Address by Mauno Hänninen PRESS/A.2

1. Annual meeting of European Documentation Centres in PortugalDecember 14 2004European Documentation Centres in the framework of the second generation EU Information Network Address by Mauno Hänninen PRESS/A.2

2. Serving Europe: The information networks under the responsibility of DG PRESS • 3 major national centres (Lisbon, Paris, Rome) • 140 Info-Points Europe (IPE) (5 in Portugal) • 130 rural information “Carrefours” (9 in Portugal) • 696 European Documentation Centres (EDC) (20 in Portugal) • the network of “Team Europe” speakers (630 members, 21 in Portugal)

3. The second generation network • New Financial Regulation 2003: no longer permitted to award grants without a call for proposals • The Communication 2004/196 sets out a roadmap for the second-generation relays throughout the EU 25 from 2005 • The Communication takes also omboard the stocktaking evaluation 2003

4. EUROPE DIRECT information relays Brand name and logo • EUROPE DIRECT and it’s logo express the concept of direct contact between the EU institutions and the citizen • Until 2004, the information relays have been using their own logo consisting of the letter “i”with the Community stars

5. EUROPE DIRECT information relays Brand name and logo • The new logo will be combination of both previous logos for the use of the all information networks including EDCs

6. THE EUROPEAN DOCUMENTATIONCENTRES (EDC) • Purpose to make available/disseminate information/publications in higher education establishments in the EUR-25, the candidate countries and non-member countries • The EDC receive no direct operating subsidy from the Commission • Receive Commission support in the form of training, information and documentation

7. European Documentation Centers: 696 EDCDEPERC EUR-15 331 21 EUR-10 44 6 Other countries 137 71 86 Total 512 98 86

8. New EDC Agreement • New standard EDC agreement has been drafted in October 2004 • Agreement was reviewed because of… • the new developments in the activity since 1995, when the former agreement was drafted • publication of documents in more and more electronic environment • the need to establish a common approach after the enlargement of the EU

9. New EDC Agreement (contd) • the Communication (COM (2004) 196 final) on re-branding the networks under a single name and logo, EUROPE DIRECT • the need to limit the duration of this Agreement • the need to have harmonised system for the annual reporting • to assess the value of EDCs’ contribution to EU information policies

10. EDC Annual Evaluation • EDCs are asked to report annually on their activities using the activity report form which is currently under revision • The Representation carries out an annual evaluation on the basis of the EDC’s annual report and any inspection visits made to the EDC • The EDC shall be informed of the outcome of the evaluation and eventual suggestions for improvements

11. Support services: Relays Helpdesk • EDCs entitled to get support from Relays Helpdesk (intranet, hotline service, newsletters, doc lists, etc.) • “EDC-corner” under development on the Relays intranet • Helpdesk/website will be under continuous development according to feedback/comments of EDCs

12. Support services (contd) • New Relays Helpdesk in 2005: new range of services with special focus on EDCs’ needs • Specialized training which is complementary to the training provided by Representations • Exchange: Pilot programs for EDCs in 2004 (e.g. Azores, Braga); will start again in the second half of 2005

13. Online Bookshop • EDCs in the framework of EU-Booskshop – “Librarians corner” • Central point to order new publications • Virtual Documentation Centre • Library of the existing documentation • Meeting PRESS/OPOCE in Jan 2005 with a special focus on the EDC network’s needs

14. Send your suggestions, reactions, …to Relays@cec.eu.int