NATIONAL EXPERT NEWS

Issue 1, 2009 Newsletter from your representative committee

www.clenad.eu
CONTENTS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

COMMISSION SNE DECISION

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
PROBLEMS AT DG RTD
NEWS FROM NATIONAL GROUPS
INTERVIEWS WITH NATIONAL EXPERTS
INFORMATION LINKS

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WHAT IS CLENAD?
CLENAD is the network of SNEs of all European institutions - covering more than
1000 SNEs.
What CLENAD can do to represent and help SNEs depends on the voluntary
efforts of its members. Each year an assembly of SNEs elects a committee to
coordinate this support with regular events and communication to promote ongoing
contact between SNEs.
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NEWS FLASH NEW WEBSITE AND COMMISSION SNE DECISION
The CLENAD committee invites you to visit the new, user-friendly website
www.clenad.eu Your contribution will help expand the site!
The current national expert rules and conditions (Commission Decision C
(2008)6866) are now available in all languages. English version here. There is also
a 'quick-reading' comparative table explaining the differences with previous
decision (FR only. The link will work only on your office computer).
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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE FROM MATTHEW SNODING (UK + TAXUD)

en Francais and in English
Contact Matthew
Contact the Board
Welcome to the first CLENAD newsletter of 2009 we hope to offer them on a
regular basis. Since the 400-strong national expert assembly meeting in
November 2008, the CLENAD committee and national groups have been going
from strength to strength.
Recently we have been dealing with both the major issues which ENDs face at DG level, and the
individual day to day problems, as well as assimilating new bureau members, many of whom (like
myself) volunteered to help as a direct result of the assembly of November 2008.
With a growing voice for SNE/ENDs in the Commission we are able to better identify and stop
problems that we face, share our experiences, and add more value to the Commission's work. In
other words with mutual support we can be more effective. This is why, in the latter half of 2009 we
aim to work closely with the Commission to protect the roles of ENDs, improve our website, and
arrange informal social events.
On top of all this, we aim to develop a welcome brochure, to give new ENDs a taste of what to expect
when they come to work in Brussels. I would like to take the opportunity in this first newsletter to
thank the outgoing President, Laila Oestergren (see interview below) for all her hard work and good
sense during her Presidency, and wish her the best of luck back home in Denmark.

Bienvenue au premier bulletin d'information CLENAD de 2009 nous esprons les offrir de faon
rgulire. Depuis la runion experte nationale 400-forte d'assemblage en novembre 2008, le comit
CLENAD et les groupes nationaux sont alls de la force la force.
Rcemment, nous avons trait les deux principales questions que la face ENDs au niveau de DG, et
les diffrents problmes quotidiens, ainsi qu'assimilant de nouveaux membres de bureau, dont un
grand nombre (comme moi-mme) a offert d'aider comme rsultat direct de l'assemblage de
novembre 2008.
Avec la voix de Nationale expert dtache devenir plus fort la Commission que nous pouvons mieux
identifier et arrter les problmes que nous faisons face, partageons nos expriences, et ajoutons
davantage de valeur. En d'autres termes avec la solidarit et l'aide nous pouvons tre plus
efficaces. C'est pourquoi, lors du dernier semestre de 2009 nous visons travailler troitement avec
la Commission pour protger les rles de ENDs, s'amliorer notre site web, et arrange des
vnements sociaux informels.
Sur tout ceci, nous visons laborer une brochure bienvenue, pour donner nouvel ENDs un got
de ce que pour attendre quand ils viennent travailler Bruxelles. J'aimerais saisir l'occasion dans ce
premier bulletin d'information pour remercier le prsident sortant, Laila Oestergren (voir l'entrevue cidessous) de tous ses travail dur et bon sens pendant sa prsidence, et pour lui souhaiter le meilleur
de la chance de retour au Danemark.

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UNCERTAINTY FOR EXPERTS AT RTD

