This particular debate revolved around the future of energy in general and the role that solar energy can play. As you would expect, the discussion focused on the obstacles facing people that want to use renewable energy sources. Of course, one of the main concerns regards the negative impact that the 2008 financial crisis had on the construction sector and implicitly on the solar thermal industry. There was a consistent drop in the use of renewable energy alternatives in the years following the crisis which forced producers to implement strict manufacturing capacity reduction limits. But, this can also be seen as an opportunity to confront Europe’s energy dependency issues head on by adapting the strategies and products that come from renewable energy sources in such a way as to make them competitive on the market. Also, there is a chance to revitalize the job market with a new source of demand. Even with all the political goodwill out there, some still say that the commitments made by the EU to achieve a greater level of energy independence by 2020 is a bit unrealistic considering that Europe is now 50% dependant on foreign energy resources.

To achieve its goals, the EU has adopted a regional approach which considers the need of each nation and its potential to develop solar energy technologies amongst other alternatives. Apart from a grass-roots approach, there is also a push to invest more in the R&D field and innovate in order to cut costs. But finances are not the only issues standing in the way of a more widespread use of solar energy. There is also the question of rules that don’t apply to every country concerning the regulation of energy sources and, in addition to that, renewable energy can be very unreliable and it’s difficult to manage its output. In spite of all the current momentum and support that initiatives in this industry benefit from, there is still a need for legislative regulation of the energy field. For example, we may ask ourselves: do consumers have the freedom to choose one energy source over the other? In some countries it’s difficult to even change energy suppliers, and therefore we can’t really speak of a free market place. In this context, it becomes difficult to diversify the energy resources of Europe. Furthermore, from a global perspective, developing countries that are on their way to becoming more and more industrialized will have to deal with the scarcity of energy resources.

I do not want to depict a bleak picture of the future of solar energy because in spite of all these challenges there is definitely a will to promote renewable energy alternatives and the polls show that European citizens are overwhelmingly in favour of pursuing this path.

During the opening ceremony José Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, conveyed his support for Ban Ki-moon’s, the UN Secretary General, initiative to achieve Sustainable energy for all by 2030. At the same time he reiterated the EU’s commitment to promoting growth in developing countries by offering the right incentives, access to finance, knowledge and technologies. Moreover, he announced a new EU energy initiative which sets out to provide access to sustainable energy for an additional 500 million people in developing countries. Also on the table is a proposal from the Commission which sets out to create a new EU Technical Assistance Facility worth €50 million over the next two years. The new EU “Energising Development” initiative will additionally focus on expanding and improving EU innovative financial instruments to ensure that the billions of Euros that they leverage result in real change on the ground.

Furthermore, Mr Ban Ki-moon gave an inspiring speech about the crucial importance of sustainable energy, a goal that can only be achieved by joining forces and building a common agenda that will result in becoming  a true global private-public partnership. The targets for this initiative are ambitious, but reachable. The initiative has three objectives that have to be met by 2030:

• Achieving universal access to modern energy services;

• Improving energy efficiency;

• Increasing the share of energy generated from renewable resources.

These targets are not intended as a form of charity, but as a means of doing the right and smart thing for the good of us all in the long run. We should push our policies to rethink conventional energy solutions and come up with smart and creative ways to improve.  What particularly caught my attention was the focus put on what the private sector can bring to the table. By identifying the industries that have the most significant impact and by motivating them to engage in order to support Sustainable Energy for All, it will advance the common agenda at a higher rate. The strategy for the inclusion of the private sector is underlined in the UN’s Framework for Business Action that tackles three main areas: core business contributions; social investments and philanthropy; advocacy and public policy engagement. With these particular focuses in mind it will become   easier to reach the above mentioned goals by 2030.

