UK Presidency of the EU 1 July – 31 December 2005

UK Presidency Logo Official use 1st July 2005 Strong logo to reflect concept of EU Presidency 12 swans fly in formation using a system of leadership and cooperation The design concept is 12 swans in flight (12 being the number of stars on the EU flag). Swans fly in formation using a system of leadership and co-operation to fly more efficiently; the front swan take s the stress of wind resistance, thus reducing the wind resistance for the others. The leaders change regularly. This is an imaginative and clever metaphor for the EU.

HR Working Group Activities 2 Studies undertaken by CMPS : Innovative HR Strategies (MTP subject): survey, presentations and report Investigation of Best Practice in Diversity and its value for public administration: Snapshot of Diversity Best Practice Examples Across the EU CMPS (Centre for Management and Policy Studies) is the UK government’s learning and development organisation. It forms part of the Cabinet Office's Corporate Development Group, playing an important part in the centre's effort to support departments and agencies in improving leadership and delivery capacity. Innovative HR - Surveys will be sent out in July with deadlines for mid September. The study will be carried out by the Centre for Management and Policy Studies (our national school for government, working with colleagues from the Modernising People Management team. We will be looking for examples of interesting and innovative practice and the impacts they have had in public administrations The Investigation of Best Practice will look at case studies across the EU where member states have adopted diversity practices. This could be alternative ways of working, innovative child care provisions, bringing in ethnic minorities or even the adoption of compressed working hours. We believe strongly that this is an important issue – not just because it is a good way to behave, but because it enables us to work better. In fact, it is line with our intentions under the Lisbon agenda, as we wish to work on how these practices can improve effectiveness and efficiency. The investigation aims to develop a snapshot of current practice across the EU. It is intended to be a helpful guide and not a benchmarking exercise. Countries will not be ranked and all examples will be presented with equal merit. The Cabinet Office Diversity team will provide guidance on how we will conduct our investigation.

HR Working Group Activities Variations in group’s working method, to fit subject matter and approach at DGs meeting Presentations to the group from UK and from other Member States The UK will not revolutionise the established practice of the HRWG. Instead we intend to bring in alternative ways of working to stimulate discussions. We hope you will enjoy them! Colleagues from CMPS and areas connected with this work in the UK will deliver presentations on the methodology of our studies and investigations and explain the concepts behind the analysis. .

HR Working Group Activities Evaluation of glossary Consideration of work of NCPs Commission Exchange Scheme Update list of HR surveys and reports Language regime The language regime for the working groups and secretariats will be English. We may hold the event in either Brussels or Luxembourg and no interpretation will be provided. Simultaneous interpretation will be available into French & German for the DGs Troika meeting and DGs conference in December. We will present the studies in English, French and German to DGs in December. Other work covered will include an update on the work of the NCPs, an evaluation of the Commission Exchange Scheme and an evaluation and update of the HR Glossary, last updated by the Irish Presidency in 2004.

Calendar of Events HR Working Group 1st Meeting – w/c 12th September 2005 2nd Meeting – w/c 24th October 2005 Location to be confirmed Dates will be confirmed in the next few weeks. We are investigating using Commission Facilities in Luxembourg although a request has been passed to the our colleagues in Brussels.

Calendar of Events Troika Secretariat Admiralty Arch London 1st Meeting – 15th July 2nd Meeting – 26th September 3rd Meeting – 11th November The UK will continue to work in an extended Troika formation. We welcome the support and experience of the Dutch and Luxembourg Presidencies and we look forward to close cooperation with our Austrian and Finnish colleagues. The second meeting will be held subject to need. (We anticipate that this event may be cancelled nearer the date.)

Calendar of Events DGs Conference Sunday 4th – Tuesday 6th December 2005 Hilton Newcastle/Gateshead North-East England DG Troika event on half day Sunday for extended Troika and EU institutions. Full delegate participation on Monday 5th December with some innovations and changes to traditional working practices. We have scheduled in a meeting with the trade unions after the second half day on Tuesday 6th December. The event will take place in the beautiful and regenerated surroundings of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Gateshead. Bring your winter woolies!! The location should not be confused with Newcastle, Australia. Temperatures in December will be significantly different!!

See you soon!