A “Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform” to channel up to EUR 160 billion in investments
The “Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP)” aims to boost digital, net-zero and biotechnologies and enable the EU’s industry to achieve the digital and net-zero transitions.
The Industry, Research and Energy and the Budgets committees adopted their position on Monday on the establishment of a “Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform” designed to boost critical strategic technologies through various means, such as financial support, the ‘Sovereignty Seal‘ and ‘Sovereignty Portal‘.
STEP aims to strengthen various EU programmes and funds and to channel up to EUR 160 billion into new investments, alongside cohesion policy incentives and the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The platform would foster the growth of crucial technological value chains in sectors like digital, net-zero, and biotechnologies, address labour and skill shortages, and support innovation. In their amendments, MEPs advocate for an extra EUR 3 billion on top of the proposed 10 billion, bringing the STEP budget up to 13 billion euro in new funds.
Moreover, MEPs propose a closer alignment of this regulation with the Net-Zero Industry Act and the Critical Raw Materials Act and the establishment of a STEP committee to ensure its effective implementation.
STEP should also act as a “testbed for a fully-fledged Sovereignty Fund in the next MFF period”. MEPs ask the Commission to conduct an interim evaluation by 2025, including a proposal to amend STEP or a new proposal for a fully-fledged European Sovereignty Fund. If the Commission does not propose the latter, it must justify its choice, MEPs agreed.
Urgent adoption needed in line with EU’s long-term budget revision
The proposed STEP is part of the ongoing revision of the long-term EU budget, for which adjustments are needed, as it has been severely depleted following the multiple crises that have occurred since 2021. MEPs insist that the STEP, along with the budgetary revision, should be agreed as soon as possible, as the package should be integrated into next year’s annual budget, to be negotiated in November 2023.
Quotes
“STEP was once foreseen to be the new European Sovereignty Fund – but it is not. With STEP, the Commission is trying to square the circle, but the proposal suffers from three competing goals: producing the necessary technologies to achieve our climate goals, increasing Europe’s sovereignty vis-à-vis other regions of the world and strengthening cohesion among EU member states,” said lead MEP for the Industry, Research and Energy Committee Christian Ehler (EPP, DE). “We have improved the text significantly and created legislative coherence with other dossiers, such as the Net-Zero Industry Act and the Critical Raw Materials Act. We ensured a properly functioning European Innovation Council to continue being the EU´s leading equity investor for strategic investments”, he added.
“STEP is a starting point to properly support technologies made in Europe. European technologies must have access to better funding opportunities. Much-needed EU strategic autonomy can only be achieved by addressing the needs of our industries. STEP will channel existing funding into the right projects, boosting synergies between funds and promoting these projects. To this end, there will be a Sovereignty Seal, designed to help project promoters attract investment by certifying their contribution to STEP objectives. For that, having a governance structure – the STEP Committee – is of paramount importance. We must use funds transparently and effectively”, said the rapporteur for the Budgets Committee José Manuel Fernandes (EPP, PT).
Next steps
The legislation was adopted with 43 votes to 6, with 15 abstentions. It will be put to a vote by the full House during the 16-19 October plenary session.
Background
The “Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform” aims to strengthen European competitiveness and resilience in strategic sectors and to reduce their dependence on the EU economy. It foresees support for the development and manufacturing of critical technologies and addresses labour and skills shortages.
In Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, all parties must stop targeting civilians and Hamas and other armed groups must immediately release their hostages, UN rights chief Volker Türk said on Tuesday.
NASA is ready to create an Airbnb that is out of this world. The US space agency has granted a construction technology company $60 million to build a house on the moon by 2040, which will be not only for astronauts, but also for ordinary civilians.
The plan is to launch a giant 3D printer on the moon and use lunar concrete made of rocks, mineral fragments and dust to layer the structure on the surface.
NASA is also working with universities and private companies to build doors, tiles and furniture for the home on the moon, writes dailymail.co.uk.
The agenda includes creating an establishment on Mars for space fair characters who will one day live on the Red Planet.
Plans are in the very early stages, with only 2022 renderings available to paint a picture of what the home might look like — the idea could change over the next decade.
At this time, NASA is not saying how much it will charge civilians for their stay in the lunar house.
Austin-based ICON, which won the 2022 NASA contract, is using its expertise in 3D printing Earth, building luxury homes layer by layer using its The Vulcan system. The technology involves a mixture of cement, sand and water as a thread.
Filament is actually ink that comes out of the printer as thick strips stacked on top of each other. All components of the home – for example, the walls and roof – are printed separately and then assembled together.
Homes built this way are becoming increasingly popular because they are going up quickly, with developers saying they could solve America’s housing crisis.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has begun rolling out food distributions to nearly 900,000 refugees in Ethiopia following a full revamp of its refugee operations.
