24/08/ International conference Adults with special needs in lifelong learning Slovenia, Kranjska Gora, 6 October 2011 Ute Haller-Block Head of Unit -Leonardo da Vinci, Grundtvig and Dissemination, EACEA P3

24/08/ CONTEXT

24/08/ million European citizens 80 millions live in poverty or are at risk of poverty 19 millions of them are children 80 million illiterate or low-skilled adults 15 % of early school leavers Some facts and figures

24/08/ mio 4-year-olds not in early childhood education and care 1 in 6 drop out with lower secondary or lower Early school leaving almost double for migrant-background students Migrant and Roma overrepresented in special needs 80 million adults with severe deficiencies in basic skills Some facts and figures

24/08/ Gap in educational performance of children with migrant or ethnic minority background compared to native youth Low participation rate of disadvantaged groups in early childhood education and in adult education Some facts and figures

24/08/ EU and national averages conceal important local and regional realities No real common definition at European level on “special needs” Concept of inclusion Some facts and figures

24/08/ Ageing population Increased migration flows Digital gap Globalisation and economic crisis Demographic and societal trends

24/08/ CONSEQUENCES

24/08/ With severe consequences – also for the well-off (OECD, 2008; Wilkinson & Pickett, 2009) Those living in poverty face greatly reduced educational prospects and future life chances Violate basic principles of social justice and human development Undermine economic prosperity of nations, democracy, social cohesion On society and economy

24/08/ Have huge financial costs -rarely shown in public accountancy systems Urgent need to develop not only more efficient but also more inclusive and equitable E&T systems On society and economy

24/08/ Means of action

24/08/ Policy EU2020 Strategy: smart, sustainable and inclusive growth Targets: –75 % of the population aged should be employed; –3 % of the EU's GDP should be invested in Research and Development; –The 20/20/20 climate/energy targets should be met; –The share of early school leavers should be under 10% and at least 40 % of the younger generation should have a tertiary degree or diploma; –20 million less people should be at risk of poverty.

24/08/ Policy Education and Training Four strategic objectives:  Making lifelong learning and mobility a reality  Enhancing creativity and innovation  Improving the quality and efficiency of education and training  Promoting equity, social cohesion and active citizenship

24/08/ Policy: DG EAC activities Cluster « Access and social inclusion » 2006 Communication and Council Conclusions - Efficiency and equity in European education and training systems Communications on Adult learning – Green paper and Council Conclusions on migration and education 2010 – Council conclusions on the social dimension of education and training

24/08/ Other relevant EU-level work European “package” to reduce early school leaving (Jan. 2011) –Council Recommendation adopted on 20 May 2011 Communication on Early Childhood Education and Care (2011) report: Progress towards the Lisbon Objectives in Education and Training –indicators and benchmarks (April 2011) network of experts to advise the European Commission on social aspects of Education and Training: NESET

24/08/ Other relevant EU-level work End November 2011: Council resolution on a renewed European Agenda for Adult Learning: –Increased participation among low qualified and disadvantaged adults –Focus on developing their basic skills through guidance, validation and access to second chance initiatives –Encourage countries to take concrete steps to enhance, intensify and coordinate policies to provide adult learning

24/08/ New Communication 2012 “Equity in education and training to support European inclusive growth” Likely to address –Will emphasise need for joined-up measures –Early school leaving from initial VET –Disability/special needs –The regional/geographic distribution of educational inequality in the EU –Roma learners –Low-skilled and long-term unemployed –Inequalities in tertiary education –Private tutoring in the EU –Measuring and monitoring for equity

24/08/ Lifelong Learning Programme Support implementation of political strategies Reflected in general Objectives: –(d) to reinforce the contribution of lifelong learning to social cohesion, active citizenship, intercultural dialogue, gender equality and personal fulfilment; –(f) to contribute to increased participation in lifelong learning by people of all ages, including those with special needs and disadvantaged groups, regardless of their socio-economic background;

24/08/ Lifelong Learning Programme And in main priorities: –5. Promote social inclusion and gender equality in education and training, including the integration of migrants and Roma –4. Promote the acquisition of key competences throughout the education and training system

24/08/ Lifelong Learning Programme At least 20 % of centralised projects have an inclusion dimension; "The Leonardo da Vinci programme reaches all social groups, disadvantaged persons included (18 % of the participants)"; Almost 2/3 of Grundtvig projects and partnerships tackle inclusion issues.

24/08/ Lifelong Learning Programme BUT Budget involved is low compared to what is at stake The aim of the LLP cooperation projects is to develop new ideas and approaches Mainstreaming has to come from other sources: structural funds, national or regional budgets Dissemination of LLP project results is crucial, should ideally be used for implementation at national level

24/08/ Dissemination: thematic network UK NA in partnership with 13 LLP Nas Cofinanced by LLP funds Identify good practice projects within the LLP that specifically focus on work with under-represented groups Identification of good, transferable practice Have a look at their website:

24/08/ Conclusions This conference will contribute to the exchange of good practices Will foster mutual learning Help preparing good projects in line with the programme priorities