Following the announcement of our partnership with US consultancy Bond & Associates, we have co-authored an article for US political newspaper, The Hill on the opportunities in cybersecurity in the EU. The upcoming European Public Private Partnership on Cybersecurity will bring market opportunities for EU and US companies.

E-Government services are crucial to advance towards an European Digital Single Market. For this reason, the European Commission is working to adapt the EU policy and funding context to tackle this new reality.

Skills are a key element in the prosperity and economic growth of the EU. Despite high unemployment, many employers report difficulties in recruiting staff with the right skills set, particularly the deficit in ICT skills is growing with an estimated 825,000 open vacancies by 2020. There is an pressing need for better anticipation of the skills needed by employers and for development of these skills that will be needed by the labour market. The question is, will there be operational actions included in the agenda and will they be implemented across the EU or will it become an initiative with mere guidelines for the Member States to tackle these issues nationally?

Given the growing interdependence and complexity in relations between the EU & US and in order to position our clients to maximum effect, Schuman Associates has formed a strategic alliance with a particular focus on the technology sector. Issues such as security, privacy, cybercrime, procurement, trade etc. require a dialogue with decision makers on both sides of the Atlantic. Both companies are committed to delivering the best outcomes for our clients and are delighted to create this innovative partnership. The strategic alliance will allow both companies to share their knowledge, positioning and experience, while servicing customers in global markets around technology, policy and procurement.

Schuman Associates supports the "Czech Ball Brussels 2016" organized by the European Economic Interest Grouping 'Access EU! - EEIG'. The Czech Ball Brussels 2016 took place in the Concert Noble, the favourite site of the Brussels Ball Season, on Friday January 29th 2016. 

Winter is being a very hot season for the digitalization of Europe, a revolution that could contribute €415 billion per year to our economy and create hundreds of thousands of new jobs. The Digital Single Market for Europe (DSM) gave an important step in the unification of rules to strengthen fundamental rights and the European Market in December 2015 with the agreement on the reform of the Data protection rules and the first EU wide cybersecurity legislation – the Network and Information Systems Directive.

  Winter is being a very hot season for the digitalization of Europe, a revolution that could contribute €415 billion per year to our economy and create hundreds of thousands of new jobs.  The Digital Single Market for Europe (DSM) gave an important step in the unification of rules to strengthen fundamental rights and the European Market in December 2015 with the agreement on the reform of the Data protection rules and the first EU wide cybersecurity legislation – the Network and Information Systems Directive. The months to come will bring us the results of several public consultations reflecting the pace of technology and hinting how the infrastructure’s development should evolve: ·         Public consultation: eGovernment Action Plan 2016-2020 (closed 22/1/2016):  The new eGovernment Action Plan 2016-2020 will address the needs and expectations of European citizens and businesses with respect to the delivery of efficient and user-friendly government services in the EU....

In February 2016 Schuman Associates Brussels Headquarters and local offices gathered together for the annual «Away Day» to share best practices, reflect on company's values and present the business strategies for 2016.  

On 28^th January Schuman Associates as secretariat of AME organised a lunch seminar with a fruitful discussion around the topics: The ongoing implementation of the 4th Anti-money Laundering Directive and issues/gaps around AML, Terrorist financing, Fraud, Tax evasion which need to be handled during the 5th AMLD and 2016 Priorities.

Until now, eHealth policies have mainly focused on institutions and IT systems. Today, that focus is shifting and is now being placed on eHealth users. The people who are using eHealth are becoming increasingly involved in the discussion and being placed at the heart of eHealth policy-making.

As announced by the European Agenda on Security adopted in April 2015 and reiterated by the Agenda on Migration presented in May, the European Commission is about to finalise its revised legislative proposal on Smart Borders. The new proposal, which is supposed to be published next March ahead of the Justice and Home Affairs Council scheduled on 10-11/03, comes at a very delicate time. Growing travellers flows combined with the current refugee crisis are putting the EU common external borders under an increasing pressure and scrutiny and Member States are confronted with increasing difficulties to manage this situation.

With the kick off of the San Sebastian European Capital of Culture 2016, Schuman Associates (SA) had the opportunity to chat with the Communication Director of San Sebastian 2016 Capital of Culture, Fernando Álvarez (FA) and this is what he shared with us:

The Commission is consulting on the new eGovernment Action Plan 2016-2020, one of the actions for completing the Digital Single Market, as announced in the Communication on a Digital Single Market Strategy for Europe.
The new eGovernment Action Plan 2016-2020 will address the needs, requirements and expectations of European citizens and businesses with respect to the delivery of effective, efficient and user-friendly government services in the EU.

The European Capitals of Culture (ECOC) initiative is a major European Union action aimed at highlighting the richness and diversity of cultures in Europe, as well as promoting greater mutual understanding among Europe's citizens. In addition to this, experience has shown that the event is an excellent opportunity for regenerating cities, raising the international profile of cities, the eyes of their own inhabitants and to boost tourism.

The Netherlands, a country with a strong business-friendly reputation, has just taken over the Council presidency at a crucial time for the EU. With strong political backing from top European Commission officials (First VP Frans Timmermans and Secretary-General Alexander Italianer), the Dutch presidency is committed to pursue a focused and pragmatic agenda and expected to deliver on its key priorities.

  Schuman Associates is proud to have been selected by the European Commission to work as advisors on the setting up of the Broadband Competence Offices (BCO) network. The objective is to accelerate the roll out of broadband infrastructure using EU funds in Member States. Through its specific experience in this sector, Schuman Associates will contribute to the exchange of best practices and recommendation on implementation structures for Broadband investments in Member States and Regions. Read more on: https://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/en/broadband-competence-offices

Last week, Schuman Associates participated in European Commission DG REGIO’s lecture series on key issues in regional and urban policy, organised in cooperation with European Regional Science Association (ERSA).

On the 17th November, Paul RÜBIG, Member of the European Parliament and Dave ELLIOTT, Chief Executive of Surface Engineering Association and President of the European Committee for Surface Treatment (CETS) hosted a breakfast briefing in the European Parliament’s Member Salon, in Brussels.

On 18th November Schuman Associates organised a cocktail reception in the European Parliament around the topic of “Sports and physical activity for active and healthy ageing - the Tai Chi example”. The event, co-hosted by MEPs Marian Harkin, Lambert Van Nistelrooij, Marc Tarabella, Heinz Becker and Alojz Peterle, was sponsored by AGE Platform Europe and the Italian Federation of Wushu Kung Fu (FIWUK). During the debate all MEPs recognized the key role physical activity can play in the current European ageing societies and stressed the importance of sport as a prevention tool. The event emphasized the need to support sport and physical activity as a full part of active and healthy ageing processes. The highlight of the event was a series of demonstrations of the art of Tai Chi showcased by professional coaches and teachers from FIWUK. All participants, including the MEPs, were invited to practice a few movements of this...

In November 2015 Schuman Associates organised a cocktail reception in the European Parliament around the topic of “Sports and physical activity for active and healthy ageing - the Tai Chi example”.