Spain, which began its term of office as Presidency of the Council of the EU on Saturday 1 July, has two main priorities regarding the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport (EYCS) programme: to develop digital and inclusive education for young people and to establish culture and sport as pillars of European citizenship.
Education
In the field of education, Spain intends to complete the mid-term review of the European education area by promoting its “social, democratic and digital pillars”. It will thus detail conclusions on the contribution of education to strengthening European values. On the digital front, it will put forward two recommendations on improving skills in this area and on the factors for success in IT education.
With regard to higher education, Madrid wants to promote the development of online certificates and the automatic recognition of qualifications.
Youth
Like the previous Swedish Presidency, the Spanish Presidency intends to pay specific attention to the mental health of young people.
It also intends to strengthen the 2019–2027 youth strategy. In a draft set of conclusions detailed on our pages, it defends the interest of “youth tests” and youth coordinators (see EUROPE 13213/25).
Culture
In terms of culture, Spain is committed to encouraging the development of local “cultural landscapes” and best practice in relation to heritage management. At the same time, it intends to argue in favour of a European statute for artists and cultural workers and an EU strategy on video games.
However, the ‘Media Freedom Act’ (EMFA) is the topic on which the views of the country are particularly awaited. Subject to the European Parliament adopting its position, Spain will be responsible for defending the EU Council’s political agreement during the interinstitutional negotiations (see EUROPE 13206/1).
Sport
Finally, regarding sport, the Presidency has three priorities: - promote equality, particularly the inclusion of women; - ensure that sports facilities are “safe spaces”; - eradicate acts of hatred.
The ‘EYCS’ Council will be held from 23 to 24 November.
The programme of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU is here: https://aeur.eu/f/7v4 (Original version in French by Hélène Seynaeve)