1st European Union Youth Forum (EUYF)
The EU Centre partnered Global Youth Forum International (GYCi) to hold the first European Union Youth Forum (EUYF) in Singapore. The rich educational event for pre-University students took place in Singapore on 16-20 July 2010. Over five days, some 80 student delegates attended a series of lectures, panel discussions and exchanges, with games and site visits as part of the programme. The objectives of the forum were to bring about a deeper understanding of the themes of the EU and region building, EU monetary integration and the role of the EU in the world.
The opening ceremony was graced by Ambassador Holger Standertskjöld, Head of the EU Delegation in Singapore, who delivered a keynote on “Pioneering Regional Integration- The EU as a Model” to a 120-strong audience. The plenary was followed by lectures including “The EU as a multi-dimensional actor”, “The EU as between supra-nationalism and inter-governmentalism”, the “EU’s public diplomacy”,and, “The Eurozone and Greek debt crisis: Implications for global economy”. DHL and the Singapore Compact for CSR compared "Corporate Social Responsibility in Europe and Singapore". Delegates also made field trips to Credit Lyonnais and the Siemens City of the Future Exhibition.
The forum was an interactive event with tertiary students roped in to share on topics such as “Immigration and Integration in the EU”. A World Café taught delegates experientially about the EU’s role in ensuring security. All the knowledge garnered across the sessions was finally applied in a Model EU Council where delegates proposed, voted on and managed to pass all three proposals on the issues of immigration and the financial crisis.
EUYF culiminated in a panel discussion on “Global Powers into the Next Century” and a cultural festival with the participation of nine European embassies: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Sweden, as well as Atout France Singapore. Delegates savoured delectable French cheeses, caramelized Belgium biscuits, Finnish liquorice and Danish chocolates while viewing traditional costumes, a splendid flamenco dance by Los Tarantos, to the strains of renowned guitarist Antonio Vargas and upbeat renditions of European music.
EU and Asian Policy Responses to Climate Change and Energy Security Post Copenhagen
The conference took place on 26-27 July at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS). It was jointly organised by ISEAS, Energy Studies Institute and the EU Centre in Singapore.
Ambassador Holger Standertskjöld, Head of the EU Delegation in Singapore, delivered the opening keynote. The Ambassador said that climate change and energy security policy are “intrinsically linked” in EU policy. The EU attaches importance to partnership with Asian countries. “Cooperation with third partners” is “fundamental” to energy security policy.
The Ambassador highlighted the strides that the EU has made. The European Commission has existing partnerships with ASEAN, China, India and Japan with energy security as a central theme. Last year, the EU-ASEAN Energy Dialogue agreed to a work plan on, inter alia, biofuels, energy efficiency and infrastructure investment. Furthermore, the first Asia-Europe Meeting Ministerial Conference on Energy Security in June 2009 concluded with a joint statement for the first time, which sends “a very strong political message of EU and Asia's willingness to cooperate together to enhance energy security.”
As for climate change at large, the Ambassador said the EU’s aims after the global climate conference in Copenhagen last December remain for a legally binding, international and post-2012 (post Kyoto Protocol) agreement. He pointed out the weaknesses of the non-legally binding Accord that concluded the conference. But he remained upbeat that the statement still provides for a review of the 2°C objectives and action by 2015.
The EU itself remains committed to its 20-20-20 targets, knowing a 25-40% emission reductions by 2020 are needed, and to “fast start” aid for developing countries of €2.4b a year (2010-2012). This contribution will not reduce development funding- in fact- “climate action will play a key role” towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals.
Over two days, experts, policy makers and NGOs gathered to address post-Copenhagen dimensions of climate change, energy security and sustainable development. The meeting also discussed how Southeast Asia can move from dependence on fossil fuels to biofuels and nuclear energy, while analysing the possible adverse impacts of non fossil fuels.