National experts are facing ongoing uncertainty at DG RTD after management

issued strict new guidance in early 2009 limiting what tasks they are allowed to
perform.
If you have been affected by this RTD guidance or are facing a similar problem in
your DG, please report your problem to CLENAD - your representative voice.
Working with affected experts, the CLENAD committee's interventions have asked
RTD to rewrite guidelines on what work SNEs can perform and had a role in
helping at least five SNEs to stay working at the Commission. While this is good
news for those experts, but more work is needed to ensure certainty for the
remaining 80 experts, down from a recent peak of 120 experts.
In a unique interpretation of the 2008 Commission decision on SNE rules and
working conditions, DG RTD, with no notice, began reducing the number of tasks
national experts could perform in late 2008 and early 2009. In the same period an
unusual number of national experts also had their contracts terminated after one
year only months after their families arrived. These terminations sometimes took
place against the advice of the units and managers involved.
The key words in the 2008 SNE decision are:
"ENDs are allowed to perform policy related tasks but not allowed to
manage projects."
Unlike most DGs many RTD SNEs come to the Commission from specialist
research organizations and universities. Their background as scientist is very
technical and specialized and their contribution to perform and manage research
projects is unique.
By acting first and consulting later, management at DG RTD has demotivated many
SNEs. Some were told their posts would finish at short notice, others were left with
no meaningful work. Still more had been told their post was abolished, only to have
that decision overturned. This is not the best way to promote the goals of the
Lisbon Agenda for growth and jobs, especially in a DG so crucial to achieving
them.
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ITALIAN EXPERTS MEET WITH VICE-PRESIDENT TAJANI

Above: previous and current members of the CLENAD Italia Committee with the
Vice-President of the European Commission Antonio Tajani
Over 100 Italian Seconded National Experts met the Vice-President of the
European Commission Antonio Tajani recently. The event was held to announce
the update of the Italian guide for seconded national experts and launch the first
activity Report Rapporto 2008.
These documents provide an overview of the activities of the CLENAD Italia and
information on the work of most of the Italian experts seconded in 2008. The event
was chaired by vice president Antonio Tajani, Giorgio Perini, (responsible for the
Regione Friuli Venezia Giulia Liaison office in Bruxelles), and Sandro D'Angelo,
president of CLENAD Italia.
Speakers emphasised the valorisation of the added value of national experts once
returned at the home country.
Next, CLENAD Italia will promote a series of lunchtime conferences held by SNEs
and conduct a satisfaction survey study of the ex-SNEs. This will be among the
contents of next Rapporto.

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UK NATIONAL GROUP STARTING AGAIN WITH SUMMER BBQ
A summer BBQs is planned for UK SNEs on Sunday 12 July - from
2pm in the lovely Teveuren garden (see picture) of Valerie
Trojanowska and her husband, Paul.
The BBQs will be a chance to kick-start the UK SNE network.
RSVP here more than 30 SNEs have confirmed already

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CLENAD BUREAU MINUTES
If you want to know more about what your committee discusses and debates read
the notes on www.clenad.eu
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NATIONAL EXPERT SNAPSHOTS - Views from across the Commission

Name: Carina Folkeson

Member State: Sweden
DG: Agriculture
Role: Developing future Common Agricultural Policy
approaches

What made you join the SNE programme?

I considered it a remarkable opportunity to try working for the Commission and
getting to know the European institutions from the inside.
What is the biggest difference between work at the Commission and at
home?
The distance between the leaders (Cabinet and AGRI hierarchy) and the "regular
staff".
What do you enjoy most about Brussels (work / life / anything)?
The relaxed atmosphere in Brussels, and the possibility of meeting an endless
number of people who share my big interest in politics and international affairs.
Where do you feel you've had an impact?
I've brought some Swedish working methods to my unit which I believe have been
appreciated. At the same time I believe I am useful to my former colleagues at the
Swedish government whose understanding of how the Commission works has
increased due to the informal contact they can have with me.
If you could change something about the SNE offer, what would it be?
SNEs should be entrusted with the same responsibilities as functionnaires. Nothing
makes a SNE less trustworthy because his or her employer is a national
government. (Loyalty lies with the Commission and Commission colleagues, since
that is where and with whom you spend your days).
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Name: Rashmin Sagoo
Member State: UK
DG: Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities
Role: developing a new anti-discrimination law proposal and monitoring the
transposition and effectiveness of existing EC anti-discrimination law in the
Member States.
What made you join the SNE programme?
An SNE placement came up in my area of expertise! It was a great opportunity to
deepen my knowledge and to better understand how the Commission functions.
What is the biggest difference between work at the Commission and at
home?
The Commission's structure is more hierarchical than in the UK Government where
I experienced greater contact with Ministers and use of delegation of powers.
What do you enjoy most about Brussels (work / life / anything)?
The international 'buzz'. Meeting and sharing ideas with people from all over the
world, with a range of interesting backgrounds.
Where do you feel you've had an impact?
Bringing an outside perspective into the Commission, sharing an understanding of
how the Commission's work is interpreted and implemented "on the ground" in the
Member States. I've also been able to act as a bridge for colleagues in the UK, for
example if they need a specific contact person in the Commission.
If you could change something about the SNE offer, what would it be?
1) Greater consistency in the recruitment process
2) Ensuring a good fit between the skills of the SNE and the post in question.
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HOMEWARD BOUND
Interview with
outgoing CLENAD President Laila Oestergren

How was your experience in the European Commission?

