Three proposals for a new and more effective Lisbon strategy

Current "Spotlight Europe" examines "Lisbon, Round Two"

To ensure this is the case, the Bertelsmann Stiftung is advancing three innovative proposals. First, a European Advisory Council should be set up along the lines of the one that exists in Germany; its main responsibility should be to objectively evaluate and support on an ongoing basis the measures implemented as part of the new EU 2020 process. In addition, it should assess the performance and progress made by individual member states, while providing the EU Commission with proposals for further implementation.

Second, the EU should introduce a positive benchmarking system. This should entail "naming and praising" outstanding member states each year, while making additional funds available to them, money that can only be spent on achieving EU 2020 goals. Such measures would ensure that Lisbon's follow-on strategy would serve as a stability and growth pact in reverse, combined with a modern pedagogical approach -- one that does not punish those who lag behind, but rewards high performers instead.

Finally, in contrast to the Lisbon Agenda, the new strategy should also address the lack of progress made in the area of research. In order to ensure that research activities are adequately funded in the future, a set percentage should be laid aside for each relevant item in the EU's budget. Energy and transport, agriculture and fisheries, environment and communication -- each ministry could reserve three percent of its funds for research. Overall, the new strategy should be communicated using the working title "Europe's Social Market Economy."

The current edition of  "Spotlight Europe," which contains the above proposals in detail, can be downloaded from the sidebar on the right.