EU recruitment ‘better faster stronger’
The European Commission says it is bringing EU recruitment in line with best practice in public administration worldwide.
The outdated procedures are boosted with a "Better, faster, stronger" theme, launched on Thursday by EPSO, the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO). Are they secret Daft Punk fans?
In the new format, candidates who pass the initial computer-based selection tests – verbal, numerical and situational reasoning – will spend a day at an assessment center in Brussels.The assessment will be "more focused, professionalized – and there will be more use of human resources personnel,".
In a press release, Maroš Šefčovič, Commission Vice-President for Inter-Institutional Relations and Administration, explains.
"In an increasingly competitive jobs market, the European institutions have to be able to attract a diverse range of top quality applicants. It's also important that we hang on to these people, which we will only do if they have the prospect of finding an attractive post without undue delay. The new system is based on best practice across the public sector. It will provide the EU institutions with the right people at the right time, while remaining true to the principles of fair and open competition."
The BBC reports the exams will be more skills-based, rather than knowledge-based. Yet the tests may not be enough to attract more candidates from the UK. 5.2% of current staff is from the UK, while Germany reaches 8.3%, France 10.2% and Italy 10.3%.
Belgium, the host country, provides 19.8% of the staff. Belgium is arguably over-represented right across the grades.
A recent study by the Paris-based Robert Schuman Foundation, a think-tank, shows that Belgium also tops the list with 16.3% of EU staff in total, with France second, with 10.8%, and Italy third with 9.8%. and the UK only reaching 5.1%.
Good news for the candidates is also that the waiting period before you know if you're 'in' will be shortened to a maximum of one year. And all is done in a fresh web 2.0 bath, including twitter and an up to date web environment the EU deserves!
Can Lady Ashton get a break?
Lady Ashton, Europe's first foreign policy chief is in for some nasty weather. While the storm Xynthia raided Europe over the weekend, Lady Ashton is facing her own hurricanes in Brussels and in the international arena. As part of typical EU political deal making, the former leader of the House of Lords got a job she was neither hoping nor lobbying for. What for some seemed the best Commission post, now might turn into the worst. 100 days down the road, Ashton opposition seems to be growing.
Of course, it is easier to criticize then to help out or give credit. Jean Quatremer of leftwing paper La Libération in a sharp article cut to pieces the new chief of foreign policy, calling her "Lady Qui?" As always, this well informed journalist and popular blogger-twitterer has a point, and more then one. As do the other knife throwers who see Catherine as a main training aim on the EU target wheel. And yes, foreign affairs requires to travel a lot and be in the field where it matters.
In the Guardian today Ian Traynor writes the first 100 days on the job have not been an easy road trip for Lady Ashton. Not only is her task immense (or impossible). She does not have the ideal track record or reputation to fit the job description in the eyes of the critics. And to top this all, she has to set up and manage one of the most profound institutional changes in the EU of the last years, without the necessary machine to perform the task.
In the last 10 days, 3 key decisions made in her organization further raised the pressure on the Lady: the Portuguese right hand of Barosso was appointed as EU Ambassador to Washington without consulting the member states and a Lithuanian with UK support became envoy to Afghanistan. Her absence at a Nato-EU defense minister meeting in Majorca added to further Brussels and international scepticism.
Can the Lady get a break? This is what her vision documents for the EEAS, the European External Action Service, seem to ask. As critical as anyone can or should be, the fact remains that building Europe is not done by only criticizing it and its leaders, but by showing an open mind and a will to help it build. Don't ask what Europe can do for your country, ask what your country can do for Europe, you might paraphrase the Kennedy catch phrase.
Debate is needed, very much so. But let's make it a civilized sport. Play the ball, not the other player. The image of those who execute dirty tackles is always more damaged then those who are on the receiving end. And the whole European political game looses more credibility. The Farage attempt of comment on President Van Rompuy is a good example of this. The President did not dignify the attack with a direct response, but this sunday in a TV interview on Belgian VRT TV program 'de zevende dag" called it 'pittyful'.