In order to look at the road ahead and at the other efforts that should be made in the future, let’s take a look at what has been achieved so far and the concrete results that the EU has under its belt at this stage:

• Launch of the Africa-EU Renewable Energy Cooperation Programme (RECP). The programme, launched in September 2010, aims to enhance industrial and business cooperation in the energy sector, ultimately bringing renewable energy technologies to the market in Africa.
• Establishment of the EU-Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund. Launched in 2007, the fund supports large-scale energy infrastructure projects.
• Launch of a second phase of the ACP-EU Energy Facility for the period 2009-2013 covering activities targeting energy access. This includes support for sustainable and affordable energy services which contribute to the fight against climate change for the poor in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP).  The Energy Facility has provided  300 million euros of funding since 2005.
• Creation in 2005 of the  Partnership dialogue facility in the context of the European Union Energy Initiative to support the development of policies and strategies for the promotion of access to energy at national and regional level. This instrument has been developed and funded by a number of EU member states and the European Commission.
• Energy projects under the Programme for environment and sustainable management of natural resources including energy (ENRTP), launched in 2007. The development of sustainable energy options in partner countries and regions, as well as Carbon capture and storage/ low carbon development strategies, are priority themes for financial support.
• The Global Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Fund (GEEREF), which invests primarily in Regional Funds in energy efficiency and renewable energy, enhances access to clean energy in developing countries and economies in transition.

For more information about the development agenda of the EU please also see: Agenda for Change.

In essence, the conference is a call for action to promote growth in developing countries through access to sustainable energy. Since the EU has the expectation of setting the tone of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development this June, this event will help trace the guidelines for the EU’s contribution to the Sustainable Energy for All initiative. This initiative will require many actors to come together and put up a united front with a view ending global energy poverty. The Summit will be opened by European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, and UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon. Other high profile guests are expected to include Michelle Bachelet (Executive Director, UN Women), Werner Hoyer, President of European Investment Bank and Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, Director General of United Nations Industrial Development Organisation and Ministers from EU Member States and developing countries. Moreover, Commissioner Andris Piebalgs will open the event and give the closing speech together with Christian Friis Bach, Danish Minister for Development Cooperation.

The Summit will be divided into two panels focusing on promoting growth in developing countries through access to sustainable energy and promoting access to sustainable energy for women. Among the specified objectives of these discussions are: debating the role of stakeholders in this field while working on strengthening the international consensus as well as breaking down barriers impeding women’s access to energy services. The initiative of UN’s Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to launch his “Sustainable Energy for All” along with this upcoming event organised by the EU will bring together the combined action of many actors, private or public, that the impact is expected to be widespread and effective. Thus, cooperation at this level will probably not end up with a simple dialogue and will materialise in a practical manner with concrete results.

We will keep you updated regarding the developments at the Summit and the results of the discussions.

For similar events please see: http://www.afrepren.org/events.htm

Thus, 2012 presents an opportunity for older people to share their experience, to encourage the idea that they should play an active role in society, while living healthy and fulfilling lives. To put the issue into more practical terms we just have to look at the statistics: starting with 2012, the European working-age population will start to shrink, while the over-60 population will continue to increase by approximately two million people a year. This process will be very intense between 2015 and 2035 when the baby-boom generation will retire. Moreover, by 2050 there will be more people of 60 years of age and over than children under 14. This probably doesn’t point towards having a big impact on the present as it seems so far away, but the challenges faced by older people – such as illness, isolation, age discrimination, lack of income and so forth – are current problems.

It’s in this context that policymakers and stakeholders all over the world are trying to find solutions to challenges such as sustainable public finances (especially healthcare and pension funds) as they also try to bring generations together through dialogue. This year is not only about triggering a public debate, but also about taking steps that will have a real impact on lifestyles. In this regard, please check out the initiatives that are taking place across Europe at www.age-platform.eu and support the EY2012 coalition (http://www.age-platform.eu/images/stories/EN/ey2012%20manifesto_final%20with%20logos.pdf).

