Formation Continue du Supérieur

On 27 January the European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA) and the German Institute for Adult Education (DIE) organised in the European Parliament a policy debate hosted by MEP Mitro Repo (S&D, FI) to present the research results of the BeLL – Benefits of Lifelong Learning project showing why investing in adult education makes good sense for individuals, communities and economies as a whole (see also LLinE article). The project outcomes were also linked to PIAAC results and in this line, policy-makers, project partners and key educational stakeholders reflected on how to invest in and increase the visibility of adult education on the European political stage. See the media release on the event and take the opportunity to visit the new EAEA website!

In November 2013 EUCIS-LLL joined several civil society organisations in a common effort to reflect on a new European Convention in particular and European democracy in general, coordinated by European Movement International. EUCIS-LLL President David Lopez was elected to be part of the Alliance Steering Committee. EUCIS-LLL also attended the inaugural meeting of Democracy International’s Citizens Campaign for a democratic EU Convention, complementary initiative to the Civil Society Alliance, and will follow up on both initiatives in the next months.

DG EAC has made public its evaluation plan from January 2014, which includes the revision of key legal documents in the field of education and training. The evaluation of the Strategic Framework for European Cooperation in Education and Training (ET2020) has for instance already begun and will last until the end of 2014. From this month on the Commission will also work on a study on efficiency of investment in education and training, which should help to strengthen the implementation of ET2020, the Europe 2020 Strategy and the 2012 Communication on “Rethinking Education”.

The Greek Minister of Education Konstantinos Arvanitopoulos presented on 21 January in front of the Parliament Committee for Culture and Education the Greek presidency priorities in the field of education and training for the next semester (members only: see EUCIS-LLL infonote). He put a special emphasis on ensuring quality at all levels of education and training. In line with the Lithuanian presidency that had shed light on leadership in education, the Greeks will keep on focusing on the pedagogical team with particular attention to teacher training (initial education, recruitment criteria, high performance). The Minister also mentioned many times the importance of equality, social cohesion and inclusion (especially among young people) and the need for a humanistic approach to education. See full broadcast.

The European Commission has released a report on Progress in Quality Assurance in Higher Education and a report on the implementation of a 2009 Recommendation on a European Quality Assurance Reference Framework in VET (EQAVET) (see press release). The research led in the field of higher education recommends a deeper paradigm shift towards a genuine quality culture in the sector, so that quality assured qualification frameworks for lifelong learning reflecting more flexible learning pathways become a reality. In the field of VET, the Commission recommended to increase efforts in work-based learning and non-formal provision that are key in dual systems but have been to a lesser extent targeted by quality assurance measures than formal school-based provision.

The 6^th International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies (EDULEARN14), organised by the International Academy of Technology, Education and Development (IATED), will take place in Barcelona, Spain from 7 to 9 July 2014. More than 700 participants will gather to discuss the latest developments in the field of teaching and learning methodologies, educational projects and innovations and new technologies applied to education and research. Submit your abstracts until 3 April.

“At the interface of learning for employability” is the latest note released by CEDEFOP and tackling latest and upcoming CEDEFOP work on the modernisation of VET systems (i.e. a VET policy monitoring report is notably announced for this year), careers …

The McKinsey Center for Government has produced a new report on “Education to employment: designing a system that works” acknowledged by the European Commission (see Commissioner Vassiliou’s speech). The report provides some interesting statistics, i.e. 39% of education providers think the main reason students drop out is that the course of study is too difficult, but only 9% of youth say this is the case (46% evoke cost-related reasons for skipping post-secondary schooling). The study interprets those profound differences of understanding as a consequence of the fact that education providers, learners and employers do not engage enough with each other; it also describes the close collaboration between education providers and employers (on-site visits, curricula design) as a key success factor of the most innovative systems to bridge the worlds of education and work.

This call for proposals is based on the Erasmus+ regulation recently adopted by the European Parliament and Council to implement the Erasmus+ programme 2014-2020. Deadline for Key Action 1 (“Mobility of individuals in the field of education, training and youth”): 17 March. Deadline for Key Action 2 (“Strategic Partnerships in the field of education, training and youth”): 30 April.

The objective of the call is to provide structural support, referred to as operating grant, to European non-governmental organisations (ENGOs) and EU-wide networks active in the field of education and training or in the field of youth and pursuing several aims (multiplication of EU action, increase stakeholders participation  and commitment, etc.) Deadline: 17 march 2014.