In the field of education and training, the central theme of the programme of the Romanian Presidency is ‘Connecting Education’, pursuing three major dimensions: mobility, inclusion and excellence.
The Autumn package represents the beginning of the 2019 European Semester cycle of economic and social policy coordination. It includes the 2019 Annual Growth Survey, the 2019 Alert Mechanism Report and the 2019 draft Joint Employment Report.
Launch in Brussels by commissioner Tibor Navracsics.
The ET Monitor is a flagship publication for the European Commission. This year is the 7th edition. The topic for this year is citizenship Education.
Since the start of the Juncker Commission, the annual Work Programmes have been focused on a limited number of key initiatives, where EU added value is clear. With all legislative proposals already tabled to deliver on the ten priorities of the Juncker Commission, the priority for the year ahead will be to turn them into legislation and then to implement them effectively.
The Council adopted conclusions on moving towards a vision of a European Education Area (EEA) . The conclusions highlight the crucial role of education and culture in bringing Europeans together and for the future of the EU. The conclusions invite member states to cooperate and to continue reflecting on a shared vision of an EEA, including its possible goals, objectives and scope, and its links with the post-2020 strategic framework for cooperation in education and training. Special emphasis is placed on: Erasmus +, digital skills and education, higher education, high quality and inclusive education, involvement of new stakeholders including disadvantaged groups, language learning and the recognition of qualifications.
https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-8701-2018-COR-1/en/pdf
The Council adopted its conclusions on the same day that the European Commission adopted a new package of measures aiming to bolster the implementation of the EEA by 2025.
The new initiatives aim to enhance learning mobility and educational opportunities in the EU, empower young people, in particular by encouraging them to participate in civic and democratic life, and harness the potential of culture for social progress and economic growth in Europe.
More attention needs to be devoted to education, training, youth and culture at the EU level to enable young people to reach their full potential. Investing in skills, competences and knowledge drives innovation, competitiveness and resilience. The initiatives presented today will help give young people of all backgrounds more promising prospects and help them take a more active role in society.
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 Education Council adopted a recommendation on key competences for lifelong learning, the aim of which is to update the current recommendation from 2006 and take account of changes such as digitisation and constantly evolving labour markets.
Following Göteborg, the European Commission has agreed on new initiatives to improve key competences and digital skills of European citizens, to promote common values and pupils' awareness of the functioning of the European Union.
The new proposals also fed into the first European Education Summit which Commissioner Navracsics hosted in Brussels on 25 January with the theme of ‘Laying the foundations of the European Education Area: for an innovative, inclusive and values based education’.
The three initiatives proposed by the Commission are:
- A Council Recommendation on Key Competences for Lifelong Learning
- A Digital Education Action Plan
- A Council Recommendation on common values, inclusive education and the European dimension of teaching