Lifelong Learning Platform | LLLP - European Civil Society for Education

EUCIS-LLL Seminar – Launch of the flagship initiative on ‘Inclusive Education. Fighting inequalities in education and training’

News - 25th November 2014

Seminar-Flagship-Initiative-EUCIS-LLL

Wed 10 December, 09:30-12:30 // University Foundation, Rue d’Egmont 11 (Metro Trone), Brussels

The social dimension of lifelong learning has been neglected in the 1st cycle of the Europe 2020 and ET2020 strategies. Learning is powerful in getting people more engaged in society in its economic, political and social dimensions. Providing high quality learning opportunities to all and especially to the most disadvantaged is crucial not only for our ageing workforce to cope with ever more competitive and changing labour markets, but also to be more socially included and have better living conditions. Inequalities persist in European education and training systems where vulnerable groups such as migrants are particularly disadvantaged.  As European history shows, rising inequalities go hand in hand with rising nationalism and discrimination. EUCIS-LLL firmly believes that we should refocus EU cooperation on equity, democracy and social cohesion. Let us re-engage to deliver the vision of a social Europe with high levels of quality education in respect of Article 9 of the Treaty. The EU has undertaken a series of actions to answer some of these challenges including the Youth Guarantee, cooperation on early-school leaving, Social Investment Package, Social dimension of the Bologna Process and the Roma Initiative. However we miss a coherent strategy heading those measures towards clear goals and national/regional roadmaps and a strong political will. The seminar is meant to bring people together to discuss what this strategy could look like within the Europe 2020 Strategy.

Agenda

Opening session

  • Welcome words from Daniele DI MITRI, EUCIS-LLL Vice-President
  • Opening by MEP Julie WARD, UK, S&D

Presentation

  • Paul DOWNES, Director at Educational Disadvantage Centre, Senior Lecturer in Education (Psychology) at St. Patrick’s College, Dublin City University – ‘Access to Education in Europe: A Framework and Agenda for System Change‘ – see presentation

Panel discussion

  • MEP Brando BENIFEI (S&D, IT)
  • Gina EBNER, Secretary General of the European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA) on “Outreach, Empowerment and Diversity” (OED)
  • Thomas HUDDLESTON, Programme Director Migration and Integration, Migration Policy Group, “A Clear Agenda for Migrant Education in Europe”
  • Giuseppina TUCCI, Board member of OBESSU, campaign “Education, we have a problem” – see the presentation

Group discussions

Conclusions