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The outdated procedures are boosted with a "Better, faster, stronger" theme, launched on Thursday by EPSO, the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO).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!
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!
EuroLynx, Emakina and Eyecone awarded new Contract
BRUSSELS, NOVEMBER 18, 2009 – EuroLynx and consortium partners Emakina and Eyecone win an EC Framework contract for a value of 15 million €.
Emakina Belgium SA, in partnership with Eyecone (Belgium) and VCA-EuroLynx (Belgium), has been awarded a new EC Framework contract in the area of audiovisual services and media training. The framework contract was awarded by the European Commission, Health and Consumers Directorate-General. Emakina as consortium leader and its partners were ranked number one as the result of the “cascade” tender procedure.The contract has been awarded for a period of two years and the contract duration may be extended to four years.
The total budget available for this contract is worth 15 million €, although the signature of the contract does not constitute a commitment on the part of the Commission to allocate the full budget.
The consortium has won the contract for ‘Lot 3 – Audiovisual services and media training’ and will offer varied communication services:
* Strategy
* Media relations
* Media coverage
* Reports
* VNRs
* documentaries
* TV ads
* Animated films
* Impact evaluation
* Media training
The project strengthens the position of the three companies as important service providers to EU Institutions, extending their proven experience in the areas of digital communication, multimedia services and media relations.
EuroLynx will assist in particular in the media relations management, with the aid of all agencies active in the 27 Eu member states and the coordination of its six European coordination partner agencies.
The Local Touch
Are we at EuroLynx different from other PR networks?
We think we are. Because all the agencies involved are owner-managed, have a similar size, and share a common approach to program management.
This gives clients the best of both worlds: a strong local presence, which can be replicated in terms of pr standards and performance throughout Europe and the world, with quality agencies in every region. By offering a central point of coordination and real local experts who live and breathe what happens in their environment, we enable clients to run very cost effective PR campaigns on an international level and to achieve excellent results in all of their target markets.
Every client is unique and different. Our services are therefore tailored to the needs and business objectives of our clients.
But every client is the same. We are in a people business, where personal contact, openness and honesty and respect make a difference and are understood by all.