Developments in European information issues: Networks and relays – Services – Products, February 2003

Access to documents guide

A helpful user's guide Access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents can be found through the Citizens' Portal of the European Parliament web site at http://www.europarl.eu.int/opengov/default_en.htm. It outlines clearly what kind of documents are accessible, how to identify them and the procedures to follow to obtain them.

Label database

The Label database contains details plus contact information for 300 projects which have been awarded the European Label for innovative projects in language teaching and learning. These examples of good practice are being made available to encourage and inspire those working in the field. The database can be searched by country, year of award, educational sectors, theme or target language. It includes projects dating from 1999 but there is also a list of projects which received the award during the pilot phase in 1998-1999. For more information see http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/language/label/index.cfm/

eLearning website launch

The new eLearning portal aims to provide information on Community initiatives, as well as links to national institutions, projects, agencies and other bodies, resources and policy statements. The site underlines the EU's commitment to promote the use of the new communication technologies in education to support its aim to play a key role in the knowledge-based economy. Discussion fora, an events calendar, key documents relating to eLearning, glossary and a newsletter for subscribers to the portal can all be found at http://www.elearningeuropa.info/

On the main screen you can set your preferences according to which aspect of education you are particularly interested in, e.g. school, university, learning and work, lifelong learning, and you can specify areas of interest such as methods and skills, legal aspects, or technology. Results are displayed according to the criteria selected.

The basic search engine allows you to enter search terms and choose which area of the site you wish to search. The advanced search is very flexible and offers a search in the text, author or keyword fields between date limits and in combination with the preference choices outlined above. Though new the site already contains a considerable amount of useful material.

Changes to OAMI-ONLINE

Because of the new registration process for Community Designs, there have been changes to OAMI-ONLINE. See http://oami.eu.int/en/newsite.htm. The site is based round three main elements: the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market, the Community Trade Mark system and the Community Design system. This covers the structure and workings of the Office, together with information on the procedures, latest news and key documents relating to the Trade Mark and Design systems. Additionally the site contains sections on databases and enlargement. With agreement for accession of ten new member states by 1 May 2004, there will be an impact on the Community Trade Mark and Design systems. The enlargement section of the site seeks to address the issues and act as a focal point for the existing and acceding states, although it is currently still in a test phase.

Also still at the test stage in the database section is the new EURONICE database which stores translations of the expressions which are used most frequently in Community Trade Mark applications in order to facilitate their reuse. Some 17,000 expressions in the existing official languages are now included.