The 2014 European elections will provide the right momentum to think about the future of learning in Europe. The current economic and social crisis gave a new impetus to deeper cooperation in education and training with a high focus on growth and employment while at the same time austerity measures have weakened our educational systems. EUCIS-LLL believes that a sustainable investment should be made in learning as essential for our social model, in line with their prioritization at EU level. Poor access to lifelong learning limits people’s ability to access quality jobs and participate fully in society. We need a vision to ensure our education and training systems deliver better for economic development, social and civic participation, personal fulfilment and well-being. EUCIS-LLL calls MEPs to consider three top priorities and a set of 12 policy recommendations for lifelong learning in its Manifesto “Building together the future of Learning”.
The Manifesto
I. Ensure Accessible and Quality Learning for All
EQAR: Three new agencies listed on the Register
23 october 2013: At its meeting in Ghent last week, the Register Committee accepted the following agencies to the Register. The Estonian Higher Education Quality Agency (EKKA), the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA, United Kingdom) and the Slovenian Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (SQAA).
The Register now features 32 agencies that have demonstrated to operate in substantial compliance with the European Standard and Guidelines.
European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education
In most European countries, higher education institutions or study programmes are subject to regular external review by a quality assurance agency. The European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR) is a register of such agencies, listing those that substantially comply with a common set of principles for quality assurance in Europe. These principles are laid down in the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance. The register is web-based and freely accessible for everyone. Read more...
Register of QA Agencies
Encourage pedagogic innovation by putting the learner at the centre. Support enhanced learning experiences and new learning solutions such as e-learning, distance learning and open educational resources.
Reflect upon quality, tailored-made assessment and evaluation mechanisms that better reflect the competences acquired during the learning process.
Advocate to improve teachers, facilitators and trainers’ initial and continuous training as well as their working conditions; offer a better societal recognition of their role, as well as that of other members of the educating community.
Support a wider use of European transparency tools and the setting up by 2018 of national validation mechanisms for non-formal and informal learning to foster flexible learning pathways and facilitate access to the labour market.
Recognize the role played by non-formal and informal learning for active inclusion and social cohesion. Fight against the marginalization of vulnerable groups and promote intercultural dialogue and tolerance.
Defend the idea that learning mobility should be the rule and not the exception and ensure every one can access programmes regardless of their socio-economic and cultural background.
Promote the acquisition of basic skills, in particular foreign language skills, as the lack of such skills hinders citizens’ chances of finding a job and participating in society. Refer to the European Key Competences Framework as a basic framework for all educational sectors.
Strengthen and coordinate guidance services from the earliest age, as the learner’s compass to find the best tailored-made learning opportunities at all levels (national, regional, EU).
Give priority to European civic education to ensure all citizens have a basic understanding about the EU and its common values.
Contribute to the debate about the revision of the governance of EU cooperation in Education and Training (ET2020, Open Method of Coordination; European Semester) and strengthen the engagement of civil society.
Acknowledge the role played by European organisations in education and training by implementing an open, transparent and regular dialogue with representative associations and civil society (article 11 TUE). Set up an Intergroup on Lifelong Learning at the European Parliament.
Reinitiate the impulse on the setting up of a European Statute for the European Association, giving institutional recognition to the engagement and to the activism of millions of citizens./https%3A%2F%2Fprofilepics.canalblog.com%2Fprofilepics%2F1%2F0%2F1076071.jpg)