The UN Secretary-General on Monday said that he recognized the legitimate grievances of the Palestinian people and the legitimate security concerns of Israel, but underlined his rejection of terrorist acts and upheld the need to protect civilians.
Mr. Muntarbhorn and other rights experts had previously described the lead-up to and the outcome of the July polls as “extremely disconcerting”, amid restrictions and harassment targeting political opponents and the media.
In August, Hun Manet became the country’s new Prime Minister, taking over from his father, Hun Sen, who led the country for more than three decades.
The call by Mr. Muntarbhorn coincided with the presentation of his report to the UN Human Rights Council, in which he assessed progress towards 20 key human rights benchmarks.
“A key challenge for implementing human rights benchmarks lies in the intergenerational power shift in the country, which is intertwined with the political and electoral processes and coupled with the restricted civic-political space,” he said.
Among the 20 benchmarks, 12 were found to be off target, and three with variable levels of implementation. Five benchmarks, such as improving access to education and allocating additional resources to the social sector, were considered on target.
Use of draconian laws
Mr. Muntarbhorn also received reports of continued attacks, unjustified arrests and prosecutions of human rights defenders, journalists, political dissidents and others critical of the authorities.
“The use of draconian laws creates challenges for individuals working on human rights and environmental issues, as they face significant pressure when interacting with authorities,” he said.
Many human rights defenders and environmental activists have remained in detention since the beginning of 2023, with their numbers increasing compared to the previous year.
“Various political dissidents are being held in distant prisons, raising concerns about their freedom and well-being,” Mr. Muntarbhorn said, calling for the immediate release of those detained and for the charges against them to be dropped.
Independent expert
Special Rapporteurs are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council and form part of what is known as its Special Procedures. The experts are mandated to monitor and report on specific thematic issues or country situations.
They serve in their individual capacity, are not UN staff and do not receive a salary.
In anticipation of World Mental Health Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR) have jointly introduced today a guidance titled “Guidance and Practice for Mental Health, Human Rights and Legislation.” The objective is to support countries in reforming their laws to eliminate human rights violations and improve access to quality mental health care.
Human rights abuses and coercive practices in Psychiatry
Instances of human rights abuses and coercive practices in the field of health care persist across the globe often supported by existing laws and policies. These include hospitalization and treatment of substandard living conditions, as well as physical, psychological and emotional mistreatment prevalent in numerous mental health services.
Although several countries have made efforts to revise their laws, policies and services since the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2006 only a limited number have taken measures to amend relevant legislation on a significant scale. This is required to put an end to these abuses and promote rights within mental health care.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of WHO emphasizes that “Mental health is a component inseparable from the right to health.”
He also argues that this updated guidance will enable countries to make the changes in order to provide high-quality mental health care that promotes individuals’ recovery and respects their dignity. This empowers people with health conditions and psychosocial disabilities to lead fulfilling and healthy lives within their communities.
Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights emphasizes the importance of transforming mental health services not only in terms of their reach but also in their core values ensuring that they truly align with the needs and dignity of each person. He states that this publication offers guidance on how a rights-based approach can facilitate the needed transformation within health systems.
Encouraging Effective Mental Health Care Based in Communities
The majority of government spending on mental health is allocated to psychiatric hospitals, particularly in high-income countries accounting for 43% of the budget. However, evidence shows that community-based care services are not only more accessible but also more cost-effective and efficient compared to institutional models of mental health care.
The guidance outlines the steps to accelerate the process of deinstitutionalization and establish a community-oriented approach to mental health care based on human rights principles. This includes implementing legislation that gradually replaces institutions with inclusive community support systems and mainstream services, like income support, housing assistance and peer support networks.
Putting an End to Abusive Practices
According to the participants of the launching event and all those who participated in the guidelines, it is crucial to put an end to coercive practices in mental health. These practices, like detention and forced treatment, seclusion and restraints, violate the right of individuals to make informed decisions about their own healthcare and treatment options.
Moreover, there is mounting evidence that shows the effects of these coercive practices on both physical and mental well-being. They worsen existing conditions and isolate individuals from their support networks.
The guidance suggests incorporating provisions that eliminate coercion in mental health services. It emphasizes the importance of establishing informed consent as the cornerstone of all mental health interventions. Additionally, it provides recommendations on how to handle cases within legal frameworks and policies without resorting to coercive measures.
Adopting a Rights-Based Approach to Mental Health
Recognizing that promoting health extends beyond just the healthcare sector this new guidance is targeted at legislators and policymakers involved in drafting, amending and implementing laws related to mental health. This includes legislation addressing issues such as poverty, inequality and discrimination.
The guidance also includes a checklist for countries to assess whether their health-related legislation aligns, with international human rights obligations. Furthermore, it highlights the significance of seeking advice from individuals who have experiences and the organizations that represent them as an essential part of this process. It also emphasizes the importance of education and raising awareness about rights-related matters.