Check out the official promotional video for the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations 2012 Never too old to…

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This week I’ve been at the first Innovation Convention organised by the European Commission as an essential part of the Innovation Union flagship initiative. One debate that picked my interest and I’m sure of many of the participants was about the goal of having an open innovation platform in Europe. Prof. Henry Chesbrough had recommendations for open innovation policies in Europe. Here is a summary of what was mentioned during the conference:

- Permit faculty members to advise and consult companies;

- Promote mobility between the EU and foreign universities;

- Lower the cost and time for IP protection;

- Focus on smaller firms by supporting the growth of Venture Capital and encourage governments to buy from start-ups SMEs;

- Open up government databases;

- Welcome foreign companies into Europe;

- Increase meritocracy in research funding within the EU;

- Focus on innovation networks.

What must be emphasized in this kind of debates is that open innovation can’t be seen as a threat, but as an opportunity for growth and development. This point seems to have gotten across since the field of R&D has transformed from a fortress into an ecosystem.

If we turn our attention towards the political relations between the EU and China the situation doesn’t lose its complexity. Although there are strategic partnership agreements between the two sides there’s still place for improvements. For example, on the agenda of the next EU-China Summit we find the plan to launch a strategic partnership to deal with the issue of urbanisation in China; moreover there are plans for deepened people-to-people exchanges. There is already movement on the front of cooperation in the fields of cyber security and renewable energy. These partnerships are hindered by issues such as China’s track record in human rights and the fact that there’s still an arms embargo in place.

So the question that comes to mind now is: Can the economic relationship between China and the EU be improved due to their political relation or is it the other way around?

For more information on this subject:

http://www.friendsofeurope.org

http://www.understandingchina.eu/

http://www.china-europa-forum.net/

Some of the key topics that the conferences and debates dealt with referred to the need to increase effectiveness and efficiency by supporting the principles of value for money, accountability and transparency, improving the safety of aid operatives in the field and preparation and training of humanitarian aid workers. Mainly, I was fascinated by the growing trend in standardization and professionalization in the humanitarian aid area. This process will hopefully improve communication between actors and raise the level of competencies among humanitarian aid providers while also establishing high standards in logistics. This particular subject will be further developed in the November issue of our newsletter which tackles the topic of humanitarian aid and human rights defence programs.

For further information on the exhibitions, conferences, demonstrations and workshops that took place at AidEx please visit:

http://www.aid-expo.com/en/visitor-zone/visitor-zone.aspx

This event was a great opportunity for business representatives, researchers and policy makers to engage in a debate on how to improve the performance of Europe in the field of innovation and create an „ecosystem” that encourages competitiveness. For example, one of the conferences was about the future of the internet and public-private partnerships that to my surprise focused mostly on the concept of creating smart cities. These projects revolve around the idea that we can improve the infrastructure of our cities through innovative technologies relating to instant mobility services. So how would you like your vehicle to have your own lane and be directed in real-time through traffic. It would be something more complicated than a GPS system and more comparable to a control tower at an airport. Also, there are projects that would improve our security by enhancing the capabilities of the CCTV system. Think along the lines of SF movies and then you would be able to understand the ambitions of some of these ideas that are expected to be realized in the future.

For more information about the conferences that took place at the Summit and the projects presented please visit:

http://www.knowledge4innovation.eu/EIS/SitePages/eis2011_home.aspx

This initiative is a powerful and symbolic signal from the European Union saying that by increasing the scope of the process of two-way learning it will be possible to strengthen the education agenda.

You are managing a fantastic project and you want to let people know all about it. Great! But how will you entice them? How will you make them hear you? By telling a story, of course, one that draws them into your world—not some sterile, technical explanation of what you do, but something real, that they’ll immediately want to be a part of.

People love good stories, but what makes a story great, who do you want to listen and what do you most want them to hear? The results of your fantastic project, right? Right, but those results don’t necessarily constitute a gripping storyline. Not yet. But we can work our magic. The recipe is a delicate mix of relevance, novelty, ease of understanding and tone, which should ideally be political, controversial, sensational and original, depending on the context, of course, but let’s be bold! Relevance is a key criterion too and is assessed in terms of the current and potential impacts of the information you convey on everyday life, and of its importance for society in general. The news also needs to be understandable and meaningful for your target audience.