1. The Work of the Directorate-General for Education and Culture
Date
Name
DG EAC, Unit C.3, European Commission

2. Contents 1. DG EAC’s mission
2. Overview of policy initiatives in the field of education and training:
Lisbon Strategy, Lifelong Learning policy, EIT, Copenhagen Process,
Tools for improving mobility: EQF, Europass, Ploteus
4. Bologna Process
Lifelong Learning Programme
Other education programmes: Tempus, Erasmus Mundus
Culture policy and Culture Programme
Youth policy and Youth in Action Programme
Europe for Citizens Programme
Sport policy
The importance of multilingualism
Visits to the Commission and Central Library

3. Why are we active in these areas?
EC Treaty
Article 151 To contribute to the flowering of the cultures of the Member States, while respecting their national and regional diversity and at the same time bringing their common cultural heritage to the fore.
Article 149 To contribute to the development of quality education by encouraging cooperation between Member States and, if necessary, by supporting and supplementing their action.
Article 150 To implement a vocational training policy which supports and supplements the action of the Member States.

4. DG Education and Culture Mission Statement
“To reinforce and promote lifelong learning,
linguistic and cultural diversity, mobility
and the engagement of European citizens,
in particular the young.”

5. DG Education and Culture
Member States are in charge
of their education systems,
cultural and youth policies…
…and the European Commission
has a supporting, fostering role

6. Half of all new jobs are created in knowledge-based sectors

7. But 80 million Europeans are low-skilled…
That’s 32% of the workforce!
Only 15% of jobs are done by those with basic schooling

8. “Half of all employees in Europe sit behind PCs “

9. DG EAC coordinates 2 types of activities:
Policy cooperation
with Member States
Action programmes
grant schemes

10. Policy cooperation on:
Education and Training
Culture
Youth
Citizenship
Multilingualism
Sport

11. The main action programmes
Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP)
Culture programme
Youth in Action
Europe for Citizens

12. Policy environment

13. Lifelong learning
Education & Training policy coordination and Education & Training Programme

14. Policy: Lisbon Strategy
EU to become an advanced knowledge
society with sustainable development,
more and better jobs and greater social cohesion
Lisbon relaunch, 2005
Education and Training 2010: 10-year work programme
Improve quality
Ensure accessibility
Open up to world

15. National level: Reforms are going in the right direction…
… but performance against the benchmarks could be improved

16. Lifelong Learning
encompasses learning for personal, civic and social purposes as well as for employment-related purposes
takes place in a variety of environments in and outside the formal education and training systems
Lifelong and lifewide learning!

17. Lifelong Learning policy
A policy 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

18. EIT The European Institute of Innovation and Technology a driving force for innovation

19. EIT The EIT: objectives Excellence
Trans & Interdisciplinary approaches
Critical mass & synergies at European level
European identity and symbol reference model
Dissemination of new methods to manage innovation
Add value to existing instruments
Innovation
EIT
Integration of the Knowledge Triangle
Education
Research

20. Next generation of ICTs
The EIT: Structure
EIT
The EIT: Governing Board
EIT
EIT
Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs)
Next generation of ICTs
EIT
Climate Change
Renewable Energy
KIC
KIC
KIC
Partner organisations

21. EIT financing architecture
EIT Foundation
EU direct
budget to
the EIT
€ 308 million
EIT
Other sources
Private
Governmental
International
KIC
KIC
KIC
Other EU
Programmes
(7FP, Structural
Funds)

22. Tools for improving mobility

23. Policy: Bologna Process
Bologna Declaration: 1999
Three cycles (3, 5 and 8 years)
Ensure high standards
Simplify higher
education qualifications
Improve mobility
Attract students worldwide
Quality assurance & accreditation/certification mechanisms 46
countries
Strengthen the European dimension of higher education

24. The Copenhagen process has ambitious aims!
Make the EU’s vocational education and training (VET) a world reference by 2010
Use EUROPASS
Quality assurance in VET
ECVET - Credit system for VET
and others…