It was challenging at first, including for my husband who teleworked for his Danish
company from Brussels, but things became easier over time.
For me the Commission for me is not just my own unit. I have participated in relay
marathons races, book swaps, activities like the Swedish "Friskis and Svettis"
(gym-classes during the lunch break), and "Back to school". The Commission as
such has much more to offer than "just" your daily job.
What did you learn that you think is the role of ENDs?
A national expert is a link between a member state and the Commission - national
experts are important because they bring and take European knowledge with them.
I also think that national experts see things differently because they have some
practical national experience; in many instances I think I had a more nuanced
approach to my work.
How was you experience in working on the national expert committee,
CLENAD?
At first I was a bit sceptic to involving myself. Did I really have the time, I asked? I
thought they all spoke French. But then I thought there were many discussions that
needed follow up.
During 2008 we had lots of talks with DG ADMIN and among ourselves with
negotiations and hearings on the new SNE decision, and I've even served as an
interim President of CLENAD.
What do you think are the challenges for the future in CLENAD?
We should look as problems like national experts not being paid for bus transport
like officials, for example. Social security is another issue. And CLENAD social
activities would be good.
And I see a lot of legal matters being brought to the attention of CLENAD. These
often have huge financial consequences for people, but it is hard to assist all
people who need help. So lawyers please get involved! It would also be great to
have better links with SNEs from mew member states.
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FEATURED NATIONAL SECTION AUSTRIA
Around half of our Member States have self-organised national SNE/END
groups. You can join or start one, any time you like. Consult the CLENAD
website (or the list over page) for more information on your national group.
The featured group in this newsletter is Austria.
President
Cindy Fkehrer
European Commission
DG Enterprise and Industry
Unit D.3 Financing Innovation and SMEs

Tel: + 32 2 296 1373

Email: verena.foekehrer@ec.europa.eu

Vice-President
Daniela Umsttter
European
Commission
DG Internal Market
and Services
Unit H.3 Retail Issues, Consumer Policy and Payment
Systems
Tel: + 32 2 298 0390
Email: daniela.umstaetter@ ec.europa.eu
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NATIONAL GROUP

=1111
Most but not all Member States have their own voluntarily-run National
Clubs. Contact the committee if you would like to start a group for your
country.
CLENAD NATIONAL GROUPS CONTACTS
(right click on a link to open an email to the person concerned)
Country

Title

Name (lastname and firstname)

AT

Mrs

Foekehrer

Cindy

BE

Mr

Vlaeminck

Nicholaas

CY

Mr.

Ioannides

Marinos

CZ

Mr

Frycek

Rudolf

DE a)

Mrs

Becker

Katharina

DE b)

Mr

Viehoff

Ludger

ES

Gonzalo Puebla

Francisca

HU

Mr

Bodo

Zajzon

IT

Mrs

Roffi

Federica

NL

Mr

Meijer

Hans

Norway

Mr

Bjerkestrand

yvind

PL

Mrs

Pich

Beata

PT

Mrs

Fidalgo

Maria Alexandra

RO

Ms

Nicolaescu

Irina

SE

Mr

Nilsson

Ronnie

UK (a)

Ms

Trojanowska

Valerie

UK (b)

Mr

Heath

Ryan

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WEBSITE INFORMATION FOR NEWCOMERS
Every newcomer has questions here we suggest where you might find
some answers. Let us know your favourite sites for the next newsletter.
Links to good Commission sites
Practical and personal guide to life in Brussels
Your first months at the Commission
Essential info for new ENDs, including brochures
Commission buildings and maps
Commission small advertisements properties, goods etc (this link will only
work from European Institution computer network)
Links to good External sites
Bureau de Liaison Bruxelles Europe (BLBE)
Practical info including advice on rental contracts. Their staff are helpful.
Links to expat sites, cultural activities, restaurants
and more (this link will only work from European Institution computer
network)

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RESOURCES
FOR MEMBERS

1. SNE GUIDE TO BRUSSELS AND COMMISSION LIFE

If you would to read the SNE guide prepared by several of the national
groups about life and work in Brussels, or simply find out about a particular
service or facility in Brussels, please consult the CLENAD website resource
directory
2. ACCESS TO CLENAD ON 'CIRCA' COLLABORATIVE WORKSPACE
For information on 'what is CIRCA' and to register to use CIRCA (there are
many other benefits beyond CLENAD) click here
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GET INVOLVED
Contact your national section
Contact the CLENAD committee

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