While the guidance suggests a set of principles and provisions that can serve as a framework for legislation it recognizes that countries have the flexibility to adapt and tailor them according to their particular circumstances. This includes considering factors such as context, languages, cultural sensitivities, legal systems and more—all while upholding human rights standards.
On October 10th the World Health Organization (WHO) joined communities in observing World Mental Health Day 2023 under the theme “Mental health is a fundamental right, for all.”
Large and important list of Acknowledgements
The development and coordination of this Guidance was led by Michelle Funk and Natalie Drew Bold under the overall supervision of Dévora Kestel from the Department of Mental Health and Substance Use of the World Health Organization (WHO) jointly with the Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Section of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Writing team This publication was written jointly by WHO and OHCHR. On behalf of WHO Alberto Vásquez Encalada (Consultant, Switzerland), Michelle Funk (Department of Mental Health and Substance Use, WHO) and Natalie Drew Bold (Department of Mental Health and Substance Use, WHO). On behalf of OHCHR Staff members of the Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Section. WHO and OHCHR would like to thank the following individuals and organizations for their valuable contributions, feedback and inputs: External contributors and reviewers Natalie Abrokwa (University of Groningen, Kingdom of the Netherlands), Nazish Arman (Shuchona Foundation, Bangladesh), Peter Bartlett (Centre for Mental Health and Human Rights, Institute of Mental Health, Nottingham University/WHO Collaborating Centre on Mental Health, Disability and Human Rights, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), Shreya Bhardwaj (Charles University, Czech Republic), Valerie Bichelmeier (Make Mothers Matter, France), Joann Bond (Attorney General’s Chambers and the Ministry of Legal Affairs, Guyana), Mauro Giovanni Carta (University of Cagliari, Italy), Francesca Centola (Mental Health Europe, Belgium), Pyali Chatterjee (ICFAI University, India), Dixon Chibanda, (Friendship Bench and University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe), María Soledad Cisternas (former Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General on Disability and Accessibility, Chile), Lee Allison Clark (Native Women’s Association of Canada, Canada), Jarrod Clyne (International Disability Alliance, Switzerland), Ria Mohammed-Davidson (Attorney at Law, Human Rights and Mental Health, Trinidad and Tobago), Maria de Lourdes Beldi de Alcântara (Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil), Eric Diaz Mella (Centro de Reorganimación Regional y Observatorio Social, Chile), Robert Dinerstein (American University Washington College of Law, the United States of America), Zuzana Durajová (Charles University, Czech Republic), Julian Eaton (CBM Global, the United Kingdom), Elisabetta Pascolo Fabrici (Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina (ASUGI)/WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health, Italy), Alexandra Finch (Georgetown University, the United States), Leon Garcia (Centro and Hospital das Clínicas, Brazil), Neeraj Gill (Griffith University, Australia), Guilherme Gonçalves Duarte (Permanent Mission of Portugal in Geneva, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Portugal), Piers Gooding (La Trobe Law School, Australia), Lawrence Gostin (O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown University Law Center, Georgetown University/WHO Collaborating Center for National and Global Health Law, the United States), Kristijan Grđan (Association for Psychological Support Croatia, Croatia, and Mental Health Europe, Belgium), Vivian Hemmelder (Mental Health Europe, Belgium), Edgar Hilario (Department of Health, Philippines), Torsten Hjelmar (Citizens Commission on Human Rights Europe, Denmark), Mushegh Hovsepyan (Disability Rights Agenda, Armenia), Dr Irmansyah (The National Research and Innovation Agency, Indonesia), Simon Njuguna Kahonge (Ministry of Health, Kenya), Olga Kalina (Georgian Network of (Ex)Users and Survivors of Psychiatry, Georgia, and the European Network of (Ex)Users and Survivors of Psychiatry (ENUSP), Denmark), Elizabeth Kamundia (Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, Kenya), Sylvester Katontoka (Mental Health Users Network of Zambia, Zambia), Brendan Kelly (Trinity College Dublin, Ireland), Hansuk Kim (Ministry of Health and Welfare, Republic of Korea), Seongsu Kim (Dawon Mental Health Clinic, Republic of Korea), Bernard Kuria (Ministry of Health, Kenya), Karilė Levickaitė (NGO Mental Health Perspectives, Lithuania, and Mental Health Europe, Belgium), Carlos Augusto de Mendonça Lima (World Psychiatric Association Section of Old Age Psychiatry, Switzerland), Laura Marchetti (Mental Health Europe, Belgium), Claudia Marinetti (Mental Health Europe, Belgium), Nemache Mawere (Ingutsheni Central Hospital, Zimbabwe), Felicia Mburu (Article 48 Initiative, Kenya), Roberto Mezzina (International Mental Health Collaborating Network and World Federation for Mental Health, Italy), Kendra Milne (Health Justice, Canada), Angelica Chiketa Mkorongo (Zimbabwe Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Trust, Zimbabwe), Guadalupe Morales Cano (Fundación Mundo Bipolar and European Network of (Ex)Users and Survivors of Psychiatry, Spain), Fabian Musoro (Ministry of Health, Zimbabwe), Macharia Njoroge (Championing for Community Inclusion in Kenya, Kenya), Nasri Omar (Ministry of Health, Kenya), Cheluchi Onyemelukwe-Onuobia (Babcock University, Nigeria), Hazel Othello (Ministry of Health, Trinidad and Tobago), Gemma Parojinog (Commission on Human Rights, Philippines), Soumitra Pathare (Indian Law Society, India), Eduardo Pinto da Silva (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Portugal), Gerard Quinn (UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Ireland), Carlos Rios-Espinosa (Human Rights Watch, the United States), Gabriele Rocca (World Association for Psychosocial Rehabilitation and WAPR Human Rights Committee, Italy), Jean-Luc Roelandt (Service de recherche et de formation en santé mentale, Etablissement Public de Santé Mentale (EPSM) Lille Métropole/Centre collaborateur de l’OMS pour la Recherche et la Formation en Santé mentale, France), Marta Rondon (Instituto Nacional Materno Perinatal, Peru), Artur Sakunts (Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly – HCA Vanadzor, Armenia), San San Oo (Aung Clinic Mental Health Initiative, Myanmar), Liuska Sanna (Mental Health Europe, Belgium), Josep Maria Solé Chavero (Support-Girona Catalonia, Spain), Slađana Štrkalj Ivezić (University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapče, Croatia), Charlene Sunkel (Global Mental Health Peer Network, South Africa), Kate Swaffer (Dementia Alliance International, Australia), Bliss Christian Takyi (St. Joseph Catholic Hospital, Ghana), Murali Thyloth (Ramaiah Medical College and World Association for Psychosocial Rehabilitation, India), Emanuela Tollozhina (Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Albania), Helal Uddin Ahmed (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Bangladesh), Yannis Vardakastanis (International Disability Alliance, Switzerland), Javier Vasquez (American University Washington College of Law, the United States), Simon Vasseur-Bacle (Ministère de la Santé et de la Prevention, France; Service de recherche et de formation en santé mentale, Etablissement Public de Santé Mentale (EPSM) Lille Métropole/Centre collaborateur de l’OMS pour la Recherche et la Formation en Santé mentale, France), Alan Woodward (Lifeline International, Australia), Stephanie Wooley (European Network of (Ex-)Users and Survivors of Psychiatry, France), Miguel Xavier (Ministry of Health, Portugal), Peter Badimak Yaro (BasicNeeds Ghana, Ghana) and Martin Zinkler (Gesundheit Nord gGmbH – Klinikverbund Bremen, Germany).
Senior UN officials on Monday strongly condemned recent Russian attacks on Ukrainian towns and civilian infrastructure, emphasizing the need for accountability for those harming civilians during hostilities.
Three in four people suffering from a mental health condition receive inadequate treatment – or none at all – UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Monday, as he urged countries to “break down the barriers that prevent people from seeking support”.
In his message marking World Mental Health Day on Tuesday 10 October, the UN chief underlined that mental health is vital to humanity, allowing us to lead fulfilling lives and contribute positively to our communities.
One in eight people globally lives with a mental health condition, with women and young people impacted the most. Many face stigma and discrimination.
No good approach to mental health without human rights
Echoing that message of support, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN human rights office, (OHCHR) released a joint guidance on mental health, human rights and legislation. Their guide -“Mental health, human rights and legislation: guidance and practice” – aims to support countries to reform legislation in order to end human rights abuses and increase access to quality mental health care.
Key elements of this new approach include respecting people’s dignity and “empowering” them to lead full and healthy lives, said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. The ambition must also be to transform mental health services by taking a rights-based approach, said Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Inequality
Echoing the need for radical change, the Special Rapporteur on the right to health, Tlaleng Mofokeng, called for new and innovative models of mental health policy where holistic support was the focus, along with tackling inequality of care.
While individuals can be genetically predisposed to mental health problems, the UN-appointed independent rights expert also noted that the persecution of individuals because of their gender identity, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, class position, migration status or disability negatively affected mental health “as a result of discrimination, social exclusion, marginalisation, criminalisation and exploitation”.
Special Rapporteurs are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms. Mandate-holders are independent human rights experts appointed by the Human Rights Council to address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. They are not UN staff and are independent from any government or organization. They serve in their individual capacity and do not receive a salary for their work.
World Mental Health Day is an opportunity for people and communities to unite behind the theme ‘Mental health is a universal human right’ to improve knowledge, raise awareness and drive actions that promote and protect everyone’s mental health as a basic human right.