25. What is the European Qualifications Framework (EQF)?
Translation device for comparing qualifications
Neutral reference point based on learning outcomes
(what a learner knows, understands and is able to do)

26. There are eight EQF levels
Each EQF Reference Level
Knowledge
Skills
Wider personal and professional competences

27. Europass Language Passport Europass Certificate Supplement
Europass CV
Europass Language Passport
Europass Certificate Supplement
Europass Diploma Supplement
Europass Mobility
Filled in by the individual
Filled in
and issued
by the competent
authorities
URL:

28. Ploteus Portal on Learning Opportunities throughout the European Space
Internet portal for learning opportunities
Target groups: students, job seekers, workers, parents, guidance counsellors, teachers
Forthcoming: direct access to national databases through the Ploteus interface
URL:

29. Lifelong Learning Programme
Duration: January 2007 – December 2013
Budget: € 7 billion
31 Participating countries in 2007: 27 EU-Member States Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Turkey
The programme is also open for future participation to:
Switzerland
Countries of the Western Balkans

30. LLP: a four-pillar structure
Comenius
School
education
Erasmus
Higher education & advanced training
Leonardo
da Vinci
Vocational education and training
Grundtvig
Adult
Transversal Programme
4 key activities – Policy cooperation; Languages; ICT; Dissemination and exploitation of results
Jean Monnet Programme
3 key activities – Jean Monnet Action; European
Institutions; European associations

31. Vocational education and training
LLP: the budget
Comenius
School education
Erasmus
Higher education
& advanced training
Leonardo da Vinci
Vocational education and training
Grundtvig
Adult education
≥ 13%
≥ 40%
≥ 25%
≥ 4%
“The sectoral sub-programmes shall be the following:
the Comenius programme, which shall address the teaching and learning needs of all those in pre-school and school education up to the level of the end of upper secondary education, and the institutions and organisations providing such education;
the Erasmus programme, which shall address the teaching and learning needs of all those in formal higher education and vocational education and training at tertiary level, whatever the length of their course or qualification may be and including doctoral studies, and the institutions and organisations providing or facilitating such education and training;
the Leonardo da Vinci programme, which shall address the teaching and learning needs of all those in vocational education and training other than at tertiary level, as well as the institutions and organisations providing or facilitating such education and training;
the Grundtvig programme, which shall address the teaching and learning needs of those in all forms of adult education, as well as the institutions and organisations providing or facilitating such education.
2. The Transversal programme shall comprise the following four key activities:
policy cooperation and innovation in lifelong learning;
promotion of language learning;
development of innovative ICT-based content, services, pedagogies and practice for lifelong learning;
dissemination and exploitation of results of actions supported under the programme and previous related programmes, and exchange of good practice.
3. The Jean Monnet programme shall support institutions and activities in the field of European integration. It shall comprise the following three key activities:
the Jean Monnet Action;
operating grants to support specified institutions dealing with issues relating to European integration;
operating grants to support other European institutions and associations in the fields of education and training.” (COM(2006)236 final)

32. Lifelong learning: Comenius for school education
Addressing:
schools from pre-schools schools
Educational community in its broadest sense: local authorities, parents associations, teacher training institutes
Specific target:
Involve at least 3 million EU school pupils in joint educational activities by 2013
EUROPE IN THE CLASSROOM (from the Europe for Lifelong Learning brochure)
Covering pre-schools through to upper secondary schools, the Comenius programme seeks to develop understanding of and between various European cultures through exchanges and cooperation between schools in different countries – these experiences foster personal development, skills and competences, and cultivate the notion of European citizenship.
The programme addresses the educational community in its broadest sense, including local authorities, parents associations or teacher training institutes.
Comenius aims to boost the quality of school education, strengthen its European dimension and promote mobility, language learning and greater inclusion. It supports partnerships between schools in thematic fields of common interest and multilateral projects to develop new pedagogical methods or curricula. It also funds education
networks, as well as the on- and off-line twinning between schools.
More specifically, Comenius has the objective of promoting the participation of at least 3 million pupils in joint educational activities by It supports transnational mobility, school partnerships, European projects and networks.
COMENIUS
Czech-born theologian and philosopher Johann Amos Comenius ( ) was one of the founding fathers of modern education who believed in bringing education to all.

