EC/Canada agreement: Community cooperation programme in the field of training

- OBJECTIVE: the conclusion of a Cooperation Agreement between the European Community and Canada in the field of higher education and professional training. The aim of the Agreement is to promote and enhance relations between the parties to their mutual advantage, by way of collaboration in the area of education and training. - COMMUNITY MEASURE: Council Decision 95/523/EC on the conclusion of an agreement between the European Community and Canada establishing a programme of cooperation in the area of higher education and training. - SUBSTANCE: The Agreement provides for the following categories of activity: . joint projects undertaken by the two partners, namely the EU and Canada: these may comprise institutions of higher education, professional training establishments or a combination of both. The partners are encouraged to involve other relevant bodies in their activities, as associate members, in order to strengthen links with the professions. In order to maximise the advantages brought by the multilateral character of the Cooperation Agreement, the partnerships shall comprise at least 3 partners from each side of the Atlantic, two of which shall be based in the different Member States of the Community and in the Canadian provinces, respectively (priority shall be given, for example, to placement schemes, including language training for students, the development of innovative study programmes, the organisation of intensive 3-week programmes, etc); . complementary measures, particularly work experience exchanges in the area of higher education and training, which seek to strengthen the dialogue between the Community and Canada (organisation of conferences to discuss issues of interest to both parties and the dissemination of information on the programme itself and its results) and the provision of technical assistance for the activities deployed by the programme. An annex to the Agreement specifies the actions which are eligible under the present Agreement. .commitology: a joint committee shall be set up comprising representatives from the EU and Canada, whose purpose is to assess the cooperation activities provided for in the programme and to measure their effectiveness; . financing: the cooperation activities are to be funded equally by the two parties. As far as Community participation is concerned, the reference amount is set at ECU 3.24 m over 5 years (annual appropriations are authorised by the budgetary authorities within the limits of the financial perspectives); .duration of the Agreement: initial period of 5 years (1995-1999) commencing on the date of its entry into force (date on which the parties notify each other that all the necessary procedures have been completed). �