Lifelong Learning
At the Lisbon European Council
in March 2000, government leaders set the EU a 10-year mission to become
the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world,
capable of sustained economic growth with more and better jobs and greater
social cohesion. Lifelong learning is a core element of this
strategy, central not only to competitiveness and employability but
also to social inclusion, active citizenship and personal development.
Following the adoption by the Commission on 21 November 2001 of the
Communication on Making a European Area of Lifelong Learning a Reality
lifelong learning has become the guiding principle for the development of
education and training policy. The Communication sets out concrete proposals
that aim to make lifelong learning a reality for all.
In June 2002, the Education Council adopted a Resolution on lifelong
learning supporting the
implementation of the Commission Communication.
Lifelong learning encompasses learning for personal, civic and social
purposes as well as for employment-related purposes. It takes place in a
variety of environments in and outside the formal education and training
systems. Lifelong learning implies raising investment in people and
knowledge; promoting the acquisition of basic skills, including digital
literacy; and broadening opportunities for innovative, more flexible forms
of learning. The aim is to provide people of all ages with equal and open
access to high-quality learning opportunities, and to a variety of learning
experiences, throughout Europe. Education systems have a key role to play in
making this vision a reality. Indeed, the Communication stresses the need
for Member States to transform formal education and training systems in
order to break down barriers between different forms of learning.
EU funding of more than € 2 million is being allocated to 17 regional
networks for lifelong learning, R3Ls, which have been selected with
the help of independent experts from a total of 57 proposals. The projects
involve 120 regions which are committed to developing advanced lifelong
learning education and training strategies.
Commissioner Jan Figel’ launched the Commission’s consultation on the
European Qualifications Framework (EQF) at the informal meeting of
European education ministers in London on 12 July.
The objective of the planned EQF is to create a European framework which
will enable qualifications systems at the national and sectoral levels to
relate to each other. This reference structure will be used on a voluntary
basis and will facilitate the transfer and recognition of qualifications
held by individual citizens.
The Commission is consulting the 32 countries participating in the Education
and Training 2010 work programme, the European Social Partners, the relevant
European associations, NGOs and networks, and the European industry sector
associations e.g. ICT, construction, marketing etc. Their responses will be
taken into account in establishing the final content and structure of the
EQF, prior to a formal proposal in 2006.
The consultation will close at the end of December 2005. If you wish to
participate in the EQF consultation, please send your comments to:
EQF@cec.eu.int
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