The Lisbon Strategy: a Framework for Social Reform Agenda in the EU the growing competition from Japan, China, India and others, means that Europe faces more intense pressure than ever before and that it needs to raise its game. Investment in physical and human capital is the essential transition mechanism from a stabilisation policy to long-term economic growth. Macro­economic reform is therefore an essential component of any Europe-wide efforts towards sustainable growth and full employment. The assessment rightly calls for increasing the EU's ability to create jobs, raising the capacity to grow through more investment in human resources especially, and ensuring that Europe is and remains an attractive location for employment and investment. The Lisbon Agenda never concentrated unilate­rally on the economic goals of European integration but always followed a combined strategy orientated towards sustainable growth, quality jobs and social cohesion. Europe was seen as the answer to the challenges of globa­lisation not as a part of the problem, and it could thus tame the“globalisers” in the markets. In Europe there should be competition between firms and not between states. Active public policies are needed in order to procure public goods and services but also to generate public revenues in order to invest in intelligent policies, modern social protection and social services. The closest possible partnership between the member states and the Commu­nity is needed. Commonly adopted objectives and measures like the 24 guide­lines for growth and jobs have to be followed by the EU but also by the member states in their own national reform programmes and in cohesion policies and other common policies. The evaluation of the first implementation in autumn 2006 will judge the capacity of the EU and the member states to achieve sub­stantial progress and to do better also from a democratic perspective because parliaments and civil society will participate in the exercise. The renewed Strategy for Growth and Jobs calls for enhanced ownership, greater coherence, and a stronger focus on growth and employment:  Enhanced ownership: since the policies addressed by the Strategy for Growth and Jobs cut across many areas, it is important to have a clear definition of the responsibilities. The member states pursue reforms at the national level and present them in their National Reform Programmes. Measures taken at Community level, on the other hand, belong to the Community Lisbon Programme.  Greater coherence: the revised Strategy for Growth and Jobs rests on an integrated set of guidelines which cover macroeconomic, microeconomic and employment policies. These guidelines were adopted by the Council for 43