Council recommendation on promoting common values, inclusive education and the European dimension of teaching
May 22, 2018
The recommendation recognises the need to promote a European dimension of teaching in order to increase understanding of the common European heritage and awareness of the cultural and social diversity of the EU and its member states. The recommendation also highlights the importance of inclusive education in all learning environments, including all levels and types of education and training in a lifelong perspective.
The initiative is a follow-up to the 'Paris Declaration' of March 2015 on promoting citizenship and the common values of freedom, tolerance and non-discrimination through education. In the declaration member states were invited to reinforce cooperation at EU level in four areas:
ensuring that children and young people acquire social, civic and intercultural competences, by promoting democratic values and fundamental rights, social inclusion and non-discrimination, as well as active citizenship;
enhancing critical thinking and media literacy, particularly in the use of the internet and social media, so as to develop resistance to all forms of discrimination and indoctrination;
fostering the education of disadvantaged children and young people, by ensuring that our education and training systems address their needs;
promoting intercultural dialogue through all forms of learning in cooperation with other relevant policies and stakeholders.