Since 1987, almost 3 million have studied or trained abroad on an Erasmus exchange.

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ICT Finance MarketPlace is an initiative to improve access to finance for innovative Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector. SMEs, coaches and investors are invited to attend the events which will be run in conjunction with Tech Media Europe 2012 at the same venue. The Venture Academy consists of a one-day, coaching event where experienced coaches from relevant industry areas will help SMEs pragmatically to develop their pitching skills towards potential investors. The Investment Forum offers SMEs the opportunity to showcase their business in front of an international network of venture capital and corporate investors, strategic partners and expert advisors.
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In December 2011, compared with November 2011, the volume of retail trade fell by 0.4% in the euro area (EA17), while it rose by 0.3% in the EU27. In November retail trade decreased by 0.4% and 0.2% respectively.
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This event will focus on challenges within the ICT domain that relate to the segment of consumer electronics. In particular, the aim is to stimulate discussions on the issues of energy labeling, e-waste, the
potential of telework and the diffusion of broadband which all comprise contradictory aspects
relevant for policy-making. The event aims to foster networking and knowledge exchange
between policy-makers and experienced researchers in the field.
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This event will focus on some of the most relevant topics to boost international collaboration. What is the future of Internet and its many applications? How to combine the interests of platform developers, application and service providers and future customers? Which applications will generate new business opportunities? How can Internet be used to tackle challenges such as environmental change, healthcare & ageing and transport?
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In December 2011, compared with November 2011, the industrial producer price index fell by 0.2% in both the euro area (EA17) and the EU27. In November prices increased by 0.2% and 0.4% respectively.
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EU leaders agree on urgent action to bring down youth unemployment, support small businesses and tap into the EU market, and set date for signing new treaty on economic policy coordination.

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Over the past 12 months, the Arab Spring has brought about unprecedented political changes across the region. The right to communicate is increasingly recognized and asserted, and now needs to be complemented by opportunities to be educated and employed, and to contribute to the development of the economy and wealth of the region. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are the drivers that will make these opportunities a reality. This summit will bring together government leaders and ICT experts from the region and beyond to develop strategies to drive broadband deployment and mobilize the human, financial and technical resources needed to bridge the digital divide in countries right across the Arab world.
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Euro area annual inflation is expected to be 2.7% in January 2012 according to a flash estimate issued by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. It was also 2.7% in December 2011.
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Security and Defence Agenda dinner, Brussels, 30 January 2012
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The euro area (EA17) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 10.4% in December 2011, unchanged compared with November. It was 10.0% in December 2010. The EU27 unemployment rate was 9.9% in December 2011, also unchanged compared with November. It was 9.5% in December 2010.
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WTO rules in favour of EU against China's export restraints on raw materials

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“Fuelling the European Economy” event, Microsoft Executive Briefing Centre, Brussels, 30 January 2012
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An advanced radar system, developed by the JRC, is being used at the Giglio Island in Italy to support the Italian authorities in monitoring the movements of the cruise ship that grounded off Tuscany on 13^th January. Data on the ship movements have been of fundamental importance during the search and rescue operations and will remain crucial when the fuel is pumped off the ship’s tanks.

The JRC system, called MELISSA, is an innovative and low-cost radar imaging system that allows for the detection of movements of objects with very high accuracy and resolution. The system is compact, portable and easily deployable and can work day and night under any weather conditions.

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In the third quarter of 2011, compared with the second quarter of 2011, the business investment rate rose in both the euro area (EA17) and the EU27.
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In the third quarter of 2011 compared with the second quarter of 2011, the household saving rate decreased while the household investment rate remained almost unchanged in both the euro area (EA17) and the EU27. In the euro area, household disposable income fell by 0.4% in real terms, after a decrease of 0.1% in the previous quarter.
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You will soon be able to call on the Commission to make legislative proposals on EU policy. A new website has all the information on how to launch a “citizens’ initiative”.

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The 5th Call for proposals of the AAL Joint Programme will aim at the development of ICT-based solutions which enable and sustain older adults to continue managing their daily activities in their home. This call aims also at ICT-based solutions which support informal carers in their assistance. It is anticipated that the call will be launched at the end of February 2012, with a proposal submission deadline at the end of May 2012.
The information event will take place on 13 March 2012 in Brussels. All potential proposers are strongly advised to come to the information event, and those wishing to attend should register their interest by sending an e-mail to Jacqueline Teller before 24 February 2012.
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EU highlights trade-led growth as central to modern development agenda

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This newsletter informs about ongoing and future activities in the field of Future and Emerging Technologies and presents some key results and achievements of ongoing projects and initiatives. This months issue focuses on these topics: Perspectives of FET under Horizon 2020, the new EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation; Results from the FET-Open commissioned study to boost exploratory power of open research; The FET-Flagship Pilots Midterm Conference held in Warsaw in November 2011; Findings from FET-Proactive consultation meetings feeding Work Programme 2013.
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This white paper was prepared to assess the opportunities and obstacles that confront us as Europe plans to make full use of the integration of genome-based data resources with resources detailing disease-based and other human phenotypes. The report represents the consensus outcome of Think Tank discussions among 17 invited experts in Brussels on October 2011.
The report addresses prospects for the development and application of genotype-phenotype resources, considering them to be very promising. Establishing clear relationships (correlations) between increasing amounts of genotypic information available from clinical studies (e.g. as provided by genome wide association studies (GWAS)), and similarly of phenotype information at the population level, is still largely impossible today. This approach advocated also assists in “stratification” – instead of rejecting so many drugs during clinical trials, it could be that many deemed to be failures today will work well for sets of patients on genotypic/ phenotypic grounds.
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The European Commission is inviting European eHealth user and industry representatives to participate in a eHealth stakeholder group, to be set up in early 2012. The group will contribute to the development of legislation or policy related to eHealth, by providing for example reports, opinions and relevant data. Deadline to send your expression of interest is 30/01/2012.
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2012 is the European Year for Active Aging. With an ever older population, Europe is looking for ways to improve the quality of living of their elderly people, a generation far more active and technologically trained than previous ones. This Futuris will take a look at how ICT devices can help patients with three different diseases to increase their quality of living -while staying at their homes. In Cadiz, Spain, we´ll be visiting an elderly house and a home where patients of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are currently testing a brand new device that will help them to know if an unexpected respiratory crisis is about to happen. This will help them call for aid in a faster way, or better prepare their transportation to nearby hospitals. We´ll be meeting COPD patients, personal caretakers, doctos and the computer scientists that have developed the prototype.
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…through improved connectivity as well as co-operation with other border agencies in the EU and partners around the world.

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The European Commission has closed an infringement case against the UK in recognition that UK national legislation has now been changed to properly implement EU rules on ePrivacy and data protection on the confidentiality of communications such as email or Internet browsing. The Commission believes UK law and institutions are now well-equipped to enforce the privacy rights of UK users.
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Setting up the European Cloud Partnership World Economic Forum Davos, Switzerland
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