Under the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the fields of education, youth, culture and sport are being considered from the perspective of demographic challenges - such as rural isolation and an ageing population - and European competitiveness, to raise the EU’s profile by promoting its heritage, greater mobility and major sporting events.
Education: strategic partnerships and transitions. The Hungarian Presidency of the EU Council is talking about educational priorities based on strategic partnerships and adaptation to the digital and green transitions. It has announced that it is focusing on vocational training, higher education and adult education, with the planned adoption of Council conclusions to strengthen these areas.
Negotiations on the higher education package, proposed in March by the Commission (see EUROPE 13380/3) and including recommendations for a European quality assurance system and a European diploma, are also on the agenda.
Educating young people about audiovisual media. Media literacy education for children will be a key focus. The Hungarian Presidency will identify policy measures to improve media literacy skills at national and European level by assessing current gaps and necessary areas of intervention.
Youth: inclusion and international opportunities. As part of the 10th cycle of the ‘EU Youth Dialogue’, which will come to an end with the Hungarian Presidency on 30 December 2024 after a year and a half of discussions, the Hungarian Presidency will focus on the inclusion of young people in rural areas. Council conclusions will be proposed to offer global opportunities to young people living in isolated areas.
The mental health of young people and their strategic role in the future vision of the European Union will be key issues. A resolution on the experiences of the 10th cycle of the ‘EU Youth Dialogue’ will be adopted, as well as a work plan for the ‘EU Youth Strategy’ 2025-2027.
Strengthening cultural participation. The Hungarian Presidency wants to strengthen cultural participation and access to culture. Council conclusions will be adopted to improve them and demonstrate the social and community role of culture.
Protecting cultural heritage against climate change and disasters will also be a priority.
Digital access to cultural heritage is also to be promoted.
The ‘New European Bauhaus’ initiative, which aims to combine sustainability, aesthetics and inclusion in the design of living spaces, and the sustainable modernisation of built heritage will be explored to combine these objectives.
Sport: promoting healthy lifestyles. Promoting healthy lifestyles through sport will be a major priority. The Hungarian Presidency will use major sporting events, such as the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris 2024 and Milan Cortina 2026, to promote sport and its social, cultural and economic impact.
A high-level conference will enable Member States to share their experience of organising major sporting events.
Council conclusions on the legacy of these events will be adopted, while reiterating the importance of anti-doping measures and strengthening the European sport model, based on financial solidarity and universal access to sport.
The programme: https://aeur.eu/f/crs (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)