Singapore-EU Free Trade Agreement on Track for 2011
Singapore and the EU could sign a free trade agreement in early 2011. This assessment was according to Ambassador Holger Standertskjöld, Head of the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Singapore, who spoke at the launch of a trade report. He said that the negotiations were on track and could be concluded within a year. Talks had begun in Singapore in March and had a second round last month. The third round is scheduled for September.
The trade deal is highly significant both for the EU and Singapore. The EU is Singapore’s largest trading partner. In spite of the global recession, it pipped Malaysia to contribute 11.6%, or $86.8 billion, of Singapore’s total trade last year, topping China’s 10.1% as well. The Ambassador observed that the EU, comprising 27 member states, will remain the biggest or at least second biggest trading partner for Singapore for years to come, given that China’s economy is currently ‘only the size of Germany’. Austerity measures in Europe would only hit exports in the short term, but fiscal reforms shall bring confidence, consumption and trade back in the longer term, he noted. Some 9000 European companies have a presence in Singapore.
The EU has begun exploring bilateral deals with Thailand and Malaysia, which it hopes will lead to an ASEAN-wide agreement. ASEAN commands some 5% share of the EU’s external trade, more than Norway or Japan. The EU is also ASEAN’s top trading partner. Singapore hopes the bilateral deal with the EU could act as a good model. Chief negotiator Keith Tan said that the FTA needs to send a strong signal to the rest of the region and Southeast Asia to step up economic engagement with the EU. Many EU member states, he noted, are already doing so with Singapore, besides the trading powerhouses of Germany, France, UK and the Netherlands.
Volcano Ash Breathes Life to Single European Sky Bid
The Icelandic volcano ash crisis has jolted European Union (EU) efforts to establish a Single European Sky. This pan-European air traffic system under the management of EUROCONTROL will coordinate air traffic control across participating states, unite fragmented national airspaces and bring about what Vice President of the Commission and Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas called a “seamless, safer… and sustainable single sky for Europe.” The package of measures, dubbed Single Sky Package II, was adopted in Madrid last November and was due to come into force by January 2012. But Mr Kallas said the EU “cannot afford to wait till that long”. In a press statement, he avowed to fast-track the package. He noted that “the absence of a single European regulator… made it very difficult to respond to this crisis.” A coordinated European response had been needed. Instead, Europe reacted with a “patchwork of 27 national airspaces”. Mr Kallas has said the need for EU leadership means “giving the highest priority” to accelerate the single sky package.
More than 10 million passengers were stranded in and outside Europe for about a week when Mount Eyjafjallajökull coughed up an ash cloud on 14 April. A Transport Commission spokesperson said “a single authority would have been able to resume flights within hours” using a differentiated approach. The economic costs are still being weighed but the International Air Transport Association has put global losses to airlines at $1.7b, worse than the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, while the Commission estimates losses at €1.5-2.5b. The EU may allow governments to provide aid to airlines, amid warnings of possible bankruptcies and higher flying costs in near future. The Commission called for flexibility in current rules to help airlines. Non-state aid could take the form of loans and guarantees at market conditions, or deferring air traffic control charges, while state-aid should be granted on uniform European level criteria and should not distort competition. If there was political support, the Commission would also study the long term structural issue of how one transport mode can supplement another, Mr Kallas said. Furthermore, the Commission will establish a platform that brings all aviation stakeholders together to ensure better coordination.
The Spanish Presidency of the EU has called an extraordinary meeting of the Transport Council of Ministers for 4 May, to seek better responses to similar crisis in future. Apart from integrating the European airspace, an emergency pan-European mobility plan, a review of current protocols, and stimulating research on new flying criteria are on the cards. However, the Financial Times reported that questions remain over how much EU members are willing to cede control over their airspace due to abiding defence and security reasons. The European Parliament responded by calling for urgent modernisation of the rail network.
