English
summary
Translation : Aija-Leena Luukkanen
FINLAND’S FIRST EU-PRESIDENCY STARTS IN JULY 1999
The Finnish Presidency of the European Union Council will start on July 1, 1999. Finland will hold the EU Presidency for the first time after joining the European Union in 1995. As President, Finland will be chairing sessions of the Council of Ministers as well as the European Council. Finns will also preside various working groups, meetings and committees. Mr Reijo Kemppinen, a Press Counsellor at the Permanent Representation of Finland to the European Union says that EU-Presidency is very challenging and demanding task, because the agenda of the European Union is extremely wide. Mr Kemppinen reminds that the President’s function is to speak for the whole Union; for example the Council President is expected to represent the whole Union in its external relations. "We have never had such an extensive and long-lasting international responsibility", summarises Mr Kemppinen.
INTERNET IS A USEFUL TOOL FOR LANGUAGE LEARNING
Internet provides an excellent set-up for learning languages as students have the opportunity to use the foreign language in real situations, says Mr Eric Rousselle, the Development Manager for Educational and Research Services in the University of Oulu.
Mr Rousselle reminds that language is a tool for communication and thus learning should be more communication oriented. According to Mr Rousselle internet has given a new dimension in language learning. Internet is by no means the only source of information – plenty of materials may also be found in libraries. But to learn languages internet provides excellent new opportunities.
EDUCATION IN THE FRONTLINE
Mr Heikki Sederlöf, an Executive Director at the Vocational Adult Education Centre of Finland, says that education has become more and more important in the development of communities. According to Mr Sederlöf, education can and should play a very active role in the society. "Education is a forerunner not a follower. Nothing should stop education to be in the frontline", reminds Mr Sederlöf. Education plays a very important role in the general development of the society. Mr Sederlöf sees that liberal adult education should serve the needs of its local community. "Liberal adult education is in the same situation as vocational adult education." Mr Sederlöf thinks that vocational adult education should serve local and national needs as well as the needs of labour market.
