LEONARDO programme slow to become established in business world
A report by German MEP Gabriele Stauner claims that the first phase of the Community action programme Leonardo da Vinci has not become established in the business world. The programme aims to ensure the implementation of a vocational training policy which will support and supplement the action of the Member States as well as to foster cooperation between Member States so that an open European area for vocational training and qualifications can be gradually achieved. The first phase of the Leonardo da Vinci programme was in operation from 1995 to 1999. Ms Stauner argues that whilst the action programmes are invaluable instruments for implementing a European training policy, firms have been reluctant to participate. The report calls on the Commission to address this issue. Ms Stauner also calls on the Commission to address the issue of social exclusion through the LEONARDO activities and underlines the belief that 'Community programmes must seek to bridge the widening gap between the highly skilled and the less skilled, and to diminish social inequalities.' In addition to this, Ms Stauner would like to see more of a contribution by LEONARDO II to establishing equal opportunities for men and women. The report calls on the Commission, in the interests of mobility and facilitating young people's involvement in the programme, to create a list of companies on its Internet site, accessible to future beneficiaries of the programme and to national agencies. Ms Stauner also noted the poor dissemination of results of LEONARDO I, but welcomes the Commission's efforts to improve this in LEONARDO II. MEPs will discuss the report on 17 January.