Support to the drafting of the European Commission contribution to the 2006 Joint Report on the implementation of the “Education and Training 2010” work programme, with particular reference to investment in human resources, and lifelong learning

Type of project/activity:

Cross-country analysis of 32 national reports focusing on the three thematic areas for which the EIESP was responsible: reforming higher education; increasing the quality and attractiveness of VET; consolidating the European dimension of education and training.

Objectives:

The main aim of the support to DG EAC was to strengthen European cooperation and monitor progress towards the Lisbon goals in the field of education, training and lifelong learning.

Background:

At the Lisbon European Council in March 2000, heads of government committed their governments to a new strategic goal with a target date of 2010. They agreed to work together "to create the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion". 'People are Europe’s main asset and should be the focal point of the Union’s policies' declared the heads of government of the then EU 15. Education and training, research, employment and competition policy are at the heart of the new strategy. These policy sectors will play a leading part in achieving the goal and the new knowledge driven economy requires major changes in education systems. There are two main objectives (i) to prepare the transition to a competitive, dynamic and knowledge-based economy (ii) to modernise the European social model by investing in people and building an active welfare state.

Since 2000 the bi-annual European Councils and Education Councils have made the goals more specific, fixed stages, concrete objectives, benchmarks and approved the tools and instruments to move towards the achievement of the overall goal. This includes regular monitoring of the process and progress made and Joint Interim Reports every two years from the Council and the Commission on the implementation of the detailed work programme on the follow-up of the objectives of education and training systems in Europe. The context, working framework and instruments have moved forward considerably in the last ten years, but so have the ambitions and objectives for and of the Member States. Hence the importance of accompanying progress and developments by careful regular monitoring through the periodic joint reports. The challenges are substantial and complex and their potential impact very significant.

Partners:

The EIESP brought together a team of specialists: Barbara Kehm and Isabelle Le Mouillour (WZ1, University of Kassel, Germany), Danielle Colardyn (International Consultant, France), Astrid Berg (European consultant, Denmark). The EIESP members of staff were: Jean Gordon, Laurence Emin and Isabelle Libert.

Main activities:

The specific activities were to:

• Draft short summary fiches for each national report using a common format;
• Undertake a synthesis and in-depth analysis for the cross-country analysis of the 32 national reports for the Staff Working Document;
• Analyse progress made and results still to be achieved according to the thematic priorities of the “Education and Training 2010” programme.

Name of programme, funder or client:

European Commission, Directorate General for Education and Culture.

Expected outcomes, reports/documents:

Commission Staff Working Document (SEC(2005) 1415, Annex to the Communication from the Commission: “Modernising education and training: a vital contribution prosperity and social cohesion in Euorpe”. Draft 2006 joint progress report of the Council and the Commission on the implementation of the “Education & Training 2010 work programme”. COM(2005)549 final


For more information: Jean Gordon gordon@eiesp.org