EurActiv, the leading online media reporting on EU affairs and policy issues, will run special coverage, from 26  to 30 September, on SMEs’ access to finance. In this Special Report, EurActiv journalists will consider how the EU proposes to square the problem of worsening credit availability in the general market with its desire to grow the SME sector. They will be assessing the current financial landscape for SMEs and looking at what initiatives are on the horizon.

World Alzheimer’s Day Highlights the Need for Innovation
Brussels 21 September

In Europe and worldwide, thanks to advances in the understanding of the dynamics of the disease that are being made at the genetic and molecular levels, healthcare biotech companies, both large and small, are working relentlessly on early detection and prevention to address the life-altering symptoms posed by Alzheimer’s disease- the most common cause of dementia globally.

The members of the Executive Board of the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) have selected Alain Flausch as new Secretary General. He will take over from Hans Rat, who will retire after running the Association for 13 years. This appointment will be effective by the end of the year. Mr. Ousmane Thiam, most senior Vice-President, will follow Alain Flausch as President, effective mid-October 2011.  

À l’initiative de la Suisse, qui préside le Sommet de la Francophonie, une concertation informelle des ministres des Affaires étrangères et représentants des membres de la Francophonie, a eu lieu au siège des Nations unies à New York le 20 septembre 2011.

Cerame-Unie welcomes EU Commission Communication on resource efficiency.

The European Ceramic Industry welcomes the Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe, as published today by the European Commission, and calls for an integrated approach to ensure consistency between the different EU policy initiatives identified.