- Transport Commissioner on Impact of Volcanic Ash Crisis
- Commission Outlines Response to Tackle Impact on Air Transport
- Spain calls for Extraordinary Meeting
- Europeans commit to a greener, safer aviation in Madrid Declaration
- Europe's air traffic 'back to normal' (BBC)
- Volcanic climate change? Not likely, say experts (BBC)
- Parliament calls for better EU railways (Euractiv)
CSR is Investment not Cost
Source: http://www.zaobao.com (20 March 2010)
© Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. Permission required for reproduction.
EU Centre in Singapore Director: Corporate Social Responsibility is an Investment rather than a Cost
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is an investment, rather than a cost.
The Head of the EU Centre in Singapore (Dr) Yeo Lay Hwee said although implementation of CSR perhaps in the short term may result in higher expenditure, the company in the long run will be rewarded because putting in place CSR makes good business sense. Through raising environmental standard and efficiency, it lowers operating cost and risk, and win the trust of more customers.
Yeo Lay Hwee expressed these views yesterday, at the “Corporate Social Responsibility- Its Place in Business and the World” conference. The word “social” in CSR is misleading because businesses think it only means donating money to charitable organisations. In actual fact, CSR includes taking responsibility for the environment, the country’s economic development, societal progress and social justice, etc.
Shell International: Advocating Green Science and Technology in Many Countries
Shell International Petroleum Sustainable Development Group founder member Dr Mark Wade pointed out at the discussion that a lot of countries and groups are promoting green technologies in research and development, such as the EU and South Korea. The EU plans to triple its green R&D in future and South Korea expects to invest 3.8 billion over the next four years in environmental science and technology, and create about 1 million green jobs.
Examples of a few of companies active in CSR programmes include Japan’s Toyota, CLP Holdings and British Petroleum.
CSR in business should not be considered a “luxury” because it is not only asset rich groups that can put into practice CSR. Dr Wade pointed out CSR should be part of the company’s values, and be upheld when the company makes decisions, then it would be meaningful. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) should also put into action CSR; as their purpose is to earn greater profits, CSR lowers risk and capital cost and raises profit returns. Besides, SMEs being smaller would find that changing its mode of operations to implement CSR would be easier compared with large multinationals.
A participant Chen Siping, when interviewed, questioned if implementing CSR is already too late; had they known earlier, this would avoid draining (the earth’s) resources. He observed that in the past, profit was king and it is only now that companies are incorporating human-centric elements. He was of the view however that because companies exist in society, they should therefore contribute to society.
Note- The " Corporate Social Responsibility- Its Place in Business and the World” conference was organised by the EU Delegation in Singapore and Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.
新加坡欧洲中心执行长：企业社会责任是投资而非代价
企业社会责任(Corporate Social Responsibility)是一种投资，而非一种代价。
新加坡欧洲中心(EU Centre in Singapore)执行长杨丽慧说，虽然执行企业社会责任或许会在短期内造成开支增加，但长远来说，公司却会得到回报，因为，执行企业社会责任是良好的商业手法，通过提高环境效率，降低成本和风险，并且可以得到更多客户的信赖。
杨丽慧昨日在“企业社会责任——在商业和世界的地位”研讨会上，作出这样的表示。 “企业社会责任”里的“社会”两字经常误导企业，以为只须捐钱给慈善机构。实际上，企业社会责任还包含了对环境的责任、对国家经济发展的责任和对社会进步以及正义的责任等等。
蚬壳国际：多国提倡绿色科技
蚬壳国际（Shell International）石油公司可持续发展小组的创始成员马克•韦德(Mark Wade)博士在研讨会上指出，多个国家和集团正在提倡绿色科技，如欧盟和韩国等。欧盟预计在未来增加三倍的绿色科技研究与发展，而韩国也料在未来四年里投资380亿元在环境科技，并增加约100万个绿色工作。
一些积极执行企业社会责任的公司则包括日本丰田(Toyota)、中电控股(CLP)和英国石油公司(BP)等。
