ESC supports Commission's proposals for audiovisual training programmes The Economic and social committee (ESC) has emphasised the importance of vocational training measures for the European audiovisual industry to promote job creation, and urges the European Commission to set up a European information society agency which would help coordinate va... The Economic and social committee (ESC) has emphasised the importance of vocational training measures for the European audiovisual industry to promote job creation, and urges the European Commission to set up a European information society agency which would help coordinate various initiatives in the field of multimedia convergence. These suggestions are outlined in the ESC's recently published opinion on a proposal for the implementation of a training programme for professionals in the European audiovisual programme industry (MEDIA -training) and the implementation of a programme to encourage the development, distribution and promotion of European audiovisual works The ESC sees industries connected with the information society - and particularly the audiovisual industry - as key sectors in the European Union with the greatest potential for growth. 'Studies estimate that revenues in this market will increase by 70% by 2005, an increase which could give rise to the creation of more than 300,000 highly skilled jobs over this period alone,' reports the ESC. But, it continues, the European audiovisual content industry is weak and currently unable to withstand growing international competition. 'This makes it necessary to draw up financial strategies concentrating on boosting international development, integration, distribution and marketing capacity.' Governments must provide financial support for these measures, particularly in the most innovative segments of the market, it adds. 'The quality of European production - thanks to more effective training - and the capacity to establish a position in the global market, thus increasing market share, can increase European audiovisual content producers' share of the industry's revenues'. At the same time, the ESC has announced its support of the European Commission's proposal for measures to promote the dissemination of common cultural heritage, although it raises a number of concerns - primarily that the Media Plus programme needs more money if it is to meet its objectives. The Committee calls for funding to be increased, particularly as investment from the market is hampered by reluctance to run risks in these sectors. It also calls for access to more data on the evaluation of previous programmes and for priority to be given to technological development and innovation as well as to improved distribution of funds. A European information society agency 'could be an effective and non-bureaucratic channel for financing, cooperation and coordination in the various areas spanning the whole production-distribution chain, providing a distinctive European 'label' and making combined use of financial instruments provided,' it adds. While the ESC would prefer the proposal to make more of the European audiovisual industry's role as a vehicle for the promotion of culture and European values, it clearly supports the Commission's proposal. 'There exists a real need for the adoption of this proposal, first because of the added value its adoption will bring, and also because it will encourage the free movement across national frontiers of audiovisual works, strengthening and improving the competitiveness of the European audiovisual production industry as well as knowledge of the European cultural identity, all of which fully justifies Community intervention in this field,' it concludes.
