Education

European Year of Creativity and Innovation

The European Commission has received much praise for putting innovation and creativity at the centre of attention in 2009, but it remains to be seen whether the special year can go beyond mere symbolism and deliver concrete results at a time when Europe is engulfed in a global economic recession.

Financial education

Schoolchildren could start receiving courses on how to use a bank account or buy and sell shares on the stock exchange as part of EU efforts to educate citizens and prevent possible future financial crises.

Language use in the EU

Promoting a multilingual economy, giving citizens access to European Union information in their own languages and encouraging linguistic diversity through language learning: these are the principles underpinning the Commission's multilingualism policy.

European Institute of Innovation and Technology

The Commission proposes to establish a European Institute of Technology (EIT), on the model of the famous MIT based in the US, to link the three aspects of the 'knowledge triangle' - research, education and innovation. The aim is to speed up knowledge-transfer to boost innovation. But the proposal has run into criticism, forcing the Commission to water down its ambitions.

e-Skills

In a joint effort, industry and the EU seek to make as many EU residents as possible computer-literate. They profit professionally and in their private lives, and the potential benefits for the economy are huge. 

Communicating science

There is a general lack of understanding of how advances in science and technology affect our lives. Against this background, controversial or sensational reporting on food safety, GMOs, bird flu, global warming or, for example, stem cell research can leave citizens confused and frightened and science misunderstood. This is why scientists are increasingly asked to communicate their work to a wider audience and science communicators and the media to act as the responsible bridge between the scientists and society.

ERA – European Research Area

The creation of a European Research Area (ERA) is about creating a genuine European 'internal market' for research to increase pan-European co-operation and co-ordination of national research activities.

Lifelong learning

Lifelong learning is, for the EU, "the guiding principle for the development of education and training policy". While promoting social inclusion and personal fulfilment, lifelong learning develops people's employability and adaptability, and is therefore a core element of the Jobs and Growth strategy.

Bologna Process

The Bologna Process aims to establish a European Area of Higher Education by 2010. The objectives include higher education reform and the elimination of remaining barriers to the mobility of students and teachers.

Women & Science

Europe desperately needs more researchers to achieve scientific and technological excellence and to reach the Lisbon goal of becoming the world's most competitive knowledge-based economy. As women are currently under-represented in the field of scientific research, the Commission is promoting measures specifically aimed at encouraging women to take part in European research.

European Year of Education through Sport (archived)

The aim of the European Year of Education through Sport (EYES) 2004 was to raise awareness about the potentially beneficial links between education and sport.

Spring Summit 2004

Since the adoption of the Lisbon Strategy in 2000, the European Council in its Spring meetings has focused on assessing of the progress made towards "making Europe the most competitive knowledge-based economy in the world". The Commission on 21 January 2004 published its 'Spring Report' as a basis for the Summit, which was held on 25-26 March in Brussels.

eLearning

The EU's eLearning initiative seeks to mobilise all actors to speed up changes in the education and training systems for EU's move to a knowledge-based society.

Education: Introduction [Archived]

The European Union seeks to integrate a European dimension in the education of all EU nationals. This is achieved by promoting mobility of learners and teachers in the EU, creating European networks and discussing new learning methods. The Community also promotes life-long learning. However, each Member State remains responsible for the content and organisation of its education and training systems.