dominique Robertson.

Apologies: Alec Thomson, Bernard Cailliau, Nanna Skovrup, Anrita Michel, Geoff Scaplehorn, Martyn Livermore, Siri Nedland,

Minutes of last meeting and matters arising

- Those present - change “Dundee College, Fife”, to “Dundee College, Dundee”.

- Item 2 – Bernard Cailliau was appointed vice-chairman of the group at the NSC Executive meeting held on the 1 March 2005.

- Item 4 – Information update: the NSC AGM will take place in Vlissingen (south of Middelburg), Zeeland, in the Netherlands. There will be an opportunity to look at NSC projects and the new generation of Interreg IV. Information and registration forms can be found on the NSC web site: www.northsea.org

The situation of Ann Brown as co-ordinator of the NSC Education & Research Group could not be discussed further in the absence of the Chair Alec Thomson and Vice-Chair Bernard Cailliau. Ann Brown is ceasing to work full time for Suffolk County Council and will be working as co-ordinator directly for the NSC on a part-time basis. All e-mails to Ann on North Sea Commission matters should now be sent to the following address: ann.brown@northsea.org

- Item 12 The question of the formation of the colleges’ network was raised. Ann has contacted the colleges and got 2 responses so far. It was suggested that there are regional associations of colleges which might be interested in the work of the group. Ann Brown will contact the Association of Colleges in the Eastern Region to explore this way forward, and will continue to use known college contacts to publicise NSC activities.

Lisbon Agenda

i. Lisbon Agenda and related developments

Various new documents are available about the Lisbon Strategy on the Europa website “Growth and Jobs” http://europa.eu.int/growthandjobs/index_en.htm.

Ann Brown gave a presentation at this point. Handouts for the slides will be circulated with the minutes of the meeting.

Lisbon strategic goal for 2010: “Becoming the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world capable of sustainable economic growth…”

Summary:

- First interim report in 2003 revealed disappointing progress towards Lisbon goals

- Renewed action programme proposed autumn 2004

- New partnership for growths and jobs announced spring 2005

- Danuta Hübner speech: The Lisbon Strategy needs the regions. Regional and local authorities can design projects to get closer to the Lisbon ambition. Structural and Cohesion funds come through regions, not national governments. Regions can therefore think long term and identify strategic points.

It is important to recognise that regions can have a lobbying influence on programmes such as Interreg IV for example. It is important to show an interest in what is going to happen with the Structural Funds and keep a dialogue with our Brussels offices. It is therefore quite significant that the NSC has invited Danuta Hübner, Commissioner for Regional Policy, to the General Assembly in June, and very important to organise a seminar on the Lisbon Agenda in the autumn with the other thematic groups, as we share similar issues.

It was noted by the group that the issues of employment, integration, social advancement, education, training, mobility and reconciliation of working and family life were felt to be significant by both the Chair and Vice Chair of the ERG in their recent meeting.

ii. The future of the NSC

- The NSC elected a new President NSC, Gunn Marit Helgesen of Telemark Fylkeskommune in Norway at the June 2004 General Assembly. She replaces Bent Hansen of Viborg Amt Denmark after 8 years of service. The Secretariat is now based in Telemark and there is a new approach to how the NSC should work. The President and the Executive Committee would like the NSC to be more politically active.

- A paper on the future of the NSC was attached to our pack. Changes are recommended to the structure and way of working of the thematic groups, but it is anticipated that nothing will change before 2007.

- Thematic groups’ workplans will be presented to the NSC General Assembly for approval. The NSC Strategic Committee will look at these in advance to look for overlap of work between groups and see if some groups could merge. The NSC Secretariat is also keen to promote CPMR membership, and to use its resources to avoid duplication of effort. For the first time since 2001, the cost of NSC membership has risen to 14000 Euro.

- Our Chair and Vice-Chair wish that the group does not take on too much work (i.e. beyond its capacity to deliver).

- The Executive Committee is led by the President and consists of one representative politician from each country. Chairs of thematic groups are members of Executive Committee. Vice-chairs are welcome to attend but do not vote. The political interest is quite strong and politicians feel strongly about issues affecting all the NSC countries. Many things can be addressed and resolved as a result of political input and the work of the thematic groups.

Reports from recent meetings

i. NSC Education and Research Working Group of 17^th February 2005

This small working group consists of Ann Brown, Nanna Skovrup, Fiona Jurk, Judith Robinson and Dominique Robertson. The outcome of this meeting was the draft work programme which was subsequently reviewed by the ERG political group (see iii below).

ii. NSC Executive Committee of 28^th February – 1^st March 2005

The official minutes were not produced at the time of the current meeting, but Ann asked the Secretariat to send them as soon as possible.

iii. NSC Education and Research chair and vice chairs (political meeting) 22^nd March 2005

The Chair and new vice-chair met in Lille (France) for the first time and identified similar areas of interests especially regarding youth issues. Both regions have an ex-mining community and expertise in issues affecting unemployment, education, training, lifelong learning, housing and poverty problems.

The post for a second vice-chair was also discussed but there are no applicants at the present time. It was suggested that the opportunity of the NSC General Assembly could help to identify the second Vice-Chair.

Alec Thomson as a Chair would take the overall strategy. The Vice-Chair will address issues concerning young people. The group suggested that a geographical and interest balance is sought in the appointment of 2^nd Vice-Chair. A responsibility for technology would be of interest.

Looking at the work programme, they gave a strong recommendation for the group to resist taking on too much work on because of lack of resources and therefore delivery problems.

Work programme

There have been some changes to the work programme since the last Executive Committee meeting and the last group meeting. It has now been decided that the same format of presentation will apply to all the thematic groups. As a result, there is a new layout and some column headings have changed. The first column “ERG focus area” has become “ERG activity”, and the second column “activity” has now become “action”.

The new work programme is attached for information.

Comments about the work programme included:

a. The seminar scheduled for the autumn has added work to the existing programme so some other items had to be prioritised or dropped. The actions regarding CPMR and links with the Baltic Sea have been withdrawn

b. The work programme must be written before presented for submission to the NSC Executive Committee in June.

Comments about the proposed “Lisbon “seminar included:

a. We have to distinguish between the Lisbon Agenda and our visions as a group.

b. We need to identify the keynote speaker for the seminar as soon as possible. We need to know what the ERG wants from it and what other groups do too.

c. For information, at least 2 other thematic group co-ordinators will come to the 18^th April meeting which is now going to take place at London Stansted airport.

d. Seminar costs still need to be determined but the NSC may have some money available.

e. Need to finalise the title for the seminar.

Ann needs feedback from members to establish a database of people. It was expressed that this exercise was complex and time-consuming. It was therefore agreed that Ann would forward us a simple format to use.

Action point for Ann: Ann to circulate a member’s profile for comments. Agreed.

- On lifelong learning: it was mentioned that lifelong learning is important for everyone - not for young people only.

- Our politicians are keen for us to work with the Economic Development Group. Practical actions will be developed as a group and we will have these on the list of the “Lisbon Seminar”. It is important that the North Sea vision be integrated in the Lisbon Agenda.

LUNCH BREAK

Presentation of Beate Bjørge, Director, Heyerdahl Institute, Norway

“How can International Bridge building and partnerships strengthen innovation and business activities in Buskerud, Telemark and Vestfold?”

Details of the presentation can be provided on request.

Summary:

Buskerud, Telemark and Vestfold are involved in a project period for 2004-2007. The Board represents a wide range of networks. The areas of priority are to build up a complete new master degree. Norway did not have a 2 level degree before 2003. The project represents 3 counties. The Institute also collaborates with the Caledonian University in Glasgow.

They developed new Erasmus contracts and fellowships in the UK and of course long-term goals to further improve the research agenda. So they tried to establish a new foundation with 2 different boards, which was a hectic experience.

This project is innovative and can contribute to the ERG in many areas. They are prepared to change fast and adjust if needed. Although it is linked to the 3 Norwegian counties, it has an international approach. The product was initially designed for the Norwegians but it is also intended for the entire world. Any external candidate may have special requirements, so a scholarship is a good way to identify expectations.

This is one of the many things the Institute is involved in. They try to interact more between business and research. The idea is also to develop further transfer activity.

Further information may be circulated on request to Beate Bjørge on media management, cultural management etc.

Ann Brown welcomed the presentation and proposed that they maybe contribute/participate in the Lisbon Seminar.

Back to the work programme

General comments:

- We have to stress and integrate learning into the work programme.

- Because of the change of headings at the top of the work programme, numbers 3, 5 and 7 may come under the agenda of lifelong learning and action 1 to respond to the Lisbon Agenda. It was felt that even if this was a good suggestion, there was some reluctance to change it in the absence of our Chair.

- The work programme - as it is - not only responds to the Lisbon Strategy but also to the North Sea interest.

- Some members of the group were concerned by the very large tasks for this coming year and that some things may be impossible to achieve.

- During the Aalborg Conference, under lifelong learning, a number of people wanted to investigate the teacher’s present role and their new role in less traditional learning styles.

- The Lisbon seminar is an opportunity for the group to meet.

- The group flagged up that travel expenses to attend group meetings may be a problem for some members and that proper source of funding should be allocated. Ann informed the group that it had been looked at but the NSC did not come up with solutions.

- The group stated that they were under-resourced in terms of time and travel costs.

- The group will build on the ERG strengths and could add something on common expertise.

Action: Ann to produce the new version of the work programme and pass to the Chair for approval before submitting it to the NSC Executive.

Action planning for the joint NSC seminar to be led by ERG in October 2005

Suggested timing of seminar

- Environment group, September

- Culture and Tourism group and Economic Development group - avoid CPMR meeting time – 26^th October 2005.

Proposal of venue and timing

Proposals so far included Västra Gotaland, the Highlands and Brussels

To find out

- Get feedback from Alec Thomson on possible dates

- Look at the content of seminar for speeches and workshops

- Need to know how many people are likely to participate or be involved.

Action points and date of next meeting

- Action planning to be discussed by the small working group on the 18^th April – As from 5^th April the location is now confirmed to be London Stansted in the Radisson Hotel just on the left hand side of the airport hall when leaving the hall.

- The next meeting of the ERG will probably be organised during the “Lisbon” autumn seminar – this to be proposed to the chairman. Alec Thomson.

- The group agreed that the sub-working group would make all the arrangements.

- Ann will circulate by e-mail requests for people and workshops.

- Members attending the AGM in the Netherlands in June will arrange to meet.