At their EU Council meeting in Brussels on Thursday 23 November, the European Union’s Education and Youth Ministers emphasised the importance of promoting European values and adapting to digital transformation. The meeting also focused on the importance of education in strengthening European values and democratic citizenship, especially in the current context, where democracy is perceived to be under pressure, according to the Council of the EU.
European citizenship education. With the 2024 European elections just a few months away, the Ministers of the Member States have approved conclusions that highlight the need to promote citizenship education at all levels, with an emphasis on improving understanding of the European Union and its history. The importance of media literacy in helping citizens to make informed decisions was also stressed, as was the need to integrate newcomers into the EU. Ministers encouraged Member States to ensure that learning environments are inclusive and safe. They also called for education in European values to be strengthened as part of the strategic education and training programme, including initiatives such as Erasmus+.
Digital education. In the area of digital transformation, the Ministers adopted two recommendations aimed at adapting education to digital realities. They stressed the importance of setting national targets for the provision of digital skills, in particular by targeting priority groups. The recommendations also include the integration of digital technologies into teaching and support for the development of digital educational tools. Emphasis was placed on the need for cybersecurity measures and investment in connectivity and digital infrastructure in the field of education.
These two recommendations will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union. The European Commission will monitor their implementation in all Member States and will then draw up a report for the EU Council within five years.
Another highlight of the meeting was the policy debate on attracting female talent to the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM). The Ministers discussed the importance of gender equality and the need to provide inspiring female role models.
It was agreed that the entire educational community must be involved in overcoming vulnerabilities and self-doubt. Companies and the business world are also called upon to get involved by opening their doors to students. The possibility of a European prize to give greater visibility to STEAM initiatives and the desire to work from an early age towards a mentality of equality, so that young girls no longer have any doubts about their abilities, were also discussed.
Youth. The EU Youth Ministers also discussed a range of issues that have an impact on young people, including the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, conflicts in nearby areas, the rising cost of living and unemployment. These problems put considerable pressure on the mental health and well-being of young people. In this context, the Ministers examined measures and initiatives to support young people.
In the conclusions adopted, the Member States put the emphasis on promoting the integration of young people into the EU’s political decision-making processes. This approach is in line with the commitment to place young people at the centre of EU actions, a commitment reinforced by the European Year of Youth 2022. (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)