企业在执行社会责任不应被视为“奢侈”，因为不是只有资产雄厚的集团才可以执行责任。韦德博士表示，应把企业社会责任当作经营理念的一部分，并在作出决定时秉持这个理念，才会有意义。中小企业也应该参与执行企业社会责任，因为它们的宗旨也是为赚取更高的利润，所以大可通过执行企业社会责任以达到更低的风险和成本，以提高利润。况且，中小企业的规模较小，所以比起大型跨国公司更容易改变其经营方式，以执行企业社会责任。
一名与会者陈思平受访时则质疑，现在才提醒企业执行它们的社会责任是否为时已晚，如果企业早点知道，便可避免资源的耗尽。他也提到，企业现在才开始“人性化”，以前的企业都以利润为主。他认为，企业身在社会，应对社会有所贡献。
EU, S'pore Set Sights on Far-reaching FTA
Source: www.straitstimes.com (4 March 2010)
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Hopes that talks starting next week will take trade into 'uncharted waters' SINGAPORE and the European Union will start talks next week on a new free trade agreement (FTA) that looks set to go even further than the landmark US-Singapore trade accord.
EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht met Singapore's Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang yesterday to officially launch negotiations here.
The first round of talks is to be held from Monday to Friday, with the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) delegation headed by MTI director-general for trade Ng Bee Kim, who played a key role in the free trade deal between Singapore and Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
Mr Lim said in a statement that the FTA with the EU was a 'major undertaking'. He added: 'When concluded, (it) will further strengthen the excellent economic relations between Singapore and the EU.'
Mr De Gucht told The Straits Times that he expected the deal to take trade between the EU and Singapore 'into uncharted waters'. He said the agreement would go beyond lowering tariffs on goods to cover a broad range of areas, including trade in services, intellectual property rights, research and development, and the 'very promising sector' of environmental products.
The 56-year-old Belgian, who was appointed trade commissioner last month, revealed that the intention was to make the FTA more comprehensive than the landmark US-Singapore FTA signed in 2003 and which took effect in 2004. And it will be forward-looking, given the major changes that have impacted the world since then.
'We have seen the prominence of climate change issues, we have gone through a financial and economic crisis, so we should make an FTA for the future,' he said.
Bilateral trade topped $86.8 billion last year and the 27-member European bloc is Singapore's largest export market and foreign investor. Singapore is the EU's 15th largest export destination for goods such as pharmaceuticals, computer chips and aircraft parts.
Mr De Gucht declined to set a deadline for concluding negotiations, but such accords traditionally take some time to finalise. Discussions with the US over its FTA with Singapore began at the end of 2000, but lasted almost three years before being inked.
In addition to its trade deal with Singapore, the EU hopes to clinch a larger, more lucrative agreement with the rest of the region. Talks concerning an EU-Asean trade pact fizzled out in 2008 'because of very different levels of economic development and political problems', Mr De Gucht said.
'Asean wanted it to cover Myanmar, and we could never get to a political agreement in Europe with that. So we have changed our strategy to have FTAs on a bilateral basis with important economic partners within Asean.'
By engaging with Singapore, Mr De Gucht said he hoped a 'bandwagon effect' would encourage other countries to engage the EU.
DBS economist Irvin Seah expects negotiations in areas such as trade in services and environmental standards to be contentious.
'It won't be an easy FTA, because we are not dealing with a single country. All the members' concerns and issues will have to be addressed, although they will negotiate as a single unit.'
chanckr@sph.com.sg
New European Commission Takes Office
The European Parliament (EP) has given its seal of approval to the new European Commission (EC) assembled by EC President José Manuel Barroso. Legislators had voted 488 (70%) to 137 (19.6%) in favour, with 72 (10.3%) abstentions. EP President Jerzy Buzek welcomed the endorsement of the Commission as the “dawn of a new decade”.
