This meeting of the European Parliament Interest Group on Lifelong Learning will focus on “life skills”: the range of abilities that help individuals to adapt to and deal effectively with the demands of everyday life. Such skills cover so-called “ soft” or transversal skills including creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, the ability to communicate and interact with others, or even the ability to learn as a skill in itself, as well as the capabilities needed to carry out practical, day-to-day tasks such as financial or health literacy. Life skills are required across numerous contexts – whether personal, social, civic, cultural or professional – to support people in getting the most out of their lives, in order to enhance their self-efficacy, well-being, employability and overall participation in society. They are closely related to the challenges that we face in the modern world, from climate change to changing demographics, from digitalisation and automation to the complexities of living in culturally diverse societies.
Do our education and training systems promote the ongoing and holistic development of such skills? What policies are needed to help citizens of any age or background acquire a strong set of life skills and how can European cooperation further support this? What are some of the good practices that may support the implementation of current policies and inspire new ones? This debate will seek to respond to these questions and more.
Date: Wednesday 25 September, 16.00-18.00
(Please arrive at the entrance of the Parliament by 15.30 if you do not have an access badge, more instructions will follow in the confirmation e-mail)
Location: European Parliament, Room ASP 3H1
Speakers will include MEP Julie Ward, MEP Sirpa Pietikainen and a representative of the Finnish Presidency of the Council of the EU. Full agenda coming soon.