33. Lifelong learning: Erasmus for higher education
Addressing:
Students (study & placements)
Teachers (lecturing & training)
Staff of higher education institutions (training)
Universities (multilateral projects, networks)
Enterprises (lecturing, placements, multilateral projects & networks)
Specific target:
3 million university students to study abroad by 2012
MOVING IN A SINGLE EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY SPACE (from the Europe for Lifelong Learning brochure)
Erasmus, the EU’s flagship education and training programme, emphasises student and staff mobility and European co-operation involving higher education institutions and other key players in the knowledge-based economy. It supports the creation of a European Higher Education Area (EHEA) through increased mobility. This allows for more innovation, growth and jobs in the EU. Over 1.5 million students have participated so far with a goal of reaching 3 million by Together with an enriched study experience, Erasmus also provides exposure to different cultures.
In addition to students, Erasmus also targets teachers, trainers, and others involved in higher education. This includes relevant associations, research centres, counselling organisations, etc. It is also open to enterprises, social partners and stakeholders, as well as public and private bodies providing education and training at local, regional and national levels.
Erasmus supports actions in the fields of mobility (period of study or placement abroad), European projects and networks.
ERASMUS
Erasmus of Rotterdam ( ), the famous Dutch humanist and theologian, taught in Paris (FR), Louvain (BE) and Cambridge (UK), traditional European centres of learning.

34. Lifelong learning: Leonardo da Vinci for vocational education and training (VET)
Addressing:
Trainees in initial vocational training
People available on the labour market
Professionals in vocational education and training
Organisations active in the field
Specific target:
training placements each year in companies and training centres in another EU country by 2013
VOCATIONAL TRAINING - NEW SKILLS FOR BETTER JOBS (from the Europe for Lifelong Learning brochure)
The Leonardo Da Vinci programme focuses on the teaching and training needs of those involved in vocational education and training. It aims to establish and bolster the competitiveness of the European labour market by helping European citizens to acquire new skills, knowledge and qualifications and have them recognised across borders. It also supports innovations and improvements in vocational education and training systems and practices. One main objective is to increase the quality and attractiveness of vocational education and training in Europe.
Leonardo da Vinci is open to the entire spectrum of subjects covered by vocational education and training. It supports the transfer of knowledge, innovation and expertise between all key actors in this domain.
Leonardo da Vinci funds a wide-range of actions, notably transnational mobility, European projects focusing on the development or the transfer of innovation and networks. It addresses trainees in initial vocational training, people available on the labour market and professionals in vocational education and training, as well as any organisation active in this field.
LEONARDO DA VINCI
The Italian polymath Leonardo Da Vinci ( ) was the archetypal ‘Renaissance man’. His artistic, scientific, mathematical, technical, literary and philosophical legacy have been
an inspiration ever since.

35. Lifelong learning: Grundtvig for adult education
Addressing:
Learners, teachers, trainers and other staff in adult education
Educational institutions, organisations and other bodies in the field
Specific target:
7,000 adult students to study abroad each year by 2013
ADULT EDUCATION - IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO LEARN (from the Europe for Lifelong Learning brochure)
The Grundtvig programme seeks to respond to the challenges raised by the necessity to update knowledge and to provide adults with pathways to improve their know-how and competences, as they progress through life so that they can adapt to changes in the labour market and society. Grundtvig focuses on all forms of non-vocational adult and continuing education. It is targeted at learners, teachers, trainers and other staff in adult education and the educational institutions, organisations and other bodies offering and facilitating such learning opportunities. Adult education associations, counselling and information services, policy organisations, NGOs, enterprises, research centres and higher education institutions can work together through transnational partnerships, European projects and networks. Those involved in adult education can also take part in mobility activities.
GRUNDTVIG
The Danish philosopher, theologian, teacher, historian and poet Nikolaj Frederik Severin Grundtvig ( ) is regarded as the ‘father’ of the Folk High School and as a staunch supporter of educating adults for active participation in society as opposed to the more abstract pursuits of scholars.

