EESC opinion: Entrepreneurship mindsets and the Lisbon Agenda

EESC opinion: Entrepreneurship mindsets and the Lisbon Agenda

 

Key points

The Committee

  • finds that entrepreneurship in its broadest sense should be highlighted in the Lisbon Agenda as one of the key tools to generate more growth and better jobs as well as to achieve social cohesion and combat social exclusion;
  • finds that education and training across all ages and abilities must stimulate the creativity and potential of all individuals;
  • stresses that public and private actors should be mobilised to develop the entrepreneurial mindset in its broadest sense; within communities, organisations and individuals;
  • calls for the European Commission to develop a framework for reviewing progress and disseminating best practice; exchange of best practice is important and progress could be monitored through annual "stock-taking" conferences;
  • would like the social partners to consider the benefits of fostering an entrepreneurial mindset and to find common ground for holistic action;
  • stresses that the social economy and non-governmental organisations' role in developing the entrepreneurial mindset for societal purposes and social innovations must be promoted;
  • supports the DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities initiative to launch an "Inclusive Entrepreneurship Strategy" and intends to participate in it actively;
  • underlines that the media plays a crucial role in shaping a Europe with an entrepreneurial mindset;
  • would encourage Commissioner Figel and Commissioner Verheugen in a joint venture of DG Education and Culture and DG Enterprise and Industry to promote the benefits and value of the entrepreneurial mindset skills and attitudes in the context of the Lisbon Agenda by making 2009 as the "Year of Creativity, Innovation, and the Entrepreneurial Mindset".