SEDEC members discuss European copyright rules and demographic change

The modernisation of European copyright rules and responding efficiently to demographic challenges in Europe's regions were among the main topics of the Commission for Social Policy, Education, Employment, Research and Culture (SEDEC) of the European Committee of the Regions which held its meeting in Brussels on 25 February.

European Commission has come up with new proposals to modernize EU copyright rules. The draft opinion adopted by the SEDEC commission advocates cross-border portability and adequate flexibility for consumers on one hand and respect for the creative and commercial value of the content, on the other. Finding a balanced approach to copyright, which ensures the interest of both the creators and consumers, is a priority for the rapporteur Arnoldas Abramaviāius (LT/EPP). The document highlights the regional economic potential of culture, proposes that the deadline to amend the relevant provisions should be extended from 6 to 12 months and advocates taking another look at the doubts surrounding text and data mining and the competition risks that could be created from remote consultation.

Eight Spanish regions with the lead of Castille and Leon have contributed to a draft opinion focusing on demographic change as one of the biggest challenges facing Europe's regions and cities. It was presented to SEDEC members by María de Diego (ES/EPP), Deputy Minister for Town and Country Planning and Institutional Relations of the government of Castille and Leon. The report argues that the EU's response to demographic change should be wide-ranging, coordinated and integrated, and should take the form of a truly European strategy to tackle demographic challenges so that not just cohesion policy, but all European policy areas - innovation, transport, health, social and employment policies, ICT, rural development, etc. - become more attuned to this issue.

In the area of research and innovation, the SEDEC members adopted the Work Programme 2016 for the Knowledge Exchange Platform (KEP). Established by the European Committee of the Regions and European Commission's DG for Research and Innovation, this platform aims to help cities and regions to benefit from new knowledge created through Horizon 2020 projects. The Director-General of the Joint Research Centre (DG JRC) of the European Commission, Vladimír Šucha, highlighted the crucial role of cities and regions in bridging the gap between science and policy-making. Mr Šucha also invited the CoR to participate in the Knowledge Centre for Territorial Policies which will be established in 2016.