Mr Barroso laid out the priorities of the new Commission to be “a successful exit from the crisis; leading on climate action and energy efficiency; boosting new sources of growth and social cohesion to renew our social market economy”. Mr Buzek noted that the 26-member Commission put forth by Mr Barroso was appointed for the first time with Parliament acting in the capacity of a “real co-legislator”.
The European People’s Party, Socialists & Democrats, Liberal ALDE had voted for the Commission. The Greens, Europe of Freedom and Democracy, and European United Left-Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL) voted against and the European Conservatives and Reformists abstained. The Commission is appointed for a five-year mandate. The executive arm of the EU proposes and enforces laws across the 27-member states.
This particular Commission is the first elected after the EU’s Lisbon Treaty took effect in December 2009. The newest EU Treaty seeks to balance the powers of the EU’s main institutions. It expands on areas of policy that Parliament co-decides with the Council of Ministers. For the first time, the EU gets a full-time President of the European Council, along with a single High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, amendments expected to unite and strengthen the EU’s external relations representation.
On 9 February, the EP had also approved "a set of key principles" to govern cooperation between the EU assembly and Commission at the meeting, including moves to enhance top-level contact and discussion between Parliament and Commission, which some say is a power gain for parliament, enhances the EP’s role in international agreement and holds individual Commissioners accountable, whilst critics cautioned of “silencing debate in the name of speed, efficiency and common visions”.
Image: Jerzy Buzek (left), President of the European Parliament congratulating European Commission President José Manuel Barroso.
Global Survey of EU and Democracy Development
International IDEA, an intergovernmental organisation supporting sustainable democracies, will launch its new report on the role of the EU in building democracy in Singapore on 9 December 2009. The EU Centre has partnered the global body and Institute of South Asian Studies to bring you the launch of “Democracy in Development- Global Consultations on the EU’s role in Democracy Building”. The report followed a global survey of EU partners in areas such as Latin America, the Middle East, South Asia and closer home, Southeast Asia. The official unveiling of the findings will take place after messages by the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, NUS, and a panel discussion of experts and distinguished guests such as former ASEAN Secretary General Rodolfo Severino, Ms Ingrid Wetterqvist, Director, International IDEA, Sweden, and Professor S D Muni, Senior Visiting Research Fellow, ISAS to provide various regional perspectives to and analyses of the report, which amongst other results suggested that the EU is seen as a source of inspiration but needs to overcome its own inconsistencies. A light cocktail reception will be served after the meeting.
EU Top Posts Chosen
Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy (standing on far left) has been appointed the first permanent President of the European Council. The EU’s Commissioner for Trade, Baroness Catherine Ashton (far right), was appointed High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The decision came after an informal meeting of Heads of State in Brussels on 19 November 2009. The appointment puts the icing on the cake after the recent passage of the Lisbon Treaty, which came after the Czech court dropped legal objections to it, removing the final hurdle. Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, whose country holds the rotating Presidency, welcomed the "unanimous" decision, adding that “what we were seeking were people to create continuity" and "to be the voice and face of Europe throughout the world". Mr Van Rompuy, a Christian Democrat who had been Prime Minister for less than a year, said he intended to be "discreet" and that his personal opinions were "subordinate" to the Council. Baroness Ashton, who was appointed UK Commissioner in 2008 to replace Lord Peter Mandelson, said she was slightly surprised she emerged from the race to be the EU’s top diplomat to the world but pledged to represent European values globally. The two new posts were created by the Lisbon Treaty, which will enter into force on 1 December 2009. The High Representative will be subject to a vote of approval by the European Parliament once the Treaty is enacted.
