Brussels, 18/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - The priority of the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the EU is to promote the inclusion of the most deprived sections of young people who are not in education, employment, or training (“NEETs”). Lithuanian priorities in the field of education will be quality education corresponding to the needs of the labour market and open to international exchange and looking towards new technologies.
Last week the minister for education and science, Dainius Pavalkis, and his colleague responsible for social security, work and youth policy, Algimanta Pabedinskiené, presented their priorities for action to MEPs on the European Parliament's culture and education committee.
Education. The international dimension of higher education is key and there needs to be mobility and quality universities, emphasised Pavalkis. The Lithuanian Presidency will seek to respond to the recent European Commission communication on the internationalisation of higher education, with the adoption of conclusions at the November Education Council (see EUROPE 10886). These conclusions will also focus on the work begun by the Commission to modernise higher education. For the first time, the Presidency will also look at the possibility of the EU becoming a pioneer in education pushing for more efficient and quality systems. The importance of vocational training and the setting up of more open systems will also be on the agenda. Pavalkis stated that “training should be possible for all young people but also for adults. The EU must highlight certain aspects of training”. The minister promised that there would be close cooperation between employment ministers on this subject.
The spectacular increase in internet learning will also be a focus of ministers' attention. This kind of open learning is becoming very popular and is also being looked at by universities. It can promote lifelong learning, explained the minister, who is keen to look at the challenges created by open learning (or MOOCs - massive open online courses). Ministers will also finalise implementation of the new Erasmus + programme. The planned increase in resources for the programme should consolidate the action proposed in the programme, explained the minister.
Youth. Inclusion of young people experiencing difficulty will be at the centre of the Lithuanian Presidency's concerns. Pabedinskiene pointed out that Europe's future depended on its youth, which are the life force of the continent. She also indicated that she would be proposing conclusions for putting young NEETs back on the agenda. The minister indicated that, “if we want to resolve the difficulties facing these young people, we have to have measures to enable them to resume their studies or help promote the transition to getting a job”. She highlighted the importance of involving all young people, including those in difficulty, in life as active citizens and part of society. She explained that their creative thinking had to be developed and their potential better used. She insisted that, in order to integrate young people experiencing difficulties, solutions had to be found at all levels of government, in inter-ministerial cooperation, through innovative methods and within the framework of structured dialogue with all stakeholders. On the more specific question of youth employment, Lithuania will be proposing a Council resolution on apprenticeship contracts, which, it is hoped, will create more jobs for young people. The minister declared that all those responsible for social policy, as well as the Commission, had to be involved if a high quality apprenticeship system was to be created. The programme also provides for discussions on the Youth Guarantee, “which will provide genuine opportunities to young people and help them avoid spending too long out of the professional job circuit”, as well as cooperation between young Europeans and their counterparts from the Caucasus. (IL/transl.fl)