European Social Fund Circus Caravan Arrives in Budapest12 October 2009
The circus tent of the European Social Fund was pitched on Elisabeth Square in Budapest on Saturday 10 October. Acrobats, artistes, clowns and tight-rope walkers entertained the audience in the tent for two days; beyond the entertainment offered by these performing artists, , all those who came along could also gain information on serious social themes, such as, job creation, employee mobility and social diversity or even gender equal opportunity.
A professional conference organised for non-profit organisations, interest representation groups, enterprises and local government experts closed the event series held in the tent set up at the Gödör (Ditch) Club on Elisabeth Square.
Funding worth 10 billion EUR and 10 million citizens of the European Union who managed to find a new vocation, profession, employment or simply a niche in society with the help of this funding – this is the concise summary of balance of the European Social Fund. The operation and activities of this major EU fund were presented on the arena of the circus that has already visited 15 European Union countries. Therefore, among others, themes focusing on improving employment conditions, combating social exclusion and poverty, as well as EU programmes launched in the spirit of surmounting disadvantaged situations, equal opportunity and social diversity were presented in between acrobatic and clown performances. In addition, even though specific job opportunities were not offered, all visitors coming along to the EU circus spectacle from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on 10 and 11 October had the opportunity to receive useful job search tips.
Professional organisations took over the arena on the final day of this three-day event series, since a professional conference focusing on policies and measures adopted by the European Union in connection with employment and social affairs was organised in the circus tent for non-profit organisations, interest representations, enterprises and local government experts on 12 October. Experts engaging in EU programmes focusing on such themes had the opportunity to receive ideas and practical advice in connection with workplace training, issues pertaining to vocational training, R+D cooperation between companies and universities, measures geared towards creating a receptive employment environment or new pedagogical methods disseminated in the context of education from, among others, applicants approved funding within the framework of panel discussions held on the final day of the event series.
The three-day EU circus spectacle drew to a close at 5.30 p.m. on 12 October following the closing speech held by Mr Vladimir Spidla, European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities.