Brussels, 21/11/2013 (Agence Europe) - Education and audiovisual ministers are to discuss digital technology during the next session of the Council on Education, Youth, Culture and Sport, to be held in Brussels on 25 and 26 November. They will see to what extent ICT can promote new teaching methods and the challenges that the new digital platforms raise for the audiovisual sector. Debates will be chaired by the Lithuanian ministers, Dainius Pavalkis responsible for education and science, Sarunas Birutis responsible for culture, and Alfonsas Dailis Barakauskas, who is home minister. Commissioners Androulla Vassiliou, responsible for education, culture, youth, multilingualism and sport, and Neelie Kroes, responsible for the digital strategy and audiovisual, will attend the debates concerning their respective portfolios. The session devoted to education and youth will be held on Monday 25 November and that devoted to culture, audiovisual and sport will be on Tuesday 26 November. Items on the Council agenda are:
Education. Open educational resources and digital learning are beginning to emerge and expand. These new innovative teaching techniques, if well used, can broaden access to education but nonetheless raise important issues such as quality assurance, recognition and accreditation, in particular. During a public debate, education ministers will discuss such matters within the framework of a communication published on 25 September by the European Commission. The Council should also adopt conclusions on the global dimension of higher education in Europe and on the effective exercise of management in education.
Youth. Ministers will hold a debate on the future EU work plan for youth. They will discuss the most important problems currently encountered by young people, the priority measures to be implemented for raising challenges, and how the work plan for youth can contribute to strengthen youth policy. The Council will also adopt conclusions on improving the social inclusion of young people that are not at work, and that do not follow a course of study or training (NEETs).
Culture and audiovisual. The “media, audiovisual” part will focus a debate on the theme “Connected Citizens: changing behaviour of viewers in the converged media environment” as part of revision of the audiovisual media services directive expected next year and also in the light of the Commission's Green Paper “Preparing for a fully converged audiovisual world”. Consumer demand for audiovisual content on any mobile device creates new challenges when it comes to control of advertising (and content), the protection of minors, data protection and the protection of copyright. Ministers will assess the extent to which these new services already fill a major place on their domestic markets and whether or not they comprise risks for consumers. Also, if there are risks, it must be seen whether specific regulations should be envisaged for overcoming such risks. The Council, moreover, envisages the adoption of conclusions on media pluralism in the digital environment, which will cover three key issues: - transparency with regards media ownership, protection of journalists from political or economic influence and the protection of their sources, as well as the independence of audiovisual regulatory bodies. On the “culture” dossier, the Council is expected to reach general guidelines on the proposal relating to the restitution of cultural goods that have unlawfully left the territory of a member state. Review of the 1993 directive, adopted during the creation of the single market, aims to improve the effectiveness of the mechanisms intended to gain the restitution of cultural goods classified as “national treasures”.
Sport. A public debate will be organised on the question of good governance in sport, a question that constantly acquires importance for the world of sport and the public authorities. The Council should also adopt: 1) conclusions on the contribution made by sport to the EU economy and especially to combating youth unemployment and social inclusion; and 2) a recommendation on the promotion of physical activity for better health. (IL/transl.jl)