What happened to the flair of British phlegm? Where is the legendary fair play and the fine art of British understatement? William Osler describes phlegm as "coolness and presence of mind under all circumstances, calmness amid storm, clearness of judgment in moments of grave peril, immobility, impassiveness." We wish it in strong doses to Lady Ashton and also to those who wish to disagree with her.
Iceland, new media safe haven?
Björk, Iceland's sirene.
Will her country lure media to her shores with their Song of Freedom?
Iceland for decades was the cold and far away place on the map of Europe. Besides alternative rockband the Sugarcubes, Björk and Sigur Ros, only the handball and soccer team seemed to warm the hearts of people around the globe. The country recently implemented free trade in the European Economic area, diversifying from agriculture and fishing to new economy, finance and industry. But with the financial downfall and the Kaupthing bank disaster, the Nordic country was put to shame as a "foolish little nation" and its positive image was destroyed.
A new and bright initiative might be an original and welcome step towards a better, more positive view on the Snow Land, as its first name was. The Icelandic Modern Media Initiative creates "A vision of Iceland as a haven for journalists". The plan that will be debated in parliament this week wants to make Iceland a world leader in journalism protection. The initiators of the whistle blowing website Wikileaks.org assisted in the creation of the initiative.
If accepted, this idea will be a strong counter potion for the negative and secretive image Iceland has brought upon itself, with its shady bank affairs. The concept is simple as the egg of Columbus. Where companies relocate to the Cayman Islands or Switserland for legal shields for their bank accounts, media could do the same for their publications and/ or servers.
The proposal is a bright move: while creating a much needed new economical climate change (taking some Ice out of the Iceland), it brings an image boost toward open and responsible government and management. Two birds with one stone! This initiative merits at least close attention of media managers across the globe. If it is accepted, it will create a real safe haven for those in media who wish to speak up and are under attack by forces wishing to silence them.
Eva Jolie, MEP introduces the project on the special website of the Incelandic Modern Media Initiative:
I am proud to advise the Icelandic Modern Media Initiative's proposal to create a global safe haven for investigative journalism. I believe this proposal is a strong way of encouraging integrity and responsive government around the world, including in Iceland. In my work investigating corruption I have seen how important it is to have have robust mechanisms to get information out to the public. Iceland, with its fresh perspectives and courageous, independent people seems to be the perfect place to initiate such an effort towards global transparency and justice.
—Eva Joly MEP
EU Observer: may the source be with you
The EU observer, an online initiative started in 2000 by Danish journalist Lisbeth Kirk is an interesting read for all who follow the EU. Debate is needed more then ever to fuel the EU democracy and keep society, politicians and citizens alike, vigilant and involved in the debate on and development of European affairs.
Wikipedia says on the EU Observer it has a clear emphasis on human rights, transparency, anti-corruption, environmentalism and the democratisation of the European Union, which marks it out from its competitors such as the European Voice, Euractiv, Europolitique and The Parliament magazine.
It is a truly useful reference tool, a place to go when you want to know what's going on where in Europe's decision rooms. And more and more also to find out who thinks, feels and says what about this lively household.
A series of independent blogs are worthwile to take a peek at, from varied followers of EU affairs.
- NeighbourhoodBy Nicu Popescu
- Europe not EUBy Bruno Waterfield
- Europa-Transparent By Hajo Friedrich
- Behind the ScenesBy Honor Mahony
- Brussels and beyondBy Ole Ryborg
- A View from the Outfieldby Peter Sain ley Berry
- Vive l’EuropeBy Tobias Gräs
- Poland in the EUBy Dominika Pszczolkowska
- Merchant of VeniceBy Roberto Foa
- Belarus ReloadedBy Maryna Rakhlei
- State of the UnionBy Jamie Smyth
- The DiggerBy Stephen Gardner
- WatchdogBy Brigitte Alfter
- GeopoliticsBy Alexandros Petersen
- Ukraine and Post-Soviet Space By Olena Prystayko
- Safer CitiesBy Gemma Galdon Clavell
- Feeding the habitBy Nick Jacobs
You can be positive, doubtful, critical or even negative on European affairs, but at least speak up based on insight, with facts and figures. Ce qui se conçoit bien, s'énonce clairement… the better an idea is conceived, the clearer it will be expressed!
