Fuente: © European Union
http://europa.eu.int

EU: Education, Youth and Culture Council (EYC), Brussels, 21-22 May 2008

/noticias.info/ This Memo provides journalists with a brief overview, from the Commission's point of view, of the issues that will be discussed at the "Education, Youth and Culture" Council on 21-22 May in Brussels.

CULTURE

Council conclusions on intercultural competences

Background

The conclusions on intercultural competences are intended to ensure a follow-up to the 2008 European Year of Intercultural Dialogue through a sustainable, long-term strategy.

In the rather wide context of intercultural dialogue, intercultural competences represent a concrete deliverable. In order to be able to face the challenges of the future, to become active citizens and to feel real ownership for the European project, European citizens need to be equipped with intercultural competences. The development of intercultural competences, thus, represents a key element for intercultural dialogue.

The added value of this political document lies in its transversal nature, covering different policy fields and instruments and inviting other policy areas (beyond culture) to contribute to intercultural dialogue.

The aim is to integrate and enhance the relevant initiatives in the fields of Culture, Education, Youth and Audiovisual Policy, with a view to developing a long-term cross-sectoral approach.

Intercultural competences should be promoted through the existing instruments and initiatives and possible synergies should be further explored. This exercise should include use of existing tools like the programmes or new tools under the Open Method of Coordination (OMC) in the framework of the European Agenda for Culture, where relevant. In the field of culture, OMC has just been launched for the implementation of the European Agenda for Culture (promotion of intercultural dialogue is one of the three strategic objectives). In other fields (i.e. education, youth) it has already been functioning for several years.

At this Council

Ministers are expected to adopt the conclusions on intercultural competences.

Conclusions of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on the Work Plan for Culture 2008-2010

Background

The Council agreed on triennial work plans for culture since 2002 and the last work plan 2005-2006 was extended until the end of 2007.

The work plan 2008-2010 is a step up on European cultural cooperation from the point of view of political ambition and working methods. It is the first work plan premised on the European Agenda for Culture adopted by Culture Ministers in November 2007 (16 November, 2007/C 287/01) and endorsed by the European Council in December 2007.

The European Agenda for Culture is the first ever comprehensive policy document in the culture field at EU level, which sets out strategic objectives for policy implementation and development and new working methods (Open Method of Coordination among Member States, structured dialogue with civil society).

The work plan foresees actions by Member States and the Commission in the five priority areas defined by Culture Ministers last November, including the creation of working groups of experts from the Member States (i.e. on mobility of artists and other culture professionals, on creative and cultural industries, on mobility of collections and activities of museums, on synergies between culture and education).

At this Council

Ministers are expected to adopt the conclusions on the Work Plan for Culture 2008-2010.

EDUCATION

Council conclusions on multilingualism

Background

The Conclusions build on discussions held at the last Education Council in November 2007 and the Ministerial Conference on Multilingualism held on 15 February 2008.

They encompass a broad definition of multilingualism policy, including the economic, social and cultural aspects of languages in a lifelong learning perspective, considering that linguistic and cultural diversity are distinctive features in the daily lives of an increasing number of European citizens and companies as a result of increased mobility, migration and globalisation. They affirm the need to preserve the linguistic diversity of Europe and parity between languages, also in the choice available to learners.

Member States with the support of the Commission are invited to promote languages and enhance European cooperation on multilingualism and the Commission to draw up proposals for a comprehensive policy framework on multilingualism, by the end of 2008.

At this Council

Ministers are expected to adopt the conclusions on multilingualism.

Council conclusions on adult learning

Background

The 2007 Communication on the adult learning Action plan "It is always a good time to learn"' was prepared in the light of the extensive feedback received to the public consultation on the 2006 Communication on adult learning "It is never too late to learn".

The aim of the Action plan is to remove barriers to increasing participation in adult learning, in particular of those with low or without any qualification, and to contribute in this way to the attainment of the Lisbon objectives: improving economic growth, strengthening social cohesion and enhancing personal fulfilment.

Key actions

The Action plan proposes five areas of action, based on the key messages in the 2006 Communication: analyse effects of reforms in other educational sectors on adult learning; improve the quality of provision; increase the possibilities to achieve at least one higher-level qualification; speed up the process of assessing and recognising non-formal and informal learning for disadvantaged groups and improve the monitoring of the adult learning sector.

The Action plan is designed to support the development of an efficient adult learning system throughout Europe by improving its governance structure, promoting quality and broadening access to learning opportunities in general.

At this Council

Ministers will discuss and are expected to adopt a set of key messages and actions on adult learning that will stress in particular the need for increased participation.

Proposal for a Decision concerning the European Year of Creativity and Innovation (2009)

Background

The European Commission proposes that 2009 should be the European Year of Creativity and Innovation. The aim is to promote creativity and a capacity for innovation throughout Europe, in particular through lifelong learning.

The Year would include information and promotion campaigns, initiatives and policy debates at European, national, regional and local level. The Commission suggests that it can be implemented by using existing programmes, in particular the Lifelong Learning Programme 2007-2013.

At this Council

The Council is expected to support the initiative and mandate the Presidency to negotiate a decision with the European Parliament, whose preliminary reaction has also been positive.

Conclusions of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on promoting creativity and innovation through education and training

Background

Promoting creativity and innovation has been the main theme of the Slovenian Council Presidency. As the main engines of long-term economic growth, innovation and knowledge are crucial for the Lisbon strategy of growth and jobs. The Council conclusions promote and further develop the role of education and training in supporting the broad-based innovation strategy of the EU and also help to prepare the implementation of the Commission proposal for a European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009.