36. Jean Monnet Programme
Aims to increase knowledge on European integration world-wide
Network of 2000 Jean Monnet professors
in 61 countries on 5 continents
Currently reaching students per year

37. External cooperation and programmes
Tempus
Erasmus Mundus
Cooperation with Industrialised Countries
Sectoral Policy Dialogue

38. Tempus
Tempus supports the modernisation of higher education in 28 Partner countries
Annual budget of € 50 million.
Erasmus Mundus
Promotes the EU as a centre of excellence for learning in the world by encouraging joint masters courses, providing scholarships for third country students.
The Trans-European Mobility scheme for University Studies

39. Cooperation with industrialised countries
Promotes university partnerships and mobility of students and faculty with the most advanced countries
Outside EU
Sectoral policy dialogue
Aims to exchange best practices through seminars and studies on selected topics
Targeted on both industrialised countries such as Australia, and important partners such as China, Israel, India, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa

40. How are these programmes implemented?
The Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA)
Day-to-day management of centralised strands of the programmes: ca 3,500 new projects and operating grants a year
Informs about funding opportunities and supports applicants / beneficiaries
The National Agencies for Lifelong Learning
Day-to-day management of many of our actions in the Member States, your first contact point for questions about our programmes

41. Policy coordination and Programme
Culture
Policy coordination and Programme

42. Objectives of the European Agenda for Culture:
Promote cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue
Promote culture as a catalyst for creativity
(Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs)
Promote culture as a vital element
in EU's international relations

43. Main policy developments in the culture field
European Agenda for Culture in a globalising World (May 2007)
Workplan for Culture (May 2008)
Member State experts sharing experience
Dialogue with the culture sector: 3 Platforms
Background for speaking notes:
European Agenda adopted by the Commission in May 2007 after wide-ranging consultation. Endorsed by Council (via a Resolution) in November 2007; Council welcomes the Agenda (a Commission Communication) and starts discussion on a 3-year workplan.
The workplan (adopted May 2008 by Council) sets out what MSs will do over 3 years to take forward the Agenda. They will be supported by the Commission, notably via studies on certain key issues. MSs will work together through the Open Method of Coordination (OMC).
The Culture OMC was launched in 1st semester MSs have nominated experts already for 2 groups, "mobility" and "potential of the cultural and creative industries". 2 other existing MS expert groups may also work in the OMC framework: "synergies between education and culture" and "mobility of collections". All groups will report to Council.
3 Platforms bringing together civil society operators will also contribute to OMC policy development by making recommendations based on practice. 1 platform already exists on Intercultural Dialogue, 2 others are being set up on "access to culture" and "cultural and creative industries".
Following the first ever Culture Forum for Europe held in Lisbon in autumn 2007, a "mid-term" Forum will be held in autumn 2009 and a full-scale Forum in autumn The Forum brings together a wide range of culture sector stakeholders to reflect on and contribute to policy recommendations.

