SMEs, “the backbone” of European economySMEs gain increasing importance within EU economy. On October 4 the Commission presented the annual report on this subject underlining that: “The number of SMEs is expected to rise by 0.9%” in EU27 in 2011 “and their gross value-added by 3.9%. %”. The Commission points out: “However, the crisis is not over and SMEs still have to operate in an uncertain economic climate”. The report was discussed also during the workshops held in the framework of the European SME Week, ongoing until October 9. “The report confirms that SMEs remain the EU’s economic backbone”, the Commission declared. “In 2010, there were almost 20.8 million SMEs in the EU non-financial business economy of which 19.2 million were micro-firms with less than 10 employees”. Altogether SMEs provided more than two-thirds (87.5 million) of all employment opportunities in the private sector in the EU and 58.4% of the total gross value-added, compared to the 43 000 large businesses representing only the 0.2% of the EU enterprises.Eurydice: a survey on teachers’ salariesLife isn’t easy for 6 million teachers working in European schools. These are the conclusions drawn by the EU Commission commenting on the findings of a Eurydice survey. “In almost all European countries, gross basic salaries for teachers entering the profession are lower than national GDP per capita – and their pay will not even double over the course of their working lifetime, except in a handful of Member States”. The survey was carried out in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Turkey. The data, based on the 2009/10 school year, covers pre-primary to upper secondary education. The best paid teachers in the European Union are in Luxembourg, Denmark and Austria. The least well-paid are in Bulgaria and Romania. “Only in three countries (Cyprus, Portugal and Romania) is is possible for teachers to double their basic salaries in the course of their career”, refers the Commission. “However, even in these countries, it takes more than 20 years to progress to the top salary scale”. Indeed, “Actual teacher salaries, including add-ons, are close to the top of the pay scale in many countries”. This is due to an ageing teacher population and the allowances that teachers may receive. For example, in Denmark a teacher’s annual salary can even reach 61 thousand euro, 44 thousand in Finland and 35 thousand in England. Androulla Vassiliou, Commissioner for Education, said: “I sincerely admire our teachers, who make a vital contribution to children’s lives and our society. They mould our future talent and are at the heart of the Commission’s efforts to help Member States improve the quality of their education and training systems. We need to encourage the very best graduates to join and stay in the teaching profession. Salaries and working conditions are a priority if we are to attract and keep the best teachers”.Open Days: the future of cohesion policyOpen Days 2011, the European Week of Regions and Cities, will take place from 10 to 13 October in Brussels. Participants – including European and national politicians, EU officers, experts and researchers – will discuss the future of cohesion policy. Over 100 panels (seminars, workshops) are scheduled in this year’s program along with networking opportunities for over 6 thousand participants. The event is organized by the European Commission, the Committee of the Regions in cooperation with 206 EU cities and regions. The promoters made known participants will discuss three main themes: “Europe 2020 (how does cohesion policy contribute to intelligent and sustainable growth for everyone?); more effective implementation (how can the European Union improve the implementation of cohesion policy now and after 2013?); geographical aspects: what is the future of territorial cohesion, and what lessons can be learned from the experience of other countries?” Participants are invited to attend a series of seminars that will animate the “Open Days University” when “illustrious scholars specialized in urban and regional studies from different countries will hold ten conferences to discuss the findings of their latest researches”. For further information log on: www.opendays.europa.eu.