The Council conclusions underline the key role of education and training systems in promoting creativity and innovativeness in the European knowledge societies. The conclusions invite the Member States to promote creativity and innovation, learner-centred approaches, innovative learning environments and the use of open education resources at all levels of education. The Member States and the Commission are together invited to set creativity and innovation among the European education objectives, to develop evidence-based education policy relating to the creative and innovative skills and to support creativity and innovation at all stages of lifelong learning.

At this Council

It is expected that the Council will adopt the text of the Conclusions.

YOUTH

Resolution of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on the participation of young people with fewer opportunities

Background

The main point on the agenda for Youth Ministers will be the adoption of a Resolution on the participation of young people with fewer opportunities. An exchange of views between the Ministers will also take place on the national experiences in encouraging this participation, as well as on possible future policies at European and national level.

Young people are key to building a more cohesive and competitive Europe. However, despite efforts, youth poverty and high unemployment levels are still worryingly high in some Member States. This explains why the issue of young people with fewer opportunities is growing higher on the political agenda, both at national and European level.

The European Commission organised an expert peer-learning exercise in order to exchange information about good practices and conferences with the civil society and with the young people took place on the same issue, in order to enrich the results of peer-learning. The Resolution is the outcome of this whole exercise. Among the political messages relayed by the Resolution, is the fact that the situation of young people with fewer opportunities in Europe is very worrying and should become a strong political priority in relevant processes such as the Lisbon strategy or the European Youth Pact.

At this Council

Ministers will exchange their views and are expected to adopt the Resolution.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Proposal for a Decision establishing an action programme for the enhancement of quality in higher education and the promotion of intercultural understanding through co-operation with third countries (Erasmus Mundus) (2009-2013)

Background

Erasmus Mundus began in 2004 and is a funding programme that promotes European higher education as a centre of excellence in the world. The proposed decision establishing the second phase of Erasmus Mundus (2009-2013) was adopted by the Commission on 12 July 2007. The second phase of Erasmus Mundus introduces some new elements, following the recommendations of the programme's interim evaluation. The new programme will continue its present actions (support for joint programmes in Europe with grants to high-calibre students and professors from third countries) but it will extend its scope to the doctoral level and to the support of European students, so they can be on a fairer footing vis-à-vis third-country students coming to Europe on Erasmus Mundus. Moreover, the new phase of the programme proposes to integrate the "Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Window", which is currently a separate Commission action, under the "Erasmus Mundus" umbrella.

The Council reached consensus on the adoption of a general approach in November 2007. The EP's Culture Committee presented its draft report on Erasmus Mundus II (including the opinions of five other EP committees) at its meeting of 5-6 May. Most of the amendments proposed by the EP are considered acceptable by the Commission. However, some of the amendments proposed by the EP pose difficulties due to their impact on the programme's basic principles, implementation modalities and timeline.

At this Council

The Slovenian Presidency will provide information on the current state of play, in particular as regards the development of the discussions in and with the European Parliament.

Proposal for a Regulation establishing a European Training Foundation (ETF recast regulation)

Background

The European Training Foundation (ETF) was created in 1990 to support implementation of the PHARE external assistance programme in the vocational training field. Its geographical scope has been extended subsequently and it now covers most countries surrounding the EU (those participating in the previous TACIS, CARDS and MEDA programmes).

Since the ETF's founding Regulation was last amended, there have been important developments in the European Union's policy outlook in both education and training and external relations fields, while new instruments have been adopted to implement these policies. Accordingly, a new amendment to the ETF founding Regulation is necessary to take into account recent developments, to update its role and function and to provide a sound basis for its future work.

The Commission's proposal aims to provide a recasting version of the ETF founding Regulation. It is to be noted that this proposal does not introduce any new activities for the ETF. Its objective is rather to provide for an updated and clearer definition of ETF's current functions, under a wider thematic remit (Human Capital Development) and a renewed geographical scope.

At this Council

The Presidency will inform on the state of play.

Proposal for a Recommendation on the establishment of the European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training (ECVET)

Background

The proposal for a Recommendation of the Council and the European Parliament, the European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training (ECVET), was adopted by the Commission on 9 April 2008. ECVET is aiming at enhancing transparency, recognition and quality of competences and qualifications, and to facilitate mobility of learners and workers. Its objective is both to support and promote transnational mobility and access to lifelong learning in vocational education and training, by facilitating transfer and accumulation of learning outcomes achieved by individuals from one qualification system to another or from one learning pathway to another.

The current proposal describes principles and general technical specifications. Adoption of ECVET would be done by Member States on a voluntary basis. It will be compatible with the existing European credit transfer system (ECTS) used in the higher education sector, with the different qualification systems existing in Europe and it will be implemented in each participating country according to the national rules and legal instruments.

At this Council

The proposal will be presented to Ministers.

Proposal for a Recommendation on quality assurance in vocational education and training

Background

The Commission adopted a proposal for a Recommendation of the European Parliament and the Council on the establishment of a European Quality Assurance

Framework in Vocational Education and Training (EQARF-VET) on 9 April 2008.

The objective of the proposed Recommendation is to establish a European Quality Assurance Reference Framework as a reference instrument to help Member States to promote and monitor continuous improvement of their Vocational Education and Training (VET) systems, based on common European references. The framework should contribute to quality improvement in VET and to building mutual trust in national VET systems within a genuine borderless lifelong learning area. The framework comprises a quality assurance and improvement cycle of planning, implementation, evaluation/assessment and review of VET supported by common quality criteria, indicatives descriptors and indicators. It recommends to develop networking in the domain through participation at the European Network for Quality assurance in VET (i.e. ENQAVET network) and to devise a national approach for quality. Its application is voluntary.

At this Council

The proposal will be presented to Ministers. notas_de_prensa_archivo