44. How can we integrate the Culture Sector into the Lisbon agenda?
Invest in creativity and business education
Reinforce the Internal Market for creative people,
products and services
Promote links between creators and technology

45. The Culture Programme Objectives:
To promote mobility of cultural operators
To support mobility of artistic works and products
To promote intercultural dialogue
How will the Culture Programme achieve these aims?:
By giving support to:
- Cultural activities (co-operation action, special actions, …)
- Organisations working in cultural co-operation domain (e.g. memorials)
- Studies, analysis and diffusion of information about the cultural sector

46. The Culture Programme Budget: 400 million € for 2007-2013
Implementation:
Day-to-day management of centralised strands
by the Education, Audiovisual and Culture
Executive Agency (EACEA)
Cultural Contact Points implement
the programme in the Member States

47. General EYID objectives
Promote intercultural dialogue as a process of integration in a more open and more complex world
Encourage cultural diversity
Develop a European citizenship open to the world

48. Youth
Check copyrights
Policy coordination and Programme

49. Youth policies: Instruments
Open method of coordination (OMC)
European Youth Pact
Youth in Action Programme
European Knowledge Centre on Youth Policies
European Youth portal
Structured dialogue with young people
Consulting young people on matters which concern them
The 4 priorities were suggested by the White Paper on youth from The Council of youth ministers then (in 2002) decided to apply the OMC to foster the priorities.
The OMC is an intergovernmental method providing a framework for cooperation between the Member States.
In practice this means:
MS agree on common objectives for each priority
MS formulate their own policies and strategies to reach the set objectives
MS report to the Commission on what they have done and achieved, including sharing of «best practice»
The Commission summarise the reports and make results available for the other countries
Youth in Action Programme – a main objective of the programme is to foster active participation of all young people in society
Knowledge center – one of several tools to increase the knowledge of youth issues
European Youth portal – a multilingual pan-european web portal which gives access to information about a number of themes which are important for young people, such as studying, volunteering, working etc – in most European countries

50. Youth policies Priorities for active citizenship
Participation
Information
Volunteering
Better knowledge /
understanding of youth

51. European cooperation on youth policies: Social and Professional integration
Priorities for the European Youth Pact
Employment and social inclusion
Education (incl. entrepreneurship)
training and mobility
Reconciliation of family/work life
Background: Youth unemployment –twice as high as for adults.
The European Youth Pact is a political instrument adopted by the European Council in Its aim is to promote the participation of all young people in education, employment and society.
It is an integrated part of the Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs – for the EU to “to become, within a decade, "the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustainable growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion.” (Lisbon March 2000).
This means that when MS report to the EU on what they have done to reach the Lisbon objectives, they should give youth a special focus.

52. What are the aims of the new Youth in Action programme?
The new action programme for Europe’s
young people,
Promote active citizenship
Foster youth solidarity to promote
social cohesion
Support mutual understanding in society
Improve information provision for young people
Support European co-operation
on youth policies
++Programme priorities:
The Youth in Action programme has four permanent priorities which potential projects will have to be aware of as they frame their bids for support:
European Citizenship: A key goal of the programme is to raise awareness in young people that they are citizens of Europe, as well as citizens of their own countries. The aim is to get youth actively involved in shaping the future of the European Union. Projects will have to show a strong European dimension if they are to receive programme backing.
Participation of young people: Youth in Action promotes and supports young people’s involvement in democratic life, spurring them on to be active citizens who care about their communities and understand the value of representative democracy.
Cultural diversity: Respect for people’s cultural origins is at the heart of the Youth in Action programme, as is the desire to fight against racism and xenophobia – forces that undermine European values and people’s solidarity.
Inclusion: The focus is on ensuring that young people with fewer opportunities get access to the Youth in Action programme, as well as on encouraging projects with a thematic focus on inclusion.
In addition to these permanent priorities, each year the focus is also placed on specific annual priorities.

53. The Five main avenues for action under Youth in Action
Youth for Europe
European Voluntary Service
Youth of the world
Youth workers and support systems
Support for policy co-operation
Action 1 - Youth for Europe encourages young people's active citizenship, participation and creativity through youth exchanges, youth initiatives and youth democracy projects.
Action 2 - European Voluntary Service helps young people to develop their sense of solidarity by participating, either individually or in group, in non-profit, unpaid voluntary activities abroad.
Action 3 - Youth in the World promotes partnerships and exchanges among young people and youth organisations across the world.
Action 4 - Youth Support Systems includes various measures to support youth workers and youth organisations and improve the quality of their activities.
Action 5 - Support for European Co-operation in the Youth field supports youth policy co-operation at European level, in particular by facilitating dialogue between young people and policy makers.

