Brussels, 20/11/2015 (Agence Europe) - The migration crisis and tackling radicalisation will be at the very heart of the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council in Brussels on Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 November. Ministers will also discuss strategies for integrating newly arrived migrants and how sport can help disadvantaged young people find their place in society. They may also adopt a declaration on the Paris attacks on Friday 13 November, following the one in March after the attacks on the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. These tragic events will, at any rate, be included in the agenda's points for discussion.
Youth. The Council will begin on Monday 23 November with the customary informal meeting of youth organisations, the Commission and the trio of Presidencies (“structured dialogue”). Ministers will then adopt two reports: - one on the EU work plan for youth (2016-2018) which includes a limited number of key initiatives to address the high youth unemployment rates and the consequences of the crisis on young people; - the other on the renewed framework for European cooperation on youth (2010-2018). A resolution on increasing young people's participation in democratic life will also be adopted. Ministers will also discuss the role of youth policy and action in the context of migration.
Education. The meeting will continue in the afternoon with adoption of a mid-term report on implementation of the strategic framework for cooperation in education and training (ET2020). The Council will adopt conclusions on reducing school drop-outs, which will urge the member states to make better use of European funding in this area. Commissioner Tibor Navracsics is expected to use this opportunity to build his case for re-directing Erasmus+ funding towards counter-radicalisation projects. Ministers will end this session with a discussion on strategies for integrating migrants newly arrived on European soil.
Culture. The meeting will resume on Tuesday 24 November with a session devoted to cooperation, integration of migrants and refugees, tackling destruction and trafficking of cultural heritage and digitisation of cultural heritage. Ministers will adopt conclusions on culture in the EU's external relations, laying particular emphasis on development cooperation. They will also adopt conclusions on the inter-cultural dialogue within the context of the 2015-2018 work plan. Lastly, the member states will hold a policy debate on the destruction and trafficking of cultural heritage in conflict areas. They are expected to make reference to the statement adopted on Friday 20 November in which it is stated that culture is one of the key instruments that Europe must deploy to counter fanaticism, radicalisation, xenophobia and racism.
Sport. During the session devoted to sport, the Council will adopt conclusions reviewing the 2011 resolution on the representation of EU member states in the foundation board of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the coordination of their positions before WADA meetings. Lastly, they will adopt conclusions on children's physical and sports activities and discuss the educational potential of sport as a way of integrating migrants. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)