1st European blogger webmeeting, one voice?
On December 3rd 2009 the first online European blogger meeting took place via Skype. Have you even been in a Skype meeting with a large group? It's like ice skating blindfolded over a half frozen lake. Don't talk with two people at the same time by the way, or your comments get lost in cyberspace.
Joe Litobarski started the idea for the web meeting; two dozen bloggers joined in the conversation. Not a giant wave – no google pun intended – but still, a nice turnup. There are people just waiting for a “European public space” to be created–as long as it is also a fun and interesting place to inhabit.
Valéry-Xavier Lentz stressed that being with a limited group of “bloggers” in reality should be considered more as a community involving both bloggers and readers/ commenters.
Nosemonkey was blunt in summing up his view on the problem of EU blogging: "The EU is boring and we all speak different languages".
Nice nose, dear monkey, but I disagree. Although we speak different languages and have multiple dialects, we DO speak the same language, when it comes to expressing the stories close to our heart and our home, our feelings on democracy, security, health, love, respect etc. And these issues and ideas are far from boring. Despite our differences, we 'Europeans' have an international heart, when it comes to work and play, from football, rugby, bicycle racing, to dance and music, film, literature, travel, food and drink, etc. . Making laws and regulations of course is not always 'hot' and exciting, but still, it is part of a wonderful, complex reality in the making. The Copenhagen Summit for instance has stirred up emotions on the "30 percent vow" throughout the whole EU. And all speak the language of concern, the wish to act and move forward wisely. Bloggingportal.eu was suggested as a natural forum at the blogger meet. Hopefully it will stir debate on how it's not easy being green.
Two cheers for the EU
On the Open Europe blog, a cynical comment was posted on last weeks EU summit and the choice of UK’s Catherine Ashton as EU Foreign Minister.
They quote Sarkozy to illustrate what they feel is a lack of democratic openness in the EU household.
Asked why Cathy Ashton got the job of EU Foreign Minister, Sarkozy is clear that this was about rewarding her for pushing the Lisbon Treaty through Parliament and seeing off calls for a referendum:
“She played an essential role in getting the Lisbon Treaty through the House of Lords, which wasn’t nothing, you will agree. She is one of the British political figures – though it’s in no way up to me to judge – who most strongly promoted the Lisbon Treaty issue. I’ve also had occasion to express my gratitude to Gordon Brown for the responsibilities he shouldered, but right the way through the Lisbon process – and you know how fiercely it was discussed in the United Kingdom, it isn’t a secret for anyone – she was constantly in favour of it, she supported him courageously. And, after all, we were very happy to find British political women and men to get it through when a section of the British political class was asking for a referendum, as you know as well as I do.”
No doubt the blog has a point. But Europe is a process in the making, with good and less “open” days, pushing the Open Europe team to further unhappiness. Being a critic and cynic is easier than being a builder. Europe needs to be more open and precise in its policies and budgets, very true. And there are abundant examples of projects and budgets gone wrong. No doubt.
But Europe remains a valuable proposition and many try to construct valuable initiatives in building a better Europe and a better world. The processes and spending need to be followed and monitored up close, and think tanks like this one do have a valuable role to play here. But if you start out as “anti-block” and start every though with “NothankEU”, all you think, say and do is contaminated by this island attitude. To paraphrase Winston Churchill, Two cheers for the EU, not Three. But two anyway!