Draft Report on the implementation of the Strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training (ET2020)

The Youth Forum welcomes the publication of the Draft 2015 Joint Report of the Council and the Commission on the implementation of the Strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training (ET2020). The Youth Forum was consulted, amongst other stakeholders and contributed to the mid-term review of the strategy.

The report calls for strengthening cooperation in education and training up to 2020 and especially to promote social inclusion. It insists on the priority of making European education and training systems more socially inclusive, as part of the wider efforts to tackle radicalisation following the 2015 attacks in Paris and Copenhagen.

The Youth Forum especially welcomes the following points:

• Highlighting the need to pursue a comprehensive lifelong learning approach, from early childhood education to adult education, and including non-formal and informal education

• The social dimension of education, embracing the issues related to inclusion and active citizenship, and the promotion of civic, intercultural, social and relational competences, mutual understanding and respect, and ownership of democratic values and fundamental rights

• Mainstreaming innovative and active pedagogies

• Fostering participatory education governance by stimulating engagement of learners, educators, parents and the broader local community such as civil society groups, social partners and business

The Youth Forum believes that Non-Formal Education (NFE) principles and methods should be used to inspire innovation in the school systems. Youth organisations must have a central role in participatory education governance. Indeed, youth organisations, as NFE providers, have a wealth of experience to share with formal education providers, particularly with regards to a learner-centered approach and a participatory methodology, and in terms of content promoting citizenship education and intercultural learning.

The Council is expected to adopt the report at the Education Council meeting on 23rd November.

More information:

Context: the Education and Training 2020 (ET2020) is the strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training. It provides common strategic objectives for Member States to cooperate and further develop their educational and training systems.

The framework takes into consideration the whole spectrum of education and training systems from a lifelong learning perspective, covering all levels and contexts (including non-formal and informal learning)

Link to EC press release: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-15-5568_en.htm?mc_cid=4fbe1c2738&mc_eid=045abee8ec

Draft joint report: http://ec.europa.eu/education/documents/et-2020-draft-joint-report-408-2015_en.pdf

The six new priorities proposed by the Commission are:

• Relevant and high-quality skills and competences, focusing on results, for employability, innovation and active citizenship;
• Inclusive education, equality, non-discrimination and promotion of civic competences;
• Open and innovative education and training, including by fully embracing the digital era;
• Strong support for educators;
• Transparency and recognition of skills and qualifications to facilitate learning and labour mobility; and
• Sustainable investment, performance and efficiency of education and training systems.