Debate Underlines Role of Civil Society in Lisbon Strategy
Every citizen should know the objectives of the Lisbon Strategy, since their implementation will determine the sustainable development of the EU and Slovenia, as well as the fate of the EU, stressed participants of Wednesday's debate on the Lisbon Strategy.
According to Feri Horvat, the head of the parliament's committee for the economy, the Lisbon Strategy is an exceptionally demanding and delicate project, hence the need for comprehensive, all-round partnership.
The European Parliament and national parliaments therefore need to be given a greater role along with the civil society, Horvat told the debate held at the National Assembly as part of Europe Week.
Jozko Cuk, the president of the Chamber of Commerce (GZS), said the corporate sector supports the overhauled Lisbon Strategy because it is more transparent and easily understandable.
The GZS realises, said Cuk, that companies must take an active role in the drafting of a national action plan for Lisbon implementation, so GZS has already put together recommendations for the government, calling for promotion of entrepreneurship, efficient investment in R&D and improvements to the business environment.
If the EU is to become a leading economic and commercial superpower, it must also become a technological and innovative force, thought Faculty of Social Sciences professor Lojze Socan.
Edvard Kobal, the director of the Slovenian Science Foundation, concurred, saying that science, research and technology play the key role in the process based on public-private partnership.
He also said it was crucial to put an end to misunderstanding between companies, universities and research institutes, which are caused by "different cultures" at companies and academic institutions.
Miroslav Polzer, the director of the Austrian Science Institute in Slovenia, meanwhile stressed that "Slovenia has good tickets for the Lisbon race", as it is capable of adapting due to its post-socialist, transition and pre-accession experiences.
More articles from this issue:
Archive
|