Brussels, 30/09/2015 (Agence Europe) - Educational institutions must become more democratic and inclusive if people are to adhere to democratic values, stated the participants at the second meeting of the European Parliament's Interest Group on Lifelong Learning in Brussels last week. The topic of the meeting was “The potential role of education and lifelong learning in safeguarding EU fundamental values”.
The refugee crisis has illustrated the importance of education in mutual understanding. “A civilised society functions on three equally important pillars: democracy, education, economic stability and welfare”, Sirpa Pietikäinen (EPP, Finland) told the meeting. Julie Ward (S&D, UK) said that developing people's critical thinking is “an essential part of the answer to the crisis”. The meeting also discussed the need to change attitudes to turn educational institutions into community learning places where civic and social skills are taught alongside traditional subjects. (Original version in French by Isabelle Lamberty)