Barroso promises ‘education and research’ focus

The Commission president said, in advance of upcoming celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, that education and research would be high on the European Council’s March agenda.

Speaking on 21 February 2007, Barroso emphasised that information and knowledge is transforming the way that citizens perceive the world and its societies today. 

Using the example of digital literacy, he said that those without computer literacy are those that “tend to fall by the wayside”. Thus, a focus on education, research and innovation are not only important for our economies but also for our societies, he continued.

Barroso said that no European country is large enough to take the necessary steps into the knowledge era by itself, because since the “challenge is global, the response has to be European”.

The recent launch of the 7th Framework Programme and the Life Long Learning Programme illustrated Europe’s ambition in the area, said Barroso, adding that the Commission would be a ‘catalyst’ for change:

• First, by collecting and sharing innovative ideas with member states and stakeholders to help shape future policies, and;
• second, by creating structures for stronger co–operation.

Looking at the European Institute of Technology (EIT), he said that it was an example of a genuine pan-European drive for knowledge, and that it could play an important role in the energy and climate-change field. 

However, he was careful to add that education and research were still mainly national responsibilities and that member states must prioritise the issue domestically. 

The European Council summit will be held on 8-9 March 2007.

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