Released on the 12th of March 2020, EFEE’s Vision Statement sets out the focus of its priorities for the next four years. In examining the Commission’s Political Guidelines 2019-2024, EFEE recognises the need for high-quality education and training systems with an inclusive, value-based, lifelong-learning, an innovation-driven approach. EFEE furthermore pledges to focus its attention in co-alignment to the four headline ambitions set out by these Political Guidelines: (1) A European Green Deal, (2) An economy that works for people, (3) A Europe fit for the digital age, and (4) Protecting our European way of life.
- Regarding the European Green Deal EFEE intends to provide people with green skills and attitudes, encourage sustainable learning environments, pro-active re-skilling and up-skilling of the European workforce, and finally fostering disruptive innovation and research.
- As for an economy that works for people, EFEE’s aim is to strengthen Social Dialogue and foster cooperation at the European level. EFEE furthermore recognises the importance of the modernisation fund and InvestEU programmes while also calling on the Commission to further support its citizens in giving them the education and opportunities they need to thrive. Relating to the creation of an inclusive and sustainable society, EFEE deems the inclusion of the education sector necessary at all levels. Moreover, EFEE welcomes the introduction of the European Child Guarantee, the update of the Youth Guarantee, the reinforcement of the budget for Erasmus+, and finally the increasing in budget of the European Social Fund+.
- Concerning a Europe fit for the Digital Age, EFEE sets out three key issues to take into account when looking towards the future: (a) providing people with the skills they need for the Digital Age, (b) using digitalisation in education and, (c) professionalisation of all people working in education (and training) institutions. Regarding the Digital Education Action plan foreseen in the second quarter of 2020, EFEE believes that these three key issues must be represented. As for the European Approach on Artificial Intelligence, announced in the Mission letter of Vice-President Vestager, EFEE also stresses the need for the representation of the education sector.
- Lastly, EFEE’s vision for the education sector within the Commission’s headline for “protecting our European way of life” includes promoting the implementation of flexible learning pathways, stressing the importance of investing in the continuous professional development of all in the education sector, and cross-border learning. Regarding the integration of migrants and refugees into society, the Vision Statement stresses the need for a holistic, integrated and well-structured approach among all relevant Commissioners and Directorate-Generals as well as among national governments and Council formations.
The full Vision Statement is available here.
For more details, please contact daniel.wisniewski@educationemployers.eu