54. The Youth in Action programme
Budget: 915 million €
The implementation of the programme
is managed by the Education, Audiovisual
and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA)
National Agencies of the Programme promote and implement the Programme at national level.

55. Europe for citizens
The new action programme to promote civic participation in the EU,

56. What are the aims of the Europe for citizens programme?
Help citizens participate actively in building Europe
Develop the feeling of a European identity and sense of belonging to the EU
Improve understanding among people through intercultural dialogue
Budget: 215 millions €

57. Specific objectives of the Europe for citizens programme
Get European citizens to exchange experiences,
learn our common history and build our future together
Promote action, dialogue and reflection
on our common values
Bring Europe closer to its citizens
Foster the interaction of European
civil society organisations

58. The main avenues of action under Europe for citizens
“Active citizens for Europe”: town twinning
“Active civil society in Europe”:
support for civil society organisations
“Together for Europe”:
visibility and communication activities
“Active European Remembrance”:
in particular, relating to legacy of totalitarian regimes
The implementation of the programme is managed
by the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA)

59. Europe and Sport
Policy coordination

60. EU & Sport 2007: a landmark year
Adoption of the White Paper on Sport (07/ 2007)
Inclusion of sport in the Treaty of Lisbon (12/2007)
Start of White Paper implementation
(as of second half 2007)
2008: consolidation & preparation
Continuation of White Paper implementation

61. EU & Sport 2008 – 2009: Intense cooperation at three levels
Member States:
Informal EU Sport Ministers & EU Sport Directors
Member States Working Group “White Paper implementation” EU Working Groups: Health, Doping, Economics, Non-profit sport organisations
Sport movement:
Annual EU Sport Forum, Strengthened Structured Dialogue for sport at EU level, Enhancing EU Social Dialogue structures for sport
European Commission / Inter-institutional:
Inter Service Group on Sport
European Parliament, EESC, CoR

62. Multilingualism
The importance of Multilingualism

63. Languages contribute to competitiveness and growth
Creating an effective internal market
Skills and adaptability of the workforce
Promoting mobility of labour and professions
Removing barriers to growth
Stimulating job creation and enterprise
Innovation, research and development
Social cohesion, personal development

64. ‘Mother tongue plus two’
Overall policy:
‘Mother tongue plus two’
Heads of State and Government
of the European Union,
Barcelona, March 2002

65. Multilingualism boosts European competitiveness
Outcomes of the study on languages management
and export performance

66. What languages will SMEs need in next 3 years?

67. DG EAC’s main activities:
Policy cooperation with Member States
Action programmes - grant schemes
Our Action Programmes
DG EAC
Lifelong learning
Europe for Citizens
Culture programme
Youth Action

68. Visits to the Commission
Priority information visits, made-to-measure programmes for targeted groups of information multipliers (Journalists, Members of national or regional parliaments, senior civil servants etc.)
General conferences on the European Institutions intended for the general public
(Students, schools and people who have little or no previous knowledge of the EU)

69. Central Library of the Commission
The Central Library of the European Commission
is a reference and research unit which works in close association with the specialised libraries of other Directorates-General or Services.
holds the Commission's main stock of monographs, periodicals and annuals and is responsible for applying a balanced acquisitions policy.

70. Traineeships in the Commission
Each year in October and in March, the Commission welcomes 600 administrative trainees for a period of 5 months. They work in different Commission services.
The traineeship programme is open to university graduates from all over the world.
Minimum requirements: 1) Bachelor’s degree and 2) good command of English, French or German + another official EU language.
The trainees work under the responsibility of an adviser.
No previous experience in the EU institutions is required.

71. More information:
DG EAC’s website:

72. Thank you