Brussels, 15/05/2015 (Agence Europe) - The forthcoming meeting of the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport (EYCS) Council in Brussels on 18-19 May will discuss digital skills, creativity, youth work, audio-visual policy within the digital framework and grassroots sport.
Education and youth issues will be discussed on Monday 18 May and culture and audiovisual issues and sport on Tuesday 19 May.
Education: in the education session, minister will debate fostering digital competence and creativity in children, with these qualities becoming increasingly sought after in the jobs market. Conclusions are to be adopted, underlining the importance of early childhood education for the development of these skills. Ministers will also hold a public debate on the new strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training (Education and Training 2020) with a view to drafting the 2015 joint report. The strategic framework sets joint strategic objectives for member states and common working methods in the priority areas for each periodic work cycle. Ministers will be invited to set out their views on the level of cooperation achieved so far and the direction in which it should develop over the next cycle (2015-2017). The issue of access to education and the effectiveness of investment has been included in the agenda, and will be one of the main topics discussed by ministers over lunch.
Youth: during the youth session, in the afternoon, the Council will adopt conclusions on enhancing cross-sectoral policy cooperation to improve the situation of young people and address the challenges they have to face, and also on the contribution of youth work to the emergence of more inclusive societies. Ministers will also discuss greater participation for young people in the democratic life of Europe.
Culture and audiovisual: the impact of the digital single market strategy, unveiled by the European Commission on 6 May, on the cultural and audiovisual sectors will be debated by the ministers with responsibility in this area in a working session on Tuesday morning. A public debate will be held on the future European audiovisual policy, addressing two issues: the functioning of the audiovisual media services directive in the current geopolitical situation and the impact of the digital strategy on the audiovisual sector. Conclusions will also be adopted which will examine how cultural and artistic creativity can trigger innovation in industry and business and also in education, health care and the environment. The aim here is to develop synergies that foster innovation, sustainable economic growth and social inclusion. The Council will confirm Matera (Italy) and Plovdiv (Bulgaria) as the European capitals of culture 2019.
Sport: the sport session will be devoted to the role of grassroots sport in developing cross-cutting skills in individuals, with the adoption of conclusions on the issue. A debate will also be held on physical activity as an essential element of good quality education. Ministers will discuss best practices on how education institutions and the sports sector can cooperate to promote physical activity, particularly among young people. (Isabelle Lamberty)