The European Commission is undertaking a mid-term stocktaking of the Strategic Framework for European Cooperation in Education and Training (ET 2020) for the period 2009-2014.The second cycle of the framework is completed in 2014 and the third one will begin in 2015.
The objective of the consultation is to collect views on main impacts of ET 2020 to date and remaining challenges, on the usefulness of OMC and on key priorities for 2015-2017.
The results of this survey will be used to inform the design of the ETYP (Education, Training and Youth Forum) in October 2014 and to inform the Commission Staff Working Document on the mid-term review.
The Europe 2020 strategy was launched in March 2010 as the EU’s strategy for promoting smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. The strategy is built around five headline targets in the areas of
- Employment
- Research and development
- Climate and energy
- Education
- Fight against poverty and social exclusion.
The strategy also set out a series of action programmes, called ‘flagship initiatives’ in seven fields.
The strategy is implemented and monitored in the context of the European Semester, the yearly cycle of coordination of economic and budgetary policies at EU level. The Country-Specific Recommendations are key instruments for the implementation of the Europe 2020 Strategy.
The European Council of 20-21 March has agreed, after proposal by the European Commission, to initiate a review of the strategy. On 5 March 2014, the Commission adopted a Communication ‘Taking Stock of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth’.
Communication from the European Commission, 5 March 2014.
The Communication has two parts: Where does Europe stand four years on? Has the Europe 2020 strategy worked? Role of the targets,of the flagship initiatives, of the European Semester.
The annual Education and Training Monitor examines the evolution of Europe’s education and training systems. It takes into account various benchmarks and indicators but also recent studies and policy developments.
The Monitor has been presented at the EUNEC executive committee on 11 December by Mr Stan Van Alphen, European Commission, DG EAC
The objective of the consultation is to collect the views of stakeholders on the problems faced by learners and workers with regard to the transparency and recognition of their skills and qualifications when moving within and between EU Member States, on the adequacy of the related European policies and instruments and on the potential benefits of developing a “European Area of Skills and Qualifications”.
The consultation is open until 15 April 2014.
The Council adopted conclusions on effective leadership in education and the global dimension of European higher education. It also held a debate, in public deliberation, on OER (Open Educational Resources) and digital learning.
In the field of Youth, the Council adopted conclusions on enhancing the social inclusion of young people not in employment, education or training.
On 25 September 2013, the European Commission launched the Communication 'Opening up Education' to boost innovation and digital skills in schools and universities.
More than 60% of nine year olds in the EU are in schools which are still not digitally equipped. 'Opening up Education'is an action plan to tackle this and other digital problems which are hampering schools and universities from delivering high quality education and the digital skills which 90% of jobs will require by 2020. To help kick-off the initiative, the Commission launched a new website, Open Education Europa, which will allow students, practitioners and educational institutions to share free-to-use open educational resources.
This new strategy of the European Commission (11 July 2013) aims to ensure that European graduates gain the international skills they need to work anywhere in the world, and that Europe remains the most attractive destination for international students.
The Commission underlines that universities and other higher education institutions must also promote an international outlook among the 85% of students who are not mobile, so that they too acquire the international skills required in a globalised world.