Political Will Needed at Copenhagen 2009
The Head of the European Union Delegation to Singapore spells out the urgent need to reach agreement at Copenhagen 2009, the global environment conference, and what the European Union will bring to the table at the United Nations Climate Change Conference. For instance, in 1989, governments adopted the Montreal Protocol, a treaty designed to protect the Earth's ozone layer. Few could have foreseen how far-reaching that decision would prove to be. Without such a decision taken 20 years ago, atmospheric levels of ozone-depleting substances would have increased ten-fold by 2050.
This article by Ambassador Holger Standertskjöld was contributed to local media and published by The Straits Times and Business Times.
Yes! The vote goes to "CSR is the key to a competitive EU."
Is Corporate Social Responsibility the key to competitiveness?
52% of a some 400 strong audience gave the thumbs up to the first NTU-NUS-SMU Business Schools Debate on the motion "CSR is the key to a competitive European Union". They, together with the distinguished judges, voted for the proposition team supporting the motion to win the debate. Anchor Marcus Lim, NUS Business School, together with Jonathan Koh of SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business and Hendrik Clüver, Nanyang Business School, were awarded S$1200 by the EU Centre in Singapore, co-organisers together with Eurocham and the EC Delegation of the Discover Europe cultural and career exhibition, which the debate was a part of. The opposition team, led by anchor Caroline Ng, NUS, with Marcus Kuhn, NTU, and Shane Ng, SMU, was awarded $300 in book vouchers. The two best speakers also came from the proposition. Marcus and Jonathan each made off with a S$1,500 stipend and an internship at Banyan Tree Holdings resorts, generously sponsored by the group. More info...
"Single Market of the European Union" course @NUS
The European Union with its 27 members is a single market of 500 million consumers with a GDP that is greater than the United States. The development and design of this Single Market and related common policies are shaped by different factors- from the historical realities, to the politics of integration and the different institutional set-up and legal framework. The National University of Singapore European Studies programme is offering a module (EU3232) designed for students with interest in understanding the Single Market of the European Union and how the EU common policies impact economic competitiveness and the development of global trade and investment standards. EU3232 is taught by Ms Anne Pollet-Fort, an EU Commission official on leave. More information on the programme...
Lisbon Ratified after Surprise Move by Czech President
Czech President Václav Klaus has finally penned the last signature required for the full ratification of the Lisbon Treaty. The move came within hours of the Czech Constitutional Court’s endorsement of the EU Treaty by rejecting a challenge to it, paving the way for the Czech President’s signature. President Klaus said that although he did not “agree with” the ruling, he “respected” it. Full ratification means that the Treaty can now enter into force on 1 December. A new 27-member European Commission, and two new positions, a permanent Council president and a High Representative for Foreign Affairs are now set to be selected. Political uncertainly in Prague had fueled fears these key decisions would be delayed. The Swedish EU Presidency is widely expected to call an extraordinary EU summit on 13-14 November to decide on the top jobs. European Parliament (EP) President Jerzy Buzek called the development “great news” and added that the EP will be ready to start hearings for the new Commissioners-designate as early as 25 November. Among the names floated for the Council Presidency has been former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, with now Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende and Belgian prime minister Herman van Rompuy seen as front runners. Observers noted that after 8 years of “intricate” negotiations, the EU can now “move ahead” with the planned overhaul of its institutions and appointments aimed at increasing the bloc's standing on the world stage, boosting the parliament’s role and strengthening EU actions in “urgent” areas such as the financial crises, climate change and energy.
Networked Regionalism versus Institutional Regionalism EU Centre Conference
The EU Centre organised a conference on “Networked Regionalism versus Institutional Regionalism Managing Complexities in Regional Cooperation and Global Governance” on 7-8 December. The meeting explored the concepts and applications of regionalism, and how different regional frameworks and cooperation contribute to governance, with an emphasis on EU and ASEAN region-building. The EU Centre will release a report of conference proceedings in January 2010.
- Conference Report (coming up)
European Union Centre in Singapore 11 Slim Barracks Rise (off North Buona Vista Road), #06-01 Executive Centre (NTU@